Punk Roots at Riot Fest

Bad Religion, Circle Jerks, Naked Raygun, Propagandhi, Snapcase, Bouncing Souls, Cap’n Jazz and Pennywise are just a few of the 60+ bands playing Riot Fest, held at select Chicago venues now through the weekend. The festival mixes old with new, and there are a few secret shows going down, too.

For a primer on Chicago’s early punk rock scene, Regressive Films produced the fantastic “You Weren’t There: A History of Chicago Punk 1977-1984.″ The film features in-depth profiles of nationally recognized bands like Big Black and Naked Raygun, as well as groups with significant local impact like DA and Strike Under.

Tickets are still available, and there’s a city guide to point you in the right direction.