Publication Date September 24, 2026
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September 23, 2026UncategorizedPETER HOOK & THE LIGHT
Live from The Hollywood Palladium
September 23rd, 2026 Review by Shane Pase
There is something powerful about hearing music that once sounded like the future now carry the weight of history. At the Hollywood Palladium on September 19th, Peter Hook and the Light managed to make both sides of that equation work. The songs felt familiar, sometimes deeply nostalgic, but they did not feel stuck in the past.
The Palladium was packed, loud, and ready from the start. There was no opening act and no wasted time. Hook and the band split the night into two long sets, beginning with something unexpected for many: New Order’s 2001 album “Get Ready” played in full, in order.
From the beginning, Hook looked like he was having a great time. He never stopped moving, crossing from one side of the stage to the other, playing directly to the crowd, making eye contact, and smiling often.
Even his outfit had personality: red Dr. Martens Chelsea boots, tall socks, cargo shorts, and a bright Lady Madonna-themed button-up shirt.
It was an odd mix on paper, but somehow completely suited him. It was most certainly not a typical dark wave uniform.
The first set opened with “Crystal” and moved straight through “60 Miles an Hour,” “Turn My Way,” “Vicious Streak,” “Primitive Notion,” “Slow Jam,” “Rock the Shack,” “Someone Like You,” “Close Range,” and “Run Wild.”
“Get Ready” is not the New Order album most casual fans would name first, but many in the crowd knew it.
Concertgoers danced, sang along, and seemed more than willing to follow Hook through it.
The set also showed how much Hook still enjoys performing this music. He was in motion, leaning into the songs, turning toward different parts of the room, and feeding off the response in front of him. That energy kept the first half from feeling like a simple front-to-back album exercise.
The second set moved through both sides of Hook’s history, mixing Joy Division songs with New Order favorites. “No Love Lost,” “These Days,” “Digital,” “Isolation,” “Disorder,” “She’s Lost Control,” “Shadowplay,” “Transmission,” and “Atmosphere” gave the middle of the show a darker edge.
Hook dedicated several songs to Ian Curtis, and those moments never felt forced. Curtis was part of the night simply because he is part of the music.
The most memorable moment came during “Ceremony,” one of those songs that sits directly on the bridge between Joy Division and New Order. Hook brought out Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club as a special guest.
Before Been took the stage, I had noticed a thin young man in a black trench coat pacing behind the stage. I remember thinking, “Man, someone is giving off Ian Curtis vibes.” A few moments later, that same man walked onstage.
Been was excellent. He brought a different energy to “Ceremony,” but it fit the song perfectly. There was something in his movement and presence that briefly echoed Curtis without feeling like an impersonation. At the end of the song, Been and Hook embraced for several seconds while Hook stood there with a huge smile.
As Been left the stage to loud applause, Hook joked that he had done a pretty good job at his “audition,” which got a laugh from the crowd. Then the mood changed. Hook looked across the stage and said, roughly, that for a moment he could have sworn he had just seen Ian there.
That hit differently because I had thought the same thing before Been ever stepped onto the stage.
There was another family connection running through the show. Hook’s son, Jack, was on bass, and watching the two of them together was genuinely fun. Jack resembles his father not only physically, but in the way he plays. More than once he dropped the bass low around his knees in that instantly recognizable Hook style. Every so often, you could catch Peter looking over at him with the kind of smile that had nothing to do with putting on a show. It was just a father enjoying the chance to share a stage with his son.
From there, the second set turned into a run of New Order and Joy Division songs that transformed the Palladium into a giant new wave dance floor.
“Regret” and “Vanishing Point” helped shift the mood, but once the band hit “Bizarre Love Triangle,” “Temptation,” “The Perfect Kiss,” “True Faith,” and “Blue Monday,” the room seemed to move as one. “Temptation” was especially huge, with the crowd singing loudly enough to compete with the band. “Transmission” had already created one of the strongest responses earlier in the set, and “Blue Monday” delivered exactly the kind of release you would expect.
Through all of it, Hook kept working the room. He moved constantly, smiled at people in the crowd, and clearly enjoyed the exchange. There was nothing detached about his performance. He looked like someone who still loves being onstage and still enjoys seeing what these songs do to people.
Still, there was really only one way to end the night.
“Love Will Tear Us Apart” remains one of the defining songs of the post-punk and dark wave eras, and at the Palladium it became a full-room singalong. Everyone was on their feet, dancing. The crowd sang every word, and for a few minutes the distance between 1980 and 2026 felt very small.
It would be easy for a show built around music this important to become overly sentimental. This one never did. Hook talked about Curtis, honored the history, played with his son, and brought out a guest whose presence connected past and present in a surprisingly moving way. But the night worked because the songs worked, and because Hook remained such an active, generous performer at the center of it.
