Punk Rock Bowling 2016 is only a few weeks in the past and we’re already feeling nostalgic. So we got together with some friends to talk about which bands we most enjoyed seeing at this year’s Punk Rock Bowling and who we most want to see in 2017.
Jared Stinson, Sic Waiting
Best PRB set of 2016: Strung Out May 30, 2016 on the mainstage
My favorite set of the weekend was Strung Out playing all of SuburbanTeenageWastelandBlues. That’s the first record I ever got by them and still one of my favorites even though I think they get better with every release.
Band I want to see at PRB in 2017: Wizo
If I could pick one band I’d like to see play PRB in 2017 it would be Wizo, Fat Wreck band from Germany. They are still playing but never come to the states. I missed them last time I was in Germany by like 2 days, and still haven’t fully gotten past it.
Emily Matview, Punks in Vegas
Best PRB set of 2016: Red City Radio May 29, 2016 at Backstage Bar
Red. City. Radio. I couldn’t put them on my list last year for their fantastic PRB weekend show at Beauty Bar due to my own rule that the gigs had to be official (thanks, me). But hey, Red City Radio’s show this year was even better, so it’s all coming up Millhouse. The Oklahoma City punk rock band tore through some of their best songs at Backstage Bar, with perfect harmonies and groups of fans shouting every word.
Band I want to see at PRB in 2017: Latterman
Latterman broke up in 2007, but their occasional reunion shows have left that glimmer of hope in my heart that the Sterns will bring them out west. With Latterman co-frontperson Phil Douglas’ other band Iron Chic playing the inaugural Jersey edition of Punk Rock Bowling and the band announcing a series of reunion shows in October, now seems like the perfect time to grab the poppy punk rock band for a mainstage spot.
And if a RVIVR/Iron Chic club show comes from this you won’t hear me complain.
Andy Harrison, The Damnit Jims
Best PRB set of 2016: Millencolin May 29, 2016 on the mainstage
To me the best set was Millencolin. I have never see them and was so excited to finally get the chance. After a club show and an all day show the day before I was beyond tired and ready to just quit. As I got close to see them the vocals were off a little to me and I thought “oh great this is gonna be a bust.” Then it got better. I noticed a dad with his daughter on his shoulders right next to me. I don’t know what came over me but I started to shed a tear as the band played on and this dad was exposing his kid to some sweet tunes. It was AWESOME! When music hits me emotionally like that I know it’s working. Millencolin has always been there in certain times in my life and music always makes me think of my past. There were several highlights over the weekend but this was the one that stood out to me.
Band I want to see at PRB in 2017: Cobra Skulls
One band I would want to play 2017 is The Cobra Skulls. They are not around anymore but think they quit too soon. Plus PRB always gets bands together to play. Would be a good fit. I love the Cobra Skulls.
Julien Boulton, Punks in Vegas
Best PRB set of 2016: The Sainte Catherines May 29, 2016 on the mainstage
Honestly, Sunday had the most killer line-up, and it’s hard to choose a favorite when bands like D4 and Millencolin were featured. But my favorite set came, surprisingly, from a band I had previously written off: the Sainte Catherines. My favorite shows are always those that inspire me to go and download a band’s entire discography, and that’s exactly what happened with the Sainte Catherines.
Band I want to see at PRB in 2017: Left Alone and the Flatliners.
Okay, I cheated, but I’m dying to see Left Alone again, and the Flatliners for the first time. Smelvis Records had a booth at PRB this year, and I couldn’t help but wish Left Alone had played a set. The Flatliners would kill it at a club show- even if I have to sneak in or watch from the alley, they would be such a great band to have at PRB.
