Bradley’s Almanac

[30 Years Ago Today] Sub Pop’s Vermonstress Fest

Posted on October 10, 2022 at 12:45 pm | 5 Comments

 

 

A few weeks back, sporting a Pond t-shirt while watching the re-kindled Come play a blistering set at the venerable Middle East Upstairs, with Buffalo Tom‘s Bill Janovitz in the sold-out crowd off to my right and Green Magnet School‘s Chris Pearson somewhere behind me, I had a stray thought: “Well, this is certainly a very Vermonstress evening.” The first time I’d ever seen all four of those bands play was at the absolutely-stacked 2-day Sub Pop Vermonstress Festival in my relatively small hometown of Burlington, Vermont. My second thought: “Wait, that was October ’92… it’s now 2022. Whoa, the 30 year anniversary is comin’ right up.” So here we are.

After Come left the Middle East stage that night, I mentioned the impending anniversary date to longtime WMBR DJ Jon Bernhardt (who was also at the VT fest, at least a decade before we’d actually meet), and remarked that I should probably do some kind of anniversary post. I recalled a previous post at the 20-year mark when I’d shared the fest’s soundboard recordings, and lamented the absence of the Buffalo Tom set, which was on a cassette that had long ago disappeared. Cue Jon: “Y’know, I think I may have those original recordings somewhere on a server.” And he did!

So today, on the three-decade anniversary of that fabled Sub Pop Records fest, I not only rectify the glaring Buffalo Tom omission, but also add the band that was on the other side of that lost tape: The World According To Steve, teenagers from Bennington, VT who were invited by Sub Pop to represent the host state. Also missing from that original share, but only because I didn’t think their set was even recorded: First day openers Gravel. Turns out that was partly true… just a few songs from their performance were captured, so I’ve added them here.

I’ve taken this opportunity to use Jon’s files, which were sourced from the original DATs, to vastly improve the sound quality of some select sets, and re-encoded all the MP3s as larger files at a higher bitrate (remember when server space was pricey?). Those new files also allowed me to reconstruct the exact playing order of the weekend, unearth a few songs that were missing from the cassette dubs, and tweak some details on a few setlists. And there are so many more older releases on both Bandcamp and Spotify than there were a decade ago that I was even able to finally identify all the HP Zinker song names. As a stickler for details, that’s always nagged at me a bit.

It may be hyperbolic to say that weekend changed my life, but it certainly had a butterfly effect on my future. I not only became a lifelong fan of a handful of incredible bands, but met some genuinely great people I’m still in touch with, and was in the room with others I’d eventually call friends. The event even inspired my pal Colin and I to start our own derivatively-named yearly indie music fest, during which I’d solidify relationships that eventually led to my move to Boston. I could go on, but yeah… it was a pretty big deal in my personal world, and it’s been a blast re-listening to these sets while editing over the past couple weeks. Psyched to be able to shine a light on them again. Enjoy…
 
Download all 157 live MP3s here: Vermonstress ZIP file



Sub Pop’s Vermonstress Festival

 

Day 1
Saturday, October 10th, 1992
at Club Metronome, Burlington, Vermont
 
afternoon show…
 
Gravel
01. Sand In My Eyes (fades in)
02. Halfway
03. Over The Edge
 
Codeine
01. Realize
02. Jr.
03. Barely Real
04. Cave-In
05. Hard to Find
06. D
07. Broken-Hearted Wine
 
Beat Happening
01. Tiger Trap
02. Teenage Caveman
03. Sleepyhead
04. Dreamy
05. banter
06. Red Head Walking
07. Other Side
08. Revolution Come and Gone
09. Nancy Sin
10. Noise
11. Godsend
12. Left Behind
13. Cry For A Shadow
14. Me Untamed
15. Crashing Through
16. You Turn Me On
 
evening show…
 
Crow
01. Confection
02. Eyes Are Bruised
03. Railhead
04. Light
05. Prisoner
06. The Charley Horses
07. EJ
08. God-Fearing Shareholders of the World
 
