Publication Date September 19, 2026
MORE GREAT STORIES
September 18, 2026UncategorizedEVEN MORE
September 18th, 2026 by Traci Turner
The masters of hard rock known as Metallica have announced a 2027 North American stadium tour with help from Limp Bizkit and Avatar. The never-ending M72 tour will continue on after the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers close their Life Burns Faster Las Vegas Sphere residency.
Their 24-show residency at the Sphere begins October 1st and wraps up March 13th. The gents will take a small break, then head back out on the road in May.
This leg kicks off in Canada, stops in San Diego on May 13th at Snapdragon Stadium, visits Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, Buffalo, and more before closing in Salt Lake City on June 19th.
The M72 Tour launched way back in 2023 and has seen the band play 99 shows in 26 countries so far. Once the guys – James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo, and Lars Ulrich – finally wrap this monster up, there could be new music. Last year Hammett told Rolling Stone, “I have 767 new ones for the next album,” but went on to say, “I don’t foresee us starting the next album for at least another year because we’re still finishing the tour.”
As for the openers, nu-metal legends Limp Bizkit continue to have a resurgence of popularity and will bring the “Nookie.” The dramatic Swedish metal band Avatar is also a guaranteed fantastic live show.
Tickets go on sale September 25th at 10 a.m. local time, but fan club members, Citi cardholders, and Verizon customers can grab some in various presales that start September 21st and 22nd.
Of course, you can feel good about buying tickets because “a portion of proceeds from every ticket sold will go to local charities via METALLICA’s All Within My Hands foundation.”
All Within My Hands has provided “grants of $19 million to career and technical education programs through its Metallica Scholars Initiative, $8.8 million to combat food insecurity, and $6.2 million to disaster relief and other critical local services worldwide.”
Get ready for even more Metallica… “Enter Sandman” live, lots of fire, and four legends of heavy metal.
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September 16, 2026UncategorizedA Fundraiser For
MIKE ROCHE
September 16th, 2026 by Jimmy Alvarez
For decades punk rock has been home for the soul and a lifestyle for many of us. Those who follow the scene know the bands that made punk rock what it is. Bands like Social Distortion, Adolescents, Descendents, and yeah … they are kinda an L.A. band, but they are beloved in the OC, the band is X.
Among all these greats, there is one more punk giant that really matters, T.S.O.L. (True Sounds of Liberty).
I remember seeing them all at places like Goodies in Fullerton, or the Golden Monkey in HB, Fender’s Ballroon in Long Beach, The Roxy and the Palladium were also their haunts.
The shows we all saw at each of these places were insanely cool and simply unforgetable.
On the other hand, time has a way of reminding us we are all human – even our punk idols and other legends.
We just got the news that T.S.O.L. founding member Mike Roche has been battling Parkinson’s disease.
While Mike is still fighting, it is time for the community to help out one of our sonic heroes.
Truth be told, there are a number of successful bands that may not even exist if it wasn’t for T.S.O.L., like The Offspring.
The Offspring recently posted that they just loved the way he slaps the bass and so did many others. It is unclear where they would be today if it wasn’t for T.S.O.L..
Honestly, Mike Roche has been part of the fabric of the OC punk scene for some time, so the love for him being displayed is genuine. When the call went out to put together a benefit show for him, the call was answered over and over again.
The benefit show will take place November 7th at Garden Amp. Bands that will play the benefit include The Offspring, Pennywise, Circle Jerks, Adolescents, Guttermouth, Death by Stereo and more (with special guests still to be announced).
This will be an epic event like no other taking place under the stars at Garden Amp. 100% of all proceeds will go directly to Mike Roche. In the event you can’t make this event, but you want to help, a GoFundMe page has been set up.
General tickets go on sale September 18th at 9 a.m. local time. Do yourself a favor and get tickets for this one, it will be an epic event we will be talking about for years to come. If you can’t make it and you have room in your heart and wallet, please help this legend!
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September 15, 2026UncategorizedENDLESS SUMMER KEGGER
DELIVERS!
September 15th, 2026 Review by Jimmy Alvarez
The summer of 2026 had a lot going on to say the least. For SoCal music fans, this year is turning out to be banner. Not only is KROQ back at the top of the radio ratings war, the Klein.Ally.Show has delivered a top-notch morning team who have made their way to the top of the Morning Show leader board.
With Klein and Ally leading the crew, each day brings new fans to the station. Over the years, Omar, Johnny, Vanessa, and Jake have become near and dear to the fanbase. With Audacy providing incredible support, their fans have been treated to insanely cool shows at In-N-Out Sound Space, and now it was time for The Klein.Ally.Show Endless Summer Kegger!