Aaron Mattern, Punks in Vegas
Best PRB set of 2016: Off With Their Heads May 30, 2016 on the mainstage
My favorite set of the weekend was Off With Their Heads. I’ve only gotten to see them once before, then they broke up (or maybe they didn’t?).. so I was pretty excited they are both still a band, and playing the festival. Even though they were the first band I made it to on Monday, I was already exhausted from the previous 3 days and nights of shows and in a bit of a bad mood on top of it. Ryan’s “no fucks to give” mocking of sponsor Fireball made me laugh, and hearing angry song, after angry song, helped energize me into surviving the rest of the very very long day.
Band I want to see at PRB in 2017: Green Day
With the exception of reincarnating Joe Strummer or the Ramones, Green Day playing Insomniac front to back would be my dream band. Insomniac is my favorite Green Day record, and frankly I’d love to watch the backlash from the PRB crowd that are “too punk” for Green Day (insert meme of Michael Jackson eating popcorn).
Nikola Tesla, Time Crashers
Best PRB set of 2016: The Dwarves May 29, 2016 on the mainstage
The Best Set Award goes to not my favorite or most-anticipated band at the festival, but to the band that most effectively lived up to the potential of playing an event like this, and that’s The Dwarves. Not only did they perform the entirety of their 1990 album Blood Guts & Pussy front-to-back (which clocks in at a whopping 13:07) but they then proceeded to spend the rest of their set playing all the infamous Dwarves megahits featuring guest vocalists the likes of Stza from Leftöver Crack, Eddie Spaghetti of The Supersuckers, and Bad Cop/Bad Cop’s Stacey Dee. Blag Dahlia also provided some of the few between-song laughs in a weekend that seemed oddly devoid of fun stage banter. Go figure.
Band I want to see at PRB in 2017: NoMeansNo
Now that D.O.A.’s been crossed off my wishlist, it’s time for my other favorite Canadian punk grandpas to play the fest. Bring on NoMeansNo!
Brett Wilson, Nothing With Numbers
Best PRB set of 2016: Good Riddance May 27, 2016 at Fremont Country Club
Good Riddance on the Friday night club show at the Fremont Country Club was my favorite show/set by far. They played a perfect mix of a couple of new songs with a slew of amazing hits from the past! The sound at the club was great and everyone in the band gave 100%. It was friggin fantastic! P.S. Honorable mention goes to Strung Out for a great set at the main stage on Monday!
Band I want to see at PRB in 2017: Propagandhi
I’d love to see Propagandhi headlining the main stage next year and all the years by any means! Lol.
Chris Bitonti, No Red Alice
Best PRB set of 2016: Dillinger Four May 29, 2016 on the mainstage
Those northerners showed great energy even in the heat. It was my first time seeing them perform live and their songs are even better when you can sing-a-long with a thousand of your closest friends.
Band I want to see at PRB in 2017: Operation Ivy
Operation Ivy reunion… do I really have to explain why?
TJ, Suckerpunch Records
Best PRB set of 2016: TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET & FACE TO FACE
It was good to see TBR back on stage and playing those songs – How can you go wrong when Face To Face plays anything from their S/T album let alone the whole thing.
Band I want to see at PRB in 2017: ???
You’ll find out next year at our show!!!! 🙂
Ashleigh Thompson, Punks in Vegas
Best PRB set of 2016: Dillinger Four May 29, 2016 on the mainstage
As it turns out, Steven has been putting D4 songs on mixes for me for about ten years now. It’s like he was priming me for this specific moment so that I could unleash the beast and sing along to every word. And sing along I did – when I wasn’t laughing over Paddy’s confusion as to how the Sterns somehow got four fat dudes from Minnesota to play a parking lot swap meet in the desert. I’ve been listening to nothing but D4 on repeat since this day.
Band I want to see at PRB in 2017: Polar Bear Club
Really, my number one choice is The Weakerthans but since I think there’s approximately zero percent chance of that happening, I’ll go with a choice that might have 1% chance. Polar Bear Club haven’t been active for some time now (and commented “ditto” on another band’s breakup without really announcing one themselves), but I’m hoping someone (The Sterns?) can convince them to get back out there so I can sing “Blood Balloon” at the top of my lungs with my friends again.
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