I am sure if you take the time to look up Punk Rock Bowling, you will find that many cities around the not quite spherical world have some sort of punk rock bowling tournament. Also, you may find events or nights where people bowl and listen to punk rock music on the radio/sound system/jukebox. That is not the point of my article. So please, go look up these cities, look up these events and feel good that you found some information on the internet. Then think hard about the fact that you used the internet (one of the easiest technological inventions (ideas) to gather information) to fuel your "research", when in reality you didn't do any work at all. You didn't find a cool place that has punk rock bowling and visit the venue. You did not bowl/watch bands/play in bands there (I hope this will encourage you to find place like this and go there).
So what is punk rock bowling and why should you move to Minnesota just for this amazing weekly event?
To answer that question, I should first answer your questions and address your imaginary concerns.
You may also be saying, "I hate punk rock. In fact, I hate music!" I cannot do much to help this view. I can however say, "Guess what, you can still bowl!" That is about all I can do for you. I'm sorry. I hope you don't say you also hate bowling. If you do, I am going to start to question if you are just a negative person in general. Please find something to have joy in.
Some of you might say, "I don't listen to punk rock anymore, I grew up in my mid twenties finally and I no longer take part in listening to music dictated by fads. I listen to Indie, Baroque Pop, Alt-Country, Shoegaze, Math Rock, Metalcore, Lo-Fi, Post Rock, Noise, Garage Rock, and Folk. See I grew up and don't listen to music that follows fads." I think this statement needs no further explanation of why you might be closed minded to the idea of punk rock bowling. I invite you to leave your interesting comfort zone and join me for some good times.
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(I think I put at least one style in there for each of you, If I missed one, feel free to add it yourself, then realize you are helping my point. Also, it is important to note that I am not saying all those styles of music are bad. In fact I like stuff from all of them and many more styles. This is not a rant about which style of music is the best, this is a rant about punk rock bowling and moving to Minnesota).
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The last concern that I can only imagine you will have is, "I don't like bowling". I truly do not believe that a person can say this. If you post a comment that says you hate bowling, I will know you are lying and trying to break my heart.
There, I think I addressed all valid concerns, questions (please do not point out that there were no questions addressed) and we can now move on to the wonder that is Punk Rock Bowling.
Every Monday in Minneapolis you can bowl from 10pm to close, enjoy live music in the center of the lanes, and hang out with all of your friends. Punk Rock Bowling is always free (unless you want to bowl, then you have to pay, but that is still cheap). There is usually a mix of local and touring bands so you don't have to feel like you always see the same local bands (although our local bands are good).
Punk Rock Bowling has been the best place that I can invite my friends and family to watch my band play a show.
1. It is free. Did I already mention that?
2. Most people I know do not really enjoy hardcore punk (this is fine, I respect that) and they would feel weird hanging out in a crusty basement to watch us play. This gives them the opportunity to see something that I am passionate about in a comfortable place for them.
3. There is something about allowing somebody to bowl while they watch you that makes them want to come back more and more, even if they would never listen to your style of music. I have friends who have shown up more than once, told me in detail things they liked and didn't like about our songs. It is a learning experience and they are noticing so many things, all because they want to support me and bowl.
It is important to note that not every band that plays Punk Rock Bowling is a punk rock band. It is not only "Punk Rock" in music style sometimes, it is also punk rock in ethics and philosophy... I don't know if I can defend that one, so I am going to give up now. But, it is true that non-punk bands do perform.
Everybody loves to bowl in a place where the music can become so intense and exciting that you can no longer hear the crashing of the pins.
Every person wants to play a show where bowling balls hitting pins can add extra artistic beats to your songs.
Everybody wants to attend Punk Rock Bowling.
What interesting, unorthodox weekly venues does your open framed, gutter city have?