Concerts 

DIY Punk At the Rats Ass

The DIY scene goes hand and hand with the punk scene. Many come in the form of homes turned into venues. A couple DIY spaces are official establishments that cater to a broader range like 924 Gilman and our own local Trunk Space. One of the better ones to pop up was the Rats Ass. The venue since this show has shut down. Although fear not, it has reopened under a new name. Even under the new name, you must “ask a punk” to find the address. I arrived late…

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Concerts 

There Was Cake

I know a lot of Gemini that love music. The next of the June birthday shows was for my great friend Tommie. This one was packed full of friends in bands and her boyfriend, Donnie, opening up in We Might Be Wasted. Unfortunately, I was wrapping up the last of the Punk Rock Bowling pictures and arrived late. But knowing Donnie, I’m sure it was awesome. If it included that speedo again, then my eyes were spared something too. Since I arrived late, I ended up starting the night off…

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Concerts 

Surprises Abound

Just because I’m heading to Punk Rock Bowling the next day doesn’t mean I’m going to miss some awesome music the night before. It does mean this goes up after though. The night was full of surprises catching bands like the Fighting 48th and Ese for the first time, while bands I already love with We Me Be Wasted and Western Settings. Opening up was a band I didn’t know was comprised of so many awesome musicians from our scene, the Fighting 48th. This includes Jimmy from the Tribulators, Roy…

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Concerts 

Skankin’ is Back!

Ska revival might actually be going on. As this year trudges on, it certainly feels like the genre is starting to flourish again. From both newcomers and the established greats, I know there have been more ska shows that I’ve attended this year. As my second love, only to Punk, in music, I am enjoying this extraordinarily. Tonight was the return of Viernes 13 to the Yucca Tap Room accompanied by a solid mix of ska and punk. Opening up was the one not skirting the border of the two…

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Concerts 

Bro, Don’t Call Me Bro

There is not quite a show like a Broloaf show. I could name it that because of the presentation. The confetti, the beer bongs, and the story skits they put on through any given show. Though actually, it includes the bands that are booked with them. I find myself seeing fantastic bands, not always of the punk genre, playing on the bill with Broloaf. This is what leaves me anticipating anytime Broloaf plays, with no exception tonight. No stranger to me or this site, We Might Be Wasted kicked off…

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Concerts 

The Best Solution for a Rainy Night

Rain in this city usually does two things, show how bad our local driving etiquette and keep people indoors for the time water falls from the sky. It was the perfect time to have a punk show. Yucca played host to the Generators from California and the Tribulators making the trek up from Tucson plus our solid local bands. Right at the top of it was Reason Unknown. These political punks warmed up the crowd. Travis and Pat sing lead vocals dependent on the song. They contribute to the great…

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Concerts 

Some Kind of Nightmare on Friday the 13th

Tonight was another gathering of good friends for music, though this time it was some we don’t see as often. Some Kind of Nightmare has been awesome enough to be coming to Phoenix to play shows and make a lot of great friends in the process. During this time Molly faced one of the biggest challenges of her life, breast cancer.  Not only did she beat it, her and her husband plus bandmate, Chy, kept doing what they love playing and writing music. They are two of the strongest people…

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Concerts 

Creepy Birthday To You

Stealing a little lyric from the “Theme from a NOFX Album” and slightly modifying it, Creepy Don is not really so creepy. This was the night to celebrate his birthday though in the most appropriate way, a punk show. The line-up included his band, We Might Be Wasted, amongst a great packet of musicians. Although, Nick, from Jack the Cat, jested that his taste in music hasn’t got better with age if Jack the Cat is playing. On that note, Jack the Cat kicked off the show. I don’t know…

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Concerts 

A Wedding Punk-iversary

Twenty Five years is a long time, and an amazing achievement. Tonight’s show was a celebration of two good friends, Barry and Isabel, celebrating twenty five years married. I did forget to ask what has made it work well for so long, but I have to imagine it is that punk rock spirit in it. Not only are they one of the most punk couples I know going to shows, they had a punk rock show with cake to celebrate those twenty five years instead of just a simple house…

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