Steven Rovery and Bryan Flowers got their first taste of The Pie Shop on H Street about six months ago, when their band American Television played a bill with D.C.’s own The Rememberables and headliner Spanish Love Songs, out of Los Angeles. After loading in that night, they heard about the blood, sweat, and thoughtful detail that co-owners Sandra Basanti and Steve McKeever put into the space. They were already sold on it.

And after a solid set, plus some complementary pies (!) for the bands backstage? “It was just inspirational,” Flowers says.

It was decided, then, that The Pie Shop was an ideal fit for the next Breakin’ Even Fest, Rovery and Flowers’ ongoing punk festival series that, as the name suggests, isn’t about the profits.

Breakin’ Even Fest returns for a third edition this weekend after a hiatus in 2018. It features 13 bands in all, headlined by Chicago’s Kali Masi on Friday, Pittsburgh hardcore group World’s Scariest Police Chases on Saturday, and Brooklyn melodic punk band Worriers on Sunday.

For Basanti, getting to host three straight nights of punk shows, all organized by two guys who are part of the local scene, is living out a vision for The Pie Shop. Last year, she and McKeever opened up the second floor of Dangerously Delicious Pies as a concert space after years of building it out—McKeever himself constructed the stage—and working with audio engineer Dennis Manuel to provide top-notch sound in a room that fits about 100 people at most.

“It fully embodies why we like killed ourselves to do this,” she says of hosting the festival.

She said she’s especially thrilled about the sonically diverse punk lineup of punk, a specific emphasis for Rovery and Flowers. Bands range from the melodic (Night Surf, their very own American Television) to the aggressive (Fail Sons, World’s Scariest Police Chases), and everything in between.

And while the festival is bringing in bands from other cities like Philly (Trash Boy), Charlotte, N.C., (Dollar Signs) and Chicago, it’s also showcasing plenty of area talent. From the District, there’s Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, Fail Sons, and Homosuperior; from Maryland, Frederick-based DoubleMotorcycle and Baltimore’s Subtastics; and Rovery and Flowers’ own AMTV from Northern Virginia.

What’s more, they’ve also managed a pretty inclusive bill, with queer-identifying acts like New York’s all-black Proper. (formerly Great Wight), drag queen-fronted Homosuperior, and Worriers, led by artist Lauren Denitzio.

Denitzo said this will be their first full-band show of the year, and is excited to return after co-headlining night two of the second Breakin’ Even Fest in 2017.

“We had a really good experience at the last Breakin’ Even Fest that we played with them and they definitely know how to run something like that well,” she said. “So I’m psyched that they’re keeping at it.”

And while they couldn’t replicate the all-ages component of 2017’s Breakin’ Even Fest II at Songbyrd—The Pie Shop is an 18+ venue—“we’re excited to at least be able to cater to the youngest audience that they’re willing to,” Flowers says.

Homosuperior’s Donna Slash (Josh Vogelsong by day) says that’s “absolutely” a big plus. The vocalist calls up memories of being teenager struggling to find punk shows catering to a non-drinking-age crowd. “A lot of the cool, weird, fun stuff in D.C. is at places that are mostly 21 and up,” Slash/Vogelsong says, “so it’s good to have things like this where [younger] kids can come out and hang out with their friends and be themselves.”

In addition to music, the event will have giveaways—“obviously pies,” Flowers notes (they’ll also be for sale, Basanti confirmed)—plus raffles of records, t-shirts, and other merch from labels with bands on the bill. The Pie Shop’s glorious roof deck will also host a pop-up vinyl shop.

In the spirit of the event’s title, the organizers get nothing, save for the satisfaction of making it all happen. Raffle proceeds will go to the bands, and revenue from sales of Breakin’ Even Fest t-shirts will go to Girls Rock D.C., a music education nonprofit inclusive to girls and non-binary and trans youth of all backgrounds. Rovery says the organization “gives kids a voice that they might not think they had.”

Basanti applauds Rovery and Flowers’ ability to bring bands on and market the festival as they have—there are only a handful of three-night passes left—particularly given that there’s no incentive to line their pockets.

“They’re literally doing it to break even. … They just want to put together a really cool festival, and that’s exactly what they’re doing,” she says.

For the organizers, it’s a chance to do some good while putting D.C. on the map with a mix of nationally known punk artists and some of the District’s best.

“I think it just builds that feeling of the scene, and makes D.C. a destination for the kind of music that we like,” Rovery says.

Breakin’ Even Fest takes place Friday-Sunday at The Pie Shop. Doors open at 7 p.m. Three-day passes $35 (with free t-shirt), single-night passes $12. Tickets here.