Punk Rock Bowling 2013 Music Festival – Las Vegas, NV – May 25, 2013

Though I wished I could’ve stayed at the Gold Spike pool party and gone into the water, I’m glad I didn’t. There was a small kerfuffle getting people through the gates, so I was only able to catch the last 2 songs from the openers, The Dirty Panties. 

Originally from New York, but now based in Vegas, the all-female quartet kicked off the festival with their catchy pop Punk sound. From the little I was able to hear, I really liked the band—if they ever play in Southern California, I’m definitely going to check out their full set. 

Tartar Control, a 2-piece band hailing from Los Angeles and dressed as Mormon missionaries (3-piece, if you include their drum robot), were next up. Their awesome performance had people leaving the shaded areas to come to the front of the stage. Not only are they great musicians, they are pitch-perfect comedians (how could they not be? They were able to get the crowd moshing and chanting out different brands of toothpaste). With songs like “Jesus is Love” and “Sodomy Basket”, there was not one minute of their set that wasn’t entertaining. The lead singer danced around in the pit and crowd-surfed intermittently, when he wasn’t tossing out travel-sized toothbrushes. Tartar Control was my favourite of the opening bands of the weekend—I can’t wait to see them again!  

Revilers brought some Boston street Punk to the festival. They do not have the antics of Tartar Control, so it was a nice balance to have some solid, and very good, Punk. Apparently the lines were still long to get into the festival, so fans unfortunately missed their raw and angry sound, with songs like “No Bullshit Reactor” and “Sick of Being Sick and Tired” that they played. I think a trip to Boston is in order, so I can see these guys shred in their home turf.

CH3 were not just playing the festival, they also bowled in the morning! (For their take on the weekend,  check out their blog: HERE) Always ones to put on a great show, they didn’t disappoint. From “You Lie” to “Manzanar” to “You Make Me Feel Cheap” (Maria Montoya supplied the vocals on that), they helped get the crowd riled up for the remainder of the festival day. 

Los Angeles locals, The Briggs, came up next. To quote our own Louie B., “The Briggs rock like the best UK bands from the 70’s intermixed with the flavor of 80’s Los Angeles”. Having only listened to the band, I didn’t know what to expect from their live show. From start to finish, The Briggs high-energy grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go until the final chords of “This is LA”. Their anthemic street punk got the crowd bouncing and moshing for most of their 45-minute set. (I wish I hadn’t waited until now to see them. That stupid oversight will be remedied next time I see them listed on a bill.)  

Swinging Utters brought their melodic 90's flavored Punk Rock to the festival. As always they put on a great energetic set with Johnny "Peebucks" flailing around the stage and popping his mic chord. These bay area boys are always well received by the Punk community and it showed as the pit got rowdy as fuck during their set.

One of the most anticipated acts of the weekend came up next, The Weirdos! This Los Angeles band form in 1976 and broke up in 1981. Since then, they have recorded once and only played a handful of times. They have been described as one of the best in the first wave of Punk Rock and paved the sound for other LA Punks that came onto the scene after them. 

Their set went off with a bang. One of the great things about the Stern brothers and Punk Rock Bowling is that they have been known to book elusive bands and bring some of the best musicians back into the public eye. The Weirdos were amazing, if you didn't catch them at PRB 2013, they will be playing again in Santa Ana at The Observatory on September 7th this summer. 

The Damned made their way to the stage looking fashionable as ever. Captain Sensible with his signature red beret and Vanian with the black shades and trench coat that he's become known for. Insanity would ensue in the crowd. They started with "Love Song",  which was an indicator of how great this set would be. 

Aside from adjustments in sound and lighting that Vanian  requested, The Damned sounded tight as ever. They played hits such as  "Neat Neat Neat", "Anti-Pope", "Plan 9 Channel 7" and closed their set with "Smash It Up". Just as it is anytime you see one of your favorite bands at a music festival, the time on stage never seems long enough. The crowd insisted on an encore to no avail, as The Damned time slot was finished. 

It was time for DEVO. Just as it was expected to see Turbo Jugend vests adorning the crowd for Saturdays festival, Friday was full of DEVO fans rocking the infamous red pyramid hats. 

