PUP and Jeff Rosenstock Deliver Chicago an Evening of Love, Moshing, and Giving the Finger to Fascism

Having been born in the early 80's, I don't think anyone would argue if I referred to myself as a legitimate 'old'. Maybe not in the physical sense as much as the social sense. I'm a dad. I have a beard. A number of the bands I loved in high school are going on reunion and/or farewell tours as we speak. And don't even get me started on the slang that I'm not only dangerously behind on, but probably shouldn't be using in the first place.

Which is sometimes unfortunate because for every 'skibidi toilet' or 'Ohio' that the youths of today get obsessed with spamming out of their face-holes nonstop, occasionally you'll get a term that does what language is supposed to do over time: get better.

'Lore' is one of the words that falls into that category and it's so perfect for some situations that I'm angry that I'm out of the age group that should successfully be using it.

"So here's my story..." Lame. Tired. Unexciting.

"Here's a small taste of my lore..." Exciting. Dangerous. Mysterious.

Anecdotes come and go. Lore is forever. It just sounds so much more epic. Which is why, as mad as I get that I can't use the word, I get even more angry when people use it when it's not necessary. Did you once put on 50 t-shirts at once on a dare? THAT IS SOME LORE. Did you accidentally grab someone else's drink at Starbucks? DECIDEDLY NOT LORE.

But the story of the first time PUP and Jeff Rosenstock toured? Bonafide genuine uncut TOUR LORE. From the press release for their current tour:

One day, Jeff’s van broke down. Another day Stefan fell face first into a pile of cactuses while he was out hiking in the desert with Jeff. Then Jeff’s van broke down again. Then we both missed a big show because of blizzards, and while we were stranded in Wyoming Steve ate a very sketchy gas station sandwich and started spewing from both ends. At some point Jeff had all of his gear stolen out of the back of the van that kept breaking down. That was an especially bad day. Oh, and then PUP had to cancel the last week of shows because Stefan ruptured a vocal cord and then we made a record called “The Dream Is Over” about how that tour ruined all of our lives.

If you could get through all of that and STILL not buy a ticket, you have to be the type that thinks mayo is spicy. And maybe that's for the best. Despite both bands pulling in a crowd that's closer to my age than anyone who's allowed to say 'rizz', I've seen PUP crowds before and I've seen Jeff Rosenstock crowds before, and there was a good assumption that things were going to be extremely...active.

Kicking things off was Washington DC's own Ekko Astral, a punk/noise rock trio that's just as hard to classify as it is satisfying to listen to. The group uses the genre label of "mascara moshpit" music as a descriptor of both their musical style as well as the queer and countercultural leanings of their music, and for a term I had never heard of until a few minutes ago, describes the band perfectly. Throwing everything at the audience from hardcore breakdowns to trippy almost spoken-word musings set to rhythm, it kept the crowd off-balance and on their toes (in the best way). Taking the time to address the crowd between songs, singer/bassist Jael Holzman (a former political reporter) acknowledged the provocation of the fair city of Chicago by the current political administration. Some might say that it sucks when the 'real world' invades an experience some might use as an escape from just those types of things. But to those people I say: tough shit. Number one, the people that say that are usually the most privileged class out there and number two, that message was wrapped up and delivered in a dynamite package of guitar riffs and thundering drums. There's no room to complain.

This tour was billed as the 'A CATACLYSMIC RAPTURE OF FRIENDSHIPNESS!!!' Tour for many reasons. Number one, Rosenstock and PUP are buddies to the point where PUP recorded parts of their new album Who Will Look After the Dogs? while housesitting Rosenstock's house. He even guest starred on the first single 'Get Dumber'. Number two, the friendship was extended to people that may be going through some rough times here in 2025, with a portion of the tickets being cost-controlled as well as all poster sale proceeds being donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Third, the entire night - whether heavy or soft songs were being played - was dedicated to trying to find some light in the darkness. Also speaking up during his set about the potential occupation of Chicago by the National Guard, the DC native put it bluntly: "This is a bunch of songs about trying to somehow keep love in your heart when you live in a capitalist police state."

Honestly, that kind of attitude is the epitome of both Rosenstock's set as well as his personal vibe. Like most DC punk rockers before him, Rosenstock has what some might call an 'anti-establishment mentality' (otherwise known as 'having empathy'), but doesn't need any kind of gimmick or act to get his message across. Perpetually decked out in a t-shirt and cutoff jorts, he looks like he could be anyone you know. An uncle you remember from when you were young. A manager you had once during high school. Your old swimming coach. But there's something about that earnestness and authenticity that sucks you into each of his songs. This is very true of his studio recordings, and even moreso when it comes to his live shows. Leaning heavily on 2016's WORRY. (which made up over half the setlist), it's that genuine connection between performer and audience that allowed Rosenstock to turn rockers like 'Nausea' and 'LIKED U BETTER' into absolute mob scenes and a split second later, have the entire audience hugging and peacefully waving their arms to the heartbreak of '9/10'.

Canadian rockers PUP took the stage after Rosenstock to deliver their own brand of absolute mosh-pit-ready madness. And whole Rosenstock focused most of his set on an almost decade-old album, PUP spread out their musical coverage much more evenly. While there was a slight lean into songs off May's ...Dogs, PUP also made sure there was excellent representation from Morbid Stuff and The Dream is Over to satiate long-time fans. Continuing the evening (and tour) theme of balancing out righteous anger with positive thinking, set closer 'Hunger for Death' was an incredibly apt choice from the very top, kicking things off with the truly Shakespearian "Fuck everyone on this planet. Except for you."

Normally all that excitement would have been enough, but that's not what the A CATACLYSMIC RAPTURE OF FRIENDSHIPNESS!!! Tour was all about. The A CATACLYSMIC RAPTURE OF FRIENDSHIPNESS!!! Tour could end one way and one way only: DEATH PUPENSTOCK

What?

Yes, you heard that right. The unholy combination of Jeff Rosenstock and PUP for the final six songs of the evening. The bands must have had so much fun recording 'Get Dumber' that they brought the same idea to a handful of each band's songs, dueting on fan favorites like 'Reservoir' and 'We Begged 2 Explode' before bringing the house down and the entire evening to a close with an unforgettable rendition of Alanis Morissette's 'You Oughta Know' performed just about as well as a handful of middle-aged white dudes could.

The A CATACLYSMIC RAPTURE OF FRIENDSHIPNESS!!! Tour continues through December. Dates and ticket information can be found here.