From Punk’s Roots to its Modern Echoes: A Glimpse into the Punk Rock Museum’s Phenomenal Debut
In Downtown Las Vegas, the highly anticipated annual Punk Rock Bowling event is back, featuring an impressive lineup including Rancid, Bad Religion, Suicidal Tendencies, the Damned, GBH, the Exploited, Fear, and many more. For punk enthusiasts outside of Vegas, this event serves as an excellent excuse to embark on a trip to the vibrant city known as “adult Disneyland.” Depending on how they plan their visit, there is an array of activities to engage in between sets. One of the newest attractions that has recently opened its doors is the Punk Rock Museum.
After meticulous planning spanning several years, the Punk Rock Museum officially commenced operations on April 1. The museum boasts a combination of temporary and permanent exhibitions and even celebrated its first wedding ceremony on April 15. Lisa Brownlee, renowned for her background in tour and festival management, and Vinnie Fiorello, best known as a co-founder of ska-punk band Less Than Jake, are the creative minds behind this institution.
The concept for the museum was initially proposed to Fiorello by Mike (Fat Mike) of NOFX and Fat Wreck Chords. Originally envisioned as a Las Vegas Punk Shop selling merchandise, the idea quickly evolved into establishing the Punk Rock Museum. Excited about the project, Fiorello eagerly jumped on board, marking the beginning of his involvement.
The discussions began in late 2020, a time when the worst of the pandemic appeared to be behind us, but before the emergence of new variants. With the idea solidified and a passionate team assembled, the next step was to collect artifacts for display.
With their extensive industry experience, which included Brownlee’s pivotal role in massive festivals like the Vans Warped Tour spanning 24 years, the team possessed a vast network of contacts. This allowed them to gather a remarkable collection of artifacts, as individuals within the industry were eager to contribute their own personal archives.
During the early stages, the team didn’t have a clear idea of what they were seeking. None of them had previous experience in creating or curating a museum. However, they were certain that each item needed to have a compelling story.
Fiorello said that they will have meetings and talk about the must-have bands. Afterward, they would receive a list. Fiorello added, “We had to include the Bouncing Souls and Descendents, Black Flag, and others we considered crucial for the museum. From there, we discovered additional branches to the tree that needed to be explored.”
Both Brownlee and Fiorello have their personal favorites among the artifacts. Brownlee is particularly drawn to anything related to the early years of British punk, while Fiorello cherishes the donated Operation Ivy guitar, which holds significant sentimental value.
Determining the boundaries of what qualifies as punk has always been a subject of debate. Questions about when it began and which band was the first to define the genre have been raised repeatedly. However, for the Punk Rock Museum, it was important to consider these aspects.
How far back we could go was determined by the artifacts we were able to collect, according to Brownlee. “We acknowledged the influence of proto-punk, such as the Stooges, but it was challenging to obtain items that could effectively tell that story. For me, Los Saicos from Peru is the original punk rock band from the ’60s. Some may argue for Elvis Presley or other cases, but we aimed to start the museum around ’74. Nonetheless, recognizing that the story goes further back, we felt it was important to acknowledge the New York Dolls and everything that preceded the Ramones and Sex Pistols for authenticity.”
It is expected that critics will emerge, questioning the legitimacy of a Punk Rock Museum and accusing it of being anti-punk. They may critique the pricing and perceive it as a corporate endeavor. However, Fiorello believes the museum amplifies the message of punk, emphasizing diversity and inclusivity.
Fiorello said, “Some might say that having punk artifacts in a punk museum is anti-punk. “However, in my opinion, it emphasizes the central message of punk—welcoming everyone and embracing diversity. That’s what initially drew me to punk rock music. The other outsiders welcomed me with open arms when I was feeling like an outsider. What matters is that we continue to be true to our enthusiasm and love for punk rock music. Why not construct this church and educate everyone about punk rock’s past? It spans five decades. Punk rock, as many people claim, was all about rebellion, and I concur. The ability to demonstrate the roots, the tree, and the leaves of punk rock music, however, outweighs any idea that it is anti-establishment.
Looking ahead, the Punk Rock Museum plans to organize programmed events, including Q&A sessions followed by short performances, similar to those at the Grammy Museum. However, they do not intend to become a regular ticketed concert venue.
We want to host authors who will talk about their books or show movies and documentaries,” Brownlee said. “We want to have Q&A sessions. The thrill lies in the unpredictability. We will continue to have our permanent exhibits, but as a living museum, everything will rotate and expand. We also aspire to expand our international section.”
Fiorello concluded by expressing his hope that the museum will cater to a broad audience, with parents reminiscing about the ’80s or ’90s while their children explore the second floor, discovering the punk rock of the 2000s, such as My Chemical Romance. Despite the differences in appearance and sound, the spirit of punk rock unifies it all, and having it all under one roof is something to celebrate.
As the Punk Rock Museum embarks on its exciting journey, it aims to showcase the depth and diversity of punk rock music, demonstrating its significance through the years. By welcoming visitors into their unique establishment, they hope to create a space where individuals can connect with the history and essence of punk rock in a personal and meaningful way.