Pond
01. Grinned
02. Young Splendor
03. Perfect Four
04. Wheel
05. Pretty Thing (Bo Diddley cover)
06. Spots
07. Agatha / Filler
 
Velocity Girl
01. Even Die
02. 57 Waltz
03. Copacetic
04. Pretty Sister
05. Stupid Thing
06. Warm/Crawl
07. My Forgotten Favorite
08. Creepy
09. Crazy Town
 
Drop Nineteens
01. Delaware
02. Mayfield
03. Winona
04. Astral
05. Happen
06. My Aquarium
07. Reberrymemberer
08. Angel (Madonna cover)
 
Come
01. Dead Molly
02. William
03. Submerge
04. Last Mistake
05. Fast Piss Blues
06. Bell
07. Car
08. S.V.K.

 


Sub Pop’s Vermonstress Festival

Day 2
Sunday, October 11th, 1992
at Club Metronome, Burlington, Vermont
 
afternoon show…
 
The World According To Steve
01. Spur of the Moment Song
02. Grey Eyes
03. Manufactured World
04. Here and Back
05. Beauty and Pain
06. Happy Hour
07. TWATS Theme
08. War Dreams
09. Funky
 
H.P. Zinker
01. Desperate Moves
02. A Million Sparks Are Riding In My Mind
03. Reason
04. Trapped
05. Our Precious Love
06. The Breed
07. Mirror
08. Sometimes I Just Don’t Feel Like Talking
09. Warzone City
10. Mysterious Girl
 
Eric’s Trip
01. Kiss Me Baby / Smother
02. Listen
03. Haze
04. Belong
05. Happens All The Time
06. Float
07. Belly
08. My Chest Is Empty (part 2)
09. Blinded
10. Bring Down the Rain
11. Easier Last Time
12. Open Your Heart (Madonna cover)
 
Green Magnet School
01. Sonic Exterminator
02. Noxin
03. Barmecide Room
04. Don’t Cry (Neil Young cover)
05. Singed
06. 12 Gauge
07. Penance
 
evening show…
 
Sloan
01. Sleepover
02. Lucky For Me
03. Shame Shame
04. Ill-Placed Trust
05. Underwhelmed
06. Amped
07. Take It In
08. Marcus Said
09. Pretty Voice
10. Rag Doll
 
Six Finger Satellite
01. Sex Transistor
02. Niponese National Anthem
03. Laughing Larry
04. Polish the Shine (Satchmo)
05. Home for the Holy Day
06. Crippled Monster Bearing Malice
 
Sub Pop says “Thanks!”
 
Chris Harford & the First Rays of the New Rising Sun
01. Swinging Bridge
02. Raise the Roof
03. Looking For Light
04. Road With You
05. If You Forget Me
06. Pop Life (Prince cover)
07. You Brains
08. The Living End
09. Sing, Breathe, and Be Merry
 
Giant Sand
01. Neon Filler
02. Sage Advice
03. Wearing the Robes of Bible Black
04. Solomon’s Ride
05. Stuck
06. Unwed and Well Sped
 
Barbara Manning
01. Never Park
02. Breathe Lies
03. Someone Wants You Dead
04. Don’t Rewind
05. Winter Song
06. Green
07. On On and One
08. Smoking Her Wings (The Bats cover)
09. Lock Yer Room
10. Scissors
 
Buffalo Tom
01. Walk Away
02. Staples
03. Enemy
04. Darl
05. Taillights Fade
06. Velvet Roof
07. Mineral
08. Sunflower Suit
09. I’m Not There
10. Bleeding Heart
11. Birdbrain

 


“um, thanks for coming, it’s 2 o’clock…
they gotta close… so it’s done.
c’mon, 18 bands, 36 hours…
you’ve had enough rock.”

– the final words from the Metronome stage,
spoken by WMBR DJ/Vermonstress emcee David Greene,
during unending encore applause at the 2am curfew
on Monday, October 12th, 2022

 

Comments

5 Responses to “[30 Years Ago Today] Sub Pop’s Vermonstress Fest”

  1. Kevy Nova
    October 11th, 2022 @ 8:25 pm

    Thank you for all your research and reporting on this, Brad! I was the guitarist for The World According To Steve and this was such a magical time, I’m glad you’re keeping it alive. We were aware that the show was recorded but never heard it until now! I thought the recording was lost forever.