There were songs I wanted to hear that never came. “Warsaw” and “Age of Consent” were both high on my list, especially knowing they had appeared at the previous show. But with a full album, two sets, and nearly 30 songs, something had to be left out.
That may be the best complaint to have after a concert: the set was long, the crowd was exhausted and happy, and I still wanted more. Maybe that means I need a road trip to catch another one…
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Shane Pase Photography
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September 23, 2026UncategorizedAnnounce 2027 North American Tour
September 22nd, 2026 by Jimmy Alvarez
I remember the day as if it happened last night. I believe it was August 5th, 2014 when my friend Mike Berault called me to let me know there was a cool show happening that night in Fullerton. At The Slidebar to be exact and he said I should come out for this one.
When asked who was playing, he said a band called The Interrupters were the band to check out. It was their album release party; he went on that it was one of Tim Timebomb’s bands so I really should go check them out. That’s right, that Tim – Tim Armstrong of Rancid, Operation Ivy and Transplants fame. I thought to myself, I might want to see this one.
It was a cool breezy night and as I rolled up, I recall seeing some of my pals from a band called Hooray for Our Side. Right away I knew I was at the right place – it was a local ska show. Then I saw my friend Tazy Phyllipz and I realized it was the Ska Parade Lounge show I had heard about, so I knew immediately the bands would be very good!
As the show began I found myself doing the media thing, shaking hands and talking to the bands that were in the crowd. I recall having my back turned to the stage when the feature band went on. It took less than five seconds and I knew whoever that was, they were tight and I was instantly drawn to them. It was The Interrupters, and they started off the show with “A Friend Like Me.” I was like “Wow, wow, wow.” I spoke with the band after the show, and I knew immediately that they had what it took to blow up.
Being in media I normally get music sent to me, but I was not going to wait, I bought their CD that night and played it that weekend on my radio show and sent a copy to every friend in radio that I knew. I have continued to be inspired by their hard work and dedication, and their music speaks for itself. The fact that they stand for the things they believe in only makes them stand out even more.
Since then, they began a hit parade that is beyond impressive, “By My Side,” “She Got Arrested,” “Gave You Everything,” “She’s Kerosene,” “Haven’t Seen the Last of Me,” and they do covers! By far one of my favorites is their Bad Religion reprise of “Sorrow,” that too is a wow cover!
It didn’t take long for the world to get a glimpse of what and who was coming. The trailer to Season 5 of the Showtime series, Shameless featured the soon to be ska-punk icons, The Interrupters and “Take Back the Power.”
If that wasn’t enough, their Bille Eilish cover of “Bad Guy” made its way to the big screen as well as the Trailer to the Umbrella Academy 2. By this time it was clear, this band was destined to blow up!
Fast forward to 2026 and The Interrupters have done it all. They’ve played the biggest shows at the biggest venues, and their music is heard everywhere on the planet.
Yesterday, their fans got the news they were waiting for; a 2027 tour was happening!
Before we get to ahead of ourselves, you can catch them October 18th at Mission Bayfest in San Diego. Then after a short break, you can catch them at The Fox Theater in Pomona March 17th.
Then, a festival – on March 20th they will venture over to play The Extreme Fest in Sin City (Las Vegas). Finally, they take off on their North American tour.
The L.A. -based Fuorth Wave Ska Juggernauts will play The Wiltern April 30th, 2027 then they will slide on over to Orange County and they will play the House of Blues in Anaheim.
Depending on when you catch them, you’ll have some kick-ass openers. Support will be provided by Doom Regulator (a Tim Armstrong band), The Aquabats!, Rat Boy, The Mainliners, The Chin Chins, and The Bandulus.
If you want to have a skankin’ good time and dance your ass off, seriously, get your tickets to see this band. No matter where you see them, you will have a very-very good time!
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September 22, 2026UncategorizedRemembering
CHAD GILBERT
September 22nd, 2026 by Kevin Gomez
The very first story I every published for OC Music News was a concert review for New Found Glory with Less Than Jake, Hot Mulligan, and LØLØ at the House of Blues Anaheim on September 8th, 2021.
It is with great sadness that just over five years later I’m now writing a tribute to New Found Glory founding guitarist and lead songwriter, Chad Gilbert. Chad was incredibly lucky and lived an amazing life – as longtime friend and bandmate, bassist Ian Grushka wrote in a tribute, “ our dreams become a reality together.” And yet, you can’t help but feel saddened at such a tremendous loss.
Chad Everett Gilbert was born March 9th, 1981 in Coral Springs, FL. In 1996 he got the call to step up and take on lead vocals for the metalcore-hardcore band Shai Hulud. Already an established band in the Southeast Florida region with a large fanbase, Gilbert proved he was more than ready to take the reins often cited as many fans’ favorite era of the band. No stranger to hardcore music, Gilbert grew up listening to bands like Sick of It All (sadly, lead singer Lou Koller passed away this past July) and Madball.
