The End of an Awkward Age — They Tried

Sarah Goodwin
Sep 7, 2018 · 4 min read

The drive north on 275 to 75 to exit 384 (or exit 382 or exit 374) is one Awkward Age knows well. The bright blues above are contrasted with the lush greens that are so distinctly Floridian. All of us, traveling in vans passing through the central state farmlands that once fueled our economy, can’t help but drift our eyes to billboards dedicated to abortion woes, Gatorland, Florida’s Souvenir Shop, A Antique Mall, and classic North Central Florida date ideas a la Zip Lines and Airboat Rides.

Over the last five years, I question weather the Age have made their great two hour northern journey together or separate. Did they choose to get off at 384, the Archer mecca of all chains, strip malls and construction homogeneity that have in turn stripped the majority of smaller-sized college towns across the country of their personality? On the surface, at least. Did they get off at 382, passing by townhouses, traveling east on Williston Road before turning north on 441 to make a much-needed-pre-Fest meal at La Tienda? Did they take exit 374, joke about stopping at Café Risqué — for the food? By doing so, did they appreciate a better view of Payne’s Prairie, and still the La Tienda binge?

In all likelihood, the mounting responsibilities of your late 20s and early 30s prevented them from spending the entirety of the weekend together, therefore shuttling their equipment in separate cars for their own necessary convenience. New jobs turned into solid careers, 401ks, decreased debt. New relationships yielded commitment, cross-country moves to Los Angeles, and children. They built worlds outside of being a local band that was more satisfying 360 days out the year. For that, I can’t be upset they’re calling it a day. I’ll light a candle to the punk gods for you.

Awkward Age is always at an Awkward Place on the poster and in the schedule, but I relate them to the meaty, protein packed part of Fest. They’re a band that’s played enough years in a row that forces you to either think “maybe I’ll actually check them out this year” to “Fest just books the same bands every year.” The truth is without the Age and their compatriots we wouldn’t have a Fest. We’d all be trapped in Bo Diddley watching headliners that have already toured through our cities earlier in the year praying for them to just play the hits for nostalgia’s sake, or at Rum Runners, Spin Cycle, Cam’s Cove watching side-side-side Gainesville projects that don’t have music up anywhere on the internet.

“A rotating group of unnecessary 2nd guitarists and bass players, the band that should have broken up two Fests ago finally reached the conclusion to do it on their own,” official statement from Matt Shumate.

With members that put in time in other Tampa projects, Awkward Age was no stranger to the smaller scale grind — a reliable opener on a bill for touring bands, a weeklong South East tour or two, the occasional Florida weekender around the Bay Area, Gainesville and Orlando, a four year old LP collecting dust in the corner closet, demos recorded that will likely never see the light of day.

In an alternative universe, one in which life didn’t get in the way and serendipity governed, a submission on a whim to Pitchspoon would have resulted in a 5 star review, leading to an opening spot on the latest Acidic Quartet tour, trips around the world, a release on Epithet Records and one of the guys joining Squint-182 part time. Nevertheless, with a band’s thesis statement being “awkward age,” limited social media savvy and a record entitled being We Could Be Anywhere, I’m sure they never had delusions of grandeur.

I, for one, will be sad to see them go. Did we need Awkward Age? Did we need another band dreaming of replicating Dear You­-era Jawbreaker and ripping off Hot Water Music riffs? Did we need to see them all dressed up as extras in the David S. Pumpkins sketch? No, on all fronts, but that’s not the point. We did need the friendships formed by this community. Without Fest, and without Awkward Age, who would I have called upon to avoid spending time with my family on trips back home? Go to Doug Loves Movies with? We share cheap beers at local DIY venues and shoot the shit. We’re a community that eats ramen together and sleeps on couches.

That’s what Fest is — an excuse to hang out with your friends.

The end of a truly remarkably Awkward Age, let raise a beer to an Awkward Encore and an Awkward Reunion in let’s say, five more years. I’m sure we’ll all have reliable babysitters by then.

Sarah Goodwin

Written by

RN by Night