Back in the day, there was one local band that was synonymous with summer, the SoCal lifestyle and the KROQ sound – the band was Sublime. Weirdly enough, in the here and now, Sublime is back and making waves again. There is another band that has the same rich history with the station, and their history is intertwined – that band is Slightly Stoopid. Needless to say, it was only appropriate that the Kegger featured Slightly Stoopid.
The event was held in the OC, The Hyatt in Newport to be exact and the night could not be any more perfect. With an unreal sunset in the distance, we all walked into Miles the DJ spinning the tunes for the early birds.
As the crowd rolled in, it didn’t take long for the Hyatt to have wall to wall fans ready to take in the show. Before the show got started, Klein took the mic, and Ally welcomes the other Miles – Miles Doughty, Stoopid’s lead singer. He was there for a very special moment: It was for Ally’s gender reveal.
With the morning show team at Ally’s side – Miles let the cat out of the bag and now we can all get ready to support Ally as she prepares to welcome her baby boy!
After the pre-show entertainment, the other Miles (DJ Miles) went back to work spinning some kick-ass tunes. After a very short intermission it was showtime!
The Ocean Beach punk-funk-reggae overlords took to the stage. The crowd went nuts; out came lead crooner and guitarist Miles Doughty, followed by bassist / other crooner, Kyle McDonald, Andy Geib on trombone, Paul Wolstencroft on keys, Daniel “DeLa” Delacruz on sax and Ryan Moran (“Rymo”) slammin’ the skins.
Photo by Rebecca Kuritz
They opened with “Bandelero” and a killer mix – “Del Roy” that followed with a distinct sax and keys bassline leading into “2AM.” Immediately the crowd went orbital, then they dropped what is now considered a classic, “Hold It Down.”
Doughty and McDonald’s vocals were amazing; it was like an MTV live video. They dropped sick vocals to “Sweet Honey,” “Prophet,” “Good Life,” and “Happy.”
The band fed off the crowd, the energy was electric, and their music was sharp, crisp and volcanic.
Stoopid played classics throughout – from all eras of their epic catalog. The crowd loved, loved, loved “Officer,” and their latest effort, “Backseat Drivin’.”
Photo by Rebecca Kuritz
The crowd got even louder as the sun was now dipping into the Pacific. “Up on a Plane” “London Cool,” “Collie Man” and “Got Me on the Run” hit the right chord with all in the venue.
By now, the sun was gone, the moon was parked over the Hyatt and out came special guest, Jurassic 5 / Ozamotli rap soprano Chali 2na. He too was very happy to be at the Kegger and helped out with “Upside Down,” and “Hands High,” it sounded unreal. The crowd responded to “Nobes” as you think they would – loudly!
Photo by Auberon Webber
It was hard for everyone to believe, it was such a cool night – it seemed that as quickly as the band came on to play, the night was over.
As the night came slowly to an end, I had a chance to catch up with a few fans and I had a chat with Rymo. I have covered the band for years; I have always been taken by how down to Earth they are. I asked Rymo how it felt to be playing an event like this. He said, “It was an honor for us. we know the history this station has with their fans and what bands (like Sublime) has meant to the station – for us to be included in an event like this just makes us want to play their best.”
Photo by Rebecca Kuritz
He went on to say, “We will never take anything for granted, and we know how hard it was for us to get where we are, and we’re grateful for everything and we’ll continue to do the hard work to make people want to listen to our music and come to our shows.”
I asked him his thoughts on why they have such a multi-generational following at all their shows. He said, “I think it’s a few things, hard work number one, and we always treat our fans right … and having the support of places like KROQ – these things have a lot to do with it and always be thankful for the good fortune.”
As for fans, they said a few things:
“Their music touches my soul“
“Stoopid’s music is like ear candy for my brain!”
“These guys give a shit about their music and the world we live in!”
Morning show fans:
“Johnny just makes me laugh so much!”
“Everyone on that show just makes my day; they make me smile!”
“I love the shows they put on, and the free food!”
“Klein and Ally, now that’s chemistry!”
Someone once said, “Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.” For Slightly Stoopid, and the Klein.Ally.Show, they are living proof that if you believe, with a lot of hard work – you can make things happen.
This turned out to be more than another kick-ass event, it was an affirmation of what we have to look forward to from Slightly Stoopid and KROQ’s Morning Show.
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September 14, 2026UncategorizedCelebrates 30 Years Of
TURN THE RADIO OFF
September 15th, 2026 by Jimmy Alvarez
It’s been a few minutes since The Reel Big Fish took the stage. Earlier this summer their fans received the long-awaited news they had been waiting for. that is Aaron and Scott were jammin’ again and before we knew it – the band announced that they were getting back together for a run at Warped Tour.
Needless to say the world of ska-punk went nuts to hear their skankin’ heroes would be back! We saw the posts; the band was practicing in preparation for Warped and there were some very familiar faces.
