Rockstar Energy Open has now wrapped up its third year at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland, Oregon. The event was reminiscent of events in the early 2000s such as the Vans Warped Tour, when skating contests happened alongside live punk bands that were popular at the time. There was definitely something nostalgic about this event, as skating and punk have seemed to evolve in separate directions over the last 20 years. It was fun to see both together in full swing again.

For a punk band rooted in DIY energy, I know growing can be a delicate tightrope. How do you push boundaries and experiment with new textures and structures without losing the core identity that your audience first fell in love with?

Angel Du$t made their way up to Portland for the 3rd annual Rockstar Energy Open skate competition and concert at Tom McCall Waterfront. The boys sat down with us before hitting the stage to chat a bit about music, skating and wrestling random strangers at McDonald’s.