They opened with "Don't Shoot (I'm a Man)", as always DEVO put on a show full of theatrics including synchronized dance moves, a large projection screen, smoke, sporadic lighting and wardrobe changes. Age hasn't slowed these men down AT ALL. One of the great things about DEVO is the catchiness of their tunes that allow the masses to sing along with ease. 

DEVO ruled Punk Rock Bowling weekend. They played "What We Do", "Girl U Want", "Jocko Homo", and "Gates of Steel" amongst other classic and new DEVO songs. Unlike The Damned, DEVO was able to oblige the elated sweaty crowd with an encore that included "DEVO Corporate Anthem", "Freedom of Choice" and "Beautiful World". 

I remember making my way to the exit...satisfied, thinking "Punk Rock Bowling could be done now, I've experienced the best this weekend has to offer in the first day!" Right when I thought the evening couldn't get any better, one of my favorite LA bands "The Mormons" had assembled their mobil unit and were playing in front of the exits, as a group of drunken show goers gathered around them dancing.

People loved their music so much that they were scrambling, shoving money in their back packs attempt to get their 7" singles before they were all gone. I over heard some saying, "I can't believe I'm getting to see The Mormons!" and others exclaiming how excited they were to catch them for the first time. I knew exactly how these folks felt, it brought me back to the first time I saw them marching by the gates of the FYF in downtown LA while I was waiting in the worst line of my life. 

The first day of the Punk Rock Bowling Music Festival was an amazing success and set the tone for the next days to come. 

 

 

             More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Anni Thyme-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

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Inciters Pool Party – at Gold Spike Hotel – Las Vegas, NV

Saturday was hot, meaning it was perfect weather for a pool party. Over at Gold Spike, The Inciters were gearing up to bring some soul to Sin City. Based in Santa Cruz, this normally 11-piece band has been around for a few years.

 

The crowd was small when the band started--most people were content to sit in the shade and relax--but as soon the lead vocalist belted out her first note, the people started getting into it and venturing out into the sun and pool. 

I was blown away by Betsy Jane Kniffin's vocals and how her voice laced so well together with the back-up singers. I can't describe how she sounds, other than fan-fucking-tastic. After a few songs, the pool got a bit more action and some people were skankin' in the water. Finishing up their first set with "Soul Clap", the band took a short break, as more and more people started filling the pool. 

Starting back up with "100", the ladies of the band did a dance routine while the horns wailed away. More and more people were dancing now, both in and out of the water. Unfortunately, I had to dash out of the party and head over to the festival, so I missed the rest of their set. I look forward to when I can see the full band perform someday, but I'm happy I had a chance to catch them at the pool party. 

 

             More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Anni Thyme-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

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Bowler Kick Off Party Featuring Lawrence Arms – Nothington – and No Se – at The Las Vegas Country Saloon – Las Vegas, NV

There was a buzz of excitement in the air as the concert goers were gathering outside the Las Vegas Country Saloon. Friends from all over were meeting, embracing, joking, happy and ready for this fine evening of Lawrence Arms and weekend of Punk Rock Bowling. The venue slowly filled up as fans filtered their way inside. The overall good feeling permeated the crowd and vibes of everyone in attendance. 

 

No Se charged the stage and demanded the attention of everyone inside LVCS. Their power-packed set sent electricity out into the audience and vibed everyone up for the rest of the night with Nothington and Lawrence Arms. Their energy was what rolled us into the next band.

Nothington jumped right in and didn’t even miss a beat; the crowd didn’t either. It seemed like the more songs they played the more energy the crowd had. As the crowd grew in size so did their happy energy. Lategoers jumped right in with the thrashing-dancing crowd and built up the energy even more.

Before Lawrence Arms came on, it was sort of the calm before the storm, so to speak. Everyone was excited but also patient; they had been waiting for this band for a long time and knew the night would be a good one. As Lawrence Arms set up their gear there was a sort of quiet awe from the crowd. When they finally took the stage the crowd surged into a wave of energy and bliss, singing every lyric.

This sold out show definitely was worth the wait. Imagine the crowd as a cluster of stars and the pit for Lawrence Arms a black hole, drawing them in, funneling them around into pure chaos- that was how it looked to me. I was even drawn into this chaos, wanting to be apart of it.

