Huge thanks to my friends Langen and Jenny for inviting me to their annual pilgrimage to Punk Rock Bowling in Las Vegas! (Langen has been tracking the show in real time – with always astute observations at Girl at the Rock Shows!) Four nights alternating between 90 degree sunshine and air-conditioned casinos. What could be better for a non-gambling ginger?
It was amazing. No one got sunburned. I learned to gamble, yet came home with a little money in my pocket. We will all sleep well tonight. I walked/danced almost 42 miles over the 3-day fest. And then there was the music.
The pacing from show to show is perfect. Alternating between big stage and little stage with limited lag time. Lines weren’t usually long. Sight lines were great for distance. Rarely felt crowded. A weekend of punk and ska – some bands celebrating 60 years togethers; others maybe a year out of the 
gate. Something for everyone! A few highlights include
- VIAL from Minneapolis: hometown spirit of course but sounded solid had a contagious presence and fixed a guitar strap with duct tape during the show. Memorably bad ass!
- Billy Bragg: always a favorite for me! But Langen and Jenny put him on the list too. When your politics are right, they withstand the test of time. Special note – I ran into him on Fremont Street. I was too cool to ask for the picture, but not to cool to say hello and take a creepy stalker photo from behind.
- Starcrawler: felt like I saw some Babes in Toyland influence. And I’m down for it.
- Madness: last time I saw them was 2008 in Dublin. Still sound great. Played My Girl’s Mad at Me; that’s all I really needed.
There were certainly more highlights. But if I go down that rabbit hole, I’ll be writing until the next Punk Rock Bowling. Below are quick takes and videos of the bands I saw.
Punk Rock Bowling Day One…
The Descendants – playing since 1977 – great 2-minute punk songs about everyday stuff – like girls. Still sounds great.
Gorilla Biscuits – playing since 1987 – more thrash, challenging the largest dudes to take the stage – sending lots of love to their cousins.
Billy Bragg – playing since 1983 – one of my forever faves – played all the old socialist/political stuff, which is at least as relevant as when I saw him in the 1980s.
Madball – playing since 1988 – an offshoot of Agnostic Front. St Paul Native Matt Henderson played with them back in the day.
Lagwagon – playing since 1990 – very much a skate punk scene, lead singer looks like Craig Finn’s cousin.
999 – playing since 1976 – never saw them back in the day – but wanted to. Good ‘ol old school punk.
Skatalites – playing since 1963 – ska riffs that are part of the culture, still sound great live.
Teen Mortgage – oldest release on Spotify 2019 – a slightly psychedelic twang to otherwise hardcore
Bad Cop/Bad Cop – playing since 2011 – great to walk into a punk fest an immediately see women on stage!
Punk Rock Bowling Day Two…
Devo – playing since 1973 – music is equally impressive as with audio and visual. My high school self was smiling!
The Chats – playing since 2016 – the energy was perfect, especially for the time slot. Lots of folks clearly interested!
Rocket from the Crypt – playing since 1990 – full band, full sound, great set
Starcrawler – playing since 2015 – wowser that onstage presence is fantastic – reminded me of Babes in Toyland
Subhumans – playing since 1980 – a classic for sure and sounded great!
Snooper – oldest release on Spotify 2022 – so much energy, great dancing. Love the surprise guest at the end
Destroy Boys – oldest release on Spotify 2017 – another female leaning band, lots of attitude and scaffolding climbing
Cosmic Psychos – playing since 1982 – old school kind of punk that would moon the audience at the end of the show
Niis – oldest release on Spotify 2020 – women playing hardcore is OK with me!
Punk Rock Bowling Day Three…
Madness – playing since 1976 – One Step Beyond … played some old songs (my fave My Girls Mad at Me) and new. Sounded amazing. Haven’t seen them in more than 10 years!
Quicksand – playing since 1990 – quick viewing by me but lots of sound and energy!
Gogol Bordello – playing since 1999 – always bringing something like a new song (all about dancing!), an accordion, with many other instruments, and wearing purple.
Scowl – playing since 2019 – folks said I should make sure to see them, folks weren’t wrong. Hope to see them again soon!
Stiff Little Fingers – playing since 1977 – just missed them playing in St Paul. Played so many old songs. Brought me back. But like Billy Bragg, the sentiment is as real now as it was then.
Bratmoble – playing since 1991 – fun sound, fun lyrics, light and very danceable
The English Beat – playing since 1978 – it’s funny just how many songs you’d know by the English Beat and you’ll want to dance to each
Die Spitz – playing since 2022 – man even whispering this band captures attention, great sound like presence
VIAL – playing since 2019 – the Minneapolis sound with always bring it; VIAL smashed it. Music was great vibe on stage was fun and fixing your guitar strap on stage with duct tape is empowering!
Kate Clover – oldest release on Spotify 2020 – definitely classing up the joint with a mod/punk vibe that I love
Doll Riot – playing since 2020 – a garage sound with sass – the day started and stayed pretty female/nonbinary forward!
Mostly Minnesota 