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

Descendents 10/7/17 at Riviera

Saturday night was a big deal if you are a fan of old punk rock because it was the first time the Descendents headlined their own show that wasn’t part of a festival since they started playing together again. The...

Cold Waves VI 10/1/17 at Metro

Sunday night was the final night for sixth Cold Waves festival over at Metro and boy did they go out with a bang. The night was capped off with a one-two punch of Ohgr (that’s Ogre from Skinny Puppy’s solo...

Cold Waves VI 9/30/17 at Metro

Chicago is pretty much the industrial music capital of the world. Sure the music style may have been invented elsewhere but in Chicago is where it really grew and the Wax Trax label helped propel it to international...

Riot Fest 2017 Day Three

For many, the final day of Riot Fest was the one they were most excited about because once again, Riot Mike did the impossible and got a band that was so important to so many people back together when no one thought it...

Riot Fest 2017 Day Two

It was another beautiful day in Chicago for the second day of Riot Fest and the lineup was every bit as action packed as the previous day. By later in the day the crowd easily doubled in size from the day before and...

Riot Fest 2017 Day One

September in Chicago is a special time of year because the last blast before saying goodbye to the Summer is Riot Fest, the best outdoor festival not only in the state but the country! Since moving to the great...

Wurst Music and Beer Fest 9/9/17

Those interested in the three B’s (Bands, Beers, and Bratwurst) here in Chicago must have felt like they hit the jackpot last weekend as the Wurst Music & Beer fest took place outside the big plumber’s...

The Undead 8/26/17 at Reggies

Saturday night was a very special night over at Reggies because it was the night that The Undead finally played in Chicago! It had been decades since Bobby Steele brought his band to the windy city and actually played...