Punk Rock Pig Roast in Blue Island, IL

No matter how much I tell myself that I don’t really want to do anything for my birthday year after year, I secretly hope that something comes up. I always wish for something fun that I can go to, that I don’t have to spend a second of my own time planning, like a surprise party that I know about in advance. I want something that mixes music, friends, drinks, and – if the stars align – decent Fall weather. Back in April at Beer Can’d Fest, promoter/booker/rad dude extraordinaire Javier Hill told me that this year’s Punk Rock Pig Roast would be on my birthday, September 9th. My calendar was booked and the pressure was off.

For those of you who have not attended Blue Island’s Punk Rock Pig Roast before, let me set the scene. On a beautiful Saturday in early September, punks from the Chicagoland area and beyond gather in the backyard of Pub Time, a local BI watering hole. We pound drinks while watching bands play late into the night. And somewhere, in the blurriness of the afternoon, a smorgasbord is displayed on numerous tables showcases various picnic foods like potato salad, baked beans, pasta salad, more meat than you could ever imagine, and – of course – two whole pigs.

This year’s lineup once again featured some amazing bands – Shoebomb, Munch, Anger, BAD SONS, Braver Days, Criminal Kids, Blue Island favorites Nightcap, The Ridgelands, and Brick Assassin. And the headliner, The Lawrence Arms‘ own co-frontman, Brendan Kelly. (We’re still not sure how you pulled that one off, Javi. But we’re glad you did!)