  2. Dave Rosencrans
    October 16th, 2022 @ 8:42 pm

    Hello Bradley – As part of the Sub Pop crew lucky enough to attend 1992’s foliage fest in Burlington, I appreciated your post here ten years ago. When Jon B’s BOC episode broadcast on WMBR last Friday, I was blown away by the additional effort you’ve both put into documenting Vermonstress, and can’t thank you enough.

    I’d also like to give a heartfelt shoutout to Joyce Linehan, an author of the Declaration of Techno-Colonial Independence. While it is true that Sub Pop organized this event, Vermonstress was her idea and she was the driving force in making it actually happen.

    Vermonstress perhaps best exemplifies Joyce’s contribution to the label, which was incalculable. She drove a big shift in the A&R direction and a broadening of the label’s aesthetic, all of which was under-appreciated by many. Most importantly, she shifted the culture of the company, making it a far more FUN place to work.

    When I think back to my time there, a great percentage of my best memories involved Joyce, 10-A Burt St. in Dot, and the circle of talent for which she was a hub.

    Thanks again for prepping and sharing these tracks, all of which still sound great and are proof positive of those wonderful times. – Dave Rosencrans, Seattle

  3. Joyce Linehan
    October 19th, 2022 @ 9:47 am

    Dave- You are very kind. I mostly remember laughter and good music!

    Joyce

  4. Jamie Blondin
    October 20th, 2022 @ 8:59 pm

    I had a moment and looked up the name. Was your dad a policeman? I am just reminiscing but we could have been besties when we were very young.

    If not, no harm. Thanks!

  5. Brad Searles
    October 21st, 2022 @ 10:31 am

    Holy $#%^! Jamie! Yeah, it’s me. I still have the photographic evidence of our youngster hang-times. Crazy that you found me through here. And if I’d randomly seen your name somewhere, I’d have done the same thing. 🙂

Leave a Reply


Notice: Undefined variable: user_ID in \\NAWINFS02\HOME\users\web\b498\rh.bsearles\wp-content\themes\elements-of-seo\comments.php on line 78





  • Handy links

  • BOSTON-AREA LIVE SHOW ACTION
    Monday, March 20th
    Bruce Springsteen
    & the E Street Band
    @ TD Garden

    Tuesday, March 21st
    EARFULL - words & music
    from author Lauren Acampora,
    composer Mason Darin with guest
    Jeanie Stahl, writer/director
    John Sayles, and musician Lizje
    @ the Burren Backroom

    Saturday, March 25th
    Bird Streets (duo show)
    @ the Village Social Club
    inside Garrison House, Brookline

    Saturday, March 25th
    Yoni Gorden's
    "Courtship"Record Release show!
    with Kathy Snax and visuals
    by Alison Tanenhaus & Vidumami
    @ Boston Funk, Beach St.

    Saturday, March 25th
    Addie
    Chris Normann
    Thumber
    @ EXIT Galleries

    Sunday, March 26th
    Andy Cohen
    (Silkworm/Bottomless Pit)
    Chris Brokaw
    @ an Allston living room

    Tuesday, March 28th
    Sunset Rubdown
    @ the Crystal Ballroom

    Tuesday, March 28th
    The Residents
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, March 30th
    Will Johnson
    @ an Allston living room

    Thursday, March 30th
    The Murder Capital
    Pet Fox
    @ the Sinclair

    Friday, March 31st
    The Church
    @ the Sinclair

    Friday, March 31st
    Jukebox The Ghost
    @ the Royale

    Sunday, April 2nd
    Robyn Hitchcock
    Kelley Stoltz
    @ City Winery

    Monday, April 3rd
    Tennis
    Kate Bollinger
    @ the House of Blues

    Tuesday, April 4th
    Jason Narducy (Split Single,
    Superchunk, Bob Mould Band)
    with a string section
    live in Somerville
    @ A Curated World

