Publication Date May 21, 2026
MORE GREAT STORIES
May 20, 2026UncategorizedAnnounces 2026 Tour
May 20th, 2026 by Joey Clark
It’s finally happening! Pinhead Gunpowder is returning to the stage after 16 years! The band has just announced their Bum Rush Tour slated for later this fall. It has long been rumored the guys would return for a proper tour ever since their 2024 release of “Unt.”
At that point in time frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong was in the middle of a world tour with Green Day, but it appears after some much deserved rest, he’s gunning to pack some clubs and return to his punk rock roots.
Pinhead Gunpowder had humble beginnings in Arcata, California during the winter of 1991 with Crimpshrine drummer and fanzine writer, Aaron Cometbus and Jon “Quitty” Quittner.
The band had recruited vocalist, Doug “Douggie Grime” Rogers and bassist David “Atlas” Kimmel to fill out the roster. In mere months, Cometbus decided he wanted to return to his hometown of Berkeley, California. He took the songs and band’s moniker with him.
The second iteration came shortly after Cometbus’ return to the Bay Area. For this next chapter in the band’s history The Skinflutes’ own Bill Schneider (bass) and Sarah Kirsch (guitar) joined the group with Armstrong rounding off the lineup as the frontman.
This version of the band lasted until 1994 when Kirsch decided to part ways and led the group to recruit, Jason White. White had been in Schneider’s band, Monsula since filling in last minute for a show in Little Rock, Arkansas (White’s hometown).
GARDEN AMP
Garden Grove, California
November 11th, 2026
Throughout the years the band has released nine extended plays, but “UNT “marks the band’s second full length record.
Notably most lyrics are written by Cometbus with exceptions woven throughout but he has always been at the helm of the project.
Thankfully, the stars have aligned amongst the four forces that comprise the band and Pinhead Gunpowder will be in for a big comeback.
Be sure to catch them when they hit the road as they will be stopping at our very own Garden Amp for the very last night of the tour.
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May 19, 2026UncategorizedLive at House of Blues Anaheim
May 20, 2026 Review by Jimmy Alvarez
Despite its very sleek and corporate-like facade, the House of Blues Anaheim would be transported into a punk-rockers paradise, at least for one night. It was a sold-out house, the line to get in was crazy long, but everyone was in such a good mood to see Pennywise and friends.
Doors were at 6:30, and it was like Warped Tour in the ‘90s. As soon as the crowd was let in, it was a mad dash for a front row position leaning against the barrier. The show would feature Pennywise, the friends I mention were legends in their own right, Circle Jerks, H2O, and DFL.
The crowd filled the venue, it was packed – they were squished in there, like sardines. Before the show started, the crowd was already singing along to the music blaring out the venue PA system.
L.A. – based DFL was the first to take the stage. In true punk rock tradition, the crowd went from calm to insane in 3 seconds. As “Crazy” Tom nestled behind the mic, the mayhem of the night began.
It was an abbreviated set, but they packed a punch. Delivering songs from their catalog, “Thought Control,” “No Exit,” “Paddy Wagon,” “Lost Cause,” “Pizza Man,” and the funniest song, “Fuck It.”
Dead Fucking Last closed out with “Proud to be DFL.” The crowd loved every single moment of their set.
After a very short intermission H2O was on before you knew it. Just like DFL, the crowd went from zero to 100 with their hair on fire in seconds. The punkers from New York called H2O was amped for this one. Toby Morse took no time to get the ball rolling with “Nothing to Prove,” “Everready,” and “Family Tree” to kick off their set.
The band was clearly excited to be sharing the stage that night with legends, you could just tell how excited they were. They killed with their delivery of “1995,” “Spirit of ’84,” and “I Know Why.”
It was about then you started to notice all the crowd surfers being deposited into the photo well. “One Life, One Chance,” “Guilty by Association,” and “5 Yr. Plan” made a very good impression on the capacity crowd.
By now, the crowd had to catch their breath, but they were resilient as Keith Morris and Circle Jerks were up next.
Morris slowly walked out and with that wicked smile he stared at the crowd and launched into the insanity that is Circle Jerks. “Deny Everything,” “Letterbomb,” and “In Your Eyes,” set the mood for their set.
Not shy about wearing his feelings on his sleeve, Morris and company took off, “Back Against the Wall,” “Behind the Door,” “I Just Want Some Skank,” “When Shit Hits the Fan,” and “Under the Gun” made the crowd get insanely wild.
With a wink Morris jumped on “Coup d’état,” “Moral Majority,” and “Live Fast Die Young.” The crowd went absolutely bananas! The hit parade continued, Circle Jerks could have played all night, but everyone knew Pennywise was on deck.
They closed out the set to an appreciative audience with “I, I & I,” “World Up My Ass,” “Wasted,” “Nervous Breakdown,” “Fix Me” and the closer – “Question Authority.”
Again, hats off to the road crew because the intermission was very short, and the Pennywise banner and gear were ready to go in minutes.
Out came guitarist and lead singer Jim Lindberg in his black T and hat, with guitarist Fletcher Dragge behind him also in black and a hat.
