Eighth appointment dedicated to discovering directors, museum managers and avid collectors of “dear old” Rock, and beyond, in all its sonic manifestations. I write not only because with the latest interviews I am exploring realities that preserve various genres of sonic memory besides Rock. First: Rolando Giambelli, Beatles Museum in Brescia (here). Second: Tiziano Gerli, Clash City Rockers Cafè, a museum dedicated to the Clash and their world (here). Third: Mariano Freschi, MADE IN ROCK association, incredible collection of hundreds of basses, guitars, amplifiers (Kinks, Kiss, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, etc.), of memorabilia, posters, gadgets from the History of Rock (here). Fourth: Jacob McMurray, Director of Curatorial Affairs at MoPOP – Museum Of Pop Culture in Seattle (here). Fifth: Sawako Ishii of the Hamamatsu Museum of Musical Instruments, Japan (here). Sixth: B.George, director of the ARChive of Contemporary Music, New York (here). Seventh: Sonia Martone, director of the National Museum of Musical Instruments in Rome (here). Now I move “virtually” to the United States, to interview Vinnie Fiorello of the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas. Brief aside: I came to the museum thanks to Mike Dines and Russ Bestley of the Punk Scholars Network (interview here). The Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas was an incredible and interesting discovery, an important and vital institution for the study and furthering of Punk culture and philosophy in all its forms. Through the words of Vinnie Fiorello you can learn more about this important musical institution.
When was The Punk Rock Museum founded, and why?
We officially opened the doors in April 2023, but the idea had been brewing for years. Punk rock has always been about DIY culture, rebellion, and community, but its history was scattered—bootleg recordings, flyers stuffed in boxes, stories passed down like folklore. We wanted a physical space where people could experience punk’s raw energy firsthand, not just as a music genre but as a movement. It’s a museum *by* punks, *for* punks.
How is it structured?
The museum is a mix of chronological exhibits, immersive installations, and interactive experiences. We’ve got curated rooms dedicated to different eras and scenes—East Coast hardcore, West Coast skate punk, UK ’77, and more—along with rotating exhibits. There’s also a bar, a record store, a tattoo parlor (because of course), and places for punk rock matrimony.
Where is it?
Right in the heart of Las Vegas, Nevada close to the arts district—on Western Ave, near all the chaos. Vegas might seem like an unlikely home for punk, but that’s the point it’s been a perfect home to us!
What collections does The Punk Rock Museum have?
We’ve got everything from handwritten lyrics and broken guitars to rare show flyers and stage outfits – all donated by bands like NOFX, The Descendents, and Bad Religion. One of my favorite pieces is Joe Strummer’s handwritten notes for *London Calling*. There’s also some smashed gear—because sometimes history is loud and messy.
What can you do at The Punk Rock Museum?
Beyond the exhibits, you can play actual instruments used by punk bands, or even book a guided tour led by punk musicians (Fat Mike’s tour is… an experience). We host live shows, panel discussions, and workshops. And yeah, you can get married here if you want to exchange vows.
Is it possible to do research at The Punk Rock Museum?
Absolutely. We’re archiving interviews, zines, and recordings for future generations. Scholars, journalists, or just nerds like me can take in 5 decades of punk —though it’s not your typical quiet library. Expect to hear Black Flag blasting in the background.
What’s the best way to experience The Punk Rock Museum?
Come with an open mind. Play guitars. Ask questions. Stay for a tattoo. And if you’re lucky, you’ll run into a band member explaining their place in punk to you.
Is The Punk Rock Museum on social media?
@thepunkrockmuseum on Instagram, TikTok, etc. We post exhibit sneak peeks, throwback photos, and announcements for upcoming events. Follow us for unhinged commentary.
Is the museum open to collaborations?
100%. We’ve worked with universities, indie labels, and festivals. If you’ve got a project that aligns with preserving punk’s legacy—whether it’s an art show, oral history, or documentary—hit us up.
Any future developments?
A documentary is in the works, plus a book compiling never-seen photos and stories. We’ve been talking a lot about outreach programs to teach kids punk’s DIY ethos—screen-printing, self-publishing, supporting our community.
Upcoming projects or exhibitions?
We are opening our Tiki Punk exhibit tomorrow June 7th and our Edward Culver exhibit is up for the next 5 months.
Link: The Punk Rock Museum Home Page
Link: The Punk Rock Museum Facebook Page
Link: The Punk Rock Museum Instagram Profile
