1 Photo
Rock, reggae, punk or rockabilly—Cabin Fever has something for every tasteWhen Brendon Henry created the Cabin Fever Music Festival eight years ago, it grew out of a simple idea: February stinks. But he was sure that it could be greatly improved if music-loving locals had something to look forward to.
Like all top-notch acts of creation, this one brought together passionate artists, confirmed aficionados and fresh-faced newbies, all willing to give something different a try.
A self-described “bar guy,” whose parents owned the Fisherman’s Quarters in Hampton Bays and who makes his living as a bartender, currently at Southampton Publick House, Mr. Henry said he saw firsthand how the winter doldrums sucked the fun out of the East End.
“February is absolutely the worst month of the year. Even the bars that usually have live entertainment don’t schedule anything in February. So me and a couple of buddies came up with this idea that every night of the weekend in February, we should arrange for there to be live music somewhere.
“That first year, we only had three venues,” he recalled, “and we only had a handful of bands. Nobody wanted to put any faith in us, but it absolutely killed. We had 100 to 150 people at each show. It gave people a reason to get out, and it made them realize that we’ve got some really great bands here.”
Since those early days, the tables have turned: This year, Cabin Fever couldn’t even accommodate all the bands that wanted to participate.
Still, more than 20 bands will play 12 shows at eight different venues, ranging from the Westhampton Mill Road House to Bub’s Tavern in Hampton Bays.
According to Mr. Henry, who sings and plays bass in the band Haunted Hacienda, the beauty of Cabin Fever is the sense of community it fosters. “From day one, it’s always been so positive,” he said. “The people who are involved are great. It’s like a family gathering.”
Cabin Fever charges a $5 cover for each show, with all the proceeds going to the bands, which creates a simple equation: the more people who come see them, the more they benefit. The bars benefit from an influx of patrons who would be home hibernating otherwise. And for fans, the mix of old favorites and new talent is fun and enlightening.
“The whole thing with Cabin Fever is acknowledging that there are a lot of talented people here on the East End,” said Kevin Saboe, lead singer of Souliztik. “As soon as you use the word ‘local,’ people think they’re somehow not as good. But even the Beatles were a local band somewhere.”
Mr. Saboe, who grew up with Mr. Henry in East Quogue, moved back to the area two years ago after a few years playing and working in the music industry on the West Coast.
“What Brendon is doing is so good for the community,” he said. “There aren’t many venues that are supportive of original music, and that’s what really draws me to Cabin Fever. Most of the places you go, the owners will tell you, ‘All we want is Top 40 covers’—and that just stifles any type of creativity. But there’s a subculture out here that wants to hear original music, and that’s what Brendon is supporting. It always blows my mind when I hear a talented band I haven’t heard before.
“He’s also managed to create a music festival where the bands are really supportive of each other,” he added. “Everybody goes to see each other. We all have the same goals—sometimes bands even use each other’s equipment. You don’t see that often, so I think that’s really something to celebrate.”
To Mr. Saboe, Cabin Fever is an effort rooted in community spirit. “I’ve known Brendon since we were kids, and I’m really proud of him. He’s not doing it to promote himself—he doesn’t ask for money, he doesn’t give a big speech. He just sets the whole thing up, and literally asks for nothing from anyone else. I think any musician who supports Cabin Fever is benefiting everyone.”
The range of musical styles included in Cabin Fever virtually assures there’s something for everyone. “If a band submits an application to participate, and I like them, no matter what the genre, they’ll get played,” said Mr. Henry.
Among the groups playing this year, styles range from rockabilly and reggae to ska and punk.
Some longtime Cabin Fever favorites are missing from this year’s lineup, and some new talent is getting the spotlight. “Some of the bands we’ve featured in the past, like Only Son, have gotten a little too big for us, and they’re touring now and unavailable,” Mr. Henry said. “But that opened the door to a lot of younger artists.” He singled out Bad Mary, a punk rock group from up-island, which will be part of the festival this year, playing the festival’s closing party at Jimmy C’s in Hampton Bays on Sunday, February 28.
For now, he continues to do the grunt work getting ready for the ninth annual Cabin Fever Music Festival. “I have to thank my wife and son,” he says. “My wife, Brittany, puts up with all the time this entails, beginning in November every year. And I bring my 3-year-old son with me to put up posters, because nobody can say no to him.”
He hopes to see the festival get even bigger down the road.
“Our vision, for the long term, is to turn this into an even bigger thing, where, in addition to the bars, we’re booking bands into some of the larger local places,” Mr. Henry said. “I’ve personally played some of those venues—it’s a very cool experience to walk out on those stages, and I’d like to be able to give that opportunity to these bands.”
on Feb 3, 2016