Biteboy back in Topeka

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Rock band Biteboy is here for the second year in a row. They came to protest members of the Westboro Baptist Church and to show their support for the men and women in the U.S. military.

49 News first told you about Biteboy last year when they staged a concert in the neighborhood where the Westboro Baptist Church is located. See that story. They got the idea from friends, stationed in Iraq. Band manager Rick Namey, Sr. explains.

“They wrote to us and they said this is a raw deal, that this guy's showing up at funerals. At funerals! Ok? This is sick. This is goulish. You know, with his dirty, nasty signs,” Namey, Sr. said.

Biteboy frontman Rick Namey, Jr. says this is one event he wouldn’t mind having the Phelps show up at.

“I'd like the Phelps to come out. I would really like to see how the crowd reacts. And then we'll take it from there,” he said.

But Namey, Jr. says the most important thing is letting the troops know someone is standing up for them.

“We're still doing something for you guys. We haven't forgotten about you,” Namey, Jr. added.

It's a message they, and dozens of other bands, will express through music all weekend long.

Band members say the show will go on even if the weather does not cooperate. Biteboy takes the stage Saturday night. The shows run Friday through Sunday: June 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. It's located at the Lessman Farm and Truckhenge at 4124 North East Brier Road in Topeka. Admission is free.

Driving directions

The Phelps Phestival is at Truckhenge in the northeast corner of Topeka on the Kaw River. Take I-70 to first Topeka exit to Highway K4 (RR4) east to Seward Avenue exit to Kincaid about 1.2 miles. For more information, call (407) 529-7125 or go to MySpace.com/Phestival. That's where you can download a free ticket. Just look for the image of Fred Phelps in the upper-left hand corner of the page. Note: This Web site may link to content that is offensive to some.


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