The Punk Vault

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...

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 a sound as big as a five...

My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult – 10/31/25 at Concord Music Hall

If you live in Chicago and were ever part of or into the industrial/Wax Trax scene then can you think of a better way to spend Halloween than seeing My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult headline a show at a really good venue? The answer is no, you...

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 up was Little Annie & Paul...

Category - Show Reviews

Hotlips Messiah 10/25/18 at Cigars and Stripes

Thursday night over in Berwyn, a small bar called Cigars and Stripes was the host of a special record release show for Hotlips Messiah. The band just released an epic, 46 song double LP with really beautiful packaging...

MC50 10/24/18 at Metro

Wednesday night was a very special one as the Metro hosted a celebration of one of the most important rock and roll bands of all time, the MC5.  The celebration was an appearance by MC50, which is Wayne Kramer’s...

Gorilla Biscuits 9/29/18 at Metro

Saturday the Metro hosted a good old-fashioned hardcore matinée in the spirit of CBGB when Gorilla Biscuits headlined a three band bill. Modern Life Is War was the second band of the day and got the crowd worked up into...

Cold Waves 2018 Day Three 9/23/18 at Metro

Sunday night was the final night of the annual Cold Waves fest over at Metro. They had some solid acts lineup up to end the weekend and the action got started early. Caustic is a midwestern band that has been making the...

Cold Waves 2018 Day Two 9/22/18 at Metro

Less than 24 hours after everyone left the Metro at the end of the first night of the Cold Waves fest, they all piled back into the club for the second night of mechanized musical entertainment. The crowd was relatively...

Cold Waves 2018 Day One 9/21/18 at Metro

What do you do once Riot Fest is over? If you like industrial music and are in the Chicago area you move indoors to the legendary Metro for the Cold Waves fest! The first of three days featuring some of the finest...

Riot Fest 2018 Day Three

It was a hot Sunday for the final day of Riot Fest but that sure beats rain and the action on Sunday happening on the various stages matched the heat and made it well worth the sweating and risk of sunburn. First wave...

Riot Fest 2018 Day Two

Day Two of Riot Fest saw the strongest lineup of bands on a single day and had the nicest weather of what was as perfect of a weekend as you could ask for in regards to the weather. The crowd was noticeably larger on...