Although they’ve been around since the early 2000s on and off, The Last Gang has become a favorite of us here at ZRockR since we caught them at the first anniversary of the Punk Rock Museum last year. They will be gracing the club show circuit at this year’s Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival, so we caught up with them to ask them about their thoughts on Vegas & PRB. Check it out below!
ZR: We last saw you guys in Vegas at The Usual Place with The Drowns and locals Suburban Resistance & The Minges; prior to that we caught you at the Punk Rock Museum 1 Year Anniversary. Are you stoked to be back in Vegas?
Sam: It feels great to be back, minus how hot it always is in Vegas. There’s always an allure of what it’s going to be like. Generally, no expectations and always somehow a great time.
Ken: Vegas is always a good time! It just makes it extra fun when it is Punk Rock Bowling. A ton of our friends in one city for a weekend is always a treat.
ZR: If you weren’t on the club show with Strung Out, Good Riddance, and Distorted Times, what club show would you most have liked to be on this year?
Sam: It’s really hard to say. A lot of the club shows are really strong (per usual), but the ones that stick out to me are the Bridge City Sinners/Koffin Kats show OR Ceremony/Angel Du$t show. Both are heavy hitters this year.
Brenna: Bootsy Collins! Like what the actual fuck? Bootsy at PRB!? How am I gonna miss that?
Ken: 2nd that! Bootsy Collins. Sign us up!
Sean: Dead To Me, Swingin Utters, and Dillinger Four. That lineup fucking shreds!
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What has been your favorite PRB memory?
Sam: I have too many. I have been fortunate enough to play with multiple bands, from the mainstage to club shows. But the one that sticks out the most was the 2021 comeback show in September. It was so great to see so many friends finally back at what we love the most! That year I played with The Side Eyes, and at that fest I ran into The Last Gang, prior to joining. It was the first time I had seen them in months and months, so it felt really awesome.
Brenna: I stayed up way too late and drank way too many double whiskeys watching Laura Jane Grace play an acoustic show at the rooftop pool. I woke up still drunk with a wicked “I’m in my 30s” hangover. I tried to exercise to get my blood moving. I did like 400 jumping jacks in my room. That DID NOT help. I ended up playing the show that day on the main stage, completely dehydrated, little to no sleep, hung over and about to throw up at any second. Also, my legs were made of Jell-O and it was hard to stand. Oh, and it was 100 degree weather! Best show of my life.
Ken: Definitely going with playing the main stage at 2021 PRB. That was our biggest show coming out of the lockdown, and it felt great to reunite with so many people we hadn’t seen.
Sean: I have a fond memory of doing drugs in our communal green room with Ken and some other folks from a band I admire dearly at the Fat Wreck night at Bunkhouse back in 2018. Lagwagon and D4 headlined that one. Much more debauchery ensued. That was a long and wild evening.
ZR: Seeing as you guys are a part of Fat Wreck, obviously Fat Mike also has the museum and such, do you feel Vegas, which is becoming a really massive punk destination, that (aside from the heat), it is a good fit?
Sam: Vegas is super punk. It might be one of the most punk places in the world. It beckons for freedom, but agreed; way too hot.
Ken: Yes, but why stop there?
ZR: Are there any bands on this year’s PRB lineup you are looking most forward to that you have not seen yet?
Sam: Spiritual Cramp, Bad Nerves, and Angel Du$t.
Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions, ya’ll! We are super looking forward to this year and hope we can catch your set!
You can catch The Last Gang with Distorted Times, Good Riddance, and Strung Out on Saturday night at Fremont Country Club! Tickets are still available for this one, and you can get yours HERE!
PHOTO CREDIT: All Photos of The Last Gang at the Punk Rock Museum by Stephy Muzio (Hayward) 2024 – All Rights Reserved