    Thursday, April 6th
    Rick Berlin w/Orchestra Luna,
    Berlin Airlift, & Nickel & Dime Band,
    with guests The Sheila Divine,
    Hallelujah the Hills, & Nervous Eaters
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Thursday, April 6th
    Jake McKelvie &
    the Countertops
    with Thalia Zedek
    @ Notch Brewing, Brighton

    Thursday, April 6th
    Caroline Rose
    @ the Sinclair

    Friday, April 7th
    Laura Stevenson
    "Wheel" 10th Anniversary
    Kayleigh Goldsworthy
    @ the Sinclair

    Saturday, April 8th
    Dear Nora
    (Katy Davidson solo)
    @ Gallery 263

    Saturday, April 8th
    Sleaford Mods
    @ the Paradise

    Saturday, April 8th
    Emma Ruth Rundle
    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Sunday, April 9th
    Bikini Kill
    @ Roadrunner

    Thursday, April 13th
    Andrew Bird
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Thursday, April 13th
    Jake McKelvie &
    the Countertops
    with Dutch Tulips
    @ Notch Brewing, Brighton

    Friday, April 14th
    U.S. Girls
    Jane Inc.
    @ the Sinclair

    Friday, April 14th
    Radio Compass
    @ Faces Brewing, Malden

    Friday, April 14th
    Widowspeak
    Duster
    @ the Paradise

    Saturday, April 15th
    Raw Bell
    Unmade Bed
    The Mystery
    @ the Jungle

    Saturday, April 15th
    Harris
    Sidewalk Driver
    Stars Like Ours
    Aaron and the Lord
    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Sunday, April 16th
    Codeine
    Barbara Manning
    @ the Sinclair

    Sunday, April 16th
    Peter Case
    Ben de la Cour
    @ Atwood's Tavern

    Sunday, April 16th
    Dead Can Dance
    @ the Wang

    Wednesday, April 19th
    Sloan
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Thursday, April 20th
    Black Flag
    @ the Middle East Down

    Thursday, April 20th
    Jake McKelvie &
    the Countertops
    with Puppy Problems
    and Slim Volume
    @ Notch Brewing, Brighton

    Friday, April 21st
    Boyscott
    Nova One
    Lady Pills
    @ the Lilypad

    Friday, April 21st
    The Feelies
    @ the Sinclair

    Friday, April 21st
    Fruit Bats
    @ the Royale

    Saturday, April 22nd
    Nora O'Connor
    special intimate solo show
    @ in Somerville

    Saturday, April 22nd
    Joywave
    Elliot Lee
    @ the Royale

    Saturday, April 22nd
    Unknown Mortal Orchestra
    @ Roadrunner

    Sunday, April 23rd
    Skinny Puppy
    @ House of Blues

    Sunday, April 23rd
    M83
    @ Roadrunner

    Monday, April 24th
    Stay In Nothing
    Wavier Wire
    Indoor Friends
    The Dream Today
    @ the Silhouette Lounge

    Tuesday & Wednesday
    April 25th & 26th
    Built to Spill
    @ the Sinclair

    Wednesday, April 26th
    Andy Shauf
    @ the Royale
    Thursday, April 27th
    Jake McKelvie &
    the Countertops
    with Andy Cohen (of
    Silkworm & Bottomless Pit)
    and Ezra Cohen &
    the Big City Band
    @ Notch Brewing, Brighton

    Friday & Saturday
    April 28th & 29th
    The Town & the City Festival
    with so many artists, including...
    Buffalo Tom, Ted Leo, John Doe Trio,
    Vapors of Morphine, Rhett Miller,
    Pile, Dave Herlihy (O Positive),
    Robin Lane, Justine & the Unclean,
    and many, many more
    @ lots of walkable Lowell, MA venues

    Saturday, April 29th
    Screaming Females
    Iron Chic
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Saturday, April 29th
    Lucius
    @ Roadrunner

    Sunday, April 30th
    John Vanderslice
    intimate solo show
    @ somewhere in Somerville

