with Allan Sko
“For those who never met Nicky, he was at every gig, supporting bands big and small, new and old, getting in your ear, bigging you up whether you were on stage or in the crowd. You’d say “Cheers!” to him and he’d respond with, ‘Ted Danson!’. So that’s why we called it Dansonfest!”
So says fashion onion, former Super Best Friend and current SUDS member Johnny Barrington, one of the many members of the punk community that has poured his time and talent into the commemorative celebration that is Dansonfest.
Presented by The Noise Floor & The Baso and supported by BMA Mag, Spy, and Capital Brewing Co, Canberra and Sydney punk bands are bringing back the fest that marks and remembers the life of friend “The Ginger Ninja”— Nicholas Sofer-Schreiber aka Nicky — a man whose legend has spread far and wide.
Such is the love for The Ginger One that not one, but TWO music festivals have run in his honour – Dansonfest and Gingerfest. The latter has boasted performances from the likes of America’s Jeff Rosenstock (Bomb the Music Industry!), Bodyjar, 28 Days, Jay & Lindsay from Frenzal Rhomb, Bec Stevens, Clowns, Hightime, Totally Unicorn, Fait Accompli, Gay Paris, The Hard Aches, and Super Best Friends.
But it was the inaugural Dansonfest in April 2014, where Nicky’s closest mates in the Canberra and Sydney punk scenes first came together to rock in his name, just five months after his tragic death.
It’s in that spirit that The Noise Floor is bringing back Dansonfest on 11 May 2024 at The Baso Canberra (Ngunnawal & Ngambri Country), with a DIY punk rock bonanza.
Punk & Disorderly Man Of The Year 2023 and friend of the column, Joel Cabban, is one of many working tirelessly to make this celebratory homage happen. We caught up with the man about Dansonfest and he had this to say:
“Since the last Gingerfest, there hasn’t been a show like this, and sometimes we need a reason to catch up with our punk family,” Joel says.
“The punk scene in Canberra has always been amazing and supportive, no matter who you are, so it feels nice to be able to celebrate that. I’ve had friends I haven’t seen in years message to say how stoked they are to see Dansonfest coming back, and that they will be travelling to Canberra for the show!
“It’s a great feeling to be a part of the team making that all happen.” Johnny B continues this enthusiasm.
“There’s a tonne of other local acts that make up this community, but there’s only so many slots,” Johnny says. “We tried to keep a bit of Ginger’s “flavour” in there, so to speak.
“We want to bring this festival back every year, and with the love that’s being shared since we announced, the future is looking bright.”
Headlined by Captives (Melbourne/Naarm), Ess-Em (Sydney/Eora) and Nerdlinger (Sydney/ Eora), more than a dozen bands and acoustic acts will play across three stages, with the bar staff pumping out good beers and Chompys burgers and snacks from 4pm.
“In the lead up,” Johnny urges, “organisers are asking people to share their favourite Gingerfest and Dansonfest memories (via @Dansonfest.cbr and #Dansonfest) and above all, their memories of Canberra’s most enthusiastic little brother, The Ginger Ninja.“
Get yer tickets now via Oztix!
