PUNK ROCK BOWLING IS A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT. DAY ONE, PART ONE
One of the twin boy kings of PRB-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
When reviewing a festival as large and wide-ranging as PRB, it’s a bit overwhelming. Typically you try to cover as many bands as possible and give readers a sense of the event within a thousand words or less. However, for a multi-day, multi-stage, multi-venue, annual event like Punk Rock Bowling, this approach doesn't do it justice. Thankfully, In Spite Magazine has allowed me to do something I’ve always wanted to do, and I've persuaded them to bring in honest reviewers to assist with the coverage.
the real fans on the rail
The votes are in: this girl is cool, but her mom is way cooler. All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
In the coming weeks, we will be featuring more in-depth reviews from dedicated fans who are passionate about a particular band. The idea is to provide real, authentic reviews from true fans. If you'd like to review your favorite band from PRB, please get in touch with me @ dickslaughterphoto@gmail.com
The other twin boy king of PRB. I think? - All Photos by @dickslaughter.com
Punk Rock Bowling is more than just another punk festival. Although punk rock is the focal point, PRB has featured acts of all types over the past twenty-four years (unfortunately not the Mummies, who are still at home waiting for Mr. Stern’s call). It's not just about drunken mayhem and debauchery, though there’s obviously plenty of that in Vegas. It's also family-friendly and serves as a reunion point for friends and family from around the world. If you are an artist, it is an opportunity to get your work in front of a large and receptive audience. But above all, it is a fun and safe festival for everyone, no matter your gender, age, or whether you're even awake.
PRB and PBR go together like PB and J.- All photos by ©dickslaughter.com
My PRB experience began on Thursday night when I checked into the Downtowner. If you're familiar with the Downtowner, you'll know that the Downtowner lifestyle isn't for everyone, but for me, it was perfect. The bar was already full of punks and drunks, all discussing which bands and club shows they planned to see. Everyone was friendly, wearing their favorite band t-shirt, and having a great time.
I'm not sure if I like the mustache or the shirt better. All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
I arrived at the festival grounds just in time to catch Las Vegas’s own hardcore boys, Twist Off. It was hot, but that didn’t stop them from rocking the early birds gathered around the main stage. Then it was off to the Monster Street stage to catch the East Coast's favorite joyful punk band, the Iron Roses, who seemed to be very much enjoying themselves.
I wanted to stay for the band's set but I had to leave to catch a must-see performance at the main stage: the Queens of Fat Records, San Pedro's Pride, Bad Cop Bad Cop. The ladies took the stage to the theme of Charlie’s Angels and absolutely nailed it. They had the crowd going the whole set and did a remarkable job of striking a punk-angels-style pose for this photo.
Good morning, Angels—I have a job for you: Kill it at PRB—All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
As I walked back to Monster Street, I stopped to take a few photos of the people attending the event to show the readers what PRB is like. I met many punk families, each more adorable than the last, all having a wonderful time and creating childhood memories that will last forever. If these photos don't bring a tear to your eye, you must have a heart of stone..
I waited for the next band on my "Don't Miss" list, Teen Mortgage. I met a couple on their honeymoon and had a wonderful chat about the bands. They told me how great the food from the food trucks was and they confided in me that they suspected that Dick Lucas of the Subhumans was some sort of vegetarian vampire. I had to agree as I knew it to be true (watch for Dick and Dick do Vegas with a new Dick on Dick interview and Subhumans Club show review). They also remarked on the friendliness and diversity of the bands and attendees.
Congratulations on the nuptials and have a happy honeymoon-All Photo ©dickslaughter.com
Teen Mortgage didn't disappoint. The DC power duo lived up to their reputation and absolutely rocked the crowd on Monster Street. I enjoyed their set so much that I decided to stick around until one of my favorite pioneering 70s punk bands, 999. I've seen Nick Cash and 999 perform more than a few times; they are regulars at the Rebellion Festival in the UK (coming up on August 1st through the 4th). Nick and 999 always put on a great show.
