Publication Date May 15, 2026
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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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SID 260509 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR [...]
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May 7, 2026UncategorizedNew Wave’s Night Out at House of Blues Anaheim
May 7th, 2026 by Shane Pase
There’s a moment at these ‘80s new wave bills — and if you’ve been to one in the last few years you know exactly what I’m talking about — where the room just locks in. Doesn’t matter if the person next to you was alive for the original run or just discovered this music through a playlist or a parent’s old mixtape. The energy levels out, and suddenly everyone’s in it together. That moment is coming to House of Blues Anaheim on July 23rd, and the Totally Tubular Festival this summer looks like one of the better lineups we’ve seen for it.
Let’s talk about the bill, because it’s loaded.
You open with Tommy Tutone, and Tommy Heath and company have one of the most instantly recognizable hooks in pop history — you know it, everyone knows it — and they’re a genuinely fun live band with real power pop chops. Good energy, good hang. Then The Escape Club jumps in, and if you’re sleeping on “Wild Wild West,” please fix that before July 23rd.
Animotion rounds out the earlier part of the evening with some synth-forward energy. “Obsession” still hits harder than it has any right to, and their live show brings that intensity right into the room.
By the time The Motels hit, the room is going to be ready. Martha Davis still commands a stage with real authority; “Only the Lonely” lands differently live, heavier somehow, and that’s a good thing.
Then Flock of Seagulls takes over, and this is a band worth paying attention to beyond the obvious entry points. “Space Age Love Song” is as pretty and melancholy as anything the era produced, “Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)” is a legitimate anthem, and live they bring a depth that reminds you just how much this band had going on musically.
Then there’s Thomas Dolby and the Lost Toy People closing it all out, and this is where the night reaches another level entirely. Dolby has always occupied a unique space in the new wave world — part pop craftsman, part sonic experimenter, with a restless intelligence that runs through everything he’s made.
“She Blinded Me with Science” put him on the map, but albums like “The Flat Earth” and “Aliens Ate My Buick” showed an artist willing to push well past the boundaries of what new wave radio expected from him. Backed by the Lost Toy People, his live show pulls from across that whole arc. Familiar moments land with the weight of songs you’ve loved for decades, and the deeper cuts reward anyone who’s spent real time with his catalog.
The broader thing worth saying is that this ‘80s new wave resurgence isn’t really a resurgence at the core level — these artists never fully went away. What has changed is the audience.
The shows have been packed, and it’s a gloriously mixed crowd; those who remember the purple can of Aquanet, bottles of Bartles and Jaymes, the clove cigarettes burning on the patio, and the jazz shoes that somehow went with everything, standing alongside a younger generation discovering all of this for the first time and wondering how they almost missed it. That mix makes for a livelier room than a purely nostalgic crowd ever could, and House of Blues Anaheim is a great room for it — not so big you lose the intimacy, not so small you can’t actually move.
July 23rd should be a solid night. Give yourself some extra time to get in.
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May 6, 2026UncategorizedINDUSTRY REPORT # 62
Catching Up with Linda Perry
May 7th, 2026 by Traci Turner
One of the most challenging aspects of introducing an interview subject, at least for me, is defining them for this first paragraph. An emerging artist is easy enough, or an established band with the current number one song is a quick one. But Linda Perry? The woman wears so many hats – both literally and figuratively.
Many know her as the voice from “What’s Up?” the mega hit song that ruled 1993 and made 4 Non Blondes a mainstream success.
Last year 4 Non Blondes reunited for several shows – which sold out instantly – and shared a new song, “Hollow.” They also announced a new album is coming in late 2026/early 2027.
To others, Perry is the Grammy-award nominated songwriter and producer who has worked with Pink, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Ariana Grande, Solange, Celine Dion, Alicia Keys, Miley Cyrus, Unwritten Law, Brandi Carlile, and the beloved Dolly Parton.
Then there’s Perry’s solo material, including her first solo record in 25 years, “Let It Die,” arriving this Friday. The companion documentary is a heartbreaking look at Perry’s early life, her relationship with her mother, her mental health and breast cancer, and lots of incredible music.
For the first single, Linda Perry revisited “Beautiful,” the song Aguilera made iconic nearly 25 years ago. Perry’s raw version is an intimate rendition formed through decades of life experience, and its message remains especially poignant today.
