Gearhead hosts Gearfest 2016

(Elk Grove, CA) Let the beer flow and the music blast! The garage-punk hot rod exravaganza Gearfest is back! Hosted by Gearhead, the record label/magazine located in Elk Grove, CA, Gearfest 2016 will once again take place at the Blue Lamp, 1400 Alhambra Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95816 Sept. 24, 2016. The underground rock festival will begin at 6:00 pm with a free hot rod show in front of the club followed by a garage-punk rock show for 21+ featuring bands, food and a Ms. Gearhead contest. Space is limited and guests are encouraged to buy their tickets in advancefrom the Blue Lamp website.The cost is $8 in advance or $10 at the door. The first twenty-five guests will receive a Gearhead Goody Bag, and everyone attending will get a show poster to take home.

Live performances start at 7pm with Sacramento-based garage-punkers The Troublemakers, followed by The Roxy Suicide, a glam-pop punk band from Fort Collins, CO, the long-loved Bay Area power pop outfit Red Planet making a triumphant return after a fifteen year hiatus, Pat Todd and the Rankoutsiders playing bluesy-country-punk from Los Angeles, and as an extra treat, Leesa G, former frontwoman of the 80s punk band The Creamers will perform several Creamers songs with The Rankoutsiders backing her.

Halfway through the show, women will compete in the Ms. Gearhead Contest, a fundraiser for the non-profit Elk Grove, CA based Chicks in Crisis, who provide support and assistance to young women facing pregnancy and child-rearing issues.
Gearfest 2016 will be co-hosted with hot rod fabricators Asphalt Rodeo from Elk Grove, CA and Sacramento Tattoo and Piercing, one of the oldest tattoo shops in Sacramento, CA. “Asphalt Rodeo has the best slogan,” exclaims Haunold. “Rusty Parts, Over Priced Sales, Shitty Service.” Haunold chuckles and shakes her head. “These guys have a great sense of humor, commitment to building cool cars, and they’re nice guys. I’m really pleased to be working with them. Sacramento Tattoo has been supporting Gearhead for a number of years with great artwork and promotion, so I’m happy to have them on board again with Gearfest 2016.”

Not only will the event be totally rocking, but there is an underlying theme: do something good for the community. “Combining a fundraising element with a party means everyone has a good time and supports a local non-profit to boot!” enthused Haunold.
Hosting a festival is a lot of work. Why do it? “At 52 years old, I have been witness to a lot of explosive moments in music, seeing bands just starting out that went on to become superstars,” Haunold shares thoughtfully. “In the ‘80s and ‘90s, there were festivals like this all the time; Underground rock and roll shows with a theme brought people together and energised everyone with unique ideas and a common ground. People were a part of something. Not to diss on them, but the millenials think that being punk rock or DIY is just dying your hair nad making fish-faces for photos and posting it on the internet. I want this new generation to feel what a REAL DIY punk rock show feels like. It’s magic. Plus, its so cool to give people from my generation something like this again. They come out of the woodwork for shows like this, which is awesome.”

Strating at 6 pm with hot rods and custom cars gathering in front of the club and across the street at The Red Lion, guests should arrive early to enjoy the cars for free. As the doors open at 6:30 pm Dave’s Dawgs will be selling their signature brand of hot rod inspired hot dogs and sausages both including vegetarian alternatives. Rolling Rock is the sponsoring beer for the evening including $3 beers! The first band goes on sharp at 7 pm. At 9 pm The Ms. Gearhead 2016 contest will start with up to fifteen women competing for the title. Any woman can enter for $20with all proceeds going to Chicks in Crisis. After talking for 3 minutes on the theme of empowerment, creativity and individuality, the judges will choose the next Ms. Gearhead who will win a feature on the Gearhead website as well as gifts from local businesses. In addition, raffle tickets will be sold for $1 with half the cash prize going to Chicks in Crisis and the other half to one lucky raffle winner.

Guests can get a $2 discount by buying their tickets early, which Haunold encourages. “Space is pretty limited at this club, so get your tickets in advance to make sure you can get in!” Tickets are $10 at the door, but guests can get a $2 discount by bringing one or more of the folllowing: Diapers Sizes 4, 5 and 6, Clothing: Newborn to Size 5T, Baby Wipes, Gift cards ($25 or less). All these items are on the Chicks in Crisis wish list.
For more information, please Contact:

Michelle Haunold, CEO/President
Phone: 916-897-2451
E-Mail: [email protected]

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