Aaron Barrett was back and on guitar and singing the tunes we love to live. Scott Klopfenstein was back on trumpet and backing vocals.
The rest of The Fish include Derek Gibbs on bass, Johnny “Christmas” Christianson on trumpet and backing vocals, Dan Regan is on trombone. There’s Matt Appleton who is taking a few dates away from Big D and the Kids Table to play the sax and Ed Larson returns to pound the skins.
There is no doubt, their collective sonic vision, on stage energy and volcanic presence was missed dearly by their fans. With a wink and a smile Barrett continues to amaze on stage as the Fish belt out the hit parade – “She Has a Girlfriend Now,” “Ska Show,” “Beer,” “Monkey Man,” “Everything Sucks,” and of course, their uber-hits “Take On Me,” and “Sell Out.”
In the here and now, RBF is celebrating the 30th anniversary of their landmark album “Turn the Radio Off” by giving their fans a special with the Fish at The Wiltern on December 3rd.
Support for the show will be provided by fan favorites The Goodwin Club and The Originals.
This will be a skankin’ good time, so get ready to do the fish with The Fish. General sale tickets beginning on Friday, September 18th at 10 a.m. local time.
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September 13, 2026UncategorizedLive from Pacific Amphitheatre
September 13th, 2026 Review by Amaris Becker
It had been raining on and off all day in Orange County, but Boy George and Culture Club still had the Pacific Amphitheatre packed. A Sunday night on a three-day weekend with rain, yet these ‘80s legends were greeted by almost 8,000 happy fans.
The opener canceled, but any disappointment soon vanished – Boy George strode out to the stage and suddenly none of it mattered.
Donning an oversized yellow hat, a red polka-dotted jacket, and white on black polka-dotted pants, even all these years later, Boy George is first and foremost a performer. He invigorated the crowd immediately, and they were on their feet before the first song ended.
“You’re So Loud” opened the night, and the venue took the song title to heart.
It was obvious the crowd was comprised of longtime fans. When George called out asking where everyone’s tambourines were, the crowd answered by putting their fists in the air. Everyone around me seemed to know exactly when to throw their hands up and what motions were supposed to follow.
Boy George is a dominating figure on stage, and he brought a layer of theatrics to the rest of the band. At 65, he still has the kind of presence that does not require him to do anything more than be himself.
His backup vocalist seemed to never stop moving, working through a choreographed two-step. Behind them, the screens ran what I can only describe as a fashion show, shirtless men moving through stylized backdrops.
Pacific Amphitheatre
Costa Mesa, California
Roy Hay handled guitars, keyboards, and a multitude of other song elements, and Mikey Craig held down bass. The two of them still had real chemistry, exchanging looks across the stage in a way that felt like an inside joke between people who have been doing this together since 1981.
I think that was one of the reasons this band was so enjoyable to watch. Forty-five years after they formed, they still enjoy being onstage, and they still enjoy playing with each other.
“Church of the Poison Mind” went straight into “I’m Your Man,” followed by “Standing Tall in a City of Love” and “Move Away.”
Before “It’s a Miracle,” Boy George stopped to tell a story involving Kojak and a limousine, which I will admit sent me straight to Google. For anyone else in my position, Kojak was a bald television detective from the 1970s with a lollipop habit.
That detour was not random. Boy George talked repeatedly about the 1970s as the thing that made the 1980s possible, about Motown, Marc Bolan, and Bowie, about the artists who built the floor he ended up dancing on.
“I’ll Tumble 4 Ya” and “Letting Things Go” kept the momentum before the set turned personal. He dedicated “King of Everything” to his mother, and talked about how supportive she had always been through his battles with addiction.
He covered Bread’s “Everything I Own” and T. Rex’s “Children of the Revolution,” then delivered “Time (Clock of the Heart)” and “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” back to back. The deeper we got into the set, the more the music drifted from new wave pop toward something you would hear underneath a heartfelt scene in a movie rather than in a club. Whether that was intentional pacing or just the reality of a catalog that has aged into nostalgia, it worked better than I expected.
Before the band even went on, tributes to Dolly Parton were displayed on the screens, and Boy George took a moment to honor her. He spoke warmly, calling her one of the greats and someone fame had never corrupted. He told the crowd she had worked with them on one of their songs, and that all she asked for in return was a thousand dollars and a limousine. He said David Bowie shared many of those same qualities, then dedicated “Let’s Dance” to both of them.
He was also direct about the controversy that has surrounded him in recent months, following the release of his new song “We Will Dance Again.” “Now at 65 I couldn’t give a shit,” he told a crowd that mostly seemed to be around his age, and they cheered back in full agreement. He returned to that territory more than once across the night, always with the same energy, which is to say without apology and with a fair amount of humor. “If this is what being canceled looks like,” he told the crowd, “I seem to be doing fine.”