Even with all of that going on, the multi-tasking Perry was able to spare time to chat with us about “Let it Die” and what’s ahead for 4 Non Blondes, leading me to believe she does not sleep!
Traci: Hi, Linda. Thank you so much for doing this. How are you doing today?
Linda: I’m good. I’m just at the studio working and feeling pretty good.
Traci: I’m going to get my biggest question out of the way first: How are Nacho and Pablo doing? (her pups)
Linda: (laughing) Nacho and Pablo actually just arrived to the studio. I had to leave them behind this morning because I came to the studio so early. They don’t like it when I leave them at home, so when they get to the studio, it’s like they haven’t seen me in five years. And they are great. They’re amazing. Thank you for asking.
Traci: Do you remember the very first song that you fell in love with?
Linda: I remember the first voice. For me, music was a sound, a tone, a vibe. It wasn’t necessarily about the song itself, but when I first heard Karen Carpenter’s voice, I instantly identified that as how I felt inside. I remember it was “We’ve Only Just Begun.”
Her tone was so dark and rich and incredibly emotional. I felt a very strong connection to the emotion she was delivering, which was, to me, sad, dark, depressed. Someone who had very complicated emotions going on deep inside.
Traci: I watched your documentary, and you sent me through a lot of emotions. We’ll get to the tears portion, but I really enjoyed you sharing your songwriting process. It seems that you just start playing music and the words spill out of you?
Photo by Heidi Zumbrun
Linda: Yeah, something to that effect. For instance, I took two weeks off, and I don’t touch an instrument. I don’t go to the piano. I don’t pick up my guitar. I barely listen to music because it’s my way of detoxing from emotions and creative. It’s like when I’m on vacation or I’m away, the creative goes away. But as soon as I sit down and I tell the universe, the creative, “Okay, I’m ready for whatever you want to throw my way,” that’s when the music comes. I’ll just pick up a guitar or go to the piano, and if there’s a song to be written, it just shows up as a written song almost.
Perry continued: It’s like I start playing the piano, the melody comes, I ad-lib whatever is on my mind, or actually, I have no idea what’s on my mind. I just start opening up my mouth and words kind of come out. It’s a pretty fast experience. I don’t labor over songwriting. I’m just so used to the creative warning me and letting me know it’s time, and then I write the song. But anytime I start thinking about writing the song, or I start thinking about, “Oh, I don’t know if I wanna write about this. Let me write about this,” then I lose the plot. Anytime I try to get too poetic, plot is lost.
Traci: After watching the documentary and seeing the history with your mom, the album seems to be inspired by the events. Did it become a method of therapy?
Linda: I guess so. I think that it’s kind of hard to understand how things come. But I had an experience, actually a few, in that short period. This wasn’t a film that was filmed for years. This was like a very short period of time, and it all kind of happened at the same time, and it was crazy. It was literally insane what happened in that short period of time. As you know, the documentary is focused on, “What would Linda do?,” because I lost my identity over all these years of writing for people. So many different characters have come into my life over the past 25 years of me being a producer and a songwriter. But, you kind of lose yourself.
Traci: When I listened to the album, “What Lies With You” stood out and made me cry. Then when I watched the documentary, and watched you building that song with the band, the strings, everything, it gave me chills. It was incredible watching you create that moment.
Linda: Thank you. You know, that was real time. That wasn’t over 10 hours; that was like three hours that happened. I think we just need to listen a little bit more to ourselves, you know? We have guardians everywhere. We get warning signs. We get signs about a lot of things constantly. Over the years, growing up, I’m more in tune. I think that that was a good example of just, “I’m not gonna try to control this narrative.” And as much as I don’t wanna sing a song like this or write a song like “Let It Die Here” about how sinister my mother is, it’s almost comical because it’s so true.
She continued: I’m not even trying to be poetic in that song. That’s just how it feels and felt living with my mother. What a con artist and incredible and powerful lady; so, as much as the damage she has caused, my mom is my hero and the villain, my muse. She’s all of it. I think what is amazing about what was gifted to me was I was able to give you a full understanding. So you get to watch this documentary about how fucked up I am, and then you get to hear this album that basically kind of explains a little more in detail. And by the time you get to “Sunday Best,” it’s like, you know what, I fucking did what I need to do. And before I die, I’m going to leave something fucking behind, whatever it is.
