The First Rule, Fish-Head & the Bones, Thornbush, Laona, Silver Reign

Kenosha quintet The First Rule uses punk-pop in support of social justice and to fight the right, but rather than screeds they usually wield a humorous edge to make their point. (And with songs like “Time for Ham” it’s not all about serious topics, though.) They are part of a five-band bill of Midwest bands rarely spotted on Madison stages, also including Rockford punk vets Fish-Head & the Bones; Eau Claire metal band Silver Reign; and two bands from Sauk County, Thornbush (alt-rock) and Laona (metal), that both feature the same trio of musicians. An ugly Christmas sweater contest follows the show.