Ya Can’t Keep Me from My PRB!
My first trip to Punk Rock Bowling came in 2015 as a graduation present to myself after enduring 17 grueling months of an accelerated nursing program. I grabbed my sister, and off we flew to Vegas to see a killer lineup that included all my faves like Rancid, Dropkicks, Refused, and Sick of It All. Things were a bit cheaper back then, and I splurged and got VIP tickets so my sis could sit in the mister fans all day drinking free cocktails while I screamed my lungs out at the stage. Golden Nugget was, and still is, the hotel of choice for true dirty punk PRB’ers. Funny story: on the flight home, my sister convinced me that I was going to fail my drug test for my first nursing job because of all the secondhand pot smoke in the hotel. I totally believed her!
First saw this kiddo at PRB 2015 while watching Rancid. photo by kim moenich
It would be four years before I returned, this time with the hubs in tow. Once again, I got to see Rancid, Refused, and Sick of It All, plus huge names like The Damned, Descendents, Flag, Fear, and, the main reason I went, The Specials. It was hot as balls, and everyone was smoking in the casino where we stayed, but it was still the best weekend ever. We’ve gone every year since (barring COVID, of course), and this year will be no different.
Kid you not, 4 years to the day later, watching Rancid at PRB 2019, and she’s standing right beside me! Showed her mom my FB memory from that day and we couldn’t believe it! photo by kim moenich
Naturally I’m stoked to see all my faves this year on the big stage, like Bouncing Souls, The Interrupters, Social Distortion, Flag, Codefendants, and Laura Jane Grace. There are lots of bands playing whom I’m also seeing/have seen out on tour, like The Pietasters and Gang of Four, but bands like those I could see every day and never get bored!
Bouncing Souls, The Interrupters, Pietasters, and Gang of Four will all be on my set list for PRB. photos by kim moenich
For me, though, this year is about two things: Peter Hook and The Light, and the after-shows. Thursday night will be the first time I’ve gotten to see the infamous Bootsy Collins since he played with Parliament Funkadelic at Lollapalooza in 1994. And he’s playing with one of my favorite humans on the planet, Dr. Mad Vibe himself, Angelo Moore of Fishbone! I actually changed my flight to get in a day earlier so we can go to this show. I know it’s truly going to be one for the ages! There are still tickets available, and doors open at 8pm at the Fremont Country Club.
Me with Angelo Moore, a few PRBs ago. photo by kim moenich
Friday night is all about one of the first punk rock bands I ever heard, 7 Seconds. I’ve had occasion over the years to chat with Kevin Seconds, and he, my friends, is the true embodiment of what this scene means to me. I’ll never forget when he handed the mic to 18-year-old me and told me to get onstage and sing “99 Red Balloons” so he could jump in the pit at the Cat’s Cradle. It was a highlight of my young life! I ran into him again in 2013 at Amnesia Rockfest in Montebello, QC, and he actually remembered that moment. I was so starstruck that this punk rock legend would share that memory with me. So, even though it means missing Chuck Ragan, there was no question that I would be buying a ticket for 7 Seconds at Fremont Country Club.
The amazing Kevin Seconds. So psyched to see them at a club show! photo by kim moenich
I love you, Chuck Ragan, and I promise to see you again soon! photo by kim moenich
Saturday night is seriously going to be one of the greatest shows of this year for me. The Specials will always be one of the most important bands in my world. I can remember listening to them as a little kid, and I always jumped at any chance to see them live. So knowing that the incredible Lynval Golding was going to be playing an aftershow with both my onstage singing buddy, Jesse Wagner (we sang “Don’t Call Me White” together onstage at NOFX’s final show in San Pedro), and The Aggrolites, but also my new favorite band, The Kilograms, this show was another no-brainer. Then you add in the Toasters, Mephiskapheles, and The Calamatix, and this is a ska show for the ages! I truly couldn’t be more excited for this one!!! I honestly have no idea how it’s not sold out yet, but get your tickets and head to the Citrus Deck at the Downtown Grand at 9:30 for the time of your life!
Lynval Golding of The Specials, Jesse Wagner of The Aggrolites, and Joe Gittleman of The Kilograms. photos by kim moenich
My Sunday night show is going to be the legendary Bob Mould. Shockingly, I’ve never gotten to see him live, nor did I ever get to see Hüsker Dü or Sugar. So this is one I’m chomping at the bit for, and again, I have no idea how it’s not sold out yet, but you should get your tickets ASAP!
I haven’t gotten to see Bob Mould yet, so here’s a photo of his awesome former bandmate, Greg Norton (now of Ultrabomb). photo by kim moenich
I’m also throwing in a tour at the Punk Rock Museum with none other than Smelly from NOFX! There’s an insane lineup of tour guides for the weekend, including Fat Mike himself, Greg Norton (Ultrabomb will be playing in the Pennywise band room on Friday at 5:30pm), Kevin Seconds, Johnny Two Bags, Christoph Jesus, Dez Cadena, Monkey from the Adicts, and many more. I’m also planning to add a new tat or two while I’m there. Suggestions for which band I should get next?!
Smelly and me backstage. photo by some stranger
Fat Mike backstage at NOFX’s final final show in San Pedro. photo by kim moenich
If you’ve been on the fence about going to PRB, let me assure you, you’ll have the time of your life. There’s tons of friends to be made, shows to be watched, food to be eaten, pools to be pissed in, and beers to be drunk. Plus bowling! There’s also gonna be a meetup of the Punk Rock Bass Players group on Sunday at Hogs and Heifers Saloon, and I have a strong feeling you’ll see some familiar faces. So come join us and just remember, what happens in Vegas... (gets posted on the internet!)
Frank Turner, Sam King (Codefendants/Get Dead), and Laura Jane Grace. photos by kim moenich
