As whiskey-soaked SXSW casualties straggle back into town, they now face the dregs of reality. But there’s good news! The second-annual Burger Boogaloo brings promise of more party when it returns to Thee Parkside this week. Total Trash Booking and Burger Records join forces for a shindig that boasts nearly 30 bands all under one roof. Not to mention two pre-party shows, one of which serves as the homecoming for Hunx and His Punx and Nobunny at Bottom of the Hill. Add a side of Shannon and the Clams and top it all off with some Heavy Cream and you have one hell of a bill.
Let's rewind a little bit. In 2011, our prestigious Bay Area music scene suffered the relocations of two of its most beloved when Hunx flew the coop to pursue his Hollywood dreams and the nomadic Nobunny, albeit temporarily, “holed up” in Tucson’s desert for the winter.
Seth Bogart of Hunx recently acted out a tale of two cities by driving from sunny L.A. into the relative rain and gloom of S.F. for the show. But his hare mon frère (they date back to times of Tucson and when Nobunny was a Gravy Train roadie) said the fact that they left the Bay around the same time was “pure coincidence” and that “great minds think alike.”
“For me it was mostly a matter of moolah. I love it around here, but can’t afford to live in the Bay Area,” he said partially explaining his two-and-a-half month sabbatical of sorts.
The broke (but not down and out) bunny said he only went out socially three times. “One time I went out was when Hunx was visiting. We went to see a drag show, amateur comedy, and a rockabilly group all within two blocks from each other.” He said the night ended eating something called crispy burgers at a “cheese-creep sex bar” run by a senior citizen named God.
But it wasn’t all hiding and occasional high jinks. Not only was it time for a change, there were some creative efforts underfoot. “I was gonna record an album, but my plans kinda fell apart. I did do a lot of four tracking though.” Though he was harsh to self critique, he managed to create a forthcoming video shot by a friend and has an EP coming out on Goner in the near future, as well as a new 7” on Suicide Squeeze.
As for Wednesday’s show, he’ll be sharing the stage with Heavy Cream from Nashville, which features Seth Sutton who’s also in Useless Eaters. “Seth is a badass,” Nobunny said, recalling 2009 when they went on the Shattered Records tour with Jay Reatard, Hunx, and Box Elders.
While we rejoice that reunion—it’s barely the tip of the iceberg. According to Marc Ribak, one of the show’s organizers, the fun goes all weekend (day shows included) with a who’s-who of rockers ranging from locals like Thee Oh Sees, Dominant Legs, King Lollipop and Burnt Ones to the talent from afar including; White Mystery, Strange Boys and Guantanamo Baywatch.
Remember to bring your dancing shoes for the opening night’s Electric Boogaloo Dance Contest. Ribak says DJ Yeah Right will be spinning the tunes as contestants compete for a three-foot trophy with a real burger on top that the winner may opt to eat.
Burger Boogaloo Pre-Party Show:Wednesday, March 21st Bottom of the Hill w/ Hunx and His Punx, Nobunny, Heavy Cream and Shannon and the Clams. Doors at 8 p.m. $12
Burger Boogaloo:Friday-Sunday $7-10/show or $35 weekend pass. Thee Parkside, 1600 17th St.