Their fans showed up in force. A lot of the crowd was in Culture Club and Boy George merch, and more than a few came dressed as the man himself. Bold prints, dyed hair, and an overall sense of fearlessness were everywhere. They followed the lead of the person they came to see, expressing themselves however they wanted and asking for neither permission nor forgiveness.
Unfortunately, the finale approached as the Pacific Amphitheatre has a hard 10 p.m. curfew. “Miss Me Blind” got cut down a tad, but they squeezed in a cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil” and closed, as they had to, with “Karma Chameleon.”
Everyone knew it was coming and the crowd came back with every word.
Despite the questionable weather, by the end no one seemed to mind. What stayed with me was the atmosphere – bold prints, dyed hair, wide brimmed hats, and thousands of people who had clearly decided years ago that being too much was the entire point. They did not come to be surprised. They came to sing outdoors with people who loved and lived Boy George and Culture Club as much as they did, and they got exactly that. An ode to a band, and to the man who defined the ‘80s and their youth.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by John Gilhooley Photography
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September 13, 2026UncategorizedPUBLIC IMAGE LTD
LIVE FROM ORANGE COUNTY
The Observatory: Santa Ana
September 13th, 2026 Review by Bruce R. Kilgour
It has been almost eight years since Public Image Ltd. has toured the United States, and the Santa Ana Observatory – where a capacity crowd gathered on September 8th – was also the site of their last Orange County visit in 2018.
The band (more commonly referred to as PIL) has seen many lineup changes since its 1978 inception but has always been led by founder and sole constant member, John Lydon.
THIS IS NOT THE LAST TOUR
Much has changed for Lydon – also known by his Sex Pistols stage name Johnny Rotten – since we last saw him. In 2023, both his wife of 44 years and his best friend (and manager) of 50 years passed away. A well-received LP, “End of World,” was released between those two personal losses, but songs from that LP are surprisingly absent from this tour’s set list.
This ambitious 44-city North American tour extends into March 2027, with short Australia and Japan runs in January and February respectively.
Southern California punk band Plague Vendor is supporting PIL on all the US dates, and their aggressive and exciting 30-minute set was well received by the Observatory crowd. Lead singer Brandon Blaine has been compared to Iggy Pop, and this was evident as he prowled the entire stage with intense energy.
The recent addition of guitarist Henri Cash, who is also in Starcrawler, has amped up Plague Vendor’s attack, and half of their 12-song set was comprised of newer material written and released over the last 12 months.
The band’s two biggest songs, “Black Sap Scriptures” and “New Comedown,” were performed back-to-back early in the set, which ignited their many fans in the pit.
PIL is presenting a 12-song, 100-minute set on this tour featuring tracks from six of their 11 studio albums, spanning 1978-2015.
Opening with “Home” from the 1986 release “Album,” Lydon – sporting orange for the occasion – was in fine voice. Next was “Know Now,” one of two songs in the set from the 2015 LP “What the World Needs Now…”
A song not performed by PIL in North America since 1989 followed, “World Destruction.” This was originally released in 1985 by Time Zone featuring Lydon and early rapper Afrika Bambaataa as a one-off 12” single. It was not initially commercially successful, but due to extensive airplay on KROQ and its later use in The Sopranos, it has become a cult favorite.
The well-known 1984 track “This Is Not a Love Song” was next, but the arrangement was drastically different due to the slide playing by guitarist Lu Edmonds on his modified electric saz, a traditional Turkish stringed instrument that he also uses in his other band The Mekons.
“Poptones” from 1979’s “Metal Box” was next, and the eight-minute track had additional lyrics referencing Lydon’s late wife, resulting in him becoming visibly emotional. Before “Death Disco,” another song from the same LP, Lydon stated, “I know… everybody dies… except me!”
“Warrior” from 1989 was next, providing an opportunity for drummer Mark Roberts (who joined PIL last year) and longtime bassist Scott Firth to provide a menacing post-punk / disco beat. Lydon launched into a brief rant about the heat, saying that “it’s hot like Florida, but this is the proper Orange County!” The band then played the profane song “Shoom” which he dedicated to his late father. “Shoom” begins with the lyrics “Fuck you, fuck off,” which Lydon insisted on the audience participating in.
Lydon complained that over the summer he has “had two flus and pneumonia and you, however, are dead to me!” He further baited the crowd by sarcastically asking, “Have you given up?” The main set ended with “Open Up,” the 1993 hit by British electronic group Leftfield on which Lydon was the vocalist. PIL has performed this song on most every tour since 2010. Firth switched to a small keyboard for the track.
