Punk Rock Bowling returns to Vegas for its 14th straight year this weekend, taking over downtown Las Vegas for a three day outdoor festival running May 26th – May 28th on 6th St. (between Stewart & Mesquite) and a slew of late night club shows taking place at Club Azul, the Beauty Bar, the Bunkhouse Saloon and the Las Vegas Country Saloon from May 24th through May 27th. With more bands than ever playing it is easy to get lost in the shuffle so I’m here to count down the top 5 bands/artists that I definitely won’t be missing. Take a look at our list, and let us know your “can’t miss” bands in the comments.
5. Matt Skiba – May 26th at the Beauty Bar
I’m a longtime fan of Skiba’s punk rock threesome Alkaline Trio and I’m really impressed with the singer/guitarist’s new record under the Matt Skiba and the Sekret’s moniker (which features members of AFI and My Chemical Romance but mostly sounds like the Trio’s Crimson record). This show is being billed as “Matt Skiba and Friends” and while I have no idea who the friends are, I can’t wait to sing along with Skiba as he belts out some deep cuts in the most intimate venue he’s played here in over a decade.
[soundcloud params=”auto_play=false&show_comments=true”]http://soundcloud.com/superball-music/matt-skiba-and-the-sekrets[/soundcloud]
4. Dead to Me – May 26th at the Las Vegas Country Saloon
Dead to Me never fail to impress, especially with their latest lineup that includes members of Enemy You and New Mexican Disaster Squad. The current incarnation rocked the Bunkhouse at the First Friday Music fest last summer and is sure to be the highlight of a stacked Fat Wreck Chords showcase at the Las Vegas Country Saloon this Saturday.
[soundcloud params=”auto_play=false&show_comments=true”]http://soundcloud.com/fat-wreck-chords/dead-to-me-undertow[/soundcloud]
3. Holding Onto Sound – May 26th at the Outdoor Festival
Holding Onto Sound is the only Las Vegas local to make it onto the big stage this year, a performance that marks the politically-charged reggae-punks third show with skatepunk legends NOFX. I commend the Sterns for going with HOTS for the local slot, because they definitely have one of the best live shows around. If you can’t make it to their festival performance, catch them a day early, May 25th, at Yayo Taco for a free show, with t-shirt sales benefitting Nevada Homeless Alliance and Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth. That show also features Hit the Switch, Sic Waiting, and fellow locals Nothing With Numbers and Burning Agrestic.
[soundcloud params=”auto_play=false&show_comments=true”]http://soundcloud.com/gcrecords/holding-onto-sound-seahorses[/soundcloud]
2. Tim Barry – May 27th at the Beauty Bar
It’s hard to narrow down who is the best performer at the mini Revival Tour show taking place May 27th at the Beauty Bar, because every musician there is an equal candidate for the title. But it’s been 4 years since former Avail frontman Tim Barry last played Vegas, so by virtue of absence making the heart grow fonder, he’s the one I’m most looking forward to seeing. Barry is a natural born storyteller and the stories become all the more powerful through his gruff yell. His latest solo LP 40 Miler that came out last month is his best yet and I can’t wait to hear those songs on the cool outdoor stage.
[soundcloud params=”auto_play=false&show_comments=true”]http://soundcloud.com/timbarryrva/01-thing-of-the-past[/soundcloud]
1. Hot Water Music – May 28th at the Outdoor Festival
Could there be any other option? Hot Water Music is back and stronger than ever with their first album in 7 years – Exister – and we couldn’t be more excited to hear those songs live. Co-frontman Chuck Ragan is a Vegas staple but it’s been three years – Punk Rock Bowling 2010 – since we’ve got the full band out here and just imagining the possible setlist gives me chills.
[soundcloud params=”auto_play=false&show_comments=true”]http://soundcloud.com/reybee/hot-water-music-state-of-grace[/soundcloud]
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