Review: The Punk Rock Museum

When I heard The Punk Rock Museum opened in Las Vegas in 2023, I knew I had to get there soon. I finally made it in November 2024, and I’m glad I did. So much of the punk era is now gone. It was great to see all the memorabilia, photos, clothing, posters instruments etc. The 12,000-square-foot museum was founded by “Fat Mike” Burkett from NOFX who enlisted the help of production manager Lisa Brownlee. A ten-person collective of musicians and museum investors include: Burkett, co-founder Pat Smear (The Germs), as well as notable names such as Warped Tour creator Kevin Lyman and legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk.

Las Vegas The Punk Rock Museum

As I walked in, the first thing I saw was a large poster board image of CBGB from my hometown NYC. That took me back. Punk Rock was all the rage in Manhattan when I was a kid. It continued to be a strong force for years to come, and I was there. Most of the action was happening in a neighborhood called the Bowery, located in the lower east side. So, at the age of fourteen and on, I would frequently visit CBGB – THE BEST venue to see up and coming punk bands. Of course, my parents forbid me to visit the Bowery with its burned out buildings and drug addicted people sleeping on the streets. But nothing stops a 14 year old city kid from doing what they want. 

Ironically, CBGB was across the street from Amato Opera House (1948-2009) where my father performed. I would be forced to attend operas with my family (not fun for a 14 year old) My older sister and I would longingly look at the club across the street, knowing we would both be inside the following night. 

CBGB was founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973. Bands like the New York Dolls, the Ramones, Joan Jett, and even Blondie played at the venue. It was a hole in the wall bar, marked with graffiti and grime all over its walls. Year’s later, the owners opened a sister venue for acoustic music right next door. I played at CB’s 313 Gallery with my band several times. The Bottom Line was another venue for Punk Rockers in NYC. This opened in 1973. The Talking Heads played there as well as many other amazing acts. 

West Coast Punk Scene

Of course, we can’t overlook the West Coast, where so many great punk bands came from. Fat Mike’s band NOFX started in LA along with Pennywise out of the South Bay. They are prominently featured at the Punk Rock Museum. In fact, the museum has created a replica of the Pennywise Garage from Hermosa Beach. The band jammed for over twenty years at this tiny DIY studio. The garage was located in the home of bassist and Pennywise founder Jason Thirsk. It still exists in a home owned by Thirsk’s brother, also a punk musician. Bands continue to practice in this studio/garage to this day. Kudos to you Justin for keeping the legend alive. 

Other fun memorabilia includes: Kurt Cobain’s sofa (see image above), Green Day co-founder Billie Joe Armstrong’s “Blue” guitar, the Devo Helmets, as well as the Clash singer Joe Strummer’s last bag of weed. Additional instruments from the Ramones, Bad Religion, the Misfits, the Cadillac Tramps, Social Distortion, and the Lunachicks are on display. I loved all of the posters and basic, xeroxed gig flyers pasted up on walls everywhere. The museum also features quite a bit of the original clothing worn on stage by Joan Jett, the Sex Pistols, and lots more. These items included leather jackets, t-shirts, etc. The Punk Rock Museum has an extensive and impressive array of memorabilia to view. Plus there are some incredible wall-size photographs which capture the intensity of the punk rock scene.

Play Iconic Instruments

Be sure to head upstairs to the jam room, where you can actually play some of the instruments used by these iconic punkers. There are numerous guitars, basses, amplifiers and keyboards. So, go with some friends and make some noise. While you are there, you can even get a tattoo in the tattoo parlor. 

Also, don’t miss having a drink at the Triple Down Bar downstairs. It has a super fun vibe, and there are more classic posters on the walls down there. We ended up having drinks with a couple we met outside on the bar’s patio. We each had stories to tell about the shows we saw and people we met back in the day. When you visit, you will almost certainly meet some very cool people.

The Punk Rock Museum offers guided tours on the weekends, and those must be a blast. The tours are led by punk musicians from bands like The Vandals, Less Than Jake, etc. Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas; Check the website for updated hours, admission as well as more information; The Punk Rock Museum, 1422 Western Ave. Las Vegas, Nevada; https://www.thepunkrockmuseum.com/