January, 2026, punk shows around the city

The greater Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia area has a hell of a local punk scene, with raucous shows you can either hear about through the grapevine, on posters chaotically stapled to telephone poles or in various Facebook groups. (Though I’m sure most self-described punks bemoan having to use Facebook to advertise).

But we’re also one of the great tour stops in the country, with welcoming, vocal fans ready to throw the f*** down. Here are three January shows for you maniacs.

MxPx

Saturday, Jan. 10 @ the Showbox

Presenting Bremerton’s own quartet, the pop-punk band who helped put their hometown on the world map with the aptly titled “Move to Bremerton.” Though MxPx has been killing it since 1992, they’ve always screamed turn-of-the-millennium to me — they were a Warped Tour mainstay, still have a MySpace page and they contributed to the live-action “Scooby Doo” movie soundtrack — and fully broke into the mainstream with their fifth album, 2000’s “The Ever Passing Moment.”

Who’s opening for them? Detroit’s own The Suicide Machines, who slayed during 2025’s Summer Circus tour stop at the Showbox SoDo alongside Catbite, Fishbone and headliners Less Than Jake.

Black Flag

Tuesday, Jan. 20 @ El Corazon

Hey, wouldn’t you know it? It’s one of MxPx’s biggest influences, coming into town just ten days later and a mile away… though it’s not necessarily the same band they grew up with. This tour is being advertised as a revitalized sound and a new era with an almost entirely brand-new lineup (three new members joining guitarist Greg Ginn). However you take this news, you’ve got to remember that the Hermosa Beach-birthed band will be 50 years old in 2026. It’s a challenge to be hardcore when you’re a septuagenarian, but Ginn may… “Rise Above” your doubts.

Mad Caddies

Friday, Jan. 30 @ Nectar Lounge

Let’s continue down this path of kickass bands with only one original member left standing. But with an eight-person collective, a revolving door of musicians is bound to happen. The Mad Caddies have been blasting their Dixieland-infused ska punk since their start in 1995 Solvang — if you’re not familiar with Solvang, think of it as the Leavenworth of central coast California… but Dutch — and attained great support from the Bay Area-based label Fat Wreck Chords. Jump into the pit and dance around like an idiot. You’ll feel better about your life.