[Editor’s Note] This weekend, Northern Virginia self-described “anthemic punk/emo” rockers Celebration Summer will make their triumphant return to Gainesville, Florida’s fabled music festival The FEST. The band is marking the special occasion by releasing a split live album with St. Petersburg, Florida rockers Wolf-Face entitled DCxPC Live – Celebration Summer / Wolf-Face – Live at The FEST.
Both bands will be playing this weekend at The FEST. Wolf-Face will be performing on Friday at 4:20 pm at VIVID. Celebration Summer will be playing at 4:50 pm on Saturday at Heartwood.
You can order the album here and stream it below:
Here’s an in-depth description courtesy of the release’s press release:
“Captured live at The FEST in Gainesville, Florida, this limited-edition 12” split vinyl pairs two powerful forces from opposite ends of the punk rock spectrum: Celebration Summer and Wolf-Face. Pressed on stunning Summer Moon vinyl and limited to just 200 copies, this release is a raw, unfiltered document of two explosive sets from FEST’s punk-saturated weekend.
Side A of the release features Celebration Summer, a melodic punk quartet from Northern Virginia formed in 2019. Drawing influence from the emotive grit of Leatherface and the introspective drive of Samiam, their sound merges personal vulnerability with political urgency. With a nod to their D.C. roots—where melody and message have always coexisted—Celebration Summer’s set delivers heartfelt vocals, driving rhythms, and anthemic hooks that feel both nostalgic and newly urgent. Known for their tight musicianship and poignant lyricism, this live session captures the band’s rising status in the punk scene as purveyors of substance and sincerity.
Side B unleashes the wild energy of Wolf-Face, the legendary werewolf punk outfit from St. Petersburg, Florida. Fronted by the mythic Michael J. Wolf, the band has been howling on stages for over a decade, mixing satirical humor with blistering punk rock fury. With influences like the Descendents and The Misfits, Wolf-Face’s sound is fast, infectious, and unrelentingly fun. Their live show is a chaotic celebration of lycanthropic angst and theatrical absurdity—complete with masks, lore, and short shorts. On this recording, their FEST set is pure punk catharsis: loud, fast, and drenched in sweat and snarls.
Together, this split showcases the diverse heartbeat of contemporary DIY punk. From Celebration Summer’s emotionally resonant songwriting to Wolf-Face’s feral punk theatre, Live at The FEST is a testament to the enduring energy of underground music. It’s not just a record—it’s a time capsule of two bands giving everything they’ve got to a room full of believers.”
Below, Celebration Summer’s bass player Greg Raelson pens an exclusive essay for SWT about the sounds that helped shape the group’s sonic identity.
When I first started Celebration Summer, I had a pretty specific sound in mind. I wasn’t trying to start a band that broke new ground or mixed a bunch of styles. I just wanted to play the kind of melodic punk that made me fall in love with music in the first place. That meant something rooted in heart and melody, with enough grit to still feel real. Bands like Leatherface, Hot Water Music, Tiltwheel, Hüsker Dü, and the classic DC hardcore scene were the blueprint.
Those bands had a perfect mix of emotion and energy. They were raw but tuneful, powerful but still personal. Leatherface, especially, was a big early influence with that rough, whiskey-soaked vocal delivery sitting on top of beautiful, melodic guitar lines. It’s that balance of chaos and melody that still gets me. Hot Water Music had that same intensity but brought a strong sense of community and conviction that always stood out. Tiltwheel represented that scrappy, DIY punk spirit that keeps everything honest. No gloss, no polish, just passion and songs that mean something.
I’ve lived in the DC area for years now, and it’s hard not to have those early Dischord bands in your bloodstream. Dag Nasty, Rites of Spring, and Embrace all proved that punk could be personal without losing its edge. That mix of urgency and sincerity has always stuck with me. It’s something that still guides how we approach songwriting as a band.
As the band evolved, I think we’ve really found our own sound. You can still hear all those early influences, but it’s less about trying to sound like anyone and more about letting whatever feels natural come out. The four of us each bring different things to the table, and when it all comes together, it feels like something that’s uniquely ours. The songs are still driving and energetic, but there’s more space and texture now too. We’re not afraid to lean into melody or dynamics when it feels right.
We also had the chance to pay tribute to one of the greats when Creep Records asked us to be part of their Replacements tribute compilation Let the Bad Times Roll. We covered Left of the Dial, and that was such a fun project. The record featured a lot of great artists, including Mikey Erg, Tired Radio, and Jon Snodgrass. Tommy Stinson’s bass playing on that song is incredible. You don’t fully realize how melodic and propulsive his parts are until you try to play them yourself. That song gave me a whole new appreciation for what he does.
At this point, Celebration Summer feels like its own thing. You can trace where we came from, with the melodic punk, the emotional hardcore, and the soul of bands like The Replacements, but it all blends into something natural. It’s not calculated or forced. It’s just what happens when the four of us plug in and play.
At the end of the day, I’m just a music fan who happens to play bass in a punk band. I still get excited about a great riff, a catchy chorus, or a lyric that hits the right nerve. We’re not chasing trends or trying to fit into a box. We just want to write songs that mean something to us, play them loud, and hopefully connect with people who feel the same way.
Greg Raelson
Contributor
Greg is the bass player for Northern Virginia "anthemic punk/emo" rockers Celebration Summer