In 1997, lead singer Jordan Pundik and Grushka invited Gilbert to play guitar for their new band, A New Found Glory (which would later get shortened to just New Found Glory). You might think the leap from metalcore to pop punk would be tremendous, but Gilbert once listed both Rancid’s “Let’s Go” and Green Day’s “Dookie” as part of the 10 albums that changed his life.
As lead guitarist for New Found Glory, Gilbert found he had a gift for crafting catchy riffs and melodic hooks. While their first effort, “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” would start attracting a larger fanbase in their hometown, it was their follow-up, self-titled album that really put them on the map with the help of the radio hit, “Hit or Miss.”
That iconic guitar riff became synonymous with ‘90s pop punk. But it was their follow-up album, “Sticks and Stones,” that would make them MTV and “Total Request Live” superstars. Their video for “My Friends Over You” is just as big a part of the late ‘90s as “All the Small Things” or “Fat Lip.”
For nearly three decades Gilbert and New Found Glory continued to put out successful albums while touring around the world playing sold out shows and festivals like the Vans Warped Tour and Riot Fest. In October 2020, Gilbert married the love of his life, Lisa Cimorelli (a singer in the band, Cimorelli). Their daughter Lily was born in 2021, the light of Chad’s life.
With his career and personal life at an all-time high, his health began to take a turn for the worse. Gilbert made a social media post detailing that on December 19th, 2021, he was found unresponsive at home and credits his wife for saving his life by calling paramedics who rushed him to the hospital. He underwent emergency surgery in the ICU to remove a rare cancerous tumor called a pheochromocytoma.
On August 15th, 2022, he reported that he had been diagnosed with cancer again and would undergo surgery the next day after another pheochromocytoma tumor was discovered in his spine. He announced on February 11th, 2023, that he would begin intense chemotherapy after additional pheochromocytomas were found in his lungs and back. During these times he began to tour less and less with New Found Glory, at first with Yellowcard lead singer Ryan Key filling on guitar, and most recently Four Year Strong singer Dan O’Connor.
Through it all Gilbert would continue to post on social media, often looking weakened and gaunt from treatment, and yet always optimistic, laughing, and just enjoying life and staying positive.
When he would play again with the band, he made it a point to tell everyone how grateful he was despite his health troubles. While on tour in 2023 he told audience members, “Give yourself a break and try to just live every day and enjoy it.” Even in his sickness, he wanted to spread positivity and help others.
Tragically, Chad passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, September 20th while surrounded by friends and family. He is survived by his wife and daughter, his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian. The impact Chad and New Found Glory had on an entire generation of pop punk kids is evident from just bands like All Time Low and The Story So Far, both named after NFG songs.
From the song, “Sonny” about Pundik’s grandfather who passed away:
For now, we’ll say goodbye
We know it’s not the last time
I’ve lost the best part of my day
But it’s better where you’re going anyway
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September 22, 2026UncategorizedFINAL FRONTIER TOUR
Coming to Honda Center
September 22nd, 2026 by Stuart Karpel
When it comes to progressive rock bands of the ‘70s and ‘80s, we’ve seen countless amazing talents who’ve not only touched the hearts of millions, but also those who continue to pursue their passion.
We are lucky to have witnessed the incredible careers of some of the best rock stars to ever take the stage, but if you’re a music fiend like me, you can’t get enough of seeing those artists live.
One of those legendary bands is headed our way soon; a band known by everyone who has listened to rock music in the past half-century. “Don’t Stop Believing” this is happening because Journey is on tour right now!
The Hall of Famers are celebrating the Final Frontier of North America tour with a grand farewell to their loyal fanbase.
November 24th, Neal Schon, Arnel Pineda, Johnathan Cain, and their long-tenured bandmates are heading to the Honda Center in Anaheim. What a show this is destined to be!
While there, expect to hear some of their most famous tracks, including “Any Way You Want It,” “Oh Sherry,” “Wheel in the Sky,” “Faithfully,” “Open Arms,” “Touchin’, Lovin’, Squeezin’,” “Lights,” “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” “Stone in Love,” and many more songs from “Escape,” “Frontiers,” and their most recent album, “Freedom.” Songs that defined a generation.
While their shows are known to be legendary and forever memorable for super-fans and newer listeners alike, the group has refurbished their setlist and plans to rock the roof off as they get set to perform in SoCal.
Make sure you catch these icons of rock this November, and act fast because this night is going to be electric. There’s no telling just how amazing you’re going to feel after seeing this incredible group of talented artists.