    Sunday, April 30th
    Placebo
    Deap Vally
    @ Roadrunner

    Monday, May 1st
    Mill Pond Falls
    Norris The Terrible
    Modern Day Idols
    Jim Healey
    @ the Silhouette

    Monday, May 1st
    Pedro The Lion
    performing
    "It's Hard To Find A Friend"
    and "Control" in full
    @ the Sinclair

    Wednesday, May 3rd
    The Natural Lines
    (ex-Matt Pond PA)
    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Friday, May 5th
    Fever Ray
    @ Roadrunner

    Saturday, May 6th
    DARK SPRING BOSTON
    @ the Middle East Down

    Saturday, May 6th
    Cathedral Ceilings
    Hilken Mancini Band
    Lupo Citta
    @ the Midway

    Saturday, May 6th
    Muna
    Nova Twins
    @ Roadrunner

    Saturday, May 6th
    David Cross
    Sean Patton
    @ the Wilbur

    Sunday, May 7th
    Meg Baird
    Damon & Naomi
    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Sunday, May 7th
    Goth Babe
    flipturn
    Yoke Lore
    @ Roadrunner

    Sunday, May 7th
    Pixies
    Franz Ferdinand
    Bully
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Wednesday, May 10th
    Natalie Merchant
    @ the Emerson Colonial

    Thursday, May 11th
    Chisel
    Hilken Mancini Band
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, May 11th
    Graham Nash
    @ the Cabot, Beverly

    Friday, May 12th
    The Lemon Twigs
    Josephine Network
    @ the Sinclair

    Saturday, May 13th
    The Hold Steady
    Dinosaur Jr.
    Come
    @ Roadrunner

    Monday, May 15th
    Radio Compass
    @ Charlie's Kitchen

    Monday, May 15th
    The New Pornographers
    Wild Pink
    @ the Royale

    Wednesday, May 17th
    Feist
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Thursday, May 18th
    The Pernice Brothers
    perform "Overcome By Happiness"
    (with a string section!)
    @ the Crystal Ballroom

    Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
    May 19th, 20th, & 21st
    Taylor Swift
    Phoebe Bridgers
    Gayle
    @ Gillette Stadium

    Sunday, May 21st
    Blink 182
    Turnstile
    @ the Garden

    Wednesday, May 24th
    Beach Bunny
    Pup
    Pool Kids
    @ Roadrunner

    Monday, May 29th
    An Attendant Ana
    Adult Learners
    Hands and Knees
    @ O'Brien's

    Tuesday, May 30th
    Frank Turner
    The Interrupters
    Laura Jane Grace
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Tuesday, May 30th
    Crowded House
    @ the Wang

    Wednesday, May 31th
    Sisters of Mercy
    @ Big Night Live

    Wednesday, May 31th
    Fenne Lily
    Christian Lee Hutson
    @ the Sinclair

    Friday, June 2nd
    The Album Leaf
    @ the Somerville Armory

    Friday, June 2nd
    Bruce Cockburn
    @ the Cabot, Beverly

    Saturday, June 3rd
    AJJ
    Oceanator
    Gladie
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, June 8th
    Pixies
    Franz Ferdinand
    Bully
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Friday, June 9th
    Tina Fey & Amy Poehler
    "Restless Leg Tour"
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Saturday, June 10th
    Bryan Adams
    Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
    @ TD Garden

    Friday & Saturday
    June 16th & 17th
    Chris Smither
    @ Club Passim

    Friday, June 16th
    Steve Lacy
    James Blake
    Toro y Moi
    Fousheé
    @ the Stage @ Suffolk Downs

    Saturday, June 17th
    LCD Soundsystem
    Jamie xx
    Idles
    L'Rain
    @ the Stage @ Suffolk Downs

    Sunday, June 18th
    boygenius
    Clairo
    Dijon
    Bartees Strange
    @ the Stage @ Suffolk Downs

    Sunday, June 18th
    The Cure
    The Twilight Sad
    @ Xfinity Center

    Wednesday, June 21st
    Wednesday
    Tenci
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, June 22nd
    Tiny Habits
    @ the Sinclair

