Publication Date July 24, 2026
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July 24, 2026UncategorizedLive at North Island Credit Union Amp
July 24th, 2026 Review by Greg Vitalich
Female-fronted rock was on full display as Evanescence brought one of the year’s most exciting tour packages to Chula Vista. From the hard rock hip hop vibe of Nova Twins to the modern metal of Spiritbox, and finally the gothic and elegant grandeur of headliner Evanescence, each band offered its own unique style while sharing one common thread—an incredible frontwoman who completely owned the stage.
Amy Love, Courtney LaPlante, and Amy Lee each delivered confidence, charisma, and remarkable vocal performances, making the evening feel like both a celebration of modern rock and a showcase of three of its most dynamic female performers.
On a beautiful summer night at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheater in Chula Vista, the first act was the young British rock duo Nova Twins, who proved they were far more than just an opening act—they kicked off the night with the kind of explosive performance that immediately energized the crowd.
From the moment lead singer and guitarist Amy Love and bassist/vocalist Georgia South walked on stage, their confidence and chemistry were on full display. Nova Twins has a blend of alternative rock, punk, hip hop, grime, and electronic influences created a sound that was both unique and incredibly heavy without relying on traditional formulas. Amy and Georgia had great stage presence, rarely standing still, constantly moving from one side of the stage to the other while encouraging the audience to clap, jump, and sing along. The entertaining performance certainly produced many new fans.
Spiritbox delivered one of the most powerful opening performances I’ve seen in years, proving exactly why they’ve become one of modern metal’s fastest-rising band. The Canadian quartet put on an amazing performance that was beautiful, atmospheric, and absolutely devastating hardcore.
Singer Courtney LaPlante was mesmerizing. One minute she sang haunting crystal-clear melodies and the next she unleashed thunderous death metal screams that shook the entire amphitheater. The highlight of the set was launching into “Tsunami Sea” while thousands of tiny white “snowflakes” whirled out from machines, transforming the stage into a surreal snow globe. The stunning visual effect combined with Courtney’s soaring vocals was simply breathtaking.
More than twenty years after redefining modern hard rock with a debut album selling over 17 million copies worldwide, Evanescence remains one of rock’s most captivating live acts. Touring in support of their latest album, “Sanctuary,” the band delivered a two-hour performance that blended cinematic grandeur, crushing guitars, emotional vulnerability, and flawless musicianship. Led by the incomparable Amy Lee, Evanescence transformed the venue into a cathedral of light, sound, and emotion.
The current lineup was incredible. Amy Lee was, of course, the heart and soul of the band, but every member brought something special. Guitarists Tim McCord and Troy McLawhorn crushed it with massive walls of sound, an animated Emma Anzai’s bass rumbled through with low-end power, and Will Hunt’s lanky arms bashed the drums in an animated style all night.
Amy was phenomenal. Her distinctive voice was powerful from the start, balancing delicate whispers and booming operatic highs that delivered both clarity and power. Whether she was running around the stage on heavy songs or sitting behind her grand piano, Amy’s balanced singing and stage performance mesmerized the audience all night.
The set list leaned heavily on tracks from the new album Sanctuary. The title track was a great opener, dramatically setting the mood with a slow dreamy intro building to a crescendo of booming guitar riffs and Amy raging. I believe 11 other tracks off the new album were in the set. My favorite tune off the new album was the second song of the night, the heavy ass kicker “Tell Me When You’ve Had Enough” – hard driving beat, solid riff, catchy melody.
Another memorable moment was Amy’s powerful words of encouragement prior to the new song “Forever Without You”. Sitting behind the piano, Amy addressed the audience, “If anything I say in this song…resonates with you … or if you are there now, let me just say this…as terrifying and impossible as it may seem to take that first step out the door of a bad situation, I promise it is infinitely better on the other side.” The crowd clearly appreciated Amy’s honest and heartfelt words of encouragement and empowerment.
Of course, all the big hits were included for long time fans; “Going Under”, “Call Me When You’re Sober”, “Bring Me to Life”, with encores “My Immortal” along with “Who Will You Follow” and “Wide Open Heart”.
Another fun highlight was when Amy invited Courtney from Spiritbox and Amy and Georgia from Nova Twins came back on stage to join her on the girl power track “Fight Like a Girl”. What a delight to see all female lead singers on stage singing in unison, smiling and having so much fun with the performance.
The night had it all; a mix of three incredible female fronted rock acts, one up and coming, one established and gaining popularity, and the headliner proving why they remain one of the top hard rock acts this century. Evanescence successfully balanced beloved classics with ambitious new material to prove they aren’t relying just on nostalgic hits. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, the 2026 Sanctuary Tour stands as one of the year’s most unforgettable live rock experiences.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Greg Vitalich Photography
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July 23, 2026UncategorizedINDUSTRY REPORT # 69
CATCHING UP WITH
Glenn Tilbrook
July 23rd, 2026 by Traci Turner
Earlier this year, English rockers Squeeze delivered a 50-year-old album. Well, sort of. “Trixies,” a previously shelved concept album from Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford’s teenage years – before they were known to us as Squeeze – was “a lifetime in the making.”
