Punk Rock Bowling – June 2nd, 3rd & 4th – Summit Music Hall

Photos by Johne Edge

Like bowling, Punk shows are loud, violent, and often smell of sweat, stale beer, and cigarettes.  With all the similarities it only seems fitting that the two would be combined into a music festival.  Now in its eighteenth year, Punk Rock Bowling has become less about bowling (Soda Jerk Presents made sure it remained an element in Denver) and more about the legendary Hardcore and Punk band bookings.

Any fan of gritty, stark, smart, provocative Punk would be happy with this year’s lineup (Denver’s first), that included The Buzzcocks, D.O.A., Millencolin, 88 Fingers Louie, and FLAG just to name a few.  Soda Jerk, knowing that homegrown bands ensure that Punk never dies, added local bands Pitch Invasion, Wire Dogs, All Out Helter, and the Potato Pirates to the bill to get things going.  To ensure our friends across the pond were not slighted, English Hardcore Punk band Anti Nowhere League was invited to play this year along with the legendary Buzzcocks.

The three days melded into a sonic sea of tattoos, crazy-colored hair, and studded denim jackets patch-worked with band emblems. The  swirling sea threatened to engulf both the expecting and un-expecting audience member if they were not careful.  There were only a few reprieves from the mob and the loud, short, fast-paced songs.  The first was the bathroom which only dulled the sound as you peed on stickers of bands who had come before, and those that hoped to play the Summit in the future, while staring at the flyer covered back splash.  Second was the bar with the tall cans of beer, that subsequently sent you to the aforementioned bathroom.  Third was the merch booth where, given Punks DIY attitude, festival goers met with long-time favorite band members as they perused t-shirts, stickers, and vinyl records.

Punk Rock Bowling and Soda Jerk helped to remind me that if you used to be punk, then you never were.  As Je Keithley of D.O.A would say, ” Talk – Action = 0 (Talk Minus Action Equals Zero).”  So far this great summer festival season really has me looking forward to this year’s Riot Fest.