Lawrence Arms brought this first evening of Punk Rock Bowling to a fine end. There’s nothing better than an amazing show to kickstart a great weekend.

 

            

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Jen Reightley-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

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Strung Out – Guttermouth – Left Alone – and Guilty by Association – at Fremont Country Club – Las Vegas, NV

Punk Rock Bowling is one of the events I look forward to every year, and this year was possibly the best so far! It started off at the Nugget at the comedy show (whoulda thunk that Dave from the Krum Bums would be hilarious?) but I was looking forward to the club shows, namely Strung Out / Guttermouth.

 

Fremont Country Club, a fairly new venue in DTLV, was a great spot to host one of the many club shows. It's not too big, not to small, had some good beer, and security was nice (not something that can be said often). The only drawback to the place is the creepy back-lit puppets they have placed in the walls.

Sin City's very own Guilty by Association kicked off the night, opening up with their song "Straight To Hell". Before that night, I hadn't listened to the band, so I had no idea what to expect.

By the end of their second song, "Walk Alone", I was a fan. The crowd was moshing along and having a great time. A lot of times, the opening bands leave much to be desired, but Guilty by Association could easily headline. Their set was absolute fun, their sound a mix of Chaos UK and the Dead Kennedys, and by the time they closed with "American Decay", the stage (and crowd floor) was already slick with spilled drinks and god knows what else.  

Next up was Los Angeles' ska/punk outfit Left Alone. Before the first few bars of the first song were done, the lead singer (aptly named Elvis, seeing as how we were in Vegas) slipped and fell on the stage, thanks to the spilled drinks mentioned earlier. That didn't phase him, or the band, though. They just laughed and kept on going. "Hate the Day" had me skankin' along with the crowd, and "I Hate Emo" made me naze beer. If you haven't heard these talented musicians yet, I highly suggest you either get their EP or go out and see them play live. The two openers definitely set the bar high for not just the evening, but the weekend. 

 

There was some confusion earlier as to who the headliner was for the evening, according to one of Guttermouth's members. Turns out, Guttermouth would be third up, and as always, they were a mix of musicality, mischievousness, and bizarre antics. Mark, in typical fashion, was riffing on Flag and Bad Religion (two of the festival's headliners) and heckling and tossing the mic at the crowd.  Apparently there was even some vomiting happening, but I didn't see that (thankfully). 

Love 'em or hate 'em (I lean towards love), Guttermouth always puts on an entertaining show. The crowd was pretty much non-stop throughout. "Lipstick" and "I'm Destroying the World" were highlights of the set for sure. 

Hailing from Simi Vally, Strung Out closed the night. From the moment they stepped foot on the stage until the second they left, there was no respite. From "Too Close to See" to "Better Days" to "Ghetto Heater", the entire set was nothing but a mass of bodies, sweat, booze, and people screaming their hearts out.

There was very little banter between songs, so you were just hit, time after time, with some incredibly technically strong (and great!) tunes. I thought their time was up too soon, so the next time they play here in Southern California, I'll be there in the front row, for sure! 

 

             More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Anni Thyme-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

Go HERE to see all the latest show reviews

 

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Suedehead – Chris Murray – Dj Gonzo – The Bohunks – at The Beauty Bar – Las Vegas, NV

After much anticipation and waiting this years Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival was finally here and underway. Kicking off the long awaited Memorial Day weekend was a plethora of top caliber artists performing various club shows along Freemont Street in downtown Las Vegas. 

One of the higher anticipated club shows took place at the wildly popular Beauty Bar, featuring a boss lineup of the best Ska, Soul and Rocksteady has to offer. With Dj Gonzo and Lowlife Sound System providing the best in classic tunes, the party had officially begun and boots were moving and dancing as if they never had before. With Gonzo churning out tune after tune of tantalizing vintage scorchers, the sweat and beer were flowing in abundance for the nights line up starting with The Bohunks.

The Bohunks have been at it in the Los Angeles scene for years now and have only impressed and amazed along the way and Friday night was no different. Drawing out locals and visitors to the dance floor, The Bohunks immediately captured the attention of everyone in attendance with their robust and heavy Ska rhythms. After a fevered and high energy set including a precise and overly fitting rendition of the Dead Kennedys “In Sight”.