While the material may be decades “old,” the album sounds as fresh as can be, but still like the Squeeze we love.
Now that we have had “Trixies” for a minute, the gents from across the pond are headed to our shores for the Tried, Tested and Trixies Tour. Kicking off in Nashville on August 16th, Squeeze – who are amazing on their own – are bringing two other ‘80s favorites along – Adam Ant and Haircut 100!
The trek travels through the South, up the East Coast, then stops in SoCal September 19th at the legendary Hollywood Bowl (this show features The English Beat rather than Haircut 100). Leon Tilbrook, son of Glenn Tilbrook, is also on the bill for all shows (in addition to playing as a member of Squeeze).
Of course they will share tracks from “Trixies;” my personal favorites include the energetic “Hell on Earth,” the sleazy guitar rock of “Don’t Go Out in the Dark,” and the absolute Squeeze-sounding “Why Don’t You.”
But we can expect our favorite Squeeze tunes too, such as “Black Coffee in Bed,” “Pulling Mussels,” “If I Didn’t Love You,” “Is That Love,” “Goodbye Girl,” “Tempted,” “Cool for Cats,” “Take Me I’m Yours,” and “Annie Get Your Gun.”
I have made no secret of my admiration of the band to anyone who will listen. Founders Tilbrook (lead vocals and guitar) and Difford (vocals and guitar), Stephen Large (keyboards), Simon Hanson (drums, percussion), Steve Smith (percussion), Melvin Duffy (pedal and lap steel guitars), Owen Biddle (bass), Danica Dora (keyboards), and Leon Tilbrook (guitar), are in sync, precise, refined, and extremely talented musicians. Plus, they are snappy dressers!
Photo by Dean Chalkley
We last spoke with Glenn Tilbrook before “Trixies” was completed, so we figured it was time to catch up!
Traci: Glenn!
Glenn: Hey! Hey! How are you?
Traci: Good, good. We talked three years ago; do you remember the entire conversation?
Glenn: I do remember it, yeah. In fact, I can even recite it backwards.
Traci: (laughing) Perfect! I have to suck up to you a little bit. Since our last talk, I saw you guys perform live twice, and you guys are just so phenomenal – so sharp, so amazing, and the best dressed band, of course.
Glenn: Oh, thank you!
Traci: I want to read to you what I put in my review: “‘Hourglass’ featured an awesome guitar solo from Tilbrook, and with him being such a charming Brit, watching him rip a wicked guitar solo while wearing a suit was unexpected, but it was phenomenal.” Also during “Slap & Tickle,” “Stephen and Simon’s keyboards and drums were a highlight of the show, and I just want to watch that performance on repeat forever.”
Glenn: Thank you! That LA show, Pete Thomas from The Attractions was at the show. He was in Squeeze when Elvis had some downtime for a while. He came backstage after and said, “You’ve changed in a good way.” He’s seen us loads of times and he was blown away with us then. I know we’ve changed; we’ve got better as a band. We pay proper attention. I think we’re right on it now.
Photo by Scott Saldinger
Traci: When we talked a few years ago, you discussed the 50-year-old songs that you were going back to, and you did it, and now we’ve got “Trixies.” What was that like to, I mean, it’s probably hard to go back to something you wrote when you were younger, but you were young-young! Sixteen, and 19.
Glenn: Yeah.
Traci: Was that hard? How did you feel?
Glenn: Well, I think that we’d always thought the songs were good, and then the only demos we had are demos we recorded at the time. The songs are good, but the thing is, yeah, we had no idea about arrangement. At the time I wrote them, I was convinced I was Marc Bolan and sang with a really weird voice, and Chris sounded very different too. I still had a low voice, so revisiting that part of it was like, “Well, I’m so glad we’re not like that anymore.”
Glenn went on: But the songwriting part of it, when I sat down and played the songs, which I haven’t done for a long time, and learned how they went properly, it was like, “Crikey, they are really good,” and they’re very different to us now. And that was sort of – it was lovely being able to go back and do those songs with the level of sophistication that the writing had, but we didn’t have as players or singers.
Traci: I can hear the influences from back then, Bowie and Beatles, the “older” influences, but they didn’t sound dated.
Glenn: Yeah, I think it’s funny how transparent the influences are on all the songs. I can trace back who I was listening to, but none of them sound like the people I was into. They sound sort of reminiscent of them but not like them. That’s the weird thing about it, is that it’s proper like fanboy, literally fanboy absorption.
Traci: Although, “Why Don’t You,” that chorus is so Squeeze.
Glenn: Yeah.
Traci: I would know that was Squeeze no matter where I was. But I love the variety of it – like the nice intro from “What More Can I Say,” and then you jump up with the “Hell on Earth.” That reminded me of, maybe “Slap & Tickle” or “Another Nail,” there was a blend in there. All that to say, you guys did an amazing job bringing those into the current era.
