The Punk Vault

Nitzer Ebb – 8/22/26 at Metro

Saturday night, industrial music legends Nitzer Ebb made a welcome return to Chicago once again to headline a show at Metro. It was a three band bill that featured two veteran acts alongside a newer one that may not have been familiar to a lot of...

Eagles Of Death Metal – 8/21/26 at Metro

Friday night was an exciting night in Chicago because Eagles Of Death Metal made their return to headline a show at the beloved Metro. The place was packed full of fans eager for a good night of rock and roll. First up was Mountain Head. This three...

All – 8/5/26 at Thalia Hall

Wednesday night, the beloved brother band of the Descendents, All, made their return to Chicago to headline a show at Thalia Hall. Aside from playing Riot Fest a few years ago, I can’t recall the last time that All did a proper tour so it was...

The Flowers Of Romance Revisited – 4/11/26 at Reggie’s

Saturday night at Reggie’s was a very special night as Martin Atkins and Chris Connelly put together a really talented band to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Public Image Ltd. album, The Flowers Of Romance. How 45 years has already...

The Flowers Of Romance Revisited dress rehearsal – 4/10/26 at The Museum of Post Punk and Industrial Music

If you are a fan of Public Image, Ltd., you may be aware that my personal favorite album of theirs, The Flowers Of Romance, just turned 45 years old this month! How 45 years went by so fast is an alarming mystery, but suffice it to say that album...

Descendents, Frank Turner And The Sleeping Souls – 3/15/26 at The Salt Shed

Sunday night was a magical night for music when Descendents and Frank Turner And The Sleeping Souls played the final night of their tour together at The Salt Shed, one of the nicest venues in Chicago history! Even a rainstorm didn’t keep...

Motion City Soundtrack, Say Anything, Sincere Engineer – 2/13/26 at Riviera

Friday night was a triple bill of both emo and pop/punk bands at the Riviera that featured Motion City Soundtrack, Say Anything, and Sincere Engineer. The place was absolutely packed, even before the first band went on! First up was Sincere Engineer...

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 solid lineup so it was well...

Category - Show Reviews

Adam Ant 9/7/19 at The Vic

If you grew up in the 1980s and had good taste in music, then The Vic in Chicago was the place to be on Saturday night as it hosted a special night of music from the legendary Adam Ant. Adam and his band weren’t...

350 Fest 8/25/19 at Tinley Park Convention Center

Sunday night was the final day of the three day, 350 Festival at the Tinley Park Convention Center. This was the fifth year for the fest and the first time it spanned more than one day. They really pulled out all the...

Converge 8/24/19 at House of Vans

Saturday night was the last House of Vans House Party for the year here in Chicago. They had a great run this year with some great bands and they really ended the season with a bang when Converge was the curator of the...

The Breeders 6/15/19 at House of Vans

Summertime is just about here which means that it is once again time for House of Vans to put on their shows, which they lovingly refer to as House Parties. House of Vans is located in the West Loop area of Chicago and...

Failure and Swervedriver 4/5/19 at House of Blues

If you like your rock music with loud, layered guitars, full of complex riffs and atypical song structures then there was no better place to be Friday night than the House of Blues in Chicago where two great bands...

Strange 90s Benefit for Jerry Bryant 3/8/19 at Metro

Jerry Bryant has been a staple and a supporter of music, and the Chicago music scene, for 34 year now. The man, and his JBTV show has been showcasing great bands, including lots of up and coming bands, longer than...

Bob Mould 2/23/19 at Metro

Last night was the second and final night of Bob Mould’s two night stint at Chicago’s legendary Metro. Non-stop pouring rain didn’t stop people from packing the place to the rafters for this sold out...

Bob Mould 2/22/19 at Metro

The winter blues are hitting people in Chicago pretty hard this year but this weekend at the Metro was the best cure for them as Bob Mould headlined a pair of shows. Each night he was joined by a different opening act...