The Punk Vault

Smoking Popes – 11/28/25 at Bottom Lounge

Those not interested in getting in fights over flatscreen TVs on Black Friday had a much more entertaining option when Smoking Popes headlined a show at Bottom Lounge. They were on a three band bill and it was a really...

The Saints ’73-’78 – 11/11/25 at Metro

Last tuesday the Metro hosted some Australian punk legends when The Saints ’73-’78 headlined a show there. They were part of a two band bill. First up, also hailing from Australia, was Chimers. This duo made...

Swans – 9/30/25 at Metro

Tuesday night was a big night if you are a Swans fan as the band made their return once again to the beloved Metro here in Chicago. They headlined a two band bill and when Swans play, it’s always an event. First...

Cold Waves XIII Day Three – 9/28/25 at Metro

Sunday was the third and final days of this year’s Cold Waves Fest. It was another six band bill and most of the acts were making their first Cold Waves appearance. The Metro was packed mostly full for this final...

Cold Waves XIII Day Two – 9/27/25 at Metro

Cold Waves XIII continued on Saturday at Metro with a lineup heavy on newer bands, plus a couple of return visits. It was a pretty diverse lineup and a whole lot of fun. E.T., which does not feature the Recees Pieces...

Cold Waves XIII Day One – 9/26/25 at Metro

While Riot Fest marks the end of summer, one week later every year Cold Waves ushers in the fall every year with a weekend spectacle of Industrial/Dark Wave/Goth. This is the the lucky 13th year for the festival, which...

Naked Raygun – Riot Fest Late Night 9/21/25 at Metro

As if the three days of Riot Fest 20 weren’t exciting enough, they closed the weekend out with something very special and unexpected when Naked Raygun headlined the final Late Night show at Metro. Billed as...

Riot Fest 20 Day Three – 9/21/25 at Douglass Park

Sunday was the third and final day of the 20th Riot Fest and they were fixing to go out on a real high note. The weather forecast was threatening rain and storms but none of it happened and instead we got a perfectly...

Riot Fest 20 Day Two – 9/20/25 at Douglass Park

Riot Fest continued on Saturday bright an early with another completely full day of great bands and great fun. We got a little bit of rain but nothing that slowed things down at all and was just more of a brief nuisance...