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Science-Man, by Brandom Oleksy
Interviews

Rustbelt Ripperfest hits Cleveland with almost 80 bands – multi-artist interview

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Cleveland’s Rustbelt Ripperfest returns Feb 27–Mar 2, stacking nearly 80 punk, metal, and hardcore acts across multiple venues. Organizer Matt says it’s hectic but not impossible: nail down stages, plug in bands, keep the lineup rolling. He warns of inevitable drop-offs and late additions, but the chaos never stops the fest from blasting forward.

This year’s booking leans on Cleveland’s deep hardcore heritage, with strong ties to older gatherings like Horriblefest. Matt also credits fests in Pittsburgh and Columbus—Skullfest, For Real Fest, Forward Ohio—for helping shape Ripperfest’s identity.

We sat down to discuss his project and asked a bunch of selected bands about their local scenes and plans for 2025.

Sissy Boys out of Muskegon are pushing forward with a new EP, feeding off the momentum of a growing scene that’s turning new faces into regulars.

Cleveland’s own Necroprophecy just dropped Power to Kill and are eyeing a summer run, bringing their raw thrash crossover into new territory.

Science Man is set to release Monarch Joy in May, a shift from a solo project to a full band effort that’s been in the works for two years.

Piss Me Off wrapped up a new EP and is hitting the west coast for the first time, adding more chaos to an already packed year.

Chain Rule from Akron is watching younger kids pick up instruments and launch new bands, a sign that hardcore in Ohio is nowhere near slowing down.

Everybody’s either running to see sets or planning small tours with their new projects. This swirl of cross-state travel keeps the underground hungry, bridging scenes from stenchcore to post-punk to scalding thrash.

These bands are living what Ripperfest is all about—DIY scenes pushing forward, new sounds cutting through, and no one waiting around for permission. Ripperfest thrives on that communal spark. Matt lights the fuse, but the energy pours in from places like Muskegon, Pittsburgh, Akron, Rochester, and beyond.

Read the full interview below to hear about their upcoming records, the underground fests shaping the scene, and the bands they say you need to keep an eye on in 2025.

Rustbelt Ripperfest

Pulling off a fest with almost 80 bands is no small feat—how do you even start organizing something of this scale? Any tips for staying sane while juggling it all?

It’s the one big thing I do throughout the year. I have a small committee of 5 other people working on it with me, we start booking the next fest a few months after the fest is done.

It’s time consuming and a bit of work, but it’s not rocket science. Secure venues, find bands, find artists, organize the order, promote. If I can do it, whoever is reading this can do it, you should do it too!

Cleveland has such a deep-rooted hardcore and punk history. How does that influence how you curate Rustbelt Ripperfest?

I’ve always loved Cleveland punk and hardcore even before I moved here from Columbus. I missed most of the big punk fests here before starting Ripperfest, but I do look to the people that ran Horriblefest for advice.

When booking Ripper I look to the fests that I have frequented more: For Real Fest/Forward Ohio in Athens and Columbus, and Skullfest in Pittsburgh. Skullfest is still going strong and is the best punk fest in the states. I am fortunate to be able to occasionally pick a few people involved in that’s brains from time to time, but it all boils down to every fest is different and does it’s own thing. We have people involved in all three of those fests performing and DJing on Ripper this year and I am excited to see what they think!

Rustbelt Ripperfest

What’s the most rewarding part of running a fest like this? And let’s balance it—what’s the one thing that drives you absolutely up the wall?

The most rewarding thing for me would just be seeing everyone talking about it and having a great time. We book everything back to back, watching a giant line of 100+ people walking in a single file line from one stage to the other it really sinks in that we’re doing something special and everyone has fun.

The thing that’s the most stressful to me is bands dropping and jumping on. But there’s nothing you can really do about that. Life happens, with this many bands people are going to drop and jump on occasionally. Hell, with 3-4 band lineups people drop and jump on occasionally. I want to say you get used to it, but you really don’t.

Are there any moments you’re especially looking forward to at this year’s fest? Any sets you think people would be fools to miss?’

Oof, there’s so many bands I want to see again or for the first time that a list would be absolutely insane and long, and I’ll surely miss something important.

I am definitely excited to see Home Invasion and Sissy Boys back to back.

As a jaded old drunken prick, Sissy Boys are a bunch of younger cats having fun with hardcore/punk and it’s really great to watch them start to get a good amount of recognition.

Every year the fest gets bigger and more ridiculous, I am always excited to see how it goes and we hope to see YOU there!

The bands:

What’s happening in your local scene right now that you’re excited about? Any new bands or venues popping up, or just a fresh energy in general?

Sissy Boys (Muskegon, Michigan): Very stoked on everything SF Shows is doing in Muskegon, very awesome to see new faces turn into returning faces at shows in a place that isn’t a huge city.

 

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Dusty Hanna (Pittsburgh. Grassy Knoll/Skull Fest): Pittsburgh has a lot of great current punk, hc and thrash groups. Dead sky and death gasp are ruling over the crust and stenchcore realms right now. Vicious Blade and Ancient Torture are dominating death doom and thrash crossover.