Also onstage were bassist, Randy Bradbury and Byron McMackin on the skins. I am always amazed how loud those guys can sound.
Immediately, the crowd was engulfed in punk rock shenanigans from jump street, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “My Own Country,” “Violence Never Ending,” and “Same Old Story,” kicked off the first run of songs. The crowd got even more amped as each song started. By then I started seeing security pull people out of the crowd to get them water because it was so hot in that crowd due to the mosh pit that had formed.
Limberg thanked everyone for coming out and egged them on to get loud, and they did as they launched into more lunacy with “The World,” “Waiting,” “Unknown Road,” and we went into another stratosphere when the chords to “Fuck Authority” were heard over the PA.
As the show went on, a few other musicians that were there that night came on and off the stage to help out to a few tunes, “Perfect People,” “Broken,” “Society,” and “As Long as We Can” kept the crowd in a cartoon crazy mood.
It was the last three songs that blew the roof off the joint, “Alien,” “Stand by Me,” and “Bro Hymn” were a perfect way to close out a perfect night of punk rock music under the stars in Anaheim!
For fans, it was a night filled with epic performances by legends of punk!
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Green-Eyed Bonde Photography
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May 19, 2026UncategorizedAnnounce The Rats in a Cage Tour
May 18, 2026 by Jimmy Alvarez
It’s hard to believe the more things change, thankfully there are some things that you can always rely on. Dubbed as nearly four decades of unruly hits and dark treasures, the Chicago natives known as The Smashing Pumpkins will take to the road again for an epic North American tour.
With Billy Corgan behind the mic and guitar, the band has been electrifying us with their music since their epic releases of ‘91’s “Gish” and ‘93’s “Siamese Dream” for decades.
The Pumpkins today feature familiar names aside Corgan. The core group includes guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.
We have seen them over the years performing everywhere, and regardless of which venue, it always seems like it’s the first time whenever these grungelike shoegazer legends take to the stage.
We have been waiting for this news for a minute and for Pumpkin fans everywhere, the wait is finally over. The band announced, The Rats in a Cage Tour, which may prove to be one of their biggest live shows to date.
The tour launches September 30th in Columbus and zigzags throughout the country hitting stops like Boston, Chicago, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, St. Paul, Tampa, Denver, Las Vegas, and Seattle before wrapping up at the Kia Forum November 12th.
The tour will feature two distinct sets that the band will play. They will celebrate their seminal 1995 RIAA-diamond-certified “Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness,” and the album that started it all, “Gish.”
Songs to look out for during the tour will most likely include “Rhinoceros,” “Tonight, Tonight,” “Bullet with Butterfly Wings,” “Muzzle, “1979,” and “Zero.”
Tickets will be available starting with Citi and Verizon pre-sales beginning May 19th st, itat 10 a.m. local time.
Additional pre-sales will run throughout the week in advance of the general sale which starts May 21st, it starts at 10 a.m. local time and of course… on smashingpumpkins.com.
Photo by Christina Sanchez | Tiny Toyland on IG
Corgan recently said, “Staging a ‘Mellon Collie’-themed show is something we’ve discussed for over a decade, and finally the stars have aligned and exactly on the terms I’d set which was to build a special night around its most enduring aspirations and ideas.” The likelihood is they will play songs from their epic catalog from going ‘Gish’ to their last release, “Aghori Mhori Mei.”
Get your tickets for this one, it’s a night you won’t forget no matter which venue you catch them at!
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May 18, 2026UncategorizedFIFTY SOMETHING TOUR
Set to Kick Off at Kia Forum
May 17th, 2026 by Jimmy Alvarez
In the ‘70s, there was no greater powerhouse that came out of the Great White North than a band called RUSH! They formed in Toronto in 1968 and provided a bridge from vinyl records to everyday life. Rush wove a tapestry of sonic indulgent that defined an era and enthralled a generation of rock fans.
Sadly, we lost “The “Professor,” Neil Peart back in 2020. For years, the remaining co-founders of the band kept mum as to what was next and didn’t rush to reform the band. Instead, these Rock and Roll Hall of Famers honored the legacy of the band and their comrade.
Finally, after years of silence, the remaining founding members, guitarist Alex Lifeson and bassist / lead singer, Geddy Lee approached the Peart family and asked if they could go forward with reforming Rush.
How they went about it was very classy, respectful and honored the legacy of the band and Peart himself.
Instead of going after a hired gun on drums, they went with someone not at the mountaintop of drummers. They went with someone who was accomplished for all the right reasons and was a legit bad ass just like Peart. In the end, the duo announced the German drummer, Anika Nilles would be joining the band.
With a new drummer in tow, fans worldwide can experience the majesty that is Rush and the songs that made them one of the preeminent rock bands of all time. The tour kicks off June 7th at the Kia Forum; you too can re-live the sounds the defy time and space. Songs like “Limelight,” “Subdivisions,” “YYZ,” “Closer to the Heart,” “The Spirit of Radio,” “2112,” and of course the song that defined a generation, “Tom Sawyer.”
