“It’s a Punky New Wave Party” Saturday at Rock Island Public House

Rock Island Public House loves to show classic, sometimes off-beat movies and this weekend it says in its best Harry Callahan sneer that you’ve got to ask yourself one question.

“Do you feel lucky, Punk? Well do ya?”

Then head over Saturday, October 14th to Rock Island Public House for “It’s a Punky New Wave Party” at 13328 Olde Western Avenue in Blue Island.

Ample parking is in the lot north on the Olde Western block.

“You know the drill,” says Rock Island Public House owner Jennifer Brown. “New Wave night with punk, pop punk, riot grrrl, power pop and more! Dancing and drinks all night!”

As if hosting a Rock n Roll dress rehearsal for its Halloween bash later this month, the all-vinyl DJs will spin Ramones, Bad Brains, Stooges, Green Day, The Dead Kennedys, Social Distortion, The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Lunachicks, The New York Dolls and, of course, requests presented to the talented house DJs.

The night's themes is likely to bring out the Debra Harrys, Gore Gore Girls, Iggy Pops, Sid and Nancys, Joe Strummers, Patti Smiths, Joey Ramones, David Johansen aka Buster Poindexter and more.

Historians look back at the Punk era as a culture primarily made up of beliefs in non-conformity, anti-authoritarianism, anti-corporatism, a do-it-yourself ethic, anti-consumerist, anti-corporate greed, direct action, and, especially, not "selling out".

“Our juke box has always had its share of punk anthems and themes rejecting corporate greed,” said Brown. “Saturday is a night to return to that level of independence we all strived for while also having the time of our lives.”

Some say that the 1970s punk bands fought against society’s passivity toward racial and economic injustices and that the “riot grrrl” movement shuld be celebrated for its fight against the passivity toward the blatant sexism that existed in the Punk Rock culture as well as mainstream culture. For some this became the third wave of political activism in punk.

“Punk meant and still means different things to different people but it was all anti-something that made you want to scream for change,” said co-owner Dave Brown. “That’s what I liked and still do, especially when someone ready to vent comes in here, relaxes with a craft beer and then pulls out the most unlikely of punk songs on our juke box.”

Haven’t heard The Tubes “Don’t Touch Me There” in a while? Well, you’re likely to during five hours of spinning as DJs attempt to throw a net over an era still resonating with the maverick in everyone.

Rock Island Public House for “It’s a Punky New Wave Party” Saturday from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m. at 13328 Olde Western Avenue in Blue Island. https://rockislandpublichouse....