The Party in the Park festival site has gotten some great shows so far this year. But as a venue, it blows. It's a parking lot; there's no shade and no vibe. OK, maybe the Freddie-Sue Bridge in the background is kind of cool. But remember the Festival Tent? Manhattan Square Park? Brown's Race? But I digress. I trucked on over for this year's Bonzai Festival along with roughly 5000 kids baking in the summer sun Sunday afternoon.

New Politics kicked things off heavy and melodic. This is a band with the same energy and volume as so many other post-alternatives, but it seems to be leading the genre down a more melodic, dynamic path. The band was no less intense, but a whole lot more put together than many of those who pick up a mic and just scream until their eyes bleed.

Crash Kings...my god, Crash Kings. This LA trio was new and different and fun and exciting. Both keyboardist Tony Beliveau and his bassist brother Mike augmented and played their instruments like guitars. Tony riffed high-end, sinister-sounding guitar leads off his keys while Mike dialed in the treble on his P-Bass a la Lemmy. The songs were both heavy and beautiful --- like Rage Against The Ben Folds Machine. They closed with a spot-on, rather un-ironic version of "War Pigs." I've got to get that album.

Sydney, Australia's Sick Puppies followed with a groove-laden, heavy dirge. Bassist Emma Anzai worked the bottom end from a hellish thunder to a staccato burp gun, all the while maintaining a full-body headbang. Looks like I'm going to have to pick up two records this week.