The Interrupters, Fidlar, Laura Jane Grace and more on the Main Stage Sunday at Punk Rock Bowling 2025.
The Last Gang on the Main Stage at Punk Rock Bowling 2025 - All photos courtesy of Paul Holstien
As I do every year, as soon as Punk Rock Bowling announces the lineup, I start tracking down albums by every band I haven't previously heard. Not only do they have a stellar track record with picking bands that I end up liking, but it's a lot more fun to be there knowing all of the bands. This year, my most highly anticipated set by a band previously unknown to me was Billy Batts and the Made Men. In addition to having great songs, I had recently gone to a local show that was headlined by The Queers and The 66ers, where The 66ers was Joe Queer's other band that featured the drummer from Billy Batts and the Made Men.
Billy Batts and the Made Men on the Main Stage at Punk Rock Bowling 2025 - All photos courtesy of Paul Holstein
The pool parties and the club shows are generally my focus at Punk Rock Bowling, and while I'd love to see every band on the main stage it's not always in the cards. At some point I have to eat, and maybe even rest. My plan for the main stage today was to go directly to the festival to make sure not to miss Billy Batts and the Made Men, and then take a lunch break during the next three bands but be back for Laura Jane Grace. I'd never heard Gen and the Degenerates, and I'd just seen Spiritual Cramp in Detroit with Bad Nerves, so those were the bands that were the closest to optional.
Billy Batts and the Made Men were great, and although I was expecting the drummer to kill it the bass player was so amazing that I think we spent more time watching him than the rest of the band. The guy next to me commented (based on their age, and ability) "Punk Rock is in good hands". I have to agree. They played the song I was hoping for "Takin' My Rights Away" along with favorites "Dan Is Awesome", "Paul Bellini" and a bunch more. After talking with a friend for a quick few minutes, I was about to head out for lunch when I realized that the next band was about to play (expected to be Gen and The Degenerates). I figured I would stay and check out at least one song since I was right there, when I got the biggest surprise of the day.
We already knew that Violencia had been replaced by Bullshit Detector, and several members of Codefendants were replaced after Punk Rock Bowling made the following announcement. "We’re fighting tooth and nail to get all the international bands on PRB into the country, despite the xenophobic hysteria at the border.” Another blow was finding out that Gen and the Degenerates have also been denied entry into the U.S. To my surprise, however, they were replaced on the main stage with The Last Gang. The Last Gang had played a club show the previous night at The Fremont Country Club, but they played at the same time as The Drowns, and I had missed them. I had a second chance, and it was amazing. I skipped half of my lunch to stay for their set, which included favorites "Blood Drunk," "Sing For Your Supper," and "Noise, Noise, Noise."
Laura Jane Grace on the Main Stage at Punk Rock Bowling 2025 - All photos courtesy of Paul Holstein
After a quick lunch, I made it back to the main stage in time for Laura Jane Grace and The Mississippi Medicals. For anyone not aware, Laura was previously the founder, lead singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist for Against Me! I had seen Laura Jane Grace the prior year at Riot Fest in Chicago, with Catbite as the backing band and playing an Operation Ivy set. It was one of the best sets of the year and would be very hard to top. This set came close, including several songs from Against Me! ("Pints of Guinness Make You Strong," "I Was A Teenage Anarchist," "Black Me Out," "True Trans Soul Rebel"), new songs from Laura Jane Grace in the Trauma Tropes ("Your God [God's Dick]" and "Mine Me Mine"), and solo songs as well. The 13-song set flew by, and it was a sprint to get hydrated and not miss the next band (next up on the main stage would be Fidlar).
Fidlar on the Main Stage at Punk Rock Bowling 2025 - All photos courtesy of Paul Holstein
I am a Fidlar fan, but to be honest it's almost solely based on the song "Cheap Beer," which they played, and it was awesome. The rest of the 14-song set was great too, and I will be tracking more of their releases down as soon as I have time. They finished with "Punks" and "Cocaine," and their backdrop was amazing too, with hundreds of different versions of their logo. They almost made me want to go grab a cheap beer (which would not have been a problem, with Pabst Blue Ribbon being a sponsor of the event).
The Interrupters on the Main Stage at Punk Rock Bowling 2025 - All photos courtesy of Paul Holstein
I ended up leaving before Peter Hook and The Light came on to make sure I had time to get some food before I had to start moving towards the club shows. This was the biggest night with Chaser, Cigar, and D.I. at Hogs & Heifers, and I also had aspirations of making it to The Usual Place for The New Bomb Turks afterwards. Next up, though, were The Interrupters, and I made sure to see that entire set. "She's Kerosene" is their marquee song and, as expected, was the finale. Amy Interrupter (vocals) was as happy and smiling as ever, and the entire band looked like they were having the time of their life. They played an energetic 10-song set that capped off an amazing day for me at the main stage and made leaving early a little easier.
