Raw Wave (Dirtnap). Review by Jen Cray.

You may not expect it from a 3 day punk rock festival over Halloween weekend, but THE FEST – as Jen Cray found out – feels like a gigantic hug!

Gainesville, Florida’s annual punk rock makeover, THE FEST, returns for its 14th year.

Gainesville, Florida's annual punk rock makeover, THE FEST, returns for its 14th year.

Made Violent (Startime International/Columbia). Review by Jen Cray.

Riverboat Gamblers can always be counted on to give fans a live music aurogasm, and Jen Cray can always be counted on to cheer them on whenever they play her hometown.

The Wolf You Feed (Volcom). Review by Jen Cray.

Welcome New Machine (Dirtnap). Review by Jen Cray.

American Rubicon (Red Scare). Review by Jen Cray.

Packing enough punk ‘n’ roll to wake up a sleepy Florida Friday afternoon, Riverboat Gamblers plowed through a matinee set at The Social that left Jen Cray sweaty and smiling.

Jen Cray gets a peek at Ian Farnesi’s real, live blood during The Frantic’s Orlando debut.

Losing Daylight (A-F Records). Review by Jen Cray.

Riverboat Gamblers are, according to Jen Cray , the best punk rock band to come along in the last decade. When she heard they were in Orlando with Strike Anywhere, she skipped out on the last day of the Langerado Festival to catch their set.

Orlando has got a punk scene that most don’t even realize exists. The Country Slashers are one of the best to occupy this eclectic underground world of rowdy rock ‘n’ roll. Jen Cray caught up with them at The Social, alongside another pair of eye opening local acts.

WMMO 98.9, Orlando’s soft rock radio station, puts on free concerts a few times a year as a “thanks for listening” for its listeners. To close out 2007, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts took over the grassy knoll in front of city hall much to the excitement of Jen Cray.

Midnight Cashier (Dirtnap). Review by Jen Cray.

Audio & Murder (Sinister Muse). Review by Jen Cray.

Interpol may not be the most exciting live band on the planet, but Jen Cray is hooked on their music deeply enough to keep going back for more.

The first ever Volcom Tour brought co-headliners Riverboat Gamblers and Valient Thorr to Orlando, along with label mates Totimoshi and ASG. This was exactly the kind of show Jen Cray had been waiting for.

Sweet Misery (Sailor’s Grave). Review by Jen Cray.