Lydon then said that he needed “a three-minute Marlboro cigarette break,” and for us to “make as much noise as you want.” PIL returned exactly on time and went straight into “Public Image” from their 1978 debut LP, “First Issue.” Lydon showed off his dance moves and seemed amused as a small mosh pit developed in front of him.
Next was the band’s most well-known song, “Rise” from “Album,” which has been performed on every PIL tour since 1986. “Rise” developed into a manic jam with Edmonds soloing at the front of stage. “Do you like the guitar?” Lydon asked. Despite the increasing volume, Lydon said, “I don’t think the guitar was loud enough!” Edmonds cranked it up further and then Lydon repeated this gimmick with Roberts and Firth. The volume was clearly affecting the crowd – I saw several folks covering their ears for a moment. Lydon gleefully proclaimed, “This is Public Image Limited!” and the band left the stage briefly.
The house music came up, but PIL returned for what Lydon introduced as “a little ditty called ‘Chant.’” After this final song, Lydon introduced PIL by turning to the band and saying, “Hello, Lu… Hello, Scotty… Hello, Mark!” To the crowd, he said, “You can call me whatever the fuck you want… but I’ll throw it right back at you! Thank you, Orange; it’s been a pleasure.”
This current Public Image Ltd. lineup is a powerful musical presence, and it’s great to see John Lydon entering his 50th year as a frontman with such wit and grace.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Darkroom Rebellion | Steve Allen
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September 13, 2026UncategorizedSONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE
50th Anniversary Tour
September 13th, 2026 by Traci Turner
The man is a living legend. His accolades are endless – hello, 25 Grammys and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! His songs have been woven throughout our lives. It is time to see him perform live and experience this incredible artist for yourself.
The man in question is the one and only Stevie Wonder. His 1976 double album, “Songs in the Key of Life,” gave us “Sir Duke,” “Another Star,” “As,” “I Wish,” and the monumental hit, “Isn’t She Lovely.”
“Songs in the Key of Life” debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, and singles “I Wish” and “Sir Duke” hit number one as well.
In addition to winning the Grammy, it is often cited as the best album of Wonder’s career.
The 50-year-old album earned Wonder his third Album of the Year Grammy. While it features contributions from other luminaries like Herbie Hancock, George Benson, and Minnie Riperton, Wonder “produced, wrote, and arranged nearly every track, and played almost every instrument.”
The tour will include Wonder performing the entire iconic album, and he is sure to throw in some other hits as well – perhaps “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours),” “Higher Ground” (yes, before the Chili Peppers covered it), and of course, “Superstition.”
The jaunt kicks off overseas October 13th, crosses Europe, then heads to us with Madison Square Garden starting the leg November 19th.
Wonder will stop in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Detroit, and then close things out December 19th at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
Musical icons are rare and Wonder is in a class above icon – legend does not seem like a strong enough word.
Definitely an artist you need to see at least once. Tickets are on sale now, so grab them if you can!
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September 11, 2026UncategorizedLive at Garden Amp
September 11th, 2026 Review by Kevin Gomez
Mad Caddies have become a regular at the Garden Amp in the past few years, always making Garden Grove a stop on any tour they announce.
What was originally scheduled for the main outdoor stage was switched to the more intimate indoor Locker Room, and I really feel like this helped set the mood for the evening; encapsulating the crowd into a more enclosed space truly boosted the crowd’s energy.
You know it’s going to be a good night when it kicks off with off with Aggrolites’ lead singer, Jesse Wagner giving an acoustic performance. “People think ska came from Orange County… but it’s from Jamaica,” Wagner said before jumping into a cover of “Shame & Scandal” by Madness. Rocking a western shirt with red flowers (“for Dolly”), he played Willie Nelson’s “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.”
He did a brilliant rendition of The Clash’s “(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais” with some bite. Wagner played an Aggrolites song, “Countryman Fiddle,” before closing with his last song which even saw him go into “Monkey Man” by Toots & the Maytals.
Next up were the Goodwin Club who I saw for the first time at this very venue in January for Ska Smackdown. They were dressed as elderly women at the time, but for Thursday’s performance singer Tami Demaree was dressed in a beekeeper suit while the rest of the band were in various bee costumes. They’re a band who has as much fun at their shows as their fans do. They opened with “See All Color” and “Monster Fish.” Guitarist Charles Grey is so tall that his antenna almost touched the ceiling every time he jumped.
“Idiot Box” stirred up the first skank pit of the evening. The energy and the pit kept going for “#SorryNotSorry,” one of their most popular songs. “Little Girl” featured a guitar solo from Grey that was as sweet as it was long, and it was pretty damn long.
They played “Don’t Join the Club” and then closed with “Turkey Tit.” For the finale Chris Graue jumped to the pit where he played trumpet with his right hand, filmed with his left hand, and skanked, showing some seriously impressive multitasking.
