PUNKFEST INFO: FAQ'n INFO - Updated August 4, 2004

**READ THIS PAGE - It contains important information that can easily be overlooked.

Q. WHERE IS THE *NEW* SPIDERLAND ACRES?
A. Check the CONTACT PAGE for driving directions and map.

Q. WHERE IS THE ORIGINAL SPIDERLAND ACRES AND HOW DO I GET THERE?
A. Spiderland Acres is located in Marmora, Ontario, Canada, approximately half-way between Toronto and Ottawa, leaning more toward Ottawa. A MAP and DRIVING DIRECTIONS are posted on the Contact page.

Q. WHEN WAS THE LAST PARTY? HOW WAS IT?
A. Punkfest 2004 was the most recent party - Canadian Civic Holiday long weekend, July 30th - August 2nd, 2004. Only 11 1/2 bands actually played. Cretin from Dayglo & Airock from the Goofs created a their own little band to fill a gap of space due to some bands not showing up to play. A lot of Punkfest regulars and quite a few first-timers attended, over 200 attended in total throughout the weekend. It turned out to be a small but crazy fest. Spider would like to thank all those who donated and showed up to the fest.

Q. WHEN IS THE NEXT PARTY?
A. SPRING BASH 2005, to be held May 20th - 22nd (well, kinda ends on the 23rd but usually no bands on the Monday). Details have been posted and Driving Directions coming soon.

Q. I WANT TO HELP OUT WITH THE NEXT PARTY - HOW?
A. You can help out in a number of different ways. We need people to help with everything from flyering (click here to download the latest printable poster) for parties to picking up (especially their own) garbage and any glass bottles during and after the party. We most sincerely thank all those who have helped and continue to help keep Punkfest going, through their donations, time and energy after the barn fire, and the bands who come up each year to play Punkfest and all of Spider's other parties.

*SPIDER STRONGLY ENCOURAGES EVERYBODY TO USE CANS or PLASTIC BOTTLES- NOT GLASS BOTTLES if possible.

Q. MY BAND WANTS TO PLAY THE NEXT PARTY! WHO DO WE CONTACT?
A. ALL BANDS wishing to book early for upcoming parties should contact us NOW through the Punkfest Message Board, by EMAIL or phone Spider - as mentioned several times on this site, his phone number can be found on the Contact Page. Send URL (web address) of your website or music if at all possible. Otherwise describe your band and whatever you feel like telling us about it. The earlier you book and confirm the more happy we'll all be.

Q. DO THE BANDS NEED TO BRING EQUIPMENT TO PLAY ON?
A. YES. Most definitely so. A PA system will be provided (and possibly but not definitely, a basic drum kit but don't count on it. If a kit is provided, Drummers should bring their own pedals, sticks and cymbals). Beyond that, you'll have to bring your own amps and instruments. See the BANDS PAGE for specific details regarding equipment and list of bands for each party. This info will be updated sometime before the fest. If you book your band please make certain that equipment such as instruments, amps, cords, and accessories is arranged well in advance. If you need to share or borrow gear perhaps we can help you arrange to share gear with other bands. Contact us and tell us what gear you have and willing to lend to another band, what you lack and need, and maybe we can get you in touch with another band that also wishes to share gear. We do not recommend the lending or borrowing of guitars or high-end gear, especially to strangers, unless you are fully prepared to accept 100% responsibility for such items if anything should happen to them. We will not be held responsible for your gear no matter what. If you are not fully prepared to accept any losses or damage to your gear please do not share it or lend it or leave it unattended! The best thing to do is to bring your own or share with a friend's band - whatever you do please try to arrange this stuff well in advance. Please be prepared as best you can before you show up!

Q. WHAT IS PUNKFEST?
A. Spider's birthday bash - a 3-Day party weekend (Fri, Sat, Sun) attended by hundreds each July. Bring your camping gear, pick a spot, pitch a tent, & see the bands, meet lots of people & have the most fun you'll ever have in your life. We ask for a $30 CAD donation (approx $20 USD) and that includes an entire weekend of partying and seeing a whole bunch of underground independent diy punk bands play live in your face and party with them! This Punkfest will be a special one with some very cool special guests if all goes as planned.

