Youth Brigade, Maid Of Ace, Shitfire on the second Stage Saturday at Punk Rock Bowling 2025.
Shawn Stern of Youth Brigade on the Monster Street Party Stage at 2025 Punk Rock Bowling - All photos courtesy of Paul Holstein.
Merch haul and memorabilia from 2025 Punk Rock Bowling (stickers, patches, guitar picks, wristbands).
It was Saturday morning, and the festival was just kicking off. I started the day by scouring the merch booths for merch that was small enough to make the trip back to Michigan without having to ditch any more of what I brought with me. That meant that stickers, patches, and pins were at the top of the list. I also wanted to get a few more of my photos signed (I had brought several with me), which was easier than usual with The Drowns and The Koffin Kats both having autograph sessions set up that afternoon at the Dr. Strange Records booth.
Unavoidably, we missed Revolt Chix, as it just wasn't possible to make it from the Teenage Bottlerocket pool party at The Downtown Grand in time for all of the bands at the festival. We did make it in time to see the end of Terror Attack on the main stage and then to be ready for Shitfire's full set on the second stage. Shitfire would also be playing Sunday at the pool party with Codefendants, but I was happy to catch their first set of the festival as well. They debuted a new song ("Ignorant") and kept the crowd well entertained.
Dr. Strange of Dr. Strange Records
I actually missed most of The Lambrini Girls checking out all of the booths. Not only did I get the autographs and meet the bands, but I also got to talk a little to Dr. Strange himself. I used to buy records from him when I was a kid, through the mail based on typed-up lists, before the Internet existed. He even remembered me! I was right back to the second stage, though, when Maid Of Ace came on.
Maid Of Ace on the Monster Street Party Stage at 2025 Punk Rock Bowling - All photos courtesy of Paul Holstein.
Maid of Ace was up next on the Monster Street Party Stage. They are an all-girl band, which are actually four sisters from Hastings, England: Alison Cara Elliott (lead vocals/guitar), Anna Coral Elliott (vocals/guitar), Amy Catherine Elliott (bass/vocals), and Abby Charlotte Elliott (drums). They have been around for almost 20 years, surprisingly, given how young they look. They played a 10-song set that included the song from their BBC video "Bone Deth" along with their marquee song (the title song from their second album, "Made In England"). In 2024 they supported Green Day for a couple of shows on their The Saviours Tour, so they must be doing something right.
For anyone that doesn't already know, Youth Brigade was formed nearly back when hardcore began. The original members (including the Stern brothers) got together in 1979/1980 and also started BYO Records (7 Seconds, SNFU, The Unseen, Throw Rag, Jon Cougar Concentration Camp, etc.). Shawn (vocals) and Mark (drums) are also the founders of the Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival, which celebrated 25 years this year. Not only was I lucky enough to see Youth Brigade live two of the three years that I've been to PRB, but I also ran into Shawn both times and got to shake his hand and just say "thank you" Youth Brigade were gracious enough to play on the side stage, when I'm sure they could have had any spot that they wanted, and it didn't go unnoticed. They played an incredible 12-song set that included favorites "I Hate My Life," "Believe in Something," and "Sink With California." Another band that really should play every year.