I am beautiful no matter what they say,Words can’t bring me down,I am beautiful in every single way.Words can’t bring me downDon’t you bring me down today.
LINDA PERRY
Traci: “Albatross” is, I think, a hopeful ending for it too.
Linda: Exactly right. That was the last song I wrote. I thought I was done with “Sunday Best.” I was like, “Oh, that’s a great closer.” But then I was sitting at home, and I just went to the piano, and albatross just showed up. I didn’t even fucking know what albatross, besides a bird, meant. But this fucking word keeps coming out of my mouth, and I’m like, “Why am I saying albatross?” So finally I looked it up, and it’s like carrying a weight, a burden, you know? It’s like, “Oh my Jesus, did I just… how… where the fuck did I go? Where the fuck did that come from?” So that’s why I left it as simple as it is, too. It’s like the most simple recording. It’s hope. I’m getting rid of this guilt. I’m dropping this weight, and I’m just going to move forward from here.
Traci: I heard there is a new 4 Non Blondes album coming?
Linda: Yeah, that’s what I’m working on right now. Roger is in; I had him come down ‘cause we recorded all the songs which are so fucking good. It’s like, I am beyond myself right now when I’m listening back to these songs. It’s so ‘90s and in the best possible fucking way. I just didn’t want to play the “Bigger, Better, Faster, More!” album when we played all these festivals last year. I couldn’t bear it. I was like, “I don’t want to play that album. I don’t like that album. I’m not that album anymore.” And that was the caveat. “I’ll do this, but we’re only playing ‘Train’ and we’re playing ‘What’s Up?’” You know, those are the two songs I can relate to, and that’s it. And then I just popped out these fucking songs and I was thinking people are going to be hearing these songs for the very first time so I got to make these choruses really simple and I want to rock out.
She paused and continued: They’ve got to be emotional, but they’ve got to be dumb too. They’ve got to be just dumb rock songs with hooky choruses that people can just jump in and start singing along. And I kid you fucking not, that’s exactly what happened. So Roger’s here this week, and we’re doing overdubs with all his guitars, and then I’m gonna do my vocal and my guitars. If the universe allows, my ideal situation would be to drop a video and two songs on this side of the year, try to play as many shows as we can on this side of the year, and then drop the album at the top of the year of ‘27. I feel like that feels good to me. I’m not being strategic here; this is just what feels good to me. I got the documentary and Linda Perry album I’m working on, so I don’t want to overextend myself, and I don’t want to favor one over the other.
Traci: You’ve got a lot of babies right now.
Linda: I’ve got a lot of babies I want to give some attention to. In the past, when I try to do everything at the same time, it doesn’t work for me because I’m all in. I’m not 50% – I am all in.
Traci: And what a different time it is now in the industry versus when you started.
Linda: Breaking artists and releasing music… it’s not the fucking ‘90s anymore, for sure. I’m not trying to compete because, I guess I could say that honestly, I wouldn’t even know what I’m competing against. I don’t think there’s anybody like me out there right now or an album like this. So will anybody join me, or will I really be out on my own on this and just, “Oh, I made a great record, I should be proud of that?” Nobody fucking does that. I’ll be honest. I don’t think I’d like to meet the person that released a record that failed that says, “You know what, I loved my record and I’m really proud of it, I stand behind it.” You know, your ego, your heart, your emotions, your mind, everything gets bruised. Yeah, it’s a hard fucking pill.
Traci: When you create something, you’re showing your entire heart, and it hurts.
Linda: God, Jesus, now you just really fucked me up, you know. Fuck you, Traci. (laughing)
Traci: (laughing) Sorry! I will let you get back to the chaos, but I need you to give the dogs a treat.
Linda: Okay! Yeah, Nacho, the overeater, will love that!
“Let It Die,” Linda Perry’s new solo album, is out Friday and she has some very special appearances ahead. Catch her at Amoeba Music in Hollywood on May 14th for an intimate performance and vinyl signing. There is a “Let It Die” documentary screening May 13th at TCL Chinese Theater which includes at Q&A with Perry and an acoustic performance. She will also do a Q&A and performance May 7th in New York City.