Q. DOES IT COST MONEY TO ATTEND PUNKFEST?
A. Donations of $30 are accepted for July's Punkfest. Donations of $10 are accepted for May's Spring Bash. Donations for Other Parties are usually $5 which goes to the bands who play. All Donations are accepted either In Advance, or At the Entrance. Profits go towards Animal Welfare and Gas Money for the bands who have to travel the distance. Bands must arrange any gas money personally with Spider by telephone. Otherwise, don't show up expecting to be paid. There are so many bands that confirm and don't show up or don't confirm but show up - all are welcome to play, just let us know so it makes everyone's life a little easier.

Q. PUNKFESTS 1999 & 2001 WEREN'T HELD AT SPIDERLAND ACRES. IS PUNKFEST NOW A TRAVELLING CIRCUS? WUDDUP W/ DAT?
A. That wasn't the plan Stan, but Spider was ordered by the forces that govern the Township of Marmora & Lake, population 1400, to tear down the 10-year-old amphitheatre stage and most recently the Barn was burned down at Spiderland Acres so Punkfest will no longer be held there. You can still call or write for information though. PUNKFEST 2004 will be held near Algonquin Park, approximately a 5-hour drive NORTH of TORONTO and 4-hour drive WEST of MONTREAL.

Q. HOW OFTEN DO PUNKFESTS ACTUALLY TAKE PLACE?
A. "Punkfest" itself takes place annually - that means once a year, normally on the weekend of or following July 13th. For example, this year's Punkfest was supposed to happen on July 16th - 18th, 2004. However, this year the date has changed. This year's fest, PUNKFEST 2004 was held JULY 30th - AUGUST 2nd.

Q. BUT AREN'T THERE OTHER PARTIES IN MAY AND OCTOBER?
A. Yes! 'Spring Bash" takes place in MAY ("May 2.4." holiday long weekend - not necessarily the 24th of May) and "Thanksgiving/Halloween Bash" takes place in OCTOBER (Canadian Thanksgiving weekend).

Q. HOW OLD IS PUNKFEST?
A. The first Punkfest was held in 1991, so that makes it approximately 13 years old, only slightly younger than Spider himself.

Q. HOW OLD IS SPIDER?
A. Well, some would tell you he is in his mid 60's, and Spider would say he's in his late 20's but others would swear that he doesn't look a day over 19.

Q. WHY IS THERE VERY LITTLE INFORMATION POSTED ABOUT PUNKFEST AND OTHER PARTIES?
A. Punkfest is a party - not a scouting ground for new talent. We are not interested in attracting the masses. We are not nor have we ever been sponsored by Sony or any other major corporation nor do we have any desire to be a part of that scene called the "Music Industry". Punkfest and all of Spider's other parties are made for Punkers and everyone who loves Punk Rock, Hardcore, Crust, Thrash music.

Q. I TRIED TO EMAIL SPIDER BUT I DID NOT RECEIVE A REPLY. DOES SPIDER HATE ME?
A. He surfs too much porn & his computer is congested and there is no room for your messages.
JUST KIDDING. SPIDER'S COMPUTER IS COMPLETELY SCREWED - DO NOT EMAIL HIM UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Please contact him by telephone. His phone number is listed on the Contact page.

photographs of Spider's old computer...

and what was that sticky brown slimy shit poured all over that old printer?

Q. WILL THERE BE MORE PICTURES AND OTHER MEDIA POSTED ON PUNKFEST.COM?
A. YES! Send us your Punkfest photos, recordings, letters, thoughts, and we will post it up. We need more pictures from pre-1998 if anyone's got them - we have some but not nearly as many as we would like. There's a pile of hundreds of photos that is currently being sorted through for the next Punkfest photo album. The album will be posted on the web soon (i give it a couple more months).

There's a Punkfest Documentary currently being filmed which we'll also have more details about over the next few months.

We're currently trying to move Punkfest.com to a bigger server that will hold all this media and more, but waiting on info from the old hosting provider whose service has turned to shit lately. We're locked into this old server until we can break out of it when they finally return one of my emails or answer the phone. We'll then be able to host some AUDIO AND LIVE PUNKFEST VIDEO footage which I know some people are dying to see. Details later...