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September 21, 2026UncategorizedMODEST MOUSE
An Eraser And A Maze Tour
Coming to The Palladium
September 21st, 2026 by Stuart Karpel
Since the first bloom of alternative rock in the late 1970s, the world has seen countless amazing talents shape the world of music, their records passed down through generations like family heirlooms.
The songs that remain with us through the decades are timeless, speaking to us emotionally. It is time to add another one to the collection for generations to come as we have new music from the multi-platinum alt-rock band, Modest Mouse.
Even if this isn’t your first time around the block of their 30-year discography, there’s no way to comprehend just how tremendous their latest project, “An Eraser and a Maze,” is without giving it a listen.
I highly suggest you do it as soon as possible because it is jam-packed with ballads of past, present and future, bringing you along psychedelic journeys that make you feel as if you are on your way to a distant planet.
The June 2026 album is their first since the passing of their founding drummer, the infamous Jeremiah Green, in 2022. In his honor, the band is back on tour to promote their latest project, and only a month-and-a-half of their fall tour remains.
The band is wrapping up the year with incredible shows, including one in your neck of the woods.
Modest Mouse will play the Hollywood Palladium on October 20th, and you can expect to hear songs from the new album, as well as some of their classics, like “Float On” and “Ocean Breathes Salty.” The atmosphere of the Palladium will be unlike any other this venue has seen before, and it’s sure to be worth more than every second and penny of your time.
Grab your tickets to see Modest Mouse now – you will not regret it!
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September 21, 2026UncategorizedWILL RETURN in 2027
September 21st, 2026 by Traci Turner
The insanity for Oasis tickets last year obviously showed the guys we want more of them. After some social media teasing, the Manchester band officially announced a 2027 tour.
Oasis Live ‘27 will take the English brothers through the U.K., Europe, and the good ole U.S. of A.
“START THE CELEBRATIONS!!!!” the band said in a statement. “After a period of reflection ‘The Most Damaging Pop Cultural Force In Recent British History’ has declared itself fit for purpose and will once again return to lift the spirits of the people. Come witness the fitness. It shall be a sight to behold.”
While the official tour launch is in Glasgow, and their hometown of Manchester gets 11 dates, Oasis will play on our shores in only two locations: August 10th, 13th, and 14th in Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium; and August 20th, 21st, and 24th in Vegas at Allegiant Stadium. Richard Ashcroft will lend support on all dates.
The once feuding brothers – who now seem to get along extremely well – Liam and Noel Gallagher also released a documentary about their reunion, “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” Photos at events for the documentary show the guys affectionately hugging each other.
But, this week Noel called into a sports radio program to discuss soccer yet let some Oasis info drop. The band knew they would do another leg while just weeks into the first tour. “We were having such a great time that … why wouldn’t you?” he said. But, when asked if he would want to tour past 2027 or release new music, Noel was not enthusiastic.
If you want your “Wonderwall,” “Champagne Supernova,” “Supersonic,” and “Live Forever” live, you best find a way to get your Oasis tickets now.
Tickets will only be available to fans who have registered in advance on the band’s website.
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September 20, 2026UncategorizedPUBLIC IMAGE LTD
Live From HOB, San Diego
September 20th, 2026 by Amaris Becker
The floor was already slightly sticky by the time I walked into the House of Blues in San Diego on September 11th. That’s not meant to be a complaint, but an observation of what was about to come.
Public Image Limited were about to play in about as close you can get to a basement venue in San Diego. Downtown on a Friday night, the floor was telling me what kind of show it was going to be.
Plague Vendor opened with a set that surely shook the ground outside the venue. The Whittier band went hard and fast with fan favorites like “Anchor to Ankles,” “Breakdance on Broken Glass,” “Freight Train,” and “UNC.”
There was one very noticeable addition to the lineup which everyone picked immediately. Starcrawler guitarist extraordinaire Henry Cash was electrifying the crowd.
In addition to the electrifying Cash illumination, lead singer Brandon Blaine was in exceptional form. Blaine marveled the crowd with his James Brown-Esque dance stylings, quasi mini-moon-walk promenade and his high intensity Kung-Foo high kick moves really were a sight to see.
As expected, he sounded bangin’ when he delivered on “Black Sap Scripture,” and fan favorite “New Comedown.” Being Ohana Fest veterans, Plague Vendor knew what the crowded wanted and needed and sure enough; Blaine gave it to them.
The intermission didn’t take long at all. Before we knew it, the room was packed with people of all ages. There were quite a few young people, mainly in all black with ripped tights or tee shirts, seemingly accompanying their parents. But it was mainly old school punks in vests covered in patches and rips, along with a surprising number of British accents. Gauges, dyed hair, and one woman in a t-shirt that just said “Devo was right” stood out.