Pico Rivera’s The Ruffolos started off strong with “Mad Ruffies Intro,” and never let up. They played the hectic “L.A. Hoedown” causing an energized skank pit to launch as I caught Mad Caddies frontman Chuck Robertson checking out the show side stage. Their lead singer Rob introduced “Clearer Mirror,” as a new song they recorded for their new album with John Avila, who has worked with Reel Big Fish and Voodoo Glow Skulls.
“Bloody Hell” was about period blood and featured a trombone solo by Luis, capped by jumping into the crowd and starting a skank pit. “Gourmet Race” was an instrumental ska that reminded me of Voodoo. “Special Yesterday” featured beautiful vocals from Bree. The band closed with “Samuel Song,” probably so named because the lyrics are “Hey, you motherfucker.”
Mad Caddies came out to Inner Circle’s “Bad Boys,” the “Cops” TV show theme song. They kicked things off with the ragtime “Villains” before slowing things down for “Lay Your Head Down,” showcasing the wide variety of the Caddies’ catalogue. Robertson introduced Zack, who was filling in on guitar for Ian Cook, lead singer for Larry and His Flask, which is currently out on tour. “Falling in Down” featured a lovely solo from the band’s horn section.
The band Skatanic Rednecks were watching at the front of the crowd as Robertson had a whistling solo for “Mary Melody.” Robertson tried to explain how open-minded and laidback his opinions are quipping, “I’m the kind of guy who will smoke weed with my black friend in my pickup truck on the way to my gay friend’s wedding.” They played the ultra popular, “Leavin’” singing, “Life goes by so damn quickly for me, wanna have some fun.” At 45, boy, do those lyrics really resonate.
Robertson took time to play “Coyote” per a young fan’s request. He then advised the crowd they were taking it back to “late ‘90s, early 2000s” as they played a slew of fast, old ska-punk. Starting with “Monkeys,” going into “Road Rash,” and then highlight of the set for me, “Drinking for 11.” The latter song Robertson said made him a kind-of celebrity in Hawaii where that song shot up to the top of the charts.
They slowed things way down for the groovy “Backyard.” As they often do, they then turned it back up and hit the ragtime, jazzy “Tired Bones.” The Caddies played the pirate shanty, “Weird Beard” before finally closing a fun-filled night of ska goodness with “All American Badass.”
Another successful night of all things ska at the Garden Amp, courtesy of Mad Caddies and friends!
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Todd Markel Rock Images
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September 11, 2026UncategorizedSet to Invade Observatory Santa Ana
September 11th, 2026 by Traci Turner
English punk rockers the Buzzcocks will invade Santa Ana in November and tickets are on sale now. The band previously announced US dates, but the SoCal date is brand new.
The night before their November 14th Darker Waves appearance, Buzzcocks will play The Observatory and bring Modern English and Grade 2 as support.
Founded in 1976, Buzzcocks had their greatest success with “What Do I Get?,” “Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve),” “Love You More,” and of course, “Orgasm Addict.”
Sadly, original frontman Pete Shelley passed in 2018, but Steve Diggle has taken over vocals as well as continuing guitar, and is joined by Danny Farrant on drums, and Chris Remington on bass.
The gents released the album “Attitude Adjustment” at the beginning of 2026 and are ready to share it with us on this side of the globe.
Grab tickets to see the guys Friday in Santa Ana, then get a full day of Buzzcocks, Smashing Pumpkins, Morrissey (maybe), Soft Cell, Simple Minds, Adam Ant, The Damned, and more at Darker Waves on November 14th.
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September 10, 2026UncategorizedLive at The Observatory Santa Ana
September 9th, 2026 by Steve Allen
There’s a weird kind of magic that happens when UK indie legends cross the Atlantic to play a smaller room like The Observatory in Santa Ana.
Tonight wasn’t just a standard Thursday gig – it felt more like a big room of die-hard fans gathering for a celebration of music that refuses to age.
Mercury Rev got things started, and honestly, they didn’t care about traditional verse-chorus structures or flashing lights.
It was all about the trip they took you on.
Their set felt like a cinematic, never-ending story built entirely out of experimental psychedelia. The band would float through dreamscapes before slowly, methodically building into an uproar of a dramatic finish.
Then The Dandy Warhols took over, instantly shifting the room’s temperature with their brand of moody, guitar-driven cool. It wasn’t that the band itself was in a bad mood – they clearly loved the set – but the music carried this heavy weight.
They locked into deep, hypnotic, droning rhythms and shoegaze undertones. Their many fans ate up every second of that dark swagger, matching the band’s onstage nonchalance with an energy-driven approval of their own.
The fan favorites seemed to be “Good Morning,” “Ride,” “Godless,” “Holding Me Up,” and “Bohemian Like You,” although the crowd was thrilled with the entire set.
