Passed Out Punx AT PUNK ROCK BOWLING, Where Sleeping in Public Becomes Art
Photo by John Moon-Courtesy of Passed Out Punx
When we published Dick Slaughter's interview with Shawn Stern, he had included a photo of a gentleman with a mohawk sleeping on the fake grass at Punk Rock Bowling, along with the caption "Punk is not Dead, he is just taking a nap". A few weeks later, we were tagged in an Instagram post that said, "Hey @inspitemagazine, you use our slogan and post the phenomenon AND don’t even bother to mention us? PLEASE! Give the credit where it’s due!" At first, our customer service team thought that "the phenomenon" was a band and that the sleeping punk in the photo was a member. However, upon further investigation, (actually looking at the page) we discovered a group with a page called "Passed Out Punx" dedicated to documenting sleeping punks at PRB and beyond. We showed Dick the page, and he loved it. He mentioned using that caption on photos of sleeping punks since Steve Ignorant had hair but also suggested that we ask them to write an article about their history and mission. So we did, and Rachel Blitz of Passed Out Punx obliged.
Photo by Crystal Aguilar-Courtesy of Passed Out Punx
Social media has a way of taking obscure interests to the forefront of people’s everyday lives, and this is no different for the punk rock community. This is precisely how the Instagram Passed Out Punx was born when one woman’s casual joke of snapping photos of sleeping strangers caught in the most precarious places became a community for punk culture enthusiasts to find the beauty in laughter.
Photo by Brandon Abandon- Courtesy of Passed Out Punx
It all began with her innocent pastime of stumbling upon passed out weekend warriors at Punk Rock Bowling in the most unusual of places and in the weirdest positions then snapping a photo of it to send to friends for a few laughs.
Photo by Olga-Courtesy of Passed Out Punx
Then on one fateful day fueled mostly by caffeine and a wicked hangover, this phenomenon took center stage on the BYO Punk Rock Bowling Facebook page when she decided to post a screenshot and a challenge;
“Phone is ready. If you are passed out on the floor, I will find you!”
Photo courtesy of Passed Out Punx
Striking a chord with fellow punks who shared their delight in the absurdity of sleeping in public, people started sending their photos of punks face down in vegan nachos with their asses out, or mohawked rebels dozing off mid-gig on baking hot Astroturf— you name it, the fanbase and commitment to punk was there. Seeing the overwhelming excitement for our sleeping comrades, she created an Instagram dedicated to compiling and documenting debauchery in all nap positions.
Photo by Jordon Plamer-Courtesy of Passed Out Punx
The Instagram became a digital shrine of unconscious heroes juxtaposed with clever captions eliciting punk’s irreverent spirit. It was art. In no time at all a dedicated following amassed and Passedoutpunx began to gain traction, provoking Noisy by Vice to take notice and write an article celebrating its creation and the now defunct OC Weekly to dub the account
“A problematic phenomenon at Punk Rock Bowling”.
Charles Marshall Olson at PRB photo by Dylan Snow-Courtesy of Passed Out Punx
This recognition drew a legion of eager new followers who would highly anticipate each new nap-tastic update. This then shaped the need for her to create the only live feed during Punk Rock Bowling showcasing the current happenings and any sleeping beauties along the way.
Photo by jenughhhh-Courtesy of Passed Out Punx
Passed Out Punx has set itself apart from typical meme accounts for nine years with its unapologetic celebration of human vulnerability and the camaraderie forged through shared laughter. It is about finding humor in the mundane and turning awkward snoozes into punk rock works of art. Whether you are a seasoned vet or someone who just wants a good laugh, Join the fun at Passed Out Punx and embrace the absurd and unexpected.
Photo by Perrx Muerto Saer-Courtesy of Passed Out Punx
And remember, in the wild world of napping, there is always room for one more passed-out punk.
Photo by Olga-Courtesy of Passed Out Punx
In the spirit of Madness and our quirky founder’s knack for puns, FEEL FREE TO join our Bed in the Middle of Our street.
Photo by Logan Brackett-Courtesy of Passed Out Punx
Here's to the sleepy punk rock warriors of Passed out punx. May your dreams be as wild as your hairstyles and your laughs as contagious as your snoring.
Photo courtesy of Passed Out Punx
To view the live stream or submit a photo, please visit our Instagram page.
passed out punx
Photo by Kylo Gun-Courtesy of Passed Out Punx
Please remember only two real people are running Passed out punx, and they are also partying as hard as all of you. If you enter and do not get posTED do not be upset! There is always next year.
Photo by Jacob-Courtesy of Passed Out Punx