If you truly appreciate rock music, living legends are coming your way this summer with Rush’s Fifty Something Tour. They kick it off in the City of Angels June 7th through the 13th, then everywhere else on the planet in 2027 – hopefully, beyond!
Tickets are on sale now – so go out and get them and see music history when Rush comes to your neck of the woods.
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May 14, 2026UncategorizedSCHOCK*WIEDLIN*LWIN & THE REFLEXX
Making Memories at Garden Amp
May 14, 2026 Review by Amberlee Meyer
It was supposed to be just another Saturday night in the OC. But the weather turned that night at the Garden Amp. It was warm, nothing out of the ordinary there, but it was the performances on the stage that amped up the temps in Garden Grove. It was a perfect spring evening for an outdoor show, and the bands were locked and loaded.
The lively atmosphere immediately kicked off as doors opened, with fans pouring in for a night of ’80s nostalgia. Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Gina Schock and Jane Wiedlin, icons of the legendary girl group The Go-Go’s led the night, supported by Annabella Lwin of Bow Wow Wow, and the ’80s tribute band, The Reflexx.
Annabella Lwin is renowned for her vocal style and for being so young when she experienced success with the band. She was just 13 when the band thanks in part to Malcolm McLaren turned the music world upside down.
This night started off with heavy beats as Lwin came out to “W.O.R.K. (N.O. Nah No! My Daddy Don’t).” We all knew we were in for a special show as Lwin feeds off the crowd and the crowd knew all the words to the song.
Ask anyone there, they’ll say she was sassy, playful, and energetic. She is a true wild-child banshee, giving fans exactly what they wanted!
Songs like “C30 C60 C90,” and “Roustabout” filled the night with electricity.
Other songs that set the mood fo rthe night were her mega-hit “Baby, Oh No,” followed by “White Smoke, Blue Smoke,” “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” “Tell It Like It Is,” before closing out her set with the ’80s anthem “I Want Candy.”
After a very short intermission, The Reflexx took to the stage, and they impressed everyone in the house with their larger-than-life sound. Their robust repertoire of ’80s hits amped up the crowd’s enthusiasm, making it like a high school throwback for Gen X.
If you watched MTV or listened to Top 10 radio, you knew songs like “Bizarre Love Triangle,” “Take on Me,” “Relax,” “Enjoy the Silence,” and “Hungry Like the Wolf.” They were a fun, nostalgic band that played it well! Needless to say, the crowd sang along to every word of every song.
Hats off to the sound crew because they got the stage ready in no time flat. When Gina Schock and Jane Wiedlen hit the stage, The Reflexx stayed on for double-duty as they were the backing band with a few extra players.
Schock who typically plays drums, also played guitar and shared the mic with Wiedlin for this set. Wiedlin immediately grabbed the mic and launched into “Our Lips Are Sealed.”
Immediately it was as if lightning struck because everyone got to their feet the second the first note to the song rung out over the Garden Amp.
The energy kept up through “Get Up and Go,” “This Town,” and began to crescendo with one of their Go-Go’s mega-hits, “Head Over Heels.”
Wiedlin surprised everyone with a song from her fourth solo album “Fur,” “Rush Hour.”
Of course, we can’t do a Jane solo song without a Gina solo song in the mix. “Smile Pretty” was next from Gina and the Schock house.
We definitely went back in time with their Sparks cover of “Cool Places.” Jane really got into this one, and the crowd loved it! The only downside to this show was that they could’ve played all night with their epic catalog of music, but due to local noise ordinance they had to cut it sooner than anyone wanted. But the ladies did it right, the crowd lost their minds when they heard the first drumbeat and guitar riffs to “Vacation.”
The night ended like it started, with a bang as the ladies closed the show with another epic song, “We Got the Beat.”
The entire crowd was up on their feet, singing at the top of their lungs, what a way to say goodnight as the entire band took a bow!
These ladies definitely still got the beat, and everyone at Garden Amp had a night to remember.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Todd Markel Rock Images
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May 13, 2026UncategorizedSell Out House of Blues Anaheim
May 13th, 2026 Review by Joey Clark
Pop punk outfit, Boys Like Girls brought The Soundtrack of Your Life Tour to the House of Blues Anaheim on May 1st and May 3rd, selling out both nights. This tour was meant to be a celebration of two records, the 20th anniversary of their self-titled, “Boys Like Girls,” and the 17th anniversary of “Love Drunk.”
Both records were slated to be performed in their entirety on each night of this tour. While those of us in the audience were well aware of this phenomenon, we weren’t prepared for the delivery.
Before Boys Like Girls took their rightful place onstage the, audience was regaled with pop-rock band, Arrows in Action. The trio came out ready to electrify the evening and weren’t looking to leave anything on the stage. Every moment they fought for audience – the fight was short lived.
After a couple of songs, lead singer, Victor Viramontes-Pattison whipped off his ball cap, revealed his mane of long hair, and showed every person in that crowd that he meant business. As the set proceeded, there was a noticeable change in the audience.
While it’s common for most to watch openers with dismay or indifference, people locked in and took the journey with Arrows in Action for their seven songs. Once they departed the stage it was clear they had gained new fans as a hefty explosion of applause erupted.