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LINDA PERRY
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May 6, 2026UncategorizedBorn to Kill is Here
May 7th, 2026 by Traci Turner
The long-awaited new album from Social Distortion is finally here for consumption! After 15 years of waiting for a follow up to “Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes,” “Born to Kill” arrives Friday.
Back in February the band posted a video of founding member and frontman Mike Ness walking on a street, passing an image of the band’s skeleton logo and the words “Born to Kill.”
The song of the same name was dropped shortly after and fans ate it up. They recently gave us “Partners in Crime,” another amazing track that sounds like the Social D we love.
Their current drop from the new album is “The Way Things Were.”
Social Distortion is responsible for some of the earliest punk music in SoCal and remains beloved in OC. After Ness revealed his tonsil cancer diagnosis in 2023, fans were rabid in their support and rallied around him in droves. Thankfully he is in remission and sounding phenomenal.
The legend that is Ness is of course joined by Jonny “2 Bags” Wickersham, Brent Harding, and David Hidalgo Jr. In addition to the new material, we can expect to hear some of the songs that made them part of our lives originally: “Story of My Life,” “Ring of Fire,” “Bad Luck,” “Reach for the Sky,” “Machine Gun Blues,” “Prison Bound,” and of course, “Ball & Chain.”
Alongside the new album, the band will take on a major US tour that kicks off August 25th in Phoenix and wraps up in San Diego on October 3rd. Social D will have support from Descendents and The Chats. The trek lands two shows at the Palladium October 1st and 2nd.
Get the album, get the tickets, and get your Social D on!
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SID 260507 | JIMMY ALVAREZ | EDITOR [...]
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May 5, 2026UncategorizedIs Tried, Tested and Trixies
May 5th, 2026 by Traci Turner
Earlier this year, English rockers Squeeze gifted us their newest album, “Trixies,” and now they are making our year even better by heading to our shores for a summer tour. While Glenn Tilbrook, Chris Difford, et al put on an incredible show themselves, they are bringing two other ‘80s favorites along – Adam Ant and Haircut 100!
Squeeze’s Tried, Tested and Trixies Tour kicks off in Nashville on August 16th, travels through the South, up the East Coast, then makes its way to SoCal September 19th at the legendary Hollywood Bowl (this show has The English Beat rather than Haircut 100 and is already on sale). Leon Tilbrook, son of Glenn Tilbrook, is on the bill for all shows.
“Trixies,” released in March 2026, was “a lifetime in the making.” The album was a previously shelved concept album from before they were known to us as Squeeze!
“These are very much the same songs that we wrote then,” Tilbrook explained, “The only difference is that now I can teach the songs to the rest of the band. Back then, I didn’t even know what the names of the chords were!”
The band promised a concert filled with the music from “Trixies,” plus the favorites we know and love: “If I Didn’t Love You,” “Black Coffee in Bed,” “Is That Love,” “Goodbye Girl,” “Pulling Mussels,” “Tempted,” “Cool for Cats,” “Take Me I’m Yours,” and “Annie Get Your Gun.” They always put on a phenomenal show and remain the sharpest dressed band around.
Prince Charming himself, Adam Ant returns to the US after a long absence; we last saw him at Cruel World in 2024!
While he is in the US, he is also making a stop at the Darker Waves festival in Huntington Beach.
We look forward to some “Antmusic” like “Goody Two Shoes,” “Dog Eat Dog,” “Puss ’n Boots,” “Apollo 9,” “Stand and Deliver,” “Strip,” “Desperate but Not Serious,” “Vive le Rock,” and “Friend or Foe.”
We caught up with Haircut 100 when they toured with Howard Jones last year – and SiriusXM/former-KROQ DJ Richard Blade – and they gave us the intel on their new album. We are happy to see it is finally here! “Boxing the Compass” will arrive May 29th and so far, it sounds amazing!
“Dynamite” truly rocked the crowd when we were at the show and fans will love to hear the classics “Love Plus One” and “Boys Meets Girl” alongside it.
The new tour dates go on sale Friday, but a presale is now going with the password TRIXIES.
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SID 260506 | JIMMY ALVAREZ | EDITOR [...]
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