Inside Punk Rock Christmas 2025: Voodoo Glow Skulls, The Vandals, Face to Face & MxPx Dominate Chandler

Punk Rock Christmas was one of my most anticipated concerts of the year, and it didn't disappoint. Some fans showed up to the venue early, armed with Santa hats, patched jackets, festive mohawks, and enough energy to power a small city. The bill read like a love letter to West Coast punk and ska: Winterhaven, Jen Pop, Urethane, Slick Shoes, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Authority Zero, The Vandals, Face to Face, and finally MxPx closing out the night. What followed was a marathon of melody, mosh pits, and pure holiday chaos—each band bringing their own flavor to a show that delivered nostalgia and new energy in equal measure.

Winterhaven: A Warm Opening for a Cool Night

Local favorites Winterhaven kicked things off just as the sun dipped below the desert horizon. Their sound—clean, melodic, and full of youthful urgency—was the perfect ignition for the long night ahead. Despite going on early, they drew a solid crowd, many of whom had clearly come specifically to support the hometown scene. Their set blended modern pop-punk sensibilities with old-school roots, and while they weren’t the loudest or most chaotic band of the night, they set the tone: this show was going to be fun, inclusive, and loud.

Jen Pop: A Burst of Riot Grrrl Spark

Next up was Jen Pop, whose raw, charismatic delivery brought a welcome burst of individuality to the lineup. Her vocals cut through crisp and sharp, carried by guitar riffs full of punch and personality. The crowd vibed instantly—singing along, dancing, and appreciating the playful banter between songs. Her set was short but memorable, filled with an effortless confidence that suggested she could’ve held the stage much longer. If Winterhaven warmed up the crowd, Jen Pop cracked it open.

Urethane: Punk Veteran Spirit Meets New Fire

When Urethane took the stage, the energy shifted into a more aggressive gear. Featuring punk veteran Tim Fennelly (ex-Unwritten Law), the band delivered a gritty blend of melodic punk and skate-punk edge. Their set felt tight, purposeful, and refreshingly sincere—no gimmicks, no frills, just heartfelt punk rock delivered with precision. The pit started to take shape here, with fans pushing forward, shouting along, and embracing the rising tempo of the night. Urethane might be a newer name, but their professionalism and chemistry shined through, earning them a strong reception.

Slick Shoes: A Blast of Pure ’90s Speed

The first wave of nostalgia hit hard when Slick Shoes stepped up. Fans who grew up memorizing their rapid-fire riffs and heartfelt lyrics flooded toward the stage. True to form, Slick Shoes played fast—really fast. Their guitar lines were blistering, the drums relentless, and the vocals soared with the same earnestness that made them scene favorites decades ago. Their set felt like opening a time capsule sealed during the golden age of Tooth & Nail punk, and the crowd reveled in every second of it. By the end of their slot, the pit had officially awakened, and the night’s momentum was locked into high gear.

Voodoo Glow Skulls: Thirty(ish) Minutes of Brass-Fueled Chaos

Then came the band that turned everything upside down: Voodoo Glow Skulls. In only about 30 minutes, they delivered one of the most high-octane performances of the entire night. Their unique blend of ska, punk, and hardcore—with horns blazing like emergency sirens—immediately transformed the atmosphere into a whirlwind of skanking, moshing, and joyous chaos.

The highlight, undoubtedly, was “Who Do Voodoo We Do?”, which they absolutely crushed. The crowd lost its collective mind, shouting every lyric while the horns cut through the room like sonic knives. Even fans who came strictly for the headliners couldn’t resist the infectious pull of their energy. Thirty minutes wasn’t nearly enough, but maybe that’s what made their set so potent—short, explosive, unforgettable.

Authority Zero: Arizona Royalty Reclaims Their Home Turf

With the crowd fully warmed up, Authority Zero hit the stage to a hero’s welcome. As Arizona punk royalty, they were practically playing a hometown show, and the audience let them know it. Their blend of punk, reggae, and skate-punk groove gave the night a dynamic shift—still intense, but with a rhythmic undercurrent that brought the pit into more fluid motion.