Next in the lineup was the indie pop artist from Salt Lake City, I Dont Know How but They Found Me (iDKHOW). Immediately they rose to the occasion, starting off their set with a rather hilarious statement piece – their song, “Nobody Likes the Opening Band.” Lead singer and the man behind this solo project, Dallon Weekes assured the audience that the tune was not a way of putting down opening acts, just more of a playful commentary on the state of the music scene as a whole.
Weekes’ efforts over the past decade to rise from the ashes of The Brobecks (now reunited) with this solo project truly have paid off. iDKHOW’s performance had all the elements that make a memorable stamp – a boisterous sound, an explosive energy, and an unmistakable ability to connect with the audience.
That final sentiment emanated from the crowd as the band departed the stage with their heads held high.
The stage change for Boys Like Girls occurred and the covers were pulled to reveal a stage lined with televisions, including a large stage set piece that contained the drum set of founding member, John Keefe. All went dark, and then the screens of the TVs lit up with pop culture clips through the years as the audio echoed throughout the House of Blues. It felt like receiving a surreal transmission from another planet.
The video feed across the screens cut to Boys Like Girls on the side of the stage, huddled together and illuminated by a singular light in the midst of a prayer. Once concluded they grabbed command of the stage and launched into a celebration of their second studio album, “Love Drunk.”
“Heart Heart Heartbreak” upped the ante in the room as the first chords rang out. Frontman Martin Johnson stalked the stage armed with only a tambourine. Johnson had a fair amount of restraint at first, but it was obvious he was purposely holding back and not show all of his tricks in one go.
It was clear the House of Blues’ sold-out crowd was comprised of diehard Boys Like Girls fans. From the opening song through the deep cuts of the band’s second album, “She’s Got a Boyfriend Now,” “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” and the closing track, “Go,” every word was sang in unison.
After a brief intermission following “Love Drunk,” the band transported us back 20 years with their self-titled debut. Boys Like Girls entered the stage once more, a renewed hunger and energy had cascaded over them.
“The Great Escape” blared out stronger than ever with everyone in the venue going absolutely mad! Johnson leading the insanity and no longer holding anything back with all members in tow.
The House of Blues crowd kept the momentum strong and in tandem with Boys Like Girls as they played the entirety of the debut record. It was incredible when the songs “Hero/Heroine” and “Dance Hall Drug” were performed – the ground felt like it was shaking for real.
To close out the night Boys Like Girls gave the crowd one more round of “The Great Escape.” This time it was different; it carried the weight of two decades in the making and served as a bittersweet cathartic moment for us all.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Highway One Photography
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May 13, 2026Uncategorized2026 Lineup Announced
May 12th, 2026 by Kevin Gomez
As we know, Ohana means family in Hawaiian. For the last 10 years, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder has brought a music festival to beautiful Dana Point, CA where it feels like bands and fans alike gather to celebrate as one big happy family. It’s no coincidence that the festival is set up on Doheny State Beach, the very beach where Vedder caught his first wave at the age of 12 – legend has it, on a $12 surfboard. Ohana returns September 25th-27th and the lineup just dropped.
For this year’s lineup Ohana is bringing back some favorites, as well as some new faces – well, new to the festival, some of these “new” acts are well into their fourth decade, while others are just getting their start.
Friday night will see Vedder headline, as he usually does, to kick off the festival. For the first time ever Mexican rock superstars Maná will be joining Ohana. With over 45 million records sold worldwide people will be turning out in droves to catch their set. Two surprises for me in the punk rock category are “Rebel Yell” singer Billy Idol and punk icons, Bad Religion.
Also playing will be indie artist Courtney Barnett, who has won several awards in her home country of Australia. Another shocker is Sugar, featuring former Hüsker Dü frontman, Bob Mould, who reformed last year after a 31-year hiatus. Rounding out the lineup will be Midnight Generation (“a disco electronic pop band from Mexico”), Otoboke Beaver (a Japanese punk band hailing from Kyoto), Ireland’s Florence Road, American singer/rapper Mereba, and Los Angeles’ own, Muttlee.
Saturday’s headliner will be bluegrass-folk-country musician Tyler Childers, a seven-time Gramm nominee. Critical darlings Alabama Shakes will be lighting the night skies up on the main stage Saturday night. Singer-songwriter, composer Jon Batiste will also be playing Saturday night. The ultra-accomplished Louisiana native was formerly the bandleader for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Indie band Men in Trust from Quebec and country and rock singer Stephen Wilson Jr. will be playing, as well.
The band I’m most excited to see Saturday are The Front Bottoms, folk punk heroes from the 2000s. As of now, Ohana will only be their fourth date listed for 2026, as well as a stop at Warped Tour this summer. The day will kick off with sets from South Africa’s Alice Phoebe Lou, California singer-songwriter Marlon Funaki, pop singer-songwriter Jake Wesley Rogers from Missouri, P.E.S.T. and newcomer, Ellery Harper.
As they did in 2024 Pearl Jam will be closing out Ohana Festival again this year. If Fontaines D.C. first came on the map in 2018 and 2019, they have blown up since post-2020.