The vast majority of the crowd skewed older, full of people who had been around since the beginning of punk. Maybe a sign of their age but throughout the show they mostly swayed, with some scattered fist pumping. But middle fingers went up constantly, at the band, at each other, and at nothing in particular. It read as affectionate, it seemed to be its own language, and everyone seemed fluent.
John Lydon walked out in a white suit with red dyed hair and big gold hoop earrings, holding a pink drink. He turned 70 this year and he has stopped performing stage edict, which is the point. In my opinion, he is not a clean man, but he never pretended to be.
Several times throughout the night he shot visible snot rockets out of his nose landing somewhere one stage. Every time the crowd exploded with excitement and I was honestly impressed that he could create that much mucus.
“Public Image” opened the night, which was the correct decision and set the tone for the evening. “Home” and “Know Now” followed, but the fourth song is where things really ramped up. For “World Destruction,” the band really began to click. I could feel the bass in my chest and my heart seemed to sync up to it.
San Diego, California
September 11th, 2026
Lu Edmonds was one of the best things on that stage. Alternating between guitars and saz (what looked like an electric lute), and he seemed visibly delighted the entire time, interacting with the crowd almost as much as Lydon did.
Scott Firth handled bass and keyboards, sometimes within the same song, wearing a shirt that said “no.” which I thought was very punk. It was fantastic to watch him change effortlessly between the two instruments he’s spent his career mastering.
Mark Roberts was on drums, focused and locked in, and he did a genuinely impressive job of catching Lydon’s cues. He is the newest addition, having joined PiL in 2025. He was watching everything and seemed to never miss a beat, even a backing track for whenever Lydon addressed the crowd.
“This Is Not a Love Song” and “Poptones” carried the middle of the set. There was not a lot of banter with the crowd, but at one point Lydon did ask the audience to yell “cock,” and they obliged enthusiastically. He asked for it louder, to make all the noise Los Angeles could not, which was a direct shot at the Belasco show the night before. San Diego took the assignment seriously, and people screamed back another name for a male chicken. Long live the LA San Diego rivalry!
Then the whole band walked off for a cigarette break…
Lydon claimed it would be three minutes, but after about 10 minutes, the band returned. Much like a virgin on their wedding night, making us wait made us want it more. I do not think that was an accident, but the result of built-up knowledge from nearly 45 years of performing.
“Warrior” and “Open Up” hit harder than anything that came before them. Lydon sang loud enough to border on screaming. In the middle of the audience, a small pocket of teenage boys started jumping, and fists were raised in the air – this is what punk should be.
They closed with “Rise,” which the crowd sang along to, and effortlessly transitioned into “Religion,” then “Chant.” Lydon and the rest of the band took a dance break as they signed off, which from the stories I heard was an uncharacteristic surprise.
At a bar near the venue afterward, I heard someone describe John Lydon as the singer from the Sex Pistols. He’s fronted Public Image Limited since 1978. The Sex Pistols lasted about two and a half years. This man has been in this band longer than most of the young people at the concert have been alive, and he is still being introduced by a gig he held for less time than I spent in high school.
The tour is called This Is Not the Last Tour, which is either a promise or a joke, and when it comes to Lydon, it’s probably both.
Here is what I took away. John Lydon and Lu Edmonds were the rowdiest of anyone there. I came expecting mosh pits and spiked hair; I left slightly damp from the heat of the crowd but not exhausted.
I was one of the younger people in that room by a wide margin, and for most of the night I was watching something that belonged to a different generation. There’s a specific pleasure in standing in a crowd that knows exactly what it came for while you experience it for the first time.
The PiL tour continues throughout the country going into 2027. Do yourself a favor and get out and see this living legend; truly a bucket list band.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Fatima Kelley Photography
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September 18, 2026UncategorizedEVEN MORE
September 18th, 2026 by Traci Turner
The masters of hard rock known as Metallica have announced a 2027 North American stadium tour with help from Limp Bizkit and Avatar. The never-ending M72 tour will continue on after the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers close their Life Burns Faster Las Vegas Sphere residency.
Their 24-show residency at the Sphere begins October 1st and wraps up March 13th. The gents will take a small break, then head back out on the road in May.
This leg kicks off in Canada, stops in San Diego on May 13th at Snapdragon Stadium, visits Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, Buffalo, and more before closing in Salt Lake City on June 19th.
The M72 Tour launched way back in 2023 and has seen the band play 99 shows in 26 countries so far. Once the guys – James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo, and Lars Ulrich – finally wrap this monster up, there could be new music. Last year Hammett told Rolling Stone, “I have 767 new ones for the next album,” but went on to say, “I don’t foresee us starting the next album for at least another year because we’re still finishing the tour.”
