Seditious Saturday Serves as an Anti-Fourth of July Celebration

If you’re still experiencing nausea after the Fourth of July, you’re not alone.

It’s hard to feel much flag-waving fidelity when the country's controllers are seemingly hellbent on plagiarizing a George Orwell novel with some of these big, beautiful piles of shit over the past seven months.

So, yeah, Independence Day this summer might have lacked a little luster, especially for people whose regular diet doesn’t consist of ICE and boots. But this is not a doom-and-gloom story. We’re here to offer an alternative, an anti-Fourth of July event — for weirdos, by weirdos — on Saturday, July 12, at the Brutal Poodle and Creepatorium.

“Some of us aren’t necessarily patriotic and don’t really celebrate the Fourth of July,” says Creep co-owner Presley Peach. “We wanted to have an event that celebrated that and bring art into it because art is such a big part of revolutions always and sticking it to the man.”

The second edition of Seditious Saturday is a family-friendly affair full of local music, tattoos, vendors and performers. Taking place in the Poodle parking lot, the lineup features Necropanther, Mindz Eye, Colony Collapse, Bricheros, Lola Black, Record Thieves, Acid Sentence, Scooter James and DJ Nightlove.

Artisans and artists are setting up in the nearby Creepatorium on Acoma Street, also the home of HORRID. Nonprofit Punk Rock Saves Lives will also be on hand, while the carnival atmosphere includes a dunk tank and axe-throwing. After the music ends at 9 p.m., there’s an after-party burlesque performance at the Creepatorium space, courtesy of ConSensual Circus (that’s a separate ticket).

Montucky, Ska Brewing, Ratio Beerworks, Tullamore Dew, Milagro Tequila, Breckenridge Distillery, Tito’s Vodka, High Noon and Liquid Death are all sponsoring Seditious Saturday, too.

“It’s a way to bring a community together to throw a middle finger up to the powers that be and the government,” as Brutal Poodle owner West Moralez sees it.

That corner of South Broadway, which also includes SCR3AM & SUGAR Coffee Co. and HORRID tattoo shop, is beloved by weirdos, from metalheads to LGBTQ members and allies.

“It’s almost a Mecca for people who celebrate alternative lifestyles and aren’t really in tune with politics and the way that the government has been running things,” Moralez says. “It’s a safe space for people who have that mindset.

“We have regulars who come into the Poodle, and they’ll pull me aside and say they’re so thankful that this place is here,” he adds. “It’s homebase for them and their friends. It’s a labor of love, so hearing stuff like that always feels good.”

Same goes with the Creepatorium complex, so offering an outlet like Seditious Saturday gives like-minded individuals a good reason to gather, maybe let out a collective sigh and then shout “fuck you” amongst their people.

“It’s critical. Everything feels so isolating, and that’s kind of the point, it’s a lot of what politics and politicians aim for,” Peach says. “To have a community that’s got your back and you can rely on and have fun with is huge because everything is so bleak and not fun.”

Speaking of having a good time, Denver thrashers Acid Sentence know how to deliver the goods. Just take a listen to recent singles “KegDozer” and “Death Breath” to get a feel for the party vibes the beer-drenched trio bring.

“We pride ourselves on face-ripping and kicking ass,” vocalist-guitarist Chris “Moose” Lopez proclaims. “Have a couple shots, have a couple drinks and then just mosh. Be prepared to circle pit.”

“It’s very much an adrenaline-driven band. It’s so fun,” drummer Big Mac adds.

In the past five years, the group’s built a reputation locally by regularly pulling up outside shows or into random spots in a U-Haul and playing a set. The most recent pop-up performance took place in an Empower Field parking lot after the recent Sunday night Metallica concert. Following Seditious Saturday, Acid Sentence is planning to do the same for the Unhinged Fest Power Trip show at the Ogden Theatre on Sunday, July 27.

It's just what they do. Lopez has even put out a how-to video about it, in case other bands want to go the four-wheeled route. As Lopez’s brainchild, Acid Sentence is 100 percent DIY, but the hard work isn’t going unnoticed.

“I got recognized at a liquor store once. I was buying a six-pack right before we played a show. Someone was like, ‘You’re in a band. You do U-Haul stuff, right?’ he recalls.

“It’s getting out there, and that’s exactly why I wanted to do it. With social media anybody can start a band and start promoting it, but you got to do something different, something that makes people turn their heads and be like, ‘What the fuck is that?’”

So for one day, what is now known as Seditious Saturday, feel free to show out and get down with your fellow weirdos.

Seditious Saturday 2, 1 p.m. Saturday, July 12, the Brutal Poodle, 1967 South Broadway. Tickets are $15-$25.