The Punk Vault

Cabaret Voltaire – 9/16/26 at Metro

Last night was the second and final night of Cabaret Voltaire at Metro. Just like the night before, they filled up the place nicely. I Speak Machine was up first and just like Tuesday, Tara put on am amazing performance well worthy of fighting...

Cabaret Voltaire – 9/15/26 at Metro

Tuesday night was a very special one as it saw the long awaited return of Cabaret Voltaire to the Metro. This was the first of a two night stand and the most beloved music venue in the city. It had been over 30 years since the band played here, and...

Silver Abuse – 9/3/26 at Reggie’s Music Joint

First generation Chicago punk band, Silver Abuse, made a rare appearance headlining a really good four band bill at Reggie’s Music Joint (the bar side of the venue). It was hot as hell outside, and not much cooler inside, but at least there...

Sludgeworth – 8/30/26 at Cobra Lounge

In what should become a regular thing, yesterday Cobra Lounge hosted a Sunday matinee show when Sludgeworth headlined the second of their two record release shows, the first being the night before. It only took more than three decades, but the band...

Quicksand – 8/26/26 at Bottom Lounge

Wednesday night, Quicksand and Bane made a stop here in Chicago on their current tour to play a show at Bottom Lounge. Soul Blind was the opening band. This New York band played an interesting mix of metal/post-hardcore, grunge, and a bit of...

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...

Category - Show Reviews

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...

Riot Fest 20 Day One – 9/19/25 at Douglass Park

This year was a major milestone as Riot Fest, the best outdoor festival to ever do it, turned 20 years old! The fest started as a two-day indoor show at the Congress Theater (RIP) and over the first half of the...

The Damned – 9/17/25 at The Vic

Part of the fun of Riot Fest every year is the associated “Riot Fest Late Night” shows that take place on the evenings surrounding the big fest. This year we got a real treat two days prior to the fest when...