In the conservative landscape of Salt Lake City in the early 1980s, two rebellious friends, Stevo and Heroin Bob, navigate the punk rock scene while rejecting the mainstream societal norms. Although Stevo, a bright young man with a law school opportunity, and Bob, named for his ironic aversion to drugs, are entrenched in the punk lifestyle, they grapple with the contradictions of their counterculture identities; they disdain so-called "posers" and the establishment while struggling internally with their own sense of purpose and place in the world. Their days and nights are filled with mosh pits, engaging with eccentric friends, and clashing with rival groups, as they strive to maintain their punk rock ethos.

Emerging themes include the clash between youth rebellion and the impending responsibilities of adulthood. As personal relationships and family pressures begin to weigh on Stevo, he starts to question the sustainability of his anti-establishment views. Meanwhile, Heroin Bob deals with his own set of anxieties, including a deep-seated fear of needles, which stands in ironic contrast with his hardcore punk persona. The harsh realities of life outside their insular community challenge their bond and convictions, as they each confront the future and the inevitable evolution of their individuality against the backdrop of a culture in flux.