In the mid-1990s, local ordinances and economic considerations led to difficult times for San Francisco Bay Area bands whose members were under 21.
Co-founder John Geek (now vocalist for punk band Fleshies) alluded to this in an interview: "Along with Dan and Corbett of Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children MacNuggits (and joined soon by Robert Eggplant and Dylan McPuke), I started the S.P.A.M.
bands, most notably Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children MacNuggits, had been rejected by the punk scene due to perceived superficial differences in dress and musical style [citation needed].
Their rejection by the punk scene was viewed as just another chapter in a long history of being uncool; but, as John Geek says, "Our pride in maladjustment ran too damn deep.
Applying the guerrilla tactics of rave culture, photocopied handbills listed the telephone number, but not the location of the event to try to prevent the show being shut down by law enforcement.
Point Molate was selected as a location, partly because it was already in use one Sunday a month for free outdoor "Sunset raves".
[citation needed] It was far from any residential area, beneath a large bridge, and under confused jurisdiction as a Navy Superfund site.
As word spread about the festivals, bands began calling to ask for shows, and sending promotional packages to the label's P.O.
As a result, the bands were often unskilled, untalented, or conversely, so polished and professional that they seemed wildly inappropriate at a no-frills, guerrilla concert.
Records to book second-stage performances at their annual 420 festivals, including at least one at the Maritime Hall in San Francisco on April 20, 2001(video).
In 1997, the Geeks (as S.P.A.M./Geekfest organizers had come to be known) decided to celebrate the first anniversary of Geekfest by having a three-day campout in Lake Ladoga, part of East Park Reservoir near Maxwell, California.
Organizers fed attendees two meals a day using kitchen equipment borrowed from Food Not Bombs: gruel in the morning and spaghetti at night.
BLM supervisor Bill Bird objected to the concert, but was overruled by the Sheriff and local merchants, who were happy for the increased business [citation needed].
Nearly 40 bands performed at the Geekfest Anniversary and, according to the Official Program and Event Schedule, the bands were [citation needed]: In the intervening year, show promoter and artist, Marcus Da Anarchist, organized "Pyrate Punx Picnics" out of San Francisco's Mission District.
Records in 2003 (closely linked to the breakup of flagship band Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children MacNuggits in 2001) spelled the end of Geekfests, though the Pyrate Punx continue to organize Libertatia annually.