2012 Punk Rock Bowling - Part One

Saturday, May 26th
I arrived in town last night after a 6 hour plane trip via Milwaukee to Phoenix to Las Vegas, and checked into the Golden Nugget Casino Hotel.  I did not make it out to any shows.  I spent the night resting for the next 3 days.

After a short walk down Fremont St. under cover and making a left hand turn, I arrived at the site of the venue - an empty parking lot turned into a stage, beer and merch tents, and food trucks.  I arrived sometime between 4pm and 5pm.  At this point, I don't remember.  After emptying out my wallet to only bring what I needed with me to the event, I also didn't remember to bring my ID so it meant no alcohol for me.  Not that it mattered, the beer lines were lasting over an hour so I would not have been able to have too many anyway.

The first band I manage to see was Far From Finished who play out of Boston.  I had seen them a few years ago at Reggie's Rock Club in Chicago.  They have since slowed down their tempo a bit, and I had no interest in their last release.  They play a short 30 minute set that I was glad I got there in time to see.

Then, I saw the Real McKenzies who hail from Canada.  They play their version of Celtic Punk.  Over the years, I have listened to their releases, but never really got into them.  I enjoyed their 30 minute set, and would be fine seeing them as an opening band at another show.

The Briefs were up next.  The last time I saw them was about 7 years ago when they had an impromptu opening for Naked Raygun at the Subterranean during Riot Fest.  I enjoyed them then, and did again.  It was the first time in 5 years they hit the stage in the USA as members of the band play in several other bands right now.  I remember hearing the following songs.

New Shoes

Destroy the USA

Shoplifting at Macy's

Poor and Weird

Silver Bullet

The start of the headliners came with the English Beat.  I was really excited to see them play.  They are the first 2 Tone ska band that I have witnessed live.  They delivered the goods.  I am glad they played the event.  I would enjoy seeing them play again.  Their lead singer, Dave Wakeling, got a little pissed off early as someone from the crowd hurled a bottle at the stage during the first song.  He did mention later that maybe that should happen at every show because it got him amped up.  They played their hits which were quite enjoyable.  Hear is what I remember.

Mirror in the Bathroom

Twist & Crawl

Rough Rider

Click Click

Tears of a Clown

Ranking Full Stop

Save It for Later

Finally, I got a chance to see the Adicts again.  The last time was at a theater in Wheeling about 5-6 years ago.  Like the last time I saw them play live, they were fucking awesome.  They were the highlight of the day for me.  Their stage show is incredible with silly string, confetti, streamers, and beach balls of all sizes.  Not to mention, Monkey dressing in multiple customes throughout the set.  I believe I would actually travel to see them play again.  They are that good live.  They played songs from albums throughout their back catalog.  I remember the following.

Viva La Revolution

Numbers

Who Spilt My Beer?

Chinese Takeaway

Joker in the Pack

(My Baby Got Run Over By A) Steamroller

Let's Go

You'll Never Walk Alone

Too Young

Fuck It Up

Closing out the evening was NOFX.  I was excited to see them play again.  The last time was at Riot Fest in Chicago a few years ago.  The crowd was really into them too even though they had a tough act to follow.  I enjoyed the show, but just couldn't get into the set too much.  I left a little bit early thinking they were going to end the set soon based on what time it was.  Apparently, they ended up playing all of their Punk in Drublic release which is a bummer because I missed "The Brews" and a few other tunes I like from that release.  I do remember them playing the following.

Linoleum

Bob

Quitter

Back to the hotel, and looking for some food.  I managed to pass Mickey Geggus, the guitar player for the Cockney Rejects, in a hallway.  By the time I recognized it was him, it was too late to go chat with him.  I got to eat, and went to bed satisfied with the first day of the festival and looking forward to day two.

Check out more photos here.  A link to videos will follow in another post.