As for the openers, nu-metal legends Limp Bizkit continue to have a resurgence of popularity and will bring the “Nookie.” The dramatic Swedish metal band Avatar is also a guaranteed fantastic live show.
Tickets go on sale September 25th at 10 a.m. local time, but fan club members, Citi cardholders, and Verizon customers can grab some in various presales that start September 21st and 22nd.
Of course, you can feel good about buying tickets because “a portion of proceeds from every ticket sold will go to local charities via METALLICA’s All Within My Hands foundation.”
All Within My Hands has provided “grants of $19 million to career and technical education programs through its Metallica Scholars Initiative, $8.8 million to combat food insecurity, and $6.2 million to disaster relief and other critical local services worldwide.”
Get ready for even more Metallica… “Enter Sandman” live, lots of fire, and four legends of heavy metal.
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September 16, 2026UncategorizedA Fundraiser For
MIKE ROCHE
September 16th, 2026 by Jimmy Alvarez
For decades punk rock has been home for the soul and a lifestyle for many of us. Those who follow the scene know the bands that made punk rock what it is. Bands like Social Distortion, Adolescents, Descendents, and yeah … they are kinda an L.A. band, but they are beloved in the OC, the band is X.
Among all these greats, there is one more punk giant that really matters, T.S.O.L. (True Sounds of Liberty).
I remember seeing them all at places like Goodies in Fullerton, or the Golden Monkey in HB, Fender’s Ballroon in Long Beach, The Roxy and the Palladium were also their haunts.
The shows we all saw at each of these places were insanely cool and simply unforgetable.
On the other hand, time has a way of reminding us we are all human – even our punk idols and other legends.
We just got the news that T.S.O.L. founding member Mike Roche has been battling Parkinson’s disease.
While Mike is still fighting, it is time for the community to help out one of our sonic heroes.
Truth be told, there are a number of successful bands that may not even exist if it wasn’t for T.S.O.L., like The Offspring.
The Offspring recently posted that they just loved the way he slaps the bass and so did many others. It is unclear where they would be today if it wasn’t for T.S.O.L..
Honestly, Mike Roche has been part of the fabric of the OC punk scene for some time, so the love for him being displayed is genuine. When the call went out to put together a benefit show for him, the call was answered over and over again.
The benefit show will take place November 7th at Garden Amp. Bands that will play the benefit include The Offspring, Pennywise, Circle Jerks, Adolescents, Guttermouth, Death by Stereo and more (with special guests still to be announced).
This will be an epic event like no other taking place under the stars at Garden Amp. 100% of all proceeds will go directly to Mike Roche. In the event you can’t make this event, but you want to help, a GoFundMe page has been set up.
General tickets go on sale September 18th at 9 a.m. local time. Do yourself a favor and get tickets for this one, it will be an epic event we will be talking about for years to come. If you can’t make it and you have room in your heart and wallet, please help this legend!
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September 15, 2026UncategorizedENDLESS SUMMER KEGGER
DELIVERS!
September 15th, 2026 Review by Jimmy Alvarez
The summer of 2026 had a lot going on to say the least. For SoCal music fans, this year is turning out to be banner. Not only is KROQ back at the top of the radio ratings war, the Klein.Ally.Show has delivered a top-notch morning team who have made their way to the top of the Morning Show leader board.
With Klein and Ally leading the crew, each day brings new fans to the station. Over the years, Omar, Johnny, Vanessa, and Jake have become near and dear to the fanbase. With Audacy providing incredible support, their fans have been treated to insanely cool shows at In-N-Out Sound Space, and now it was time for The Klein.Ally.Show Endless Summer Kegger!
Back in the day, there was one local band that was synonymous with summer, the SoCal lifestyle and the KROQ sound – the band was Sublime. Weirdly enough, in the here and now, Sublime is back and making waves again. There is another band that has the same rich history with the station, and their history is intertwined – that band is Slightly Stoopid. Needless to say, it was only appropriate that the Kegger featured Slightly Stoopid.
The event was held in the OC, The Hyatt in Newport to be exact and the night could not be any more perfect. With an unreal sunset in the distance, we all walked into Miles the DJ spinning the tunes for the early birds.
As the crowd rolled in, it didn’t take long for the Hyatt to have wall to wall fans ready to take in the show. Before the show got started, Klein took the mic, and Ally welcomes the other Miles – Miles Doughty, Stoopid’s lead singer. He was there for a very special moment: It was for Ally’s gender reveal.
With the morning show team at Ally’s side – Miles let the cat out of the bag and now we can all get ready to support Ally as she prepares to welcome her baby boy!
After the pre-show entertainment, the other Miles (DJ Miles) went back to work spinning some kick-ass tunes. After a very short intermission it was showtime!
