Hilo gets a taste of mainland punk rock on Saturday September 30th, when Houston and the Dirty Rats, a band from Phillipsburg, New Jersey, make a tour stop at the Hilo Town Market.

Houston and the Dirty Rats, led by frontman Houston Herman, have been performing across the US since 2018 and have played in every state except Hawaii. In 2019, they made history by performing 100 concerts in 100 days, and have continued a rigorous tour schedule ever since.

Their 2020 EP Songs! From the Bathroom Stall? Includes the hit “Dumpster Diver” and shows where the band’s influences lie: firmly in the 1990s punk rock canon of NOFX, Screeching Weasel and Green Day.

Also on the Bill:

Puna thrash metal/punk band Badass Noise makes their return to Hilo after a three-year absence. The band includes former members of Old Habits Die Hard, Sideline Hero and other Hilo-based bands. The high-energy group takes influence from metal bands like Pantera and Slayer while employing a firmly do-it-yourself punk attitude. The band performs regularly on Oahu and Maui, opening for national acts like Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, FEAR and more.

Waikoloa-based punk band El Sancho has been performing since 2019 and has played alongside Agent Orange, Supersuckers, DOA and more. They’ve been described as “shambolic pop punk” and have had national radio airplay thanks to their 2021 single “Merry Christmas Joey Ramone”. Their latest album Heads Up! Was released on vinyl this summer.

Nancy Boy – getting their title from the Placebo song of the same name – is a transsexual hardcore band from Hilo. The young, energetic band, featuring Envy Burbank, Tiger Jaw, Alex Adair and Mephis Savage, is releasing their first EP in November 2023.

Selector Kaihewalu will spin punk and Oi vinyl records between sets.

Doors open at 7pm. All ages are welcome and entry costs $10.

Hilo Town Market is located at 69 Waianuenue St in downtown Hilo between Keawe St and Kamehameha Ave. The concert is on the indoor stage.