New Year's Eve Guide

The end of the year approaches fast, followed closely by the beginning of 2016. The Chicago area is never short on options for things to do to bring in the new year. Here is a guide to some of the punk shows happening in the area on December 31.

NOBUNNY headlines the Beat Kitchen two nights in a row on December 30 and 31. The man behind the bunny mask delivers consistently entertaining performances featuring solid garage rock jams. The Rubs, who put out a great album this year called The Rubs Are Trash join him on New Year's Eve. Additional locals The Baby Magic play that show as well, along with Minneapolis' COZY. The Lemons and Varsity open the show on the 30th. More information on these shows here. Stream "Bye Bye Roxie" by NOBUNNY below.

Major Threat headlines Liar's Club. Sure, it is a cover band, but it is far too late to see hardcore legends Minor Threat. Plus, these are not four bozos off the street. The guys in Major Threat have played in 88 Fingers Louie, Rise Against, The Old Comiskey's, Set Fire To Reason and many more bands. The Bollweevils open. Read about the great show they put on at Cobra Lounge last week here. More information on this show here. Watch Major Threat play "It Follows" below.

Check out eight bands for five bucks at the Chicago DIY space Jurassic Park. Local bands Purge!, The Land Before Tim, Alley Slob Service, The Atrocities and Servient will join touring bands Martial Law, Push Off and Bankshot. These bands play hardcore, punk, ska and metal. More information on this show here. Stream Police State by Martial Law below.

I cannot say enough about Mucca Pazza's live performance. If you have not seen this 20-plus-piece punk marching band yet, get on it. Wherever they play, they inhabit the whole of the venue. New Year's Eve finds them at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel on Michigan Avenue, which should be interesting to say the least. The words athletic, association and hotel are not ones that show up often on this blog. More information on this show here. Watch Mucca Pazza's video for "All Out of Bubblegum" below.

Check the Shows page for even more New Year's Eve shows. Plus, don't get too hungover because Ian's Party begins on New Year's Day. Three days of shows at Chop Shop, Double Door and Subterannean include The Brokedowns, Nervous Passenger, Elephant Gun, Direct Hit!, Al Scorch, Sass Dragons, Bleach Party, Strawberry Jacuzzi and many more.