By the time The Charlatans UK (0r simply The Charlatans) walked out, their audience was ready, already buzzing. They didn’t wait with a buildup, they immediately dropped those familiar keys with their ’92 uber-hit “Weirdo” right out of the gate, a big fan favorite that instantly set the tone. From there, they dug even deeper back into their catalog, pulling out the jangly, nostalgic hooks of “North Country Boy” early on.
Frontman Tim Burgess still has that crazy, ageless charisma. Sporting a heavy 5 o’clock shadow and a pair of sunglasses that never left his eyes, giving him a rugged look, he moved across the stage with an infectious grin, often reaching out to the fans on the barricade.
What really cut through, though, was seeing how much guitarist Mark Collins genuinely still enjoys playing. He played with a deep intensity that applied not just to their fresh tracks, but to those decades-old classics as well.
However, the real glue of the night was Tony Rogers. His work on the Hammond organ is what brought the whole sonic puzzle together. Rogers injected this swirling, 1960s garage-rock vibe that locked straight into the heavy, modern rhythm anchored by Collins and bassist Martin Blunt. The groove felt bulletproof.
One of the strongest moments of the night was a driving rendition of “Toothache” from their 1995 self-titled album. The entire floor of the venue was vibrating under the weight of Blunt’s bassline.
The Charlatans didn’t just lean on nostalgia. They seamlessly wove in cuts from their new album, “We Are Love.” Tunes like “Deeper and Deeper,” “For the Girls,” and the title track “We Are Love” showed a distinctly softer, more vulnerable side to their songwriting. It gave the setlist breathing room without dropping the band’s trademark groove.
Other tracks the crowd loved included “Can’t Get Out of Bed,” “Different Days,” “Toothache,” “You’re So Pretty – We’re So Pretty,” and “How High.”
But a Charlatans show needs a massive finish, and they gave us exactly the two tracks everyone bought tickets for. For the encore, when the opening chords of “The Only One I Know” rang out, the venue exploded into a wall of singing voices.
They finally closed down the night by stretching out into “Sproston Green,” a hypnotic, sprawling masterpiece that left the room in a literal trance.
Decades into this, The Charlatans proved they aren’t just surviving on old memories – they are still actively owning the stage.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Steve Allen | Darkroom Rebellion (IG)
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September 10, 2026UncategorizedCelebrates 100 years
September 10th, 2026 by Stuart Karpel
Since its opening in 1926, the Fonda Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard has seen a wide array of acclaimed artists, including Tom Petty, Sir Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, and Stevie Wonder.
The undeniably historic location of the contemporary concert hall has seen millions of concertgoers over the past century and as one of California’s earliest performance halls, it is a staple in not just entertainment history, but also architecture.
The intimate 1,200-seat concert hall is the perfect setting for any music fan to enjoy the echo of the venue’s vast history. The atmosphere is meant to breathe nostalgia anywhere you are, from the Victorian balconies to the sleek vinyl floor, and even a traditional marquee, this theatre is packed with beauty.
The venue is currently celebrating their 100-year anniversary, and the lineup announcements have just been released for October. So far, it’s set to be a crazy month of nonstop legends.
No matter what show(s) you end up going to, you can expect to hear amazing performances to start the month including Suicidal Tendencies, Father John Misty, and Remi Wolf.
The second half of the spooky season promises to be just as great with acts like Peaches, Cuco, Flying Lotus, and Animal Collective, hoping you’ll get your tickets and celebrate with them.
Multiple headliners are still to be announced, so keep an eye on their calendar.
Tickets are on sale now, get yours soon so you don’t miss out on this eclectic mix of music genres spanning an array of eras and unique sounds.
From genres like bedroom-pop, to psychedelic electric hip-hop, Chicano soul, and even new wave synth-punk, October is sure to be jam-packed with spectacular concerts.
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September 9, 2026UncategorizedCHEAP TRICK & X
Bring Nearly a Century of Rock History to
September 9th, 2026 Review Ron Lyon
There was nearly a century of rock history onstage Saturday night at Pacific Amphitheatre, as Cheap Trick and Los Angeles punk pioneers X turned an unexpected pairing into a fitting look at two very different branches of American rock and roll.
The September 5th bill wasn’t originally supposed to happen this way. X had been scheduled to appear with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts before Jett was forced to withdraw following surgery for a fractured vertebra. Cheap Trick stepped in, creating an interesting pairing with roots stretching back almost five decades.
In 1977, Cheap Trick released its first two albums and played Hollywood’s Whisky a Go Go. At roughly the same time, X was taking shape in Los Angeles. Nearly 50 years later, both bands remain remarkably recognizable versions of themselves.
