Punk Rock Museum

 Yesterday I visited the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas for the second time. The first time I went there was May 2023 and it was during the Punk Rock Bowling weekend, so the place was absolutely crowded beyond comprehension. I was desperate to go back during a ‘quiet time’ to be able to explore in peace. I had been in San Diego for the weekend, so the opportunity to visit on the way home presented itself.

                  The Punk Rock Museum is a haven for all things and people punk. From the stark artwork of the museum, a freshly painted black building with the name emblazoned in ‘bad religion font’ across the front, punctuated with the iconic west coast palm trees, to the very final moment before departure – usually the Triple Down bar inside the museum – the place is a testament to all things great about punk rock.


                  The first photo in the museum is one of Tony Sly, a fitting tribute to a modern punk rock hero whose lyrics and songs carried so many of us through some of the darkest moments of the last two decades. After this, it blurs into waves of nostalgic art and beautiful reminiscence as punk rock pumps from speakers in every room.


                  Most wonderful for me yesterday was to walk into the ‘jam room’ and be told by staff that I could touch or play any of the instruments and then to discuss bands and music with them… experiencing their true passion. The same applied when I drifted down to the Triple Down bar and met ‘Gene’, the bar tender. I ordered a beer and then spent a good hour or more exchanging tales of music and life with Gene. Meeting the staff and other visitors, I re-discovered that feverish, passionate, and inclusive nature of punk rock that pulled so many of us in and held onto us for life. I saw a photo of GBH live in concert and there was a quote from Colin (the vocalist) underneath it that could almost have been written by myself and, possibly, the vast majority of people who identify as punk… it said something along the lines of ‘I had no interest in music until I heard punk.’ It made me think again of how I had no interest in music as a kid until the day that I heard The Clash. 


                   Of all the exchanges I had at the museum, it was more so the discussions with staff that made me feel connected… the visitors are often noisy and excited, then they go back to their commutes to the office. The PRM staff are devoted to punk rock. They do everything and anything at work from taking out the garbage to serving people in the gift shop. I admire that… and it is the true punk rock ethos: do it for yourself because no one else is going to do it for you.


                  Upon my return, I feel a disconnection from reality. It’s not something unique or caused by my visit to the museum, rather the fact that I have been served a reminder of my true nature. My true nature is art, literature, music, travel, and extraordinary people who defy convention and tradition. Each day I try to ensure that I delve into these crafts and explore them with renewed and continuous enjoyment.





















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