A Place for Punk Rock Nerds to Call Home

By Betsy Mikel in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 4, 2010 9:00PM

One more used bookstore is joining the Chicago scene, and it’s got a certain clientele in mind. Bucket ‘O Blood Books, a new extension of punk label Johann's Face Records, targets punk rock nerds. Marc Ruvolo is the brains behind the Logan Square bookstore that specializes in Speculative Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and “just plain awesome books and DVDs” as well as vinyl records. It’s also home to a new writers group that will meet monthly and is open to anyone with work similar to what’s on the bookstore’s shelves.

Ruvolo said he’s always been as enamored with books as he is records, so Bucket ‘O Blood is simply a way for him to bring those two passions together. He’s accumulated enough books and records from thrift stores and rummage sales to fill a bookstore, so now it’s time to open his doors. Ruvolo will purchase books from walk-ins (as long as they match the right genres). And in case you’re wondering, the bookstore’s name is borrowed from an Old Western bar that was home to so many killings that it kept a bucket and mop by the door for quick cleanups.

Bucket ‘O Blood opens tonight with acoustic sets by Sass Dragons, Das Kapital and Balls Deep at 7 p.m. Tomorrow at 8 p.m., Ruvolo will be reading some stories and Indiana group The Rutabega will perform.

Bucket ‘O Blood Books, 2307 N. Milwaukee Ave., open Tuesday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.