For X, that still means Exene Cervenka, John Doe, Billy Zoom, and D.J. Bonebrake – all four original members. With the band’s name and 1977 looming behind them on the backdrop, the significance was hard to miss. X is approaching its 50th anniversary in 2027 with the four musicians who established its identity still sharing the stage.
There wasn’t much ceremony involved – X simply went to work.
Their 19-song set reached across the band’s history, including “Your Phone’s Off the Hook, But You’re Not,” “Sugarlight,” “The Once Over Twice,” “The New World” and “White Girl,” while “Smoke & Fiction” represented the band’s most recent chapter and 2024 album of the same name.
The closing stretch was particularly effective. “Los Angeles” led into “Nausea,” followed by “Johnny Hit and Run Paulene” and “Motel Room in My Bed,” before X finished with its long-standing cover of The Doors’ “Soul Kitchen.” It was a closing run rooted heavily in the band’s earliest years, and in Los Angeles itself.
Then came Cheap Trick.
Formed in Rockford, Illinois in 1973, Cheap Trick has already passed its own 50-year mark. Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen, and Tom Petersson remain at the center of a band whose music has always occupied its own territory somewhere between power pop, hard rock and punk attitude.
Zander took the stage in his familiar black Dream Police-style hat and an All Washed Up shirt, visually connecting two very different eras of Cheap Trick. The band opened with “Clock Strikes Ten” and worked through early favorites “ELO Kiddies,” “Lookout,” and “Big Eyes.”
Time has inevitably taken a little speed off the edges, but Cheap Trick can still rock.
During “Ain’t That a Shame,” Zander strapped on his distinctive orange Rickenbacker while Nielsen worked a slide guitar. For “California Man,” Nielsen switched to one of his unmistakable yellow guitars before surveying the amphitheater and telling the crowd, “You are a fine-looking audience.”
Cheap Trick also made room for the present. “The Riff That Won’t Quit,” from the band’s 21st studio album, All Washed Up, proved a genuine rocker, with Nielsen switching to a sunburst Les Paul and Petersson wielding his classic white 12-string bass.
Nielsen kept things loose between numbers. Spotting a FEAR T-shirt prompted talk about Lee Ving, followed by Cheap Trick’s recent run of unexpected substitute gigs — first stepping in when ZZ Top couldn’t perform in Los Angeles and now replacing Joan Jett in Costa Mesa. Nielsen joked that if another band wasn’t feeling well, they should give Cheap Trick a call. The audience responded with an awkward mixture of groans and laughter. Quintessential Rick Nielsen.
Robin Taylor Zander, Robin’s son and a familiar touring presence with the band, took over lead vocals for “High Roller.” Petersson followed with his own vocal spotlight on “I Know What I Want,” the Dream Police track he originally sang in 1979.
Then came the difference between a deep cut and a song that has become part of the culture.
The opening of “I Want You to Want Me” brought the audience to its feet. “Dream Police” and “Surrender” kept them there, providing the inevitable late-show sing-alongs.
Cheap Trick returned for an encore of “Auf Wiedersehen” and “Goodnight.” Nielsen appropriately said goodbye with one of his signature double-neck guitars strapped over his shoulder, one last unmistakably Cheap Trick image to end the night.
What began as a replacement booking ultimately produced a pairing that made historical sense. X and Cheap Trick emerged from different corners of the 1970s, but both absorbed the urgency and attitude of the period in very different ways.
Nearly five decades later, neither came to Pacific Amphitheatre simply to commemorate the past. Both played new material alongside songs that made their reputations, with the musicians who established their identities still at the center of it all.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Ron Lyon Photography
September 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: X celebrate nearly 50 years at the Pacific Amphitheatre. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: X celebrate nearly 50 years at the Pacific Amphitheatre. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: X celebrate nearly 50 years at the Pacific Amphitheatre. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: X celebrate nearly 50 years at the Pacific Amphitheatre. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: X celebrate nearly 50 years at the Pacific Amphitheatre. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: X celebrate nearly 50 years at the Pacific Amphitheatre. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: X celebrate nearly 50 years at the Pacific Amphitheatre. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: X celebrate nearly 50 years at the Pacific Amphitheatre. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: X celebrate nearly 50 years at the Pacific Amphitheatre. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: X celebrate nearly 50 years at the Pacific Amphitheatre. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: X celebrate nearly 50 years at the Pacific Amphitheatre. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: X celebrate nearly 50 years at the Pacific Amphitheatre. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: X celebrate nearly 50 years at the Pacific Amphitheatre. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: X celebrate nearly 50 years at the Pacific Amphitheatre. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: X celebrate nearly 50 years at the Pacific Amphitheatre. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon PhotoSeptember 5th 2026, Costa Mesa California, USA: Cheap Trick perform at at the Pacific Amphitheatre in support of their latest album “All Washed Up”. ©2026 Ron Lyon Photo
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