Cannot wait to catch their set for the first time, right after one of my all-time favorite bands, Pixies rock the beach. Speaking of explosive sets, from their highlight set at last year’s Just Like Heaven, Rilo Kiley has made their highly-anticipated return worthwhile and will be bringing out all steps Sunday.
Also playing will be Britain’s indie folk pop, Tom Odell, and last year’s breakout indie star from Australia, Ecca Vandal. Her song “Cruising to Self Soothe” went viral in 2025. Sunday’s lineup will also feature post-punk Horsegirl, London’s Villanelle, alt folk Linka Moja, and So Cal’s own Speed of Light.
For tickets, sign up for the Ohana presale starting Thursday at 10 a.m. Public tickets go on sale Thursday noon, IF tickets remain.
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May 12, 2026UncategorizedCelebrates 40 Years of In Your Face
Live at The Glass House, Pomona
May 12th, 2026 Review by Matt Martinez
A genre of music that normally doesn’t get the respect that it deserves is ska. I will be the first to admit that I haven’t given it the proper time of day. But when I had the opportunity to cover Fishbone, who has been a staple in the ska community for four decades, it seemed like the perfect chance to experience what ska has to offer. Fishbone is celebrating the 40th anniversary of their debut album, “In Your Face,” with the final stop taking place at the Glass House in Pomona.
A VIP meet and greet was held prior to the show where fans not only got to meet the band, but also grab a few souvenirs for free, and watch the band soundcheck. Fishbone takes things a step further and allows the fans to help them soundcheck with Fishbone Karaoke. Inviting the fans to sing their favorite Fishbone songs, as the band performs live with them seems like a unique and special moment for the fans experienced it.
Opening the show was local ska-punk band Chudson. As the rhythmic chanting of Blue Swede’s “Hooked on a Feeling” (aka the Ooga-Chaka Ooga-Ooga song) blasted over the speakers, Chudson marched out in nothing but adult diapers.
Welcoming the crowd by performing a Haka practically naked, it was apparent we were in for an entertaining set at the very least.
Once they got into performing their music, Chudson was a six-person ball of energy that was ready to party. The music was high energy and lifted the spirits in the room; we even got a mosh pit spinning.
The biggest thing that stuck out to me about Chudson was that the band looked like a group of high school seniors, just performing for the sake of getting on stage as the life of the party. But their sound was so clean and tight, it was obvious they’ve put a lot of effort into sounding great on that stage.
Up next was a band from San Antonio who brand themselves as a Tex-Mex punk band known as Piñata Protest. Strutting to the stage in cowboy boots, blue jeans, a cowboy hat, a tough guy demeanor, and an accordion, vocalist Álvaro del Norte was not the Texan I would have imagined, but he brought that Texas Mexican-American style to the people of Southern California.
Piñata Protest’s sound felt like a mix of mariachi and punk music, which the crowd easily found the groove in. Álvaro del Norte decided to get a little political at one point, literally dividing the crowd. On one side we had the salsa roja lovers, and on the other we had the salsa verde lovers.
This led to a wall of death, and then the biggest spinning mosh pit of the night. Though we may all share different opinions of what the true best salsa is (it’s verde) , we could all agree that Piñata Protest knew how to get the crowd moving.
It was then time for Fishbone to take the stage and let the rest of the venue bask in their celebration of “In Your Face.” Band leader, vocalist, and saxophonist Angelo Moore may be pushing 60, but he is a wild man on stage.
I heard his antics back in the day were a sight to behold – jumping off stages and into crowds – and though he may not be doing those things anymore, he is still the most animated man on the stage. You could tie him down with cement brick shoes and Moore would still dance and strut around the stage like it was nothing. The man constantly had an infectious smile on his face that radiated throughout the Glass House.
Though Moore may have been the most charismatic person on stage, the rest of Fishbone are right on his tail, entertaining the crowd and performing from the heart. His oldest compatriot, keyboardist Christopher Dowd is spinning the keys and adding his own flair to the show.
Then there’s Tracey Singleton on guitar, Hassan Hurd on drums, JS Williams on trumpet and keys, James Jones on bass, all giving their own spice.
This celebration of “In Your Face” truly felt like a party. Fishbone never let the energy die down, and the crowd was singing, dancing, and keeping a mosh pit going throughout their whole set.
Some of the favorites were “I Wish I Had a Date,” “Skankin’ to the Beat,” “Racist Piece of Shit,” “Party at Ground Zero,” “Everyday Sunshine,” and the encore song, “Sunless Saturday.”
For my first ska show I could not have asked for a better time. From seeing the ska fire is still being carried by the younger generation in Chudson. Piñata Protest mixing in ska elements with their own musical heritage and style.
Fishbone showed us that they can put on a show 40 years into their career that would tire younger bands, along with bringing in new fans whether they know ska or don’t. The moment the beat hits your ears, you can’t help but start moving your body, and that’s the sign of truly great music.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Red Hair Images
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May 12, 2026UncategorizedLiz Phair & Sleater-Kinney
Announce Flannel and The Fury Tour
May 12th, 2026 by Traci Turner
The effortlessly cool Liz Phair, and uber-kickass Sleater-Kinney, are joining forces for The Flannel and The Fury co-headline tour.