    Saturday, June 24th
    Teen Suicide
    @ the Sinclair

    Saturday, July 1st
    Sparks
    @ the Wilbur

    Saturday, July 15th
    Jenny Lewis
    Cass McCombs
    Hayden Pedigo
    @ Roadrunner

    Saturday, July 15th
    Counting Crows
    Dashboard Confessional
    Frank Turner
    @ the Pavilion

    Saturday, July 15th
    Noel Gallagher's
    High Flying Birds
    with Garbage
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Sunday, July 16th
    Braid
    "Frame & Canvas"
    25th Anniversary Tour
    with guests
    @ the Sinclair

    Sunday, July 16th
    First Aid Kit
    The Weather Station
    @ Roadrunner

    Tuesday, July 18th
    Panda Bear & Sonic Boom
    with Braxe + Falcon
    @ the Paradise

    Tuesday, July 18th
    Cake
    @ the Pavilion

    Monday & Tuesday
    July 24th & 25th
    Le Tigre
    @ the Royale

    Tuesday & Wednesday
    July 25th & 26th
    Billy Strings
    @ the Pavilion

    Thursday, July 27th
    Jason Isbell and
    the 400 Unit
    @ Roadrunner

    Saturday, August 5th
    Mellow Bravo
    Cask Mouse
    Hayley Thompson-King
    @ the Sinclair

    Saturday, August 5th
    Foreigner
    Loverboy
    @ Xfinity Center

    Friday, August 11th
    Band of Horses
    The Revivalists
    @ the Pavilion

    Friday, August 11th
    Glen Hansard &
    Marketa Irglova
    (of the Swell Season)
    @ the Wang

    Saturday, August 19th
    Sigur Ros
    with an orchestra
    @ the Wang

    Saturday & Sunday
    August 19th & 20th
    In Between Days Festival
    with
    Modest Mouse, Lord Huron, Metric,
    Trampled By Turtles, Sunny Day Real
    Estate, Cautious Clay, Yoke Lore,
    Blitzen Trapper, Allison Ponthier,
    Illiterate Light, Slothrust,
    Miko Marks, Weakened Friends,
    shallow pools, Kat Wright,
    Fantastic Cat, Dwight & Nicole,
    Paper Tigers, Dutch Tulips,
    Carissa Johnson, Mint Green,
    Gypsy Moths, & Sweet Petunia
    @ Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy

    Thursday, August 24th
    Jimmy Eat World
    Manchester Orchestra
    Middle Kids
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Thursday, August 24th
    Bruce Springsteen
    & the E Street Band
    @ Gillette Stadium

    Friday, August 25th
    Alex G
    Alvvays
    @ the Pavilion

    Sunday, September 3rd
    The Offspring
    A Simple Plan
    Sum 41
    @ the Xfinity Center

    Tuesday, September 5th
    Beck
    Phoenix
    Weyes Blood
    Sir Chloe
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Wednesday, September 6th
    Duran Duran
    Nile Rodgers & Chic
    Bastille
    @ TD Garden

    Tuesday & Wednesday September 12th & 13th
    Death Cab For Cutie
    The Postal Service
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Thursday, September 14th
    Peter Gabriel
    @ the Garden

    Wednesday, September 20th
    OSEES
    @ the Royale

    Wednesday, September 20th
    Death Grips
    @ House of Blues

    Friday, September 22nd
    Tegan & Sara
    Carlie Hanson
    @ Roadrunner

    Friday, September 22nd
    Lady Lamb
    celebrates 10 years
    of "Ripely Pine"
    @ the Sinclair

    Wednesday, October 11th
    The Mission UK
    The Chamelons
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Monday, October 23rd
    Pile
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, October 26th
    Mudhoney
    Hooveriii
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Tuesday, October 31st
    Depeche Mode
    @ the Garden

    Saturday, November 4th
    Amyl and the Sniffers
    Die Spitz
    @ Roadrunner

    Thursday, November 30th
    Nation of Language
    Miss Grit
    @ the Sinclair