With this years Riot Fest just around the corner we had a chance to chat with the man responsible for the festival, founder Michael "Riot Mike" Petryshyn. He answered some questions for us about the festival ranging from the culture of the festival to naming his all time Riot Fest performing band. Riot Fest takes place this upcoming weekend here in Denver at The National Western Complex. Tickets are still available here. Since we love to giveaway tickets on the daily, we have an opportunity to win a pair of three day passes for you on our Facebook page. Simply visit our FB and do the following:

1. Follow us: 2. "Like" the post 3. Name your Riot Fest Denver dream band from this years performers (Vocalist, Guitarist, Bass , Drummer for ex. ours would be Iggy Pop, Frank Black, Bootsy Collins, Demetra Plakas) A random winner will be picked from all the entries that follow the three steps.

Ultra5280: Where did the initial inspiration for moving Riot Fest to multiple cities? It was a risky move since Chicago is such a part of Riot Fest's identity?

Mike: Even in the early years of Riot, I thought that it would work in other cities just because we had a lot of people flying in each year from across North America. If I remember correctly, we started to receive e-mails and messages from fans in Denver and Colorado starting all the way back in 2008. And there were way more e-mails coming out of Denver than anywhere else. Looking back, perhaps it was a calculated thing by a few who wanted it in Denver, but the prodding worked and, in all sincerity, we are thrilled that people wanted us to come back for another year. The people are awesome, the city is gorgeous and it's one of the best music cities in the states. It doesn't get better than that.

Ultra5280: With the expansion of the festival you've seen a massive growth in recognition and attendance. What's it been like watching that growth?

Mike: On some level, I stopped paying attention to that stuff because even though it's grown and people know what it is these days, the whole idea behind Riot really hasn't changed much. Above all else, the most important thing is that when I walk through the crowd -- as I did back in the club days -- people are smiling, having great time and want to be there. Even with 20,000 people in attendance in Denver, the goal is that people feel like they are a part of something special.

Ultra5280: What does the Riot Fest culture represent to you?

Mike: Corndogs and a whole lotta Gwar.

Ultra5280: What's next in the progression of Riot Fest? Are there any future plans to expand beyond the three cities right now?

Mike: None really. Three cities is plenty and it's not like we are a behemoth like Live Nation or AEG that want to keep expanding... we're just a small indie company trying to put on shows with bands we like. So, are we going to go into another city in the near future? Nope.

Ultra5280: Are YOU the Riot Fest Twitter guy?

Mike: No... that's way above my pay grade. I still operate on MS-DOS.

Ultra5280: Hosting the festival in Chicago is their a competitive nature amongst the other festivals such as Pitchfork and Lolla? (or are they supportive)?

Mike: There is no sense of competition between RF, Lolla and Pitchfork. We all support each other and attend each other's fests. There is room for everyone.

Ultra5280: If you had to pick your Riot Fest all time band who would it be ( 1 vocalist , 1 guitar, 1 bass, 1 drummer) out of all bands you have seen perform?

Mike: Whoaa... that's a tough one. But if I had to choose... and mind, you it would be one really fucked up band:
Vocalist: Paul Westerberg (The Replacements)
Guitar: J Mascis (Dinosaur JR)
Bass: Peter Hook (Joy Division, New Order)
Drum: Ginger Baker (Cream)

The first wave of lineup announcements for this years Riot Fest Denver have just been announced. We thought we would share our initial observations on some of the names that made the list. The three day festival is set to take place August 28-30 at The National Western Complex. Tickets are currently on sale and be on the lookout for a few ticket giveaways courtesy of your good friends here at Ultra5280.

1. Old School Hip Hop Returns.

The lineup includes hip hop pioneers De La Soul, Cypress Hill, Snoop Dogg, Run DMC, GZA and Ice Cube and Special Guests. This can almost make a lineup for those crazy Summer Jams they have at Fiddler's. These are some of the groups I grew up listening to so seeing them years later will definitely bring back some nostalgia. Rumor has it Snoop will be playing the whole Doggystyle record in it's entirety. I remember skipping school just to out and buy this record.

2. Modest Mouse in da House.

Leave it to us to provide for some of the most obnoxious puns. With a new record just released (you can read our review here) Issac Brook and company will be making an appearance at this years festival. Modest Mouse has always garnered this mysterious cult like following all while remaining true to themselves in many ways. We cannot wait to hear a full crowd sing-a-long of "Float On". This will separate the real Modest Mouse fans from those who only know this song.

3. Explosions In The Sky!!!!!

These Texans have always maintained a special place in our hearts. With emotional driven melodic pop symphonies, they draw your attention from the get go. Perfect music for those rainy days (Denver has had it's fair share as of late). What better place to see these Texans than at The National Western Complex. For those of you unfamiliar you can find the bands work on many film and television shows including Friday Night Lights. Hearing "Your Hand In Mine" live is already sending chills down our spine.

4. The National Western Complex

Third time is a charm. When this was announced as the venue a few months ago there were your typical grumblings about the lack of camping, smell of horse shit, the allergy inducing atmosphere, I could go on. We say lets live outside the box and try something different every year. This time instead of horses and rodeo clowns we will have Iggy Pop and Jack Black, seems like a fair trade off. Besides we cannot wait to see some of the western themed outfits that may come from this.

We all want to know who else will be headlining this year! (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

5. Mystery headliners

There are still a couple artist to be announced. We love the anticipation, for all we know it could be somebody like Faith No More (who actually just booked a Red Rocks show this summer) to Drake (this dude has showed up at every festival anyway so why not). His dad was in town this past weekend, maybe he was doing some scouting who knows! I think this is the first festival where I have seen a non-EDM artist on the bill, which is a little weird. We would love to see some local love by including a few notable acts....pssst...Wiredogs!