Tampa Calling

Local music promoter and drummer for the band Central Avenue Ballers, Tom Nestor threw the first Disturbing the Peace Fest in 1992. This year’s festival is on Saturday. It features a gaggle of area acts ranging from indie rock to hardcore rap spread across four stages at the Cuban Club In Ybor City. Nestor pretty much put the whole shindig together single-handedly. Recently, we chatted about the event while he was in the midst of making final preparations.

What inspired you to host the initial Disturbing the Peace Fest?

It all started when I attended the first Lollapalooza in Orlando. It was amazing. Jane’s Addiction and Siouxsie and the Banshees played. I a great time and came away with it with this vision to do that same kind of fest on a local level with local groups. We started throwing Disturbing the Peace parties partly inspired by St. Pete trying to shut down Jannus Landing at the time.

What do you hope to accomplish with the festival?

Everything on the local scene is splintered. This aims to bring everyone together — at least for one night — under one roof. People will be given all styles of music and the chance to learn about local social/political groups and maybe do something to help make a change for the better.

What inspired Saturday’s show?

The tent-slashing incident [that occurred in St. Petersburg] inspired me. That’s why money [raised through ticket sales] is going to charities (Tent City Homeless Outreach, Bay Area Food Banks and
The Central Avenue Music Project.) It’s not a yearly festival. When things happen to motivate me to do it, I do it. It’s never been structured like something like the [Tampa Bay] Blues Fest.

What else should people know about the fest?

A documentary film be will be shot there. Every artist on the bill is donating their time and services. Ninety-percent of everything we needed, sound equipment and stuff, has been donated. So the first ticket purchased can start money going to charity.

Tickets are $15/$20 day of show. For more information and complete band lineup go to Myspace.com/Disturbingthepeacefest.

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