Snarling Dogs are one of the newer bands to look out for.

They are 70s style punk with some rock n roll and cow punk elements. When i saw them the other night they opened with link wray’s rumble.

Painted Dog are more pure cow punk and are another great group.

Peace Talks have been around for awhile and are anarcho punk with psychedelic interludes interspersed into their spider web of hardcore fury.

Perhaps the new (ish) pgh band going the hardest right now is No Time, who play brickwall oi! and toured japan recently. Last protocol is a newer oi! band

Body Farm lives here now, they are power violence with echo vocals.

They go crazy as hell. Ultimatum is a band to look out for, very fresh hardcore.

Big Baby is cool…razorblade, complete fucker… de rodillas…positive thinking…there’s so many. I know I’ll forget a bunch. There are probably close to 100 bands here.

There is a constant stream of new kids into the younger underground hardcore world, and there will probably be half a dozen that have sprung to life in between the time I write this and the time it goes to print, but some of the newer HC punk mainstays are Illiterates, EKGs and speed plans.

Speed Plans and EKGs are both on ripper fest this year. Grassy knoll is my new band and we are hardcore punk like negative approach or misfits… maybe with some discharge. We will be doing a weekend run with Philly legends YDI, and also playing ripper fest as part of that.

Shred shed is a cool all ages DIY venue that has vegan food and a bar… good sound. The other venues are mainly just garbage holes. Giant punk shows are at spirit, who’s Bahn mi pizza. The best pizza that you can get.

Chain Rule (Akron, Ohio): I’m excited about the younger people that have been coming out to shows for a while that are learning how to play instruments and are starting bands. It’s awesome.

Jake (Cleveland, Necroprophecy): Locally there’s been plenty of new venues popping up. The biggest one I’ve seen is Brother’s Lounge, but I’ve yet to go to a show there. There’s some cooler new bands popping up, the one I’m most interested in is called Hex. I think there’s an energy there, but there’s definitely noticeable divisions in the crowd which I think is lame but inevitable.

Adam Spektor (Cleveland. Science Man, Happy Dog): Unfortunately, booking bands is a workaday function for me. So while I’m far from passionless about it all, it becomes a little difficult to distinguish things – and I’m prone to getting into my own head and up my own ass about “the state of the scene”.

What I’ll say is, while there’s still plenty of great output from the old guard – you already know and love it – there’s a nice rumbling of young, inexperienced talent that i think can really produce some rippin shit if they stick to it. Could def use like 10 more young bands digging thru the shit though.

Johnny (Rochester, Science Man, Swimming Faith Records): It’s no secret Violent Way and Spaced are from Buffalo and going worldwide but there is a ton of new, younger bands here just starting up.

I really like Razorface and everything Lucas and Adria are doing with their various bands. It seems newer bands are less concerned about mixing punk and hardcore sub genres and, even if I don’t always love it, I think it’s great. There is truly a youthful revival mixed with old heads being reenergized happening here in WNY and it rules.

Mike Bellis (Cleveland, Piss Me Off):  Some fresh energy and bands, for sure. Venues have been mostly consistent but some spots like brothers lounge and 5 O’Clock Tavern having more shows. Little Rose Tavern and happy dog are my favorite small venues to play at. Lots of options in Cleveland, though.

Any other underground or DIY festivals you’ve played recently or have on your radar? What makes them stand out?

Dusty Hanna (Pittsburgh. Grassy Knoll/Skull Fest): Well, grassy knoll is brand new, but we played skull fest afterparty. I am part of doing skull fest, which people seem to like, which is cool. I think it stands out from the other fests because the craziest partying punks go to skull.

I went to CY fest, it was cool. Dropdead was psycho. LA is crazy. Punk In the district in Florida was cool, Negative Approach and Zero Boys were great there. The Swimming was great.

Chain Rule (Akron, Ohio): We haven’t played any other festivals but Santamania in Cincinnati is always cool. The people who run it care a lot about the scene and do a great job of booking cool bands every year from different genres. There’s music there for everyone and it’s a great way to see bands you’ve never heard of.

Jake (Cleveland, Necroprophecy): We haven’t played any bigger fests besides Ripperfest, but most of us went to Skullfest last year and I have gone to Hell’s Heroes in Texas for the past two years.

Last year a one off fest in Michigan called Eve of War happened where I caught Repulsion on the preshow that was very cool, however I don’t know if it’s happening again.

Adam Spektor (Cleveland. Science Man, Happy Dog): Haven’t played much of anything in the way of fests – open to invites. Had the privilege of joining Indianapolis synthpunks Data Unknown on a European tour a couple months ago. It was a mindbending odyssey and I’d be lying if I wasn’t trying to run that back with Science Man.

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Johnny (Rochester, Science Man, Swimming Faith Records): Sitting on the Outside fest in Ottawa is super fun, all the bands were killer, and it’s run by the sweetest and most dedicated punks.

Mike Bellis (Cleveland, Piss Me Off): They’re multi venue efforts that seem super organized with many moving parts. Lot of different stuff represented. Much more organized chaos than I’d be able to take on.