“The Flannel and The Fury is a nod to 1990’s alt-rock culture and the female-fronted bands who staked their claim to center stage in a male-dominated music industry,” said Phair. “Sleater-Kinney and I both cut our teeth in the early Riot Girl scene. It’s been a dream of mine ever since to bring our music and our fans together for one night of reckless hope and musical splendor. We’ll see you there!”
Carrie Brownstein and Corrin Tucker of Sleater-Kinney added, “For those of us who listened to Exile in Guyville on repeat in 1993, Liz Phair has always been a leader and a truth-sayer for the female experience. She’s a legend and a stone-cold classic; what a thrill to share the stage with one of our biggest inspirations—We can’t wait to tear it up with her. See you soon!”
Raised in Chicago, Liz Phair blew up the music world in 1993 with her debut album, “Exile in Guyville.” She would go on to earn a Grammy nom, and won us over with songs like “Supernova,” “Polyester Bride,” “Help Me Mary,” “Never Said,” and “Why Can’t I?”
Sleater-Kinney spawned out of Washington in 1994, guided by Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein, and have become an inspiration to many women. Their badass attitudes and brave lyrics are evident on “One More Hour,” “Entertain,” “Modern Girl,” “I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone,” “Jumpers,” and “Get Up.”
The trek launches September 6th in El Cajon, stops in LA on September 9th at The Greek Theatre, and then hits major cities across the US.
Tickets are on sale now, so grab your flannel… and your fury!
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May 11, 2026UncategorizedTHE LAST HURRAH
May 11, 2026 by Jimmy Alvarez
For fans worldwide, L7 recently made an announcement that was anticipated, and falling at the top of their “Shit List.”
The bad news, this will be it for L7. The good news… Donita Sparks, Suzi Gardner, Jennifer Finch, and Demetra Plakas will give us their last hurrah as they announced their final road trip. Dubbed “The Last Hurrah” tour, it will come our way in 2026.
The all-girl band from Los Angeles formed in ’85 and have left an indelible mark on the world of music. Hits “Pretend We’re Dead,” “Mr. Integrity,” “Monster,” “Wargasm,” “Fast and Frightening,” “Shove,” and “Andres” have endeared themselves to punk rock fans that like their music loud, fast, and in their face.
Truth be told, when these punk rock girls put out their 2015 documentary, we thought the final tour would be happening shortly thereafter.
But… the last splash was more than that. It was an ongoing pilgrimage for their fans flocking to all points on the planet where L7 played. As a result, year after year after year we got to see them one more time. Well, it’s official: This will be the last one more time.
The last time I spoke with Sparks, she was so grateful that fans have supported their dreams all these years. The timing just seems right now to go out one more time and play their brand of music for everyone.
The 27-date tour will kick off north of the border in Toronto on June 4th, then will zig-zag throughout the country and wrap up back home in Los Angeles on November 14th at the iconic Wiltern Theatre.
There are bands that make history, L7 is part of history, so go out and see these Sub Pop Super Heroes for their last hurrah. Tickets are on sale now!
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May 10, 2026UncategorizedLIVE AT
May 9th, 2026 Review by Jimmy Alvarez
The 5th day of any calendar is typically very normal. That is, unless you consider the month of May. In many parts, especially in Southern California, May 5th is referred to as Cinco de Mayo, and that day is very special. Consider the celebrations associated with that day and then throw in a larger-than-life band; mayhem is not far behind. For this Cinco de Mayo the center of an epic event was Social Distortion at the new mecca for kick-ass shows: The In-N-Out Burger Sound Space at The World Famous KROQ.
The first time I took in a Social D show was the early ’90s when Mike Ness and the boys opened for the Ramones at the Hollywood Palladium. What a show it was – the energy was unreal.
For decades this band has been the face of punk rock, and their fans come from many cultures, races, and all generations of people are part of their fanbase.
A few years ago, we received the devastating news that Ness was diagnosed with throat cancer. The band canceled shows and delayed the album they were working on, “Born to Kill.” Thankfully Ness has recovered, and the album was just dropped, and a new appreciation for this band – and Ness as well – has emerged.
The new partnership between two California icons – KROQ and In-N-Out – is already thrilling fans. A nice benefit to the merge? When I arrived, the classic In-N-Out truck was providing food to concertgoers, and the food was so good. Not because it was free, but because it was part of the story of SoCal and synonymous with all things SoCal. Punk rock is part of that vision.
The night was hosted by two of our favorite DJs, another legend – Kevin Ryder and the lovely Megan Holiday. The crowd was amped and ready for a quick sit-down chat with the incredible Mr. Ness. As he stepped onto the stage, the legendary punk rocker was greeted by the KROQ drive-time team. It was immediately obvious Ness was very happy to be there. The interview was very funny and sincere. Holiday asked Ness if it was true or false that he got arrested at his first gig; he confirmed, “True” and gave a brief and very funny explanation.