Jason DeVore’s vocals were razor-sharp, and the band sounded locked-in from the first note. Authority Zero functioned as a bridge between the chaotic energy of Voodoo Glow Skulls and the comedic whirlwind that would come next. Their set was energetic, powerful, and deeply appreciated by the fans who’ve grown up with them as part of Arizona’s musical DNA.

The Vandals: Comedy, Chaos, and Christmas Cheer

When The Vandals took the stage, the entire tone of the night shifted from intense to hilarious. Their set was a fast-moving, joke-laden spectacle filled with the kind of irreverent humor only the Vandals can pull off. They came armed with a collection of fan favorites and holiday-themed mayhem that felt tailor-made for Punk Rock Christmas.

They kicked things off with “Cafe 405,” and from the first note, it was clear the crowd was ready for a good time. The Vandals’ chemistry hadn’t faded a bit—Dave Quackenbush’s vocals were sharp and snarky, While Joe Escalante and Warren Fitzgerald delivered musicianship wrapped in theatrics and mischief.

When they launched into “I’ve Got an Ape Drape,” the crowd roared with laughter and recognition, shouting the lyrics with devotional intensity. But the most festive moment came with “Oi to the World,” the band’s punk rock Christmas anthem. The entire venue turned into a deranged caroling session—loud, joyful, and perfectly Vandals.

They closed with their beloved Simpletones cover, “I Have a Date,” leaving the crowd grinning, sweaty, and more than ready for the final stretch of headliners.

Face to Face: Precision, Power, and Punk Rock Masterclass

Next came the melodic punk heavyweights Face to Face, who delivered one of the tightest and most emotionally resonant sets of the night. If the Vandals were there to make everyone laugh, Face to Face was there to make everyone feel.

They opened with “Bent but Not Broken”, immediately pulling the audience back into serious punk territory with their signature blend of melodic hooks and gritty honesty. Tracks like “Walk the Walk,” “You’ve Done Nothing,” and “A-OK” landed with the kind of punch only a band with decades of history can deliver.

A standout moment was “It’s Not Over,” performed with a depth and intensity that washed over the room. And of course, they saved the best for last: “Disconnected.” The second the opening chords hit, the venue erupted. It wasn’t just a sing-along—it was a communal roar, the kind of moment that defines punk shows and sticks in your bones.

Face to Face played with veteran precision and youthful energy, proving once again that they’re still among the genre’s finest.

MxPx: A Triumphant Finale to a Marathon Night

Finally, closing out an already unforgettable night, MxPx took the stage and delivered a full-throttle, heart-pounding set that reminded everyone why they remain one of punk rock’s most enduring and beloved bands.

They opened with “Not Today,” instantly locking the crowd into high-energy mode before rolling into “Tomorrow’s Another Day.” Mike Herrera’s voice was crisp, the band tight and confident, and the fans—many of whom had clearly been saving their last reserves of energy—went wild.

The setlist was a perfect blend of nostalgia and celebration: “Secret Weapon,” “The Wonder Years,” “Doing Time,” “Middlename,” “My Mom Still Cleans My Room,” and so many more tracks that hit like rapid-fire memory bombs. The band moved with effortless speed, barely stopping between songs except for Herrera’s occasional grin or brief shout-out.

Their holiday tune “Christmas Day” brought a welcome festive twist, but the biggest sing-alongs came from classics like “Chick Magnet,” “GSF,” and “Responsibility.” The finale, predictably and perfectly, was “Punk Rawk Show,” a song that remains as iconic and explosive as ever. The entire venue shouted the chorus like a battle cry—a fitting end to a night built on community, chaos, and the enduring power of punk rock.

A Night to Remember

Punk Rock Christmas 2025 was more than just a concert—it was a celebration of decades of punk history, a gathering of generations, and a reminder of the genre’s timeless ability to bring people together. From new voices like Winterhaven and Jen Pop to legends like The Vandals, Face to Face, and MxPx, the night delivered nonstop energy and heart.

In a world that often feels heavy and loud for all the wrong reasons, this was the kind of loud that heals—a joyful, raucous, sweaty, ridiculous night where everyone left a little happier than they arrived. And that, ultimately, is the true spirit of Punk Rock Christmas.