01 May Review & Interview: Goldfinger’s John Feldmann Talks future plans and ‘dad duty’
John Feldmann sits in his trailer, in a Fred Perry polo and his signature bleached hair.
In about twenty minutes, he’s due on the JetBlue stage to rock out with his ska-punk band, Goldfinger. But a little later, he’ll be building sandcastles with his two kids, Julian and Milla.
“I’m on full dad duty,” Feldmann told SunFest before the band’s set.
He later joked on stage, “My wife was like, ‘Take the children!’ She’s probably like, ‘I’m so excited to be asleep. I haven’t slept in ten years.’”
It’s Milla’s first time in Florida, and Feldmann made sure to make it memorable — carrying her out onto the stage and getting the crowd of thousands to chant her name.
The band — who formed in 1994 — walked on as “Let It Go” from Disney’s “Frozen,” played over the speakers. Feldmann, along with a super-group comprised of MxPx’s Mike Herrera on bass and Story of the Year’s Phil Sneed on guitar, sashayed onto the stage.
They were also joined by New Found Glory drummer, Cyrus Bolooki, who Feldmann said learned Goldfinger’s set in two days.
“I just called him up and said, ‘Hey man, can you learn the set,’” the frontman explained. “And he said yes.”
Feldmann’s now wearing a pinstriped blazer, but it doesn’t last long — two songs later, he’s back in his polo.
Photo by Emily Bloch
Goldfinger, who gained recognition throughout the 90’s for its presence in the ska-punk scene, hasn’t released an album since 2008. But Feldmann says that could change soon.
“I started making a Goldfinger album about a year and a half ago and we recorded I think four songs,” he told us. “Chances are at some point we’ll do an EP and figure out where to put it out.”
The vocalist said he wants to make this release an all ska EP. “That’s what our fans love and we’ve never done that. And I write a song a day, so why wouldn’t I?”
The band played its hits like “Counting the Days” and “Here In Your Bedroom.” Feldmann reminisced about how the band formed 22 years ago.
“Now, I’m like ten shots of espresso, take my kids to school,” Feldmann tells the audience. “Things change, don’t they?”
But not everything changes. Within two songs, Feldmann broke three guitar screens and cut his hand. “I’m 48-years-old and I’m rocking out harder than you people,” he said. “Does not compute.”
The band performed more of its crowd favorites — like the 2002 single, “Wake Up,” that Feldmann crowd surfed to — “Superman,” and “The Innocent.”
“Thank you, Florida. This is the most fun I’ve had in the last hour,” Feldmann said. The band closed with its cover of “99 Red Balloons,” which was released in 2000. “Thanks for giving me that hour.”
Feldmann’s kids waited for him in the wings, wearing their ear protection and likely anxious to build sandcastles.