Nick Cash of 999-All Photos ©dickslaughter.com
At this point, I decided to get some of that free ice water, take some more fan photos, and head back to the main stage. I had missed Lagwagon while enjoying other sets and needed to be on time for Billy Bragg. As I made my way through the crowd, snapping pictures of punk families, couples, bouncers, and even the punk police, all happy to oblige my request to be photographed, I finally arrived at the main stage. That's when I first encountered the twin boy kings of PRB for the first time. At first, I thought the heat was getting to me or that I was in a punk remake of "The Shining." But it turns out, nope, they are real and really that adorable!
I bet you didn’t know they made punkers that cute-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
If you're unfamiliar with Billy Bragg, his music can be described as punk folk. It's just him and his guitar, no big stage show, just one man singing his heart out. His lyrics often have a political message, but sometimes they are more romantic or funny. He always puts on a great show with his jokes and between song conversation with the crowd.
Be careful: you might learn something from Billy Bragg at PRB-All Photos by dickslaughter.com
After Billy, it was time to make my way back to Monster Street. I made it just in time for NYC hardcore legends Gorilla Biscuits. I had a feeling this show would be more lively, and I was right. As soon as the band hit the stage, Monster Steet erupted, and singer Anthony Civarelli was on and off the stage, perching himself on the rail to sing along with the fans.
As I approached the main stage, I saw a few familiar faces lined up on the rail next to the twins. It was Austin’s favorite punk rock delinquents, Live Another Day. I walked over, introduced myself, and asked if I could take a few photos. The boys were very accommodating and posed in the typical punk band style. We discussed their love for the Descendents and their upcoming shows in California. That was when I thought these guys should write a review, so I asked if they wanted to write my review for me because they obviously liked the Descendents more than I did and if they could tell me why, in one thousand words or less, I would get In Spite Magazine to publish it They loved the idea. It’s not very common for one band to review another, but when that band stops their tour to go to the other band’s show, I want to know why.
Live Another Day will review the Descendents PRB set-All Photos ©dickslaughter.com
As the photographers settled in to shoot The Descendents, there was a bit of a discussion about how difficult it is to get a shot of singer Milo without the mic in his face, as he rarely lowers it to take a breath. Another thing I find interesting about The Descendents is that they have become a favorite of very young punks. The rail was mostly families or young kids; it was the same the last few times I’ve seen them. The band hit the stage hard and dove into a high-energy set. The crowd went crazy, but it seemed like the kids were alright. When I turned around to try to capture the fans, it was still kids.
The Descendents-All Photo by ©dickslaughter.com
That would have been a fine way to end the day's festivities, but PRB doesn’t work that way. I needed to get to the Usual Place where the lo-fi legends, Guitar Wolf, were playing. Before that, I planned to stop by the world-famous El Cortez for some prime rib and maybe do a little gambling. The El Cortez has undergone many changes since the owner, Jackie Gaughan, passed away. They used to offer cheap, nice rooms and low-limit poker games that Jackie himself would often join. They also had loose slots, a free valet, and all-night dining. However, all of that has changed. The place still has a distinct smell that hits you when you walk in, a mix of booze, cigarettes, cheap perfume, perspiration, and desperation. If you're a compulsive gambler, it sort of makes you feel high. The prime rib, although it used to cost ten dollars, is now twenty, but it's still well worth it.
I found my way to the Usual Place a little later than planned (Vegas, Baby) but just in time for the Guitar Wolf set. I was going to write a review here to illustrate that a day at PRB is as long and eventful as this article. But it's getting pretty long, and I know people hate to read. Also, Guitar Wolf was so great, and I have a bunch of lovely photos, so I want to give them an article to themselves. Watch for that in the future.
Guitar Wolf at the Usual Place-All Photos ©dickslaughter.com
I will be leaving with the punk rock bowling family photos from the first day. If you are here and would like me to send you a high-resolution copy, just send me a message. There's much more to come, maybe from you.
PUNKROCKBOWLING.com
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