CASPER, Wyo. — Casper-based punk band System Restore has made a name for itself throughout the region. Later this month, a national audience will be able to be acquainted with the group when it performs at the Punk Rock Hoedown, a show sponsored by national nonprofit Punk Rock Saves Lives and sanctioned by the Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival in Las Vegas.
The Punk Rock Hoedown will span four days, and will run alongside the Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival. Band member Dan O’Hara said performing at a PRB-sanctioned event is a big deal, as the Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival will feature some iconic names in the world of punk, including the Dropkick Murphys, Bad Religion, the Interrupters and more.
“This is basically the Coachella of the punk rock world,” band member Dan O’Hara said. “This is a really big deal. This is the biggest festival there is for punk rock.”
O’Hara has been involved with the punk rock scene from a young age, as his brother was a member of Wyoming punk rock band The Lillingtons.
“He would take me to shows, and eventually I started doing stage tech and sound,” O’Hara said.
O’Hara became friends with several area musicians over the years and in 2005 formed Love Letters and Gravestones. That band didn’t last, O’Hara said, and eventually he reentered the music scene roughly six years ago with System Restore.
The band has had members come and go over the years, but currently features O’Hara, Justin Stevens, Brent Phillips, Billy Ray Whittington and Mike Toups.
“Mike doesn’t tour with us, though. So we’re a five-piece band when playing in and around Casper, and a four-piece when we go further out,” O’Hara said.
Over time, System Restore made a name for itself in the local music scene with what O’Hara described as a Southern California punk influence.
“I’d say our biggest influences are bands like Bad Religion and Pennywise,” he said.
After performing at a charity event called Punk Rock Saves Lives, O’Hara said one of the event organizers reached out to him and offered him a spot in the Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival. O’Hara and his bandmates jumped at the opportunity.
While some of the biggest names in punk will be at the Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival, O’Hara said he’s most excited to perform along several friends’ bands at the festival, including The Let Me Downs, Egoista and more.
O’Hara said the band plans on playing some new music they’ve been performing at recent shows throughout Wyoming when they travel to Las Vegas.
“This is just a huge blessing,” O’Hara said. “I can’t wait.”
Editor’s Note: This story has been edited to reflect that System Restore will be performing at Punk Rock Hoedown, an event sanctioned by the Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival.
