Fitting several grand punk traditions at once, the Raleigh-based label To Live A Lie Records organized its inaugural festival as an all-ages matinee at In The Groove Records, in the unfinished basement of The Carter Building. From the finicky, borrowed PA to the self-styled collages of patches covering audience members’ jackets and vests, To Live A Lie Records Fest was a decidedly DIY affair. That dovetails well with the label’s modest business model.

Four bands—D.C. punk-meets-metal hybrid Genocide Pact, Raleigh and D.C. grinders Abuse., Arizona powerviolence crushers Sex Prisoner, veteran Florida fastcore outfit Assholeparade—attracted a crowd of more than 50 to the cozy, ad hoc venue.

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Bio: Bryan Reed lives in Raleigh, where he nerds out about punk rock and comic books. He's written about music for INDY Week since 2008.Twitter: http://twitter.com/BryanCReed