The Ocean Beach punk-funk-reggae overlords took to the stage. The crowd went nuts; out came lead crooner and guitarist Miles Doughty, followed by bassist / other crooner, Kyle McDonald, Andy Geib on trombone, Paul Wolstencroft on keys, Daniel “DeLa” Delacruz on sax and Ryan Moran (“Rymo”) slammin’ the skins.
Photo by Rebecca Kuritz
They opened with “Bandelero” and a killer mix – “Del Roy” that followed with a distinct sax and keys bassline leading into “2AM.” Immediately the crowd went orbital, then they dropped what is now considered a classic, “Hold It Down.”
Doughty and McDonald’s vocals were amazing; it was like an MTV live video. They dropped sick vocals to “Sweet Honey,” “Prophet,” “Good Life,” and “Happy.”
The band fed off the crowd, the energy was electric, and their music was sharp, crisp and volcanic.
Stoopid played classics throughout – from all eras of their epic catalog. The crowd loved, loved, loved “Officer,” and their latest effort, “Backseat Drivin’.”
Photo by Rebecca Kuritz
The crowd got even louder as the sun was now dipping into the Pacific. “Up on a Plane” “London Cool,” “Collie Man” and “Got Me on the Run” hit the right chord with all in the venue.
By now, the sun was gone, the moon was parked over the Hyatt and out came special guest, Jurassic 5 / Ozamotli rap soprano Chali 2na. He too was very happy to be at the Kegger and helped out with “Upside Down,” and “Hands High,” it sounded unreal. The crowd responded to “Nobes” as you think they would – loudly!
Photo by Auberon Webber
It was hard for everyone to believe, it was such a cool night – it seemed that as quickly as the band came on to play, the night was over.
As the night came slowly to an end, I had a chance to catch up with a few fans and I had a chat with Rymo. I have covered the band for years; I have always been taken by how down to Earth they are. I asked Rymo how it felt to be playing an event like this. He said, “It was an honor for us. we know the history this station has with their fans and what bands (like Sublime) has meant to the station – for us to be included in an event like this just makes us want to play their best.”
Photo by Rebecca Kuritz
He went on to say, “We will never take anything for granted, and we know how hard it was for us to get where we are, and we’re grateful for everything and we’ll continue to do the hard work to make people want to listen to our music and come to our shows.”
I asked him his thoughts on why they have such a multi-generational following at all their shows. He said, “I think it’s a few things, hard work number one, and we always treat our fans right … and having the support of places like KROQ – these things have a lot to do with it and always be thankful for the good fortune.”
As for fans, they said a few things:
“Their music touches my soul“
“Stoopid’s music is like ear candy for my brain!”
“These guys give a shit about their music and the world we live in!”
Morning show fans:
“Johnny just makes me laugh so much!”
“Everyone on that show just makes my day; they make me smile!”
“I love the shows they put on, and the free food!”
“Klein and Ally, now that’s chemistry!”
Someone once said, “Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.” For Slightly Stoopid, and the Klein.Ally.Show, they are living proof that if you believe, with a lot of hard work – you can make things happen.
This turned out to be more than another kick-ass event, it was an affirmation of what we have to look forward to from Slightly Stoopid and KROQ’s Morning Show.
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September 14, 2026UncategorizedCelebrates 30 Years Of
TURN THE RADIO OFF
September 15th, 2026 by Jimmy Alvarez
It’s been a few minutes since The Reel Big Fish took the stage. Earlier this summer their fans received the long-awaited news they had been waiting for. that is Aaron and Scott were jammin’ again and before we knew it – the band announced that they were getting back together for a run at Warped Tour.
Needless to say the world of ska-punk went nuts to hear their skankin’ heroes would be back! We saw the posts; the band was practicing in preparation for Warped and there were some very familiar faces.
Aaron Barrett was back and on guitar and singing the tunes we love to live. Scott Klopfenstein was back on trumpet and backing vocals.
The rest of The Fish include Derek Gibbs on bass, Johnny “Christmas” Christianson on trumpet and backing vocals, Dan Regan is on trombone. There’s Matt Appleton who is taking a few dates away from Big D and the Kids Table to play the sax and Ed Larson returns to pound the skins.
There is no doubt, their collective sonic vision, on stage energy and volcanic presence was missed dearly by their fans. With a wink and a smile Barrett continues to amaze on stage as the Fish belt out the hit parade – “She Has a Girlfriend Now,” “Ska Show,” “Beer,” “Monkey Man,” “Everything Sucks,” and of course, their uber-hits “Take On Me,” and “Sell Out.”
In the here and now, RBF is celebrating the 30th anniversary of their landmark album “Turn the Radio Off” by giving their fans a special with the Fish at The Wiltern on December 3rd.
Support for the show will be provided by fan favorites The Goodwin Club and The Originals.