Ness was asked if the album was inspired by the battle he had just been through. He said it was not as the songs were already written and the album was already being worked on when he got the bad news.
He went on to explain he has a different perspective on life and is happy for every moment he has with us. He also discussed his antics as he was recovering and a few other incidents when he was not a good patient, which drew very loud laughs.
Ryder closed with a statement that for years there have been band we as fans have lifted, but Social Distortion was a band that always lifted us. That drew a roar from the crowd. Ness responded saying they didn’t start out with that in mind, but it was great to hear that. Truth is, I think everyone could have sat there for hours just listening to Ness talk about the early days of punk rock and the band.
In the end we were all there to see Social Distortion play at Sound Stage. After a very short break, Social D hit the stage. David Hildalgo took his spot behind the drum kit, then Jonny “2 Bags” Wickersham, and Brent Harding grabbed their gear as Ness took his place behind the mic. They opened with the title track off the new album, “Born to Kill,” and the response was spectacular.
They immediately segued into the June Cash classic that her husband Johnny blew up, “Ring of Fire.” Ness did not hesitate as they dove into their set with new tunes “Tonight,” “No Way Out,” and “The Way Things Used to Be.” I have to say that for a moment, I closed my eyes and the energy they delivered that song reminded me of the love of music and life Ness had when the band first blew up; they were happy to be back on stage doing what they love.
Ness did as he always does and entertains with stories between songs telling us what the song was about or like Springsteen does, talks about what was happening in our lives at the time the song was written. They wrapped up the set with “Reach for the Sky,” but then played one of my favorite songs as an impromptu encore: “Off Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell.” They also delivered a very electrified version of “Bad Luck.” The crowd went seriously nuts and gave them a very well-deserved roar to thank the band for what they meant over the years to all of us.
“Born to Kill” is now out and I highly recommend you check it out. As for touring, they will be in Europe for a bit before coming back home where they will play two nights at the Hollywood Palladium, the place where it all started for so many of us with this legendary band.
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May 7, 2026UncategorizedDELIVERS A SONIC MASTERPIECE
May 7th, 2026 Review by Amberlee Meyer
Since 2019, the BeachLife Festival has been drawing more than 11,000 people to beach in Redondo for a three-day music celebration. Each day is packed with talent as diverse as the families, friends, and fans attending. With four stages of bands performing, it was easy to find something for everyone’s musical taste.
Sure enough, it took no time for the crowd to roll in a fill every stage area. As soon as the bands were ready to play, fans were ready to do what fans do, lose their minds!
On day one, catching Jen Pop – Jen Razavi from pop/punk band The Bombpops – at the Speakeasy stage was at the top of my list. She’s got the best scream in punk rock since Kim Shattuck of the Muffs and wowed festivalgoers with a stripped-down acoustic set, performing original songs, Bombpop hits, and an epic cover of Pat Benatar’s “Love Is a Battlefield.”
On the LowTide stage, EDM giants The Chainsmokers got the crowd and vibe up from the moment they took the stage. It was by far the loudest set of the weekend, with ground-shaking bass and definitely the most fun crowd.
Performing hits like “Something Just Like This,” “#Selfie,” “Closer,” and “Roses,” it was as if they turned the beach into a giant open-air dance club, with the crowd jumping and raising their arms high, clearly having a great time. I saw families with young children making sandcastles beside the crowd and thought to myself, I wish I had grown up at the beach!
As I was walking to see headliner Duran Duran on the main stage, I happened to catch the last song from the San Diego-based garage rock band The Schizophrenics on the smaller Riptide stage. I wish I’d known more about them beforehand; they’re definitely a band I plan to explore.
The seminal ‘80s band Duran Duran was the headliner for night one, with Simon Le Bon on vocals, style master and synth player Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor, drummer Andy Taylor, and long-time guitarist Dominic Brown. The magic of the new wave and new romantic period of the ‘80s came alive in their set.
Having seen the band earlier this year at a different venue, I knew this show would be outstanding – and it was! The hit parade started with “Is There Something I Should Know?” followed by “The Wild Boys,” and then right into “A View to a Kill” from the James Bond film of the same name. By the time they played “Hungry Like the Wolf,” the crowd was fully engaged and singing along. They performed their latest single, “Free to Love,” a fast-paced pop song with Latin rhythms.
Also in the set were covers of ELO’s “Evil Woman” and Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer.” The video show was outstanding, and the set was even better! They closed the show with “The Reflex,” “Girls on Film,” all fan favorites, and the biggest cheers came with the encore, “Rio.”
Other Friday artists included Grouplove, Flipturn, Fitz and the Tantrums, BØRNS, Willowake, Triple Bueno, The Only Bay Allstars, and Taft Buckley.
On day two, Sugar Ray was already on stage when I arrived, so I stopped and caught one of their big radio hits, “Fly.” They sounded great as I walked toward the Speakeasy to check out Jim Lindberg, singer of the South Bay punk rock band Pennywise.
