Five decades of punk history on display at new Punk Rock Museum
The wait is finally over! After years of planning and collaboration, The Punk Rock Museum opened its doors in Las Vegas on April 1st. And no, it’s not an April Fool’s Day joke.
The museum is the brainchild of the Punk Collective,” a group of musicians and industry pros that include Vinnie Fiorello, former drummer for American ska punk band Less Than Jake, and Fletcher Dragge, guitarist for Pennywise. And its goal is to preserve the ephemera of the punk rock movement for future generations.
Devo, an American rock band formed in 1972. Pictured in January 1981. Mirrorpix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Encompassing 12,000 square feet between the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown, the museum celebrates the history of punk rock and showcases the best of the anti-establishment movement; a movement defined by non-compliant fashion, music and culture – think Patti Smith, Doc Martens and Social Distortion tattoos. First emerging in the 1970s, punk has been a driving influence in the decades since. And now this subculture has a new place to call home.
On display will be images and displays of clothing, instruments, handwritten lyrics, concert fliers and artwork, donated by the people and bands who were there during punk rock’s heyday 45 years ago. Expect to see Debbie Harry’s iconic Vultures t-shirt, Johnny Thunders’ 1959 guitar, FEAR’s saxophone, molds for the Devo helmets and more.
Joe Brigade
There will also be a Jam Room, where visitors can play instruments originally owned by punk musicians who wanted to give them a permanent home to be shared by many. Chris Shiflett from Me First and The Gimme Gimmes, for example, contributed his green guitar featured on the back cover of the band’s album “Take A Break,” while Pete Koller from Sick Of It All donated his white ESP Viper guitar. And what’s more, is that you’ll get to play these instruments through the same amps the artists used.
Another unique aspect of the museum is that visitors will be able to book guided tours of the place led by more than a dozen actual punk legends. Every tour will be unscripted stories direct from the source, focusing on the guide’s own connection to the artifacts. This will offer a more intimate interaction that will give a deeper insight into the displays and what they represent to each guide. The list of guides includes such notable punk rockers as Roger Miret of Agnostic Front, Jennifer Finch of L7, Joe Escalante of The Vandals, CJ Ramone of The Ramones and Casey Royer of Social Distortion, among others.
The Punk Rock Museum: FEAR Saxophone. From the collection of Bryan Ray Turcotte.
Johnny Thunder’s jacket. Part of the Bryan Ray Turcotte Collection
For those looking to pick up punk-related merch, the Vegas Punk Shop will be onsite with one-of-a-kind items. And if you’re interested in getting some ink to commemorate the occasion, there will also be a tattoo parlor. Thirsty? The Triple Down bar will help ensure you’re well hydrated.
Finally, on April 15th, the museum will celebrate the opening of its wedding chapel, where you can tie the knot in the ultimate punk rock ceremony. Choose from packages like “Partners in Crime,” a quick, no-frills elopement in a pop-up style milieu, where you bring an officiant and a legal marriage certificate, or “Till Death Do Us Punk,” a ceremony and mini reception for up to 25 guests. Do it up in style when you add-on the opportunity to invite an actual punk rocker to be witness to your wedding!
Images Courtesy of The Punk Rock Museum
