Punk Rock Bowling 2025: Day One

For 25 years, Punk Rock Bowling has turned the desert into a three-day haven for misfits, music lovers, and anyone who still believes in the power of three chords and the truth. What started as a small gathering has grown into one of the most important punk festivals in the world, drawing fans from every corner of the globe to bowl, drink, and lose their voices screaming along to their favorite bands.

The festival began in 1999 as a wild idea — combine punk rock with bowling in Las Vegas. It sounded crazy enough to work… and it did. Over the years, PRB has hosted damn near every iconic rock band, ranging from the greats to newer acts, in an effort to keep the punk flame alive.

Now in its 25th year, it’s clear that Punk Rock Bowling isn’t just surviving — it’s thriving.

This year’s anniversary celebration took place at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center from May 24th through the 26th. The three-day lineup was stacked with bands spanning punk’s entire history, from first-wave legends to kids barely old enough to drink.

The Day One lineup was packed from start to finish although several bands stood out in setting the tone for what would become an unforgettable weekend. It was a hot Saturday early on as the crowd slowly made its way from the pool parties, many sporting band patches and battle-jackets that told past stories of punk rock devotion.

Australian punk band CIVIC delivered a tight, no-nonsense approach to punk rock that got people’s attention early on. Their songs were perfect for the Vegas setting. The four-piece from Melbourne brought that raw Australian punk sound that’s been exported worldwide since the days of Radio Birdman and The Saints. Even though they were thousands of miles from home, they seemed right at home on the PRB stage.

The Lambrini Girls brought something special to the stage; their energy was infectious and their attitude was everything punk should be. The Brighton duo has been making waves in the UK scene and it was easy to see why after watching their blend of riot grrrl attitude and modern punk sensibilities explode onstage. Phoebe Lunny wasted no time engaging the crowd and even jumping offstage to get in the middle of it.

The Adicts rolled out their theatrical set next, one that’s been entertaining crowds for over four decades.

What’s not to love about these guys? Monkey arrived in full costume: top hat, face paint, and vaudevillian antics that would make Alice Cooper proud. The Vegas audience ate it up. Songs like “Viva La Revolution” had the crowd bouncing along… You always know exactly what you are getting from an Adicts show and it is always worth watching!

Cockney Rejects, with their working-class anthems, hit different in the desert yet the message was the same — punk rock is for the ‘people’. The East London band’s blend of punk and Oi! created a sound that had the crowd moving. When they played “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles”, it felt like a football stadium had been transported into the middle of the fest grounds.

Power Trip was the day’s biggest surprise.

I had not seen them before and had no idea what to expect, but I certainly didn’t expect a crossover thrash band to steal the show at a punk festival — although they did exactly that. The Dallas band’s aggressive sound and intense performance had people talking long after they left the stage, with their mix of hardcore punk and metal creating a sound that was both familiar and fresh. Needless to say, Power Trip converted more than a few traditional punk fans to their cause that afternoon.

Bouncing Souls packed the Monster Energy side stage with longtime fans, singing every word to songs spanning their entire career. After more than 30 years, they still bring that New Jersey punk energy that made them legends in the first place. The side stage was completely packed, with people hanging from every available space to catch Greg Attonito and the band run through classics like “True Believers” and “Hopeless Romantic”. The intimacy of the smaller stage made it feel like a punk rock house party with several hundred of your closest friends.

Cock Sparrer closed out Night One with their brand of working-class punk that’s been consistent for five decades. The London band might be older now, but their songs still hit like they were written yesterday. When they launched into “England Belongs to Me”, the crowd erupted with the kind of energy reserved for maximum impact occasions only. And, while they were not a band at a level I would have chosen to headline Day One, they certainly lived up to their billing.

Photography by Shane Pase

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