Lindberg, a major contributor to the festival, handles booking artists for the Speakeasy stage and the Punk Rock & Paintbrushes Art Show. Longtime Hermosa Beach local Brian Bent was a featured artist this year; his inspiration comes from the life around him. As a beach kid, that meant skateboarding and surf culture.
Lindberg’s set was a mash-up of original songs like “Happy Endings” and many covers. His punk rock version of James Taylor’s “You’ve Got a Friend” was really fun, as was his cover of “Blister in the Sun” by Violent Femmes.
Mike Watt, a San Pedro local and founding member of the late-‘70s LA punk band Minutemen, performed a set of spoken-word segments and songs over driving bass riffs, which makes sense since he’s a revered bass guitarist. In fact, the Red Hot Chili Peppers dedicated their most successful album, “Blood Sugar Sex Magik,” to Watt.
Ocean Beach band Slightly Stoopid’s vibe matched the sunny Saturday afternoon perfectly, blending funky reggae, rock, hip-hop, and folk with a dash of punk party songs. Opening with the infectious song “Officer,” a mix of dub, hip-hop, and reggae got the fans up and dancing. The song “2 AM” got more people grooving throughout the crowd, totally into the music.
Playing hits like “Closer to the Sun,” and covers like “Jamaica Nice,” (a Yellowman song), were all fantastic, but the biggest highlight for me was watching them play Minor Threat’s “Salad Days” with Jim Lindberg on the mic!
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts drew a massive crowd, and this rock and roll rebel is as edgy as ever! Starting with “Cherry Bomb” – from her first band, the all-girl punk band The Runaways – she immediately grabbed the crowd’s attention!
Her set included hits like “Crimson & Clover,” a Tommy James & the Shondells cover, “Bad Reputation,” which had everyone going crazy, and of course “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” another giant hit for Jett. I always enjoy a good cover, and her sped-up, rocked-up version of The Replacements’ “Androgynous” was phenomenal.
Ben Harper was next on my list, and he did not disappoint. His band, The Innocent Criminals, is extremely talented. They performed a beautiful vocal arrangement and offered a prayer before starting.
Harper is a master of the guitar; his lap steel playing is unparalleled. The set was more “sanctified” and featured more soulful gospel songs than I had heard from Harper’s past performances, but he did play “Steal My Kisses,” his most commercially successful song. Harper is a talent like no one else, and it was interesting to be introduced to songs I wasn’t familiar with, including “Diamonds on the Inside,” “The Will to Live,” and “Faded.”
The Offspring, as the main headliner on day two, closed out the festival with a hard-hitting, energized set. I’ve seen The Offspring more times than I can count in the past 35 years, and like many bands at the festival, they have so many hits – and they played them all!
Starting with “Come Out and Play,” they followed with “All I Want” and other classic hits, including “Bad Habit,” “Gotta Get Away,” and “Gone Away.” They also gave the audience a treat with a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne by performing “Electric Funeral / Paranoid” and “Crazy Train.”
The Offspring threw in some other interesting covers – “I Wanna Be Sedated,” Ramones, and “Hey Jude,” The Beatles – but then finished their set with their own hits: “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy),” “The Kids Aren’t Alright,” “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid,” and “Self Esteem.”
Other bands included on Saturday were Switchfoot, Jason DeVore, Landon McNamara, Fortunate Youth, Water Tower, Bad Suns, PawnShop Kings, Easy Honey, Surfer Girl, and Makua.
Sunday had a mellow, almost reverent vibe, both in the lineup and the crowd, but when Sheryl Crow took the stage, it was clear she came to play! Now 64 and in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, she played all her biggest hits: “If It Makes You Happy,” “Everyday Is a Winding Road,” “My Favorite Mistake,” “All I Wanna Do,” “Can’t Cry Anymore,” and “Soak Up the Sun,” plus an excellent cover of “The First Cut Is the Deepest.”
She’s a talent beyond measure. Make no mistake, this singer-songwriter can seamlessly fit between rock, pop, and country.
My Morning Jacket, though billed as a Southern rock/psychedelic band, reminded me more of a mix of post-punk artists like Sisters of Mercy and the American psych band The Quarter After, with a touch of The Byrds. There’s no doubt that their guitar-heavy jams make this band interesting. The fans went crazy for “Off the Record,” “Golden,” “Victory Dance,” “Circuital,” and “Dancefloors.”
The main event for the last night of the festival was the iconic singer-songwriter, James Taylor. This is my parents’ music, which is how I became familiar with Taylor’s catalog. Opening with “Mexico,” I was instantly brought back to childhood.
As he prepared to sing “T-Bone,” he dedicated it to actor John Belushi, a friend he lost very early in life. “Shower the People” was beautifully done. Mid-set, he performed his most famous works starting with “Carolina in My Mind,” then moving into “Fire and Rain” and “Country Road.” The crowd was thrilled!
Taylor finished off his set – and the festival – with a rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” and, finally, “Sweet Baby Jane,” which had everyone singing along and swaying to the music.
Final verdict? BeachLife definitely lives up to its reputation! Well attended and well thought out, the artists were beyond measure, and I would absolutely go back for the next one!
FESTIVAL PHOTO GALLERY
by Todd Markel Rock Images
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