Following The Bohunks was a true Rocksteady and Ska Legend in every sense of the word, Canadian Acoustic maestro Chris Murray. We here at Big Wheel have had many opportunities to enjoy Chris Murray over the years and Friday was more of the same. With a festival highlighting the best in punk from then and now Chris Murray holds his own amongst any spiked and studded Punk Rock act all the while turning new fans along the way. Always eloquent and sharp as a tack Chris Murray’s status as an international superstar is without question and his performances speak for itself.

With Rudies and Mods already drenched in sweat from dancing only more was to come. Orange County’s Suedehead has been nothing but amazing, featuring artists with track records including the mythological likes of The Debonaires, T.S.O.L., Hepcat and The Aggrolites. Suedehead’s meteoric rise has been a wonder to enjoy and must be appreciated live; true musicianship at every instrument makes for a pleasure overload for all the Ska senses to indulge. 

             More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Gio Van Dam-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

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Show Preview: The Damned – 45 Grave – at The El Rey Theater – Los Angeles, CA – May 26, 2013

Did you hear that sound? That was the sound of my heartbreaking because I can’t attend Punk Rock Bowling this year. Sadly, I will miss all the fun, music and debauchery that PRB has to offer. There’s always next year….Well the world is a funny place and things seem to have a way of working themselves out and fortunately for me and the other folks not in Vegas for PRB we are extremely fortunate that The Damned and 45 Grave will be at The El Rey on May 26th.


The Damned have been playing their stylish brand of Rock n Roll since 1976. The Damned incorporate many styles such as psychedelic, garage, punk and gothic in their music and combine that sound with crooner Dave Vanian and you have a band that has been hugely influential. The Damned were the first UK Punk band to release a single (1976’s “New Rose”), the first to release an album (1977’s “Damned, Damned, Damned), and in 1977 the first to tour the U.S.

Past members of The Damned have included Patricia Morison (who is not only married to Dave Vanian but has played with The Gun Club, The Bags, and Sister of Mercy), Rat Scabies and even Motorhead’s Lemmy Kilmister who played bass briefly for The Damned in 1979. Some other Rock luminaries that have contributed their talents to The Damned’s albums have been King Crimson’s Robert Fripp, The Clash’s Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, and Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason.

Today along with Dave Vanian, The Damned includes Captain Sensible, Monty Oxy Moron, Stu West and Pinch. “Damned, Damned, Damned” and “Machine Gun Etiquette” are classic albums that sound as great today as they did when they were released over 30 years ago. In 2009 the band I was in was lucky enough to be able to play several UK dates with The Damned which I will never forget. The Damned not only were nothing short of incredible onstage, offstage they proved themselves to be some the nicest guys you could ever meet. The Damned will not disappoint and those attending the May 26th show at The El Rey are in for a night to remember.

Los Angeles Punk Rock, Death Rock, Gothic Rock Pioneers 45 Grave are an evil force to be reckoned with. 45 Grave have been playing since 1979. Fronted by the electrifying Dinah Cancer, 45 Grave’s unique appearance and spooky sound has paved the way for an entire genre of Horror Punk bands. The Grammy Museum list 45 Grave along with Christian Death as "early proponents of American Gothic Rock." 45 Grave’s song “Evil” from their seminal 1983 debut album “Sleep in Safety” was regularly played on MTV (back when the channel still played music).

“Sleep in Safety” also includes the classic songs “Black Cross” and “Party Time”. A version of “Party Time” also appears on the soundtrack from the 1985 horror comedy film “Return of the Living Dead”. 45 Grave’s current lineup consists of Dinah Cancer, Frank Agnew who played with Orange County heroes The Adolescents, Tom Coyne and Brannden Blackwell.

In 2012 45 Grave released a new album “Pick Your Poison” on Frontier Records and have been playing locally as well as touring in support of its release. Having recently seen the current lineup of 45 Grave I can assure their fans that the band will rock and the lucky crowd is in for a treat.

For those that for whatever reason can not get to Punk Rock Bowling in Las Vegas this year (which is completely SOLD OUT) to see The Damned, this is a pretty good back up plan to have.

For more info and tickets click HERE

-Eric Lara-
OG Big Wheel Reporter

 

 

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