High tide for music, surf fans at Kualoa

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Staff Writer

Go Jimmy Go will be among the local performers providing a musical backdrop for Van's Triple Crown Surf Fest, an international event that takes place all day Sunday at Kualoa Ranch. Van's Triple Crown Surf Fest 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday Kualoa Ranch $28 general, $22 in advance 526-4400

Organizers of Sunday's Van's Triple Crown Surf Fest want to turn the tide. They hope the Surf Fest will launch an annual large-scale music and lifestyle gathering that ushers in the year-end surf contests. The promoters also make no bones about their desire to draw a following beyond local surf fanatics to Triple Crown, which celebrates its 20th birthday this year.

"The Triple Crown has been an international event for all these years, but the local community has never really been involved as much as it should be in terms of understanding what a big deal it is," said Fest co-promoter Rick Schneider. "It's really like having the Super Bowl in your backyard and never going."

Conceived by Schneider and co-promoter Turk Cazimero, Surf Fest combines a roster of Mainland and local music acts with a surf village composed of more than 50 clothing and merchandise exhibitors, food booths and appearances by top Triple Crown competitors. A 20-foot half-pipe will host demonstrations by Van's skateboard pros Steve Caballero, Omar Hassan, Neal Hendrix and Mike Crum. More than $35,000 in giveaways from event merchandisers will be handed out.

Here's a rundown of the fest's music highlights (times may change):

Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley. The youngest of the Marley brood sired by Papa Bob, "Jr. Gong" mixes dancehall and hip-hop with touches of his father's noted social consciousness. (4:10 p.m.)

Pennywise. Among the godfathers of skate-punk, Pennywise still sounds a lot like it did in the mid-'90s. The band's live performances are generally lively enough, though. (3:15 p.m.)

Face To Face. Uh-huh, even more skate-punk. But here's hoping the band tosses in the Fugazi, Pogues and Smiths covers from its 2001 guilty pleasure "Stands & Practices" CD. "What Difference Does It Make?" anyone? Anyone? (2:20 p.m.)

Slightly Stoopid. Ska-punk for the surf crowd. Faves of the SoCal skate community, Stoopid got its first big break from deceased Sublime vocalist Brad Nowell. (1:35 p.m.)

Long Beach Short Bus. Formerly known as the Long Beach Dub All-Stars (and formed by Sublime members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh after Nowell's death), LBSB is still throwing down party-ready ska-punk. (12:05 p.m.)

Pepper. Formed in Kailua-Kona, in 1996, the currently Cali-based alternative pop-rockers' sound is infused with a turn-of-the-1980s reggae vibe. Steel Pulse fans, unite! (11:20 a.m.)

Also on stage: local music acts Generic (10 a.m.), Ooklah the Moc (10:40 a.m.) and Go Jimmy Go (12:50 p.m.).

Pro riders scheduled to show up between 1 and 4 p.m. for meet-and-greets and photo ops include Megan Abubo, Rochelle Ballard, Kelly Slater, Kalani Robb, Andy and Bruce Irons, Taj Burrow and C.J. Hobgood.

Don't forget the sunscreen.