How’s 2025 been treating your band? Any new releases, lineup changes, or unexpected adventures you want to share?

Sissy Boys (Muskegon, Michigan): We are planning to release a new EP this year! The songs are written we just gotta get er done.

Dusty Hanna (Pittsburgh. Grassy Knoll/Skull Fest): Well we released our debut tape today ha so we will see how 2025 does for us. If there are any line up changes it will be me getting kicked out.. these couple shows we are doing with YDI will be the first adventure. They’re place in the sun e.p. is an all time favorite of mine so I am mainly just excited to see them play again!

Jake (Cleveland, Necroprophecy): We have a new EP entitled ‘Power to Kill’ out this Friday the 24th.

We’re hoping to do a mini tour this summer as well. Possibly we’ll be doing a 7-inch also later on. Our previous out of state excursions have been ridiculous so we’re hoping the tour will be fun.

Adam Spektor (Cleveland. Science Man, Happy Dog): The year is just starting, and without disclosing much, I’ll just say my calendar’s already filling up. My power pop band, Red Devil Ryders, also has a completed full length third record completely finished and looking for a label, so hopefully that’ll reach people’s ears this year as well.


Johnny (Rochester, Science Man, Swimming Faith Records): Science Man has a new LP called “Monarch Joy” coming out in May and if you’ve seen us live in the last two years, it’s with a bunch of those guys playing on it. Not just me anymore.

So obviously it’s by far the best material Sci Man has ever done. Plus Lindz and I are working another video series for it too that I’m real excited about.

Mike Bellis (Cleveland, Piss Me Off): We have a new EP done. Pretty excited about it. In May, we are playing Better Things To Talk About in Vancouver, BC. Another punk fest. Plus a west coast tour. Our first time out there. Hopefully some other tours mixed in, as well.

Who are a few bands—big or small—you think people need to keep an eye on in 2025? What’s special about them?

Sissy Boys (Muskegon, Michigan): Concuss, Anhedonia, Lyuda, are the three best bands coming up in Michigan right now. They just do it right and better than everyone else.

Dusty Hanna (Pittsburgh. Grassy Knoll/Skull Fest): Aside from the pgh bands I mentioned earlier, Abyecta from Chile are lightning fast punk/thrash crossover who are really good, people should check them out.

Necroprophecy are younger kids from Cleveland that play raw thrash/punk crossover.

They covered fear and had a guy with a final conflict shirt, the marks of a good metal band in my eyes!

Nyx Division and True Body are two modern groups that I really like, both leaning more into the post punk world.

The Crosses are working on new material, the singer for die kruezens band. Check out they’re single hate market.

The new Pist album that came out this year is really good.

Perhaps most importantly, the no genocide comps bill and Rachel have been putting out are must have for all rockers. Legacy acts like Oi Polloi, The Pist and The Mob appear alongside modern, like minded groups Peace Talks, dissident Dissidents and more.

The tapes benefits victims of the genocide in Gaza.

Jake (Cleveland, Necroprophecy): Hellkite from Akron is putting out a new release this year that I’m hoping will blow up.

Total unhinged combination of old black metal like Bathory and 80s Japanese punk.

I previously mentioned Hex and I guarantee they’ll be the best band in Cleveland when they’re out.

Jail from Detroit is another band who’s putting a full length out this year that’s gonna kill everything.

Also from Michigan black/thrash metal veterans Sauron are releasing their fourth full length this year and I’m very excited for it.

Younger bands like Ritual Sin also show promise.

Adam Spektor (Cleveland. Science Man, Happy Dog): I think 2025 is finally going to be Jerry Only’s year in the limelight and big things are very deservedly headed his way. It’s the Only world and we’re about to live in it.

Johnny (Rochester, Science Man, Swimming Faith Records): Well, some bands also at Ripperfest that I’m real excited to see, and you should be too, are Speed Plans, Flea Collar, Spike Pit, Man-Eaters, Piss Me Off, Leaking Head, Razorblade, The Hell, and Jail.

They are all comprised of very special people that I would recommend you always keep an eye on.

Mike Bellis (Cleveland, Piss Me Off): Our friends Cruelster have a new album coming out soon, it’s great.

They’re a staple of Cleveland in my opinion. Plus all their other bands.

Cutup is another good band from here, have a new album coming too, I believe.

They’re a pretty fresh and manic sounding group.

Speed Plans is awesome fast catchy hardcore from Pittsburgh. New 7in is a blast.

That group of people has a ton of good bands in Pittsburgh.

There’s probably a lot of other good stuff coming that’s bigger, but I’m drawing a blank.

The new records from last year from bands like Yambag, Louse, The Carp, Woodstock 99, and Disintegration are all worth checking out.

Karol Kamiński

DIY rock music enthusiast and web-zine publisher from Warsaw, Poland. Supporting DIY ethics, local artists and promoting hardcore punk, rock, post rock and alternative music of all kinds via IDIOTEQ online channels.
Contact via www.idioteq.com@gmail.com

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