Now in its fifth year, Riot Fest has become one of Chicago’s most unique festivals. Riot Fest is in autumn, takes place in doors at six of Chicago’s top music clubs and caters to one specific musical niche: the Punk Rocker.

Yes, Riot Fest is not the type of place to find the eclecticism of Lollapalooza or Pitchfork. It’s down to the bone, all business punk rock this weekend. Riot Fest officially kicked off last night at The Metro with a headlining performance from the Butthole Surfers. But beginning on Friday, October 9 until Sunday, October 11, don’t be alarmed. That racket you hear is probably just the crowd skanking, maybe doing the pogo.

So it’s Thursday, which means starting tomorrow, you’ll have big decisions to make. Namely deciding if you want to go to The Metro, Congress Theater, Beat Kitchen, Subterranean, or the Cobra Lounge to get your punk on. Well, us here at LoudLoopPress are a friendly bunch who love to help out. So, if you’re still all disco and indecisive, here’s some acts we think you should check out this weekend…

WAX -- Friday, October 9, The Metro

Los Angeles based, surf inspired, punk rockers WAX are geared up to reunite for their first show in over 14 years at The Metro for Riot Fest. The four-some are best known for an MTV song and video “California,” which was directed by Spike Jonze. The clip features a man on fire running in slow motion and soon after its release was banned from daytime airplay on the channel. That’s not the band’s only MTV connection to the channel though; drummer Loomis Fall has a recurring roll on the shows Jackass and Wildboyz. Once Riot Fest is over, who knows when WAX will play another show together so you should definitely check them out on October 9 at The Metro, doors open at 6PM. -- Shelby Blitz

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Riverboat Gamblers -- Friday, Oct. 9, Congress Theater

Texas-based punk rockers The Riverboat Gamblers may not be as well-known as some of the bands (Dead Milkmen, Murder City Devils) they will share the stage with at Riot Fest on Friday, but they make up for it with their hard-charging riffs and wild stage show. Vocalist Mike Wiebe is a memorable frontman whose performance is strictly high energy, flailing his arms and legs about on stage as if his life depends upon it. Riverboat Gamblers released its new album Underneath the Owl on Volcom records; it features the ultra-catchy tracks “Victory Lap,” “A Choppy, Yet Sincere Apology” and “Catastrophe.” -- Audrey Leon

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Naked Raygun -- Friday, Oct. 9, The Metro

Coming back to show these youngsters how Chicago Punk Rock should really sound is Naked Raygun. There isn’t a band at this year’s Riot Fest that hasn’t been influenced by them, and after experiencing their musical energy, it’s not hard to see why. Formed in 1981, Naked Raygun was one of the first post-punk bands in Chicago. Influenced by the art-punk music of Wire and Gang of Four, Naked Raygun is known for their fearless lyrics, use of complex melodies and hardcore punk music that keeps the crowds wanting more. Compared to other screaming punk bands, Naked Raygun’s music is intelligently written and uses intricacies not seen in other 3 chord punk bands. In 1992, the band parted ways leaving a hole in Chicago’s punk scene. However, they triumphantly returned in 2006 and headlined at Riot Fest to an audience of 4,000 people. Naked Raygun has carved their name into Chicago punk rock and will continue to show audiences all the reasons they demand respect in the scene. -- Britni Day

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Murder City Devils -- Friday, Oct. 9, Congress Theatre

The Murder City Devils are dead…except someone forgot to tell them? The band will resurrect the act once again as they set sail for the Congress Theatre on Friday, October 9th as Chicago’s infamous Riot Fest opens this weekend. Since disbanding in 2001, these pirate prog-punkers have only played a handful of shows after reuniting in Seattle at the 2006 Capitol Hill Block Party. Rumors of a reunion tour and new album continue to swirl around MCD and some west coast fans got a small taste as the band embarked earlier this year on a small left coast tour. Friday’s show will also feature punk-rock legends The Dead Milkmen and electric upstarts The Riverboat Gamblers. Tomorrow night, Murder City fans will most certainly trade their rum for whiskey and always remember; there is no grave, but the sea… -- John Niederkorn

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Youth Brigade -- Saturday, Oct. 10, Congress Theatre

Holy crap! Youth Brigade have been around forever. In the early 80′s, at least for a short time, they seemed every bit as important as Minor Threat. True, that didn’t really pan out but Sound and Fury is still a classic slice of 80′s hardcore. And give the Stern’s (Mark, Adam, and Shawn) credit for trying to bring some positivity to the punk scene. I still remember watching Another State Of Mind on Night Tracks on TBS in high school. See what these guys have left Saturday at the Congress. -- Ross Meyerson

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88 Fingers Louie -- Saturday, Oct. 10, Congress Theatre

Reunions are like Pringles: Once you pop, you just can’t stop. I mean why play only one show when you can play two? Last time we checked in on seminal Chicago punk rockers 88 Fingers Louie, they were reuniting for the first time in nearly a decade for a one-off show at the Bottom Lounge last August. Unfortunately, founding member, bassist Joe Principe, couldn’t make it because he was busy with his new band called Rise Against. I’m sure some of you might have heard of them. Anyway, 88 Fingers Louie are back! Again! It’s the only show listed on their Myspace page, so this might really be it. Really. -- Richard Giraldi

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NOFX -- Saturday, Oct. 10, Congress Theatre

Formed in 1983, political punk rockers NOFX have released a total of 11 studio albums, the latest being 2009’s Coaster. NOFX made its career challenging political, racial and ethnic stereotypes with a sound that combines punk, ska and hardcore. Nowhere is this more prevalent than NOFX’s 1992 album “White Trash, Two Heebs and a Bean, which features the songs “Stickin’ in my Eye” and “Please Play This Song on the Radio.” NOFX quickly rose to fame selling over 500,000 copies of 1994’s Punk in Drublic, featuring the tracks “Don’t Call Me White” and “Linoleum.” -- Audrey Leon

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Screeching Weasel -- Sunday, Oct. 11, Congress Theatre

Everyone loves to hate Screeching Weasel. Sure, Ben Weasel isn’t the most lovable gent. Still, he and his band have put out some of the best and smartest pop punk this side of the Ramones. There’s something precious about songs like Cindy’s on Methadone. And the album Anthem For a New Tomorrow, keyboards and all, is pretty much a masterpiece. Ben has enough hits to make Friday’s show at the Congress theater worth dealing with his crap. -- Ross Meyerson

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Alkaline Trio -- Sunday, Oct. 11, Congress Theatre

Chicago natives Alkaline Trio released its sixth album Agony & Irony in 2008; Alkaline Trio was founded in 1996 by vocalist Matt Skiba, drummer Glenn Porter and bassist Rob Doran. Skiba found a songwriting partner in Dan Andriano, who replaced Doran in 1997. Alkaline Trio crafted its sound from punk roots adding a dash of gloomy pop hooks and pairing it off with anthemic lyrics. Drummer Derek Grant joined Alk3 in 2001, just in time to record 2003’s acclaimed album Good Mourning, featuring “We’ve Had Enough.” Alk3 released Crimson in 2005, featuring the singles “Time to Waste” and “Mercy Me.” -- Audrey Leon