The Punk Vault

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...

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 night. First up was Soft Vein...

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 eating being from another...

Category - Show Reviews

Bad Religion – 4/5/13 at Congress Theater

A few thousand punk rock fans spanning multiple generations packed the main floor of the Congress Theater on Friday night for a three-band show headlined by Bad Religion. The show was originally supposed to include...

UFO 11/15/12 at House of Blues

Almost a year and a half exactly to the day of their last visit to Chicago, UFO returned to the House of Blues to kick off another tour. Since their last visit they released a new album and this time out they had a...

The Avengers 10/28/12 at Abbey Pub

San Francisco punk legends the Avengers played a show here on Sunday night at the Abbey Pub. This was the last stop of only a three city tour and Chicago was lucky enough to be included. It had been a few years since...

Swans 10/24/12 at Metro

For the third year in a row, the Swans have gone on a fall tour. This is a welcome tradition as until three years ago the band was inactive and seemingly retired. This year they not only brought us another tour but they...

Public Image Ltd. 10/21/12 at House of Blues

A little less than two years ago, John Lydon (the former Johnny Rotten) ended a very long hiatus and reactivated Public Image Ltd. (PiL for short). Since doing so they’ve kept busy first with a tour and then by...

Social Distortion 10/12/12 at The Vic Theatre

For the third fall in a row, Social Distortion hit the road for a U.S. tour and made a stop here in Chicago. This time out they did a two-night run at The Vic and Friday was the second of those two nights. The place...