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© Skate Scene Media Click on a photo for a larger photo |
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So here we are, at the first big event of the 2006, the 8th annual Punk Rock Bowling tournament hosted by BYO Records. We arrived in Las Vegas Friday evening after an excruciating 5 hour drive from Orange County. We checked into out hotel room with just enough time to get cleaned up really quick and then head on over to Jillian’s, where we were to see the Swingin’ Utters, The Briefs, and the Riverboat Gamblers. Once we got our wristbands we headed inside where the room was fully packed with people smoking, drinking and meeting up with friends; some of whom haven’t seen since the last Punk Rock Bowling. |
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Just as the crowd was starting to get restless, the Riverboat Gamblers took to the stage. From the opening note to the end of their set, Mike, the lead singer was in the crowd, over the crowd, outside the venue and crawling on anything that he could. Not only are these guys great performers, but also awesome musicians. These guys are the whole package! |
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 Riverboat Gamblers |
 The Briefs |
 ...more |
 Swingin' Utters |
 Steve Soto |
After the show we decided we would take the shuttle back to our hotel, have some drinks, gamble and perhaps get some rest if time allowed, but when we got to the hotel we realized that the lounge band at Sam’s Town was just about to start playing (what would end up being a 7 hour set), so we made our way over to the bar and grabbed a seat. |
 Greg Antista |
Ok, so ordinarily we wouldn’t have been this stoked to see some lounge band play, but when the band is A Flock of Goo Goo, that changes everything. For those that don’t know, The Flock is an 80’s cover band comprised of members of OC Punk Rock bands such as the Adolescents and Cadillac Tramps. The Flock plays just about every one hit wonder from the 80’s that you can think of, and in our opinion, does the songs better than the original artists. |
 Gabby |
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The next morning we headed down to the bowling lanes to catch the first round of bowlers. Some of the Teams that we saw were the SOS Records team, Briefs, Epitaph Records, BYO, and Varla girls. It wasn’t even noon and a majority of the bowlers were already hammered. In their defense, maybe they simply hadn’t gone to bed. |
 BYO Records |
 The Briefs |
 SOS Records |
 Warming Up |
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We won’t bore you with all the details of the next 12 hours, but those hours were filled with drunken high jinks and debauchery that only Las Vegas could encourage a group of punk rock Bowlers to create. |
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There was a lot in store for Saturday evening with shows happening all over Las Vegas. We managed to make it out to two different shows in the same night. First we were able to catch the Voids and Clit 45 at the Clubhouse, which by the way is an awesome venue. |
 Hangin Out |
 The Crowd |
 The Voids |
 Clit 45 |
 Bad Samaritans |
After the show at the Clubhouse had finished we raced over to the Cooler lounge where we saw Dead Lazlo’s Place and the Bad Samaritans. The Bad Sams were awesome as usual. This band is always a lot of fun with their witty lyrics and rockin guitar solos. We wanted to stay for Ill Repute, but were just too trashed, so we decided to put the camera down and drink with some of our old and new friends. |
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So it finally came time for the 8th Annual Punk Rock Bowling Awards party, where the winners drink to celebrate and the losers drink to forget. The awards were presented to the winners, and of course, were heckled in good fun for their success. The night continued with a burlesque show and then finally, an institution of Punk Rock Bowling, Manic Hispanic. |
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As Punk Rock Bowling came to a close, it gave everyone time to reflect upon the events of the weekend and to take in as much Vegas culture as humanly possible. Though the winners would leave Vegas triumphant, the losers leave with a vow to return next year and conquer…we will see. |
 1st Place - Epitaph |
 Burlesque Show |
 Manic Hispanic |
 During "Mexican Society" |
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1st place Epitaph "The Lane Meyers" |
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