Pitchfork

Where to begin with the recently "reunited for good" Chicago punk vets Naked Raygun? A tour? A headlining spot at a hometown festival? A film? A career retrospective? Yeah, let's go with that one.

November 6, Riot Fest Records will unveil What Poor Gods We Do Make: The Story and Music Behind Naked Raygun, a DVD/CD combo of Naked Raygun favorites from across the years. Two days prior to Poor Gods' release, at Chicago's Reggie's Rock Club, the band will be on hand to screen the disc and sell a few copies before its proper street date. There's also a promise of "an after-party with live music." I wonder what they're insinuating?

Riot Fest: not just a label, but an actual festival. This year's Riot Fest takes place at Chicago's Congress Theater November 17-18. The first night finds 2006 Riot Fest alumni Naked Raygun yet again at the top of the bill; this time around that bill also includes Stiff Little Fingers, 7Seconds, Nekromantix, the Queers, and a whole lot more. The next night finds Bad Brains taking the top spot, with the Casualties, Dillinger Four, the Bollweevils, and a slew of others providing support. A Riot Fest-sponsored gig the night before at Double Door promising "mystery guests" has been canceled though, alas.

As for that tour: Naked Raygun will be joined by Cali punks $wingin' Utter$ and Chicago's Shot Baker on a string of West Coast dates following the band's set at Riot Fest.

And the film? It's called You Weren't There: A History of Chicago Punk 1977-1984, and it premieres November 24 at Chicago's Portage Theater. In addition to Naked Raygun, the flick also covers Big Black, the Effigies, and many more key acts in the fertile landscape of early Windy City punk.

Raygun:

10-26 Gainesville, FL - The Fest 6
11-04 Chicago, IL - Reggie's (DVD screening)
11-17 Chicago, IL - Congress Theater (Riot Fest)
11-30 Seattle, WA - El Corazón *
12-01 Portland, OR - Dante's *
12-02 Tacoma, WA - Hell's Kitchen *
12-03 Eugene, OR - John Henry's *
12-05 San Jose, CA - The Blank Club *
12-06 Sacramento, CA - The Distillery *
12-07 Los Angeles, CA - Knitting Factory *
12-08 Long Beach, CA - Alex's Bar *
12-09 San Diego, CA - The Casbah *

* with $wingin' Utter$, Shot Baker