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After 25 years, Punk Rock Bowling still strikes hard with the spirit of rebellion

BBG News

25 years ago, Shawn and Mark Stern, who were already seasoned punk rock musicians, initiated Punk Rock Bowling. Little did they know that they were catalyzing a significant event that would eventually grow into one of the biggest, longest-running, and most crucial annual gatherings in the history of the genre.

In the late ’70s, the Stern brothers became famous for starting various L.A. punk bands, with Youth Brigade being the most prominent. However, their contributions extended beyond music. They established BYO Records, produced a tour documentary with Social Distortion titled “Another State of Mind” in 1984, ran a significant Hollywood punk house named Skinhead Manor for a brief period, and were involved in numerous DIY punk rock projects. When an employee at BYO Records, Andre Duguay, proposed starting a bowling league for Southern California punk rockers in the late ’90s, it was such a logical idea that they couldn’t resist getting involved.

Initially, a bowling night (once held at Bay Shore Lanes in Santa Monica) turned out to be an occasion for local musicians, record labels, and magazines. Over time, this transformed into a three-day celebration of partying, primarily among friends from the punk rock scene across the region, in Las Vegas. During the 2000s, the event retained its core focus on bowling and revelry over President’s Day weekend. However, a move to a new location with a large outdoor area in 2010 introduced the potential for a full-scale music festival, quickly making it a must-attend Memorial Day event for punk enthusiasts from around the globe.

Despite the growth Punk Rock Bowling may have experienced over time, Shawn Stern has consistently prioritized its core, community-oriented values.

When organizing [Punk Rock Bowling], we prioritize the musicians’ experience above all else, which means our goal is to ensure a fun time for everyone attending concerts,” Stern explains from his dining table in Venice Beach. The Sterns aimed to establish an event that contrasted large corporate festivals, offering affordable experiences and avoiding excessive crowds.

He explained that it’s not about creating a shared experience of fun, music, and message-sharing. Instead, it harks back to ancient gatherings for the harvest and feasting. People tend to find excuses to come together and celebrate, and this serves as an alternative form of gathering, rather than religion.

Year after year, Punk Rock Bowling, which originally departed from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, continues to embrace its Southern California essence. This year, Mark Stern returns as the event’s official booker, joined by his brother, and both the performers and attendees consistently exhibit a strong California influence. From established acts like Social Distortion and FLAG to emerging talents such as FIDLAR and the Interrupters (all of whom will take the stage this year), the Stern brothers ensure that various generations of their local scene are showcased at the festival, not merely because they hail from the same community, but because they value the diversity and vitality of their musical roots.

In the ’70s, I found myself drawn to punk rock, not because of the mainstream music that was prevalent during that time. Despite my admiration for legends like Jimi Hendrix and attending concerts by bands such as Led Zeppelin, their music didn’t resonate with the emotions I was experiencing. It seemed as though the music became commercialized once the Vietnam War ended, which was a major turn-off for me.

However, I wasn’t part of the burgeoning punk scene in New York or the UK. Instead, my friends and I were nestled within the tiny but vibrant Hollywood punk community. We had no aspirations of being signed to a major label; our focus was purely on the music and camaraderie. Despite its understated beginnings, we knew that when surfing enthusiasts truly embraced it, punk rock would ignite. As I look back, there were certain rebellious elements in surfing culture that synced perfectly with punk rock, which culminated in the early ’80s. Since then, both scenes have evolved significantly, yet they continue to thrive and grow.

It’s quite clear that the development of punk rock, particularly in Los Angeles and globally, can be easily observed by looking at the age ranges of bands at music festivals. For instance, Punk Rock Bowling this year features the Stern brothers performing with Youth Brigade in their mid-60s, but they won’t be alone; British pioneers like the Damned and Cock Sparrer will also take the stage. Remarkably, these veterans of punk rock will share it with contemporary artists who could be their grandchildren, such as Spiritual Cramp from the Bay Area. What’s astonishing is that fans, ranging from teenagers to elderly individuals, will flock to the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center in droves, regardless of their generation.

Shawn Stern thinks that punk rock, unlike many other genres, has a unique ability to resonate across generations. This is something he also sees as a characteristic of one of punk’s ancestors.

He asserted, “It’s essentially all about folk music with a touch of protest. Many attempt to distort history by implying that punk rock isn’t political, but I strongly disagree. For me, punk rock has always been political and will continue to be so. This is what keeps the music alive and relevant. The same goes for blues.”

Stern added that the music remains impactful, transcending age barriers. “The lyrics I sang in 1980 are just as meaningful today, if not more so… Of course, there are bands labeled as punk rock who mainly compose pop love songs, which is acceptable if that’s your preference, but that’s likely why I don’t particularly enjoy some of the pop-punk and emo genres.

So long as Stern is part of Punk Rock Bowling, it will continue to uphold its legacy of defiance. Given today’s political landscape, Stern, a lifelong punk rocker, views his role as an artist and festival organizer as essential for encouraging people to resist authoritarianism and fascism, even if these forces haven’t yet impacted them directly. As he put it, “We were addressing Reagan [in the ’80s], and now we’ve got someone who’s far worse than Reagan ever could have been.

This year, international bands have been encountering difficulties with travel to and from the U.S., which is a concern that Stern, being a Jewish immigrant from Canada, finds particularly significant.

Stern emphasized that everyone who enjoys punk rock and attends Punk Rock Bowling should remember to question everything daily, resist growing authoritarianism in our nation. He warned that people are being taken off the streets now, but if we don’t speak up for them, it could affect us or someone dear to us later on. His family members perished in concentration camps, which reminds him of the past and makes him wonder what his actions would have been. Although we may not be at that point yet, he believes we are getting close. However, if people unite, they can prevent this from happening. Stern feels that the punk rock community is continuing the tradition of protest started by the beatniks and hippies.

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2025-05-21 13:31

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