This will be a skankin’ good time, so get ready to do the fish with The Fish. General sale tickets beginning on Friday, September 18th at 10 a.m. local time.
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September 13, 2026UncategorizedLive from Pacific Amphitheatre
September 13th, 2026 Review by Amaris Becker
It had been raining on and off all day in Orange County, but Boy George and Culture Club still had the Pacific Amphitheatre packed. A Sunday night on a three-day weekend with rain, yet these ‘80s legends were greeted by almost 8,000 happy fans.
The opener canceled, but any disappointment soon vanished – Boy George strode out to the stage and suddenly none of it mattered.
Donning an oversized yellow hat, a red polka-dotted jacket, and white on black polka-dotted pants, even all these years later, Boy George is first and foremost a performer. He invigorated the crowd immediately, and they were on their feet before the first song ended.
“You’re So Loud” opened the night, and the venue took the song title to heart.
It was obvious the crowd was comprised of longtime fans. When George called out asking where everyone’s tambourines were, the crowd answered by putting their fists in the air. Everyone around me seemed to know exactly when to throw their hands up and what motions were supposed to follow.
Boy George is a dominating figure on stage, and he brought a layer of theatrics to the rest of the band. At 65, he still has the kind of presence that does not require him to do anything more than be himself.
His backup vocalist seemed to never stop moving, working through a choreographed two-step. Behind them, the screens ran what I can only describe as a fashion show, shirtless men moving through stylized backdrops.
Pacific Amphitheatre
Costa Mesa, California
Roy Hay handled guitars, keyboards, and a multitude of other song elements, and Mikey Craig held down bass. The two of them still had real chemistry, exchanging looks across the stage in a way that felt like an inside joke between people who have been doing this together since 1981.
I think that was one of the reasons this band was so enjoyable to watch. Forty-five years after they formed, they still enjoy being onstage, and they still enjoy playing with each other.
“Church of the Poison Mind” went straight into “I’m Your Man,” followed by “Standing Tall in a City of Love” and “Move Away.”
Before “It’s a Miracle,” Boy George stopped to tell a story involving Kojak and a limousine, which I will admit sent me straight to Google. For anyone else in my position, Kojak was a bald television detective from the 1970s with a lollipop habit.
That detour was not random. Boy George talked repeatedly about the 1970s as the thing that made the 1980s possible, about Motown, Marc Bolan, and Bowie, about the artists who built the floor he ended up dancing on.
“I’ll Tumble 4 Ya” and “Letting Things Go” kept the momentum before the set turned personal. He dedicated “King of Everything” to his mother, and talked about how supportive she had always been through his battles with addiction.
He covered Bread’s “Everything I Own” and T. Rex’s “Children of the Revolution,” then delivered “Time (Clock of the Heart)” and “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” back to back. The deeper we got into the set, the more the music drifted from new wave pop toward something you would hear underneath a heartfelt scene in a movie rather than in a club. Whether that was intentional pacing or just the reality of a catalog that has aged into nostalgia, it worked better than I expected.
Before the band even went on, tributes to Dolly Parton were displayed on the screens, and Boy George took a moment to honor her. He spoke warmly, calling her one of the greats and someone fame had never corrupted. He told the crowd she had worked with them on one of their songs, and that all she asked for in return was a thousand dollars and a limousine. He said David Bowie shared many of those same qualities, then dedicated “Let’s Dance” to both of them.
He was also direct about the controversy that has surrounded him in recent months, following the release of his new song “We Will Dance Again.” “Now at 65 I couldn’t give a shit,” he told a crowd that mostly seemed to be around his age, and they cheered back in full agreement. He returned to that territory more than once across the night, always with the same energy, which is to say without apology and with a fair amount of humor. “If this is what being canceled looks like,” he told the crowd, “I seem to be doing fine.”
Their fans showed up in force. A lot of the crowd was in Culture Club and Boy George merch, and more than a few came dressed as the man himself. Bold prints, dyed hair, and an overall sense of fearlessness were everywhere. They followed the lead of the person they came to see, expressing themselves however they wanted and asking for neither permission nor forgiveness.
Unfortunately, the finale approached as the Pacific Amphitheatre has a hard 10 p.m. curfew. “Miss Me Blind” got cut down a tad, but they squeezed in a cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil” and closed, as they had to, with “Karma Chameleon.”
Everyone knew it was coming and the crowd came back with every word.
Despite the questionable weather, by the end no one seemed to mind. What stayed with me was the atmosphere – bold prints, dyed hair, wide brimmed hats, and thousands of people who had clearly decided years ago that being too much was the entire point. They did not come to be surprised. They came to sing outdoors with people who loved and lived Boy George and Culture Club as much as they did, and they got exactly that. An ode to a band, and to the man who defined the ‘80s and their youth.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by John Gilhooley Photography
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