Stardumb 25
Het Rotterdamse Stardumb Records bestaat 25 jaar, reden voor een feestje op vrijdag 6 en zaterdag 7 juni 2025. De eerste acts zijn bevestigd, welke dag ze precies optreden maken we binnenkort bekend!
LONE WOLF
I think I love everything about Lone Wolf. They are my friends, my hometown buddies who always have the label’s back, they’re a mean force on stage and they make the best music. Of course they’re playing Stardumb 25, what did you think?!
In 2017 the band rose from the ashes of the Accelerators, Bat Bites, and the Juicy Zooters, and while they definitely brought along the knack for writing catchy choruses and hooks they already showcased in those previous outfits, on the 3 Lone Wolf albums so far the band added some fresh new flavor to it which makes them one of the most exciting bands of today. Better make sure you’ll secure a good spot up front and get ready to singalong!
SONIC DOLLS
One of the first German bands I fell in love with was the Sonic Dolls. They’d been around and releasing records since the mid-90’s, but I think the first album I heard by them was their third effort ‘Bionik’ from 1999, a brilliant and powerful piece of work, which I still enjoy spinning to this day. We started bumping into each other at punk rock clubs all over Europe around the turn of the century and quickly became friends, which resulted in Stardumb releasing their fourth album ‘Riot At The Sheep Dog Trials’ in 2002.
Even if the band never officially broke up, they hardly play any shows anymore these days, so I’m super stoked to have them hit the stage of Rotown at Stardumb 25.
LOCAL DRAGS
I’m mega excited to announce Local Drags will play their first ever European show at Stardumb 25. I’ve released all four albums by them and love those equally, from the more Replacements and Dirtnap-inspired power pop debut from 2019 to their latest slightly darker indie rock album ‘City In Room’, and I was happy I got to see them live in Florida some years ago. To have Local Drags on a stage in Rotterdam is a real dream come true though!
Anyone who has been following the band knows it’s pretty much just Lanny Durbin backed by whichever friends have time to join him. This time we found Geoff Palmer and his gang ready for the task, to make sure you’re gonna feel this in stereo!
ZATOPEKS
What’s a party without the Zatopeks?! Well, still a party, I guess, but definitely a less fun one. In 2024 their stellar 4th album ‘Loitering & Sauntering’ finally came out, which ended up on many ‘Best of the year’-lists, so it’s extra cool they’ll be playing Stardumb 25 with that freshly under their belt.
These English cats played one of their first ever gigs in Rotterdam and recorded several albums here, so in a way it always feels like welcoming them home when they hit town. Can’t wait, boys!
THE WINDOWSILL
Do I really have to hype up the man, the myth, the legend that is Marien Nicotine here? The guy really is second to none when it comes to consistency. Just have a look at his excessive output starting with The Apers in the mid 90’s, followed by amazing records by The Windowsill and Giant Eagles, and most recently with The Shivvies. I don’t think he ever penned a song I didn’t like, so I’m pumped he’ll be playing Stardumb 25 alongside my mates Jerry, Sander and Ivo in June!
THE METHADONES
Dan Vapid is widely considered to be one of the best songwriters in punk rock. Just have a look at his output over the past 35 years with bands like Sludgeworth, The Riverdales, Screeching Weasel, The Methadones, The Mopes, Dan Vapid And The Cheats, etc. and you’ll feel dizzy just by thinking of the sheer amount of amazing tunes he blessed us with. To have been able to release ‘Career Objective’ on Stardumb is a true highlight for me, as it’s still one of my favorite punk rock albums of this century, so how cool is it The Methadones will rock the stage at Stardumb’s 25thAnniversary?!
THE APERS
As many of you know the start of Stardumb Records was completely intertwined with The Apers. So it only made sense to try and convince them to play at the Stardumb 25 event of course. I’m super excited they said yes, and can’t wait to finally see them live again. This will be their first show in 4 years, and the first one in their old hometown Rotterdam in 11 years, even!!! With some early bandmembers most likely being in the room as well, we might even expect some special guests on stage too!
THE PEAWEES
Earlier this year I organized a poll on Instagram, to find out what’s your favorite Stardumb release so far. Hundreds of people voted ‘Dead End City’ to the no. 1 spot, and rightfully so of course. It’s an album that still sells well to this day, and introduced several timeless classic songs to the world. On top of that this band released one of the best albums of 2024 with ‘One Ride’ on Wild Honey, so obviously I’m beyond stoked The Peawees will return to Rotterdam for the Stardumb 25 party.
GEOFF PALMER
Geoff Palmer (formerly of The Guts, The Queers, The Connection, etc.) is one hell of a prolific character. Since he launched his solo career in 2019, Stardumb has released 4 albums by him, plus that wonderful 10” he made together with Lucy Ellis, two 7” EP’s, and we’ve got yet another EP on the way. I’m very happy to welcome him back to Rotterdam. Together with his band I know he’ll gonna blow the roof off at Stardumb 25, of course playing all the hits!