Photo by Patrick HoudekWhat is it about the Midwest that produces great punk rock? Maybe it’s the long cold snaps of frosty winter keeping everyone indoors to write music. Maybe it’s that the area lacks the pretentious competitive edge of New York or Los Angeles. Or maybe it’s just the boredom. Whatever it is, it’s working, as the area has produced everyone from classics like The Replacements to long-running favorites Dillinger Four to younger up and comers like Masked Intruder. Throw one more unheralded Midwestern punk band onto the pile with The Brokedowns.The Brokedowns are from Elgin, IL and play that gruff style of punk that leans more heavily on drinking away your problems than changing the world. The band, who you may remember graced the cover of Razorcake a few years ago, has a new album Life Is a Breeze, out on December 9, via those Chicago scamps at Red Scare Industries. You can listen to a sweet sample from it, "Joliet, The Maui Of The Midwest" below. Order a copy here and catch their two upcoming dates below.12/20/14 - Elgin, IL @ Dutch Inn West
1/3/15 - Chicago, IL @ Township
1/3/15 - Chicago, IL @ Township