PUNK’S NOT DEAD IN VEGAS: it’s dad, and dad knows a good value
DEVO at PRB – All photos ©dickslaughter.com
Let’s lace up our boots and spike up what’s left of our hair because Punk Rock Bowling is back and louder than ever! Every year when PRB takes over downtown Las Vegas it’s much more than just another festival: It's an unforgettable weekend of nonstop punk rock adventure with pool parties, club shows, and pre-festival events that kick-off two days before the official shindig on the holiday weekend of May 25th, 26th, and 27th. This year's Punk Rock Bowling promises an explosive lineup featuring legendary pioneers and must-sees including DEVO, The Descendants, Stiff Little Fingers, Madness, and the SUBHUMANS. They’re joined by some of the best groups formed after the turn of the century, including everyone's favorites from Australia, The Chats, L.A.’s Starcrawler, Destroy Boys of Sacramento, and DC’s pride and joy, Teen Mortgage, to name a few—but that barely scratches the surface of the thirty-six band lineup.
The Descendants at Punk Rock Bowling
Punk Rock Bowling has been independently run since 1999 and has become a major gathering and vacation destination for punks and their families from all over the world. The festival is known for being reliable and fair-paying to the artists, providing established bands with an opportunity to tour or reunite while also serving as a valuable showcase for lesser-known groups. The festival is laid out with numerous vendors, bars, food trucks, and stages close enough to each other that it is possible to see all of the acts instead of having to make tough choices between favorites.
Jake Burns of Stiff Little Fingers at the Rebellion Festivals
Punk Rock Bowling has gained international attention and remarkable success since its inception. Its organizers have been improving the experience every year by upgrading the venue area and putting together a diverse lineup, including legendary punk acts alongside Ska, Reggae, and many different genres. In addition to the show-stopping headliners mentioned above, there will be incredible performances by Billy Bragg, 999, Gogol Bordello, Rocket from the Crypt, Skatalites, The English Beat, Bratmobile, Bad Cop Bad Cop, and Gorilla Biscuits among many others.
PRB takes over the entire downtown Las Vegas area and features club shows at multiple venues with nearly two hundred bands as part of the official and unofficial lineup. Festival goers can enjoy more prominent bands in an intimate setting, as well as discover acts that aren’t part of the festival's official lineup. Notable club shows this year include REDD KROSS, GUITAR WOLF, PLAGUE VENDOR, PUNK ROCK KARAOKE, The SUBHUMANS with BAD ASS and so many more.
The festival and its grounds are family-friendly, with admission for kids under 8 free with no ticket required, though casinos, clubs, and adult activities are strictly 21 and over. But even if you have grandkids in tow, there are still plenty of things to do.
Many people wonder if punk rockers really bowl at PRB. The answer is yes, they do, and they take it very seriously—there are even cash prizes. PRB started as a bowling tournament with bands and has since become a full-blown two-stage music festival… with a little bowling on the side. I have never been to a PRB bowling event myself, as they start very early in the morning. Similarly, people have asked me if there are punk rock pool parties, and the answer is again yes; they happen every day from 11 am to 1 pm at different locations.
“Punk is Dad” at Punk Rock Bowling
But what I find the most amusing about PRB is the family atmosphere. In the late 80s, hotels spent millions of dollars trying to turn Las Vegas into a family-friendly destination, but it took two punk brothers from Youth Brigade to make it happen.
Dick Lucas of the SUBHUMANS had this to say about PRB:
“It is just so different, it is hard not to enjoy some aspect of it. Just the madness of all these punks in the middle of Vegas that becomes the normality that you attach yourself to because Vegas is just too surreal and bizarre.”
Dick Lucas of the SUBHUMANS at the Rebellion Festivals
Adjacent to Punk Rock Bowling’s main grounds is the truly surreal Fremont Street Experience. There are casinos, bars, cannabis dispensaries, street performers, restaurants, and even a zip line, all under a giant dome with a high-definition video light show and thousands of drunk people all looking for a good time. This can all lead to a night you may never forget but would prefer not to remember, and/or a big dent in your wallet.
On the other hand, PRB only costs $90 for a single-day ticket or $200 for a three-day pass, which is a great value. If you didn’t get enough punk at the festival, the Punk Rock Museum is open 24-hours during the PRB weekend. And if you have any energy left after a day of punk rock family fun and your new wife and the grandkids are sleeping—why not try your luck at the tables? Who knows, maybe you’ll win enough to pay for another big punk festival.
Get your tickets at PUNKROCKBOWLING.com
All Photos–©dickslaughter.com
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