Glenn: You know, it feels like a fresh record to me. We put a lot of time into getting it right, and I think it really paid off. It’s one of our best records for sure.
Traci: I know it’s a concept album but is it about the club in general or is it a specific story time frame?
Glenn: No, it’s not, and I think that’s really good, because it’s never too specific. It’s specific about certain things, characters, but none of it is a story that starts and finishes. What it is, it’s open-ended and open to interpretation.
Glenn continued: I think that bodes well for us going forward if we want to do something else with it, because there’s room, there’s always room for maneuver in it. If this were to become a musical or a movie. The story has some time to breathe with all the characters that are in it, and quite what they do, we’re not sure of yet.
Traci: “The Jaguars” sounds like a good opening song for a concert. I was like, “That sounds almost like a ‘Sgt. Pepper’ beginning.”
Glenn: Yeah, yeah, I mean, “The Jaguars,” it’s such a basic song, but it has a really great energy about it, and it makes me laugh.
Traci: I don’t know if sleazy is the right word, but “Don’t Go Out in the Dark,” that’s just like a nice sleazy guitar sound. All different moods and varieties, but very cohesive going together.
Glenn: Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Traci: Now it is time to take it out on the road! I know you guys have been touring in Europe a bit.
Glenn: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Traci: And then you’ll come to us for a pretty big tour.
Glenn: It is, it’s the biggest tour we’ve done for a while. I’m sure we’ll all be broken by the end of it.
Traci: Meh, you can do it! It’s billed as 55 years of classic songwriting, so is it “Trixies” and then other tracks after or is it all going to be blended in?
Glenn: You know, my instinct is that what we did in Europe, we played the whole of “Trixies.” I think within the time that we have I don’t think we’ll do the whole of “Trixies,” but I think what we will do is a really big “Trixies” section in the middle.
He went on: What we discovered, I mean, we’ve done comparatively few dates like that, but the “Trixies” stuff is really hitting well with people. I think we’ll have the courage to do a good wad of it in the middle. I didn’t feel – you could always tell if an audience is going, “Ah, maybe I’ll go to the bathroom or something” – but it really didn’t happen. I think we’ll give it a go, and if it doesn’t work, we’ll amend.
Traci: I’m used to Squeeze looking sharp in their suits and being very professional. With some of the adult entertainment themes of “Trixies,” is this going to turn into a Mötley Crüe dancing girls tour?
Photo by Dean Chalkley
Glenn: (laughing) No, no, I mean, we talked about what goes on there, and definitely there are some pretty unsavory characters. “Why Don’t You,” the guy’s a particularly unsavory character. But I think it’s important that we portray that for what it is, which is actually, it’s nasty. It sounds sweet, but it’s a nasty person there. I think we have to cover all of that. And the thing is, 50 years ago, I sound like an apologist, I’m not, but things were very different and that was a lot easier to sing those songs then than it is now.
Traci: You’ve matured.
Glenn: Hopefully I’ve either matured or I’ve become corked! (laughing)
Traci: You have some fantastic friends coming along: Adam Ant and Haircut 100, plus that Leon guy is pretty good. I saw him on your last tour.
Glenn: Yeah, yeah, it’s great. Leon has got such a lot to offer, and the thing about the way that we play together is, it’s amazing. It’s amazing to have a guitarist who, I mean, literally, we are cut from the same cloth, and there are certain things that we can do together that reminds me we’re capable of doing like Eagles-type dual guitar solos, and it’s really exciting to be able to do that.
Traci: Well, I will be there on opening night in Nashville!
Glenn: Oh cool!
Traci: Again, you guys are amazing and I’ll be yelling in appreciation, waiting for you to call us “lovelies.”
Glenn: Brilliant!
Traci: Did I miss anything?
Glenn: I think you’ve covered it all. We’re coming and we’re brilliant. (laughing)
Catch Squeeze when they come to a venue near you. Tickets for this tour are available now.
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July 23, 2026UncategorizedBeastie Boys’ Mike D
Brings Solo Project to The OC
July 24th, 2026 by Kaitlin Pinell
Beastie Boys co-founder Michael Diamond and his band, Mike D 5D, are set to play The Observatory in Santa Ana on September 20th, kicking off a worldwide tour with an expanded run in North America, UK, and Europe.
The tour supports his latest album, “Thank You,” which will be released August 28th. This album is a milestone on its own as it is his first full-length record since the Beastie Boys’ final album, 2011’s “Hot Sauce Committee Part Two.”
“Thank You” follows a string of singles that Diamond released in May and June, including “Switch Up,” “What We Got,” “True Colors,” and most recently, “Crypto,” a song about power and greed.
In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, the Beastie Boys were a force. Their legacy as pioneers of alternative hip-hop and rap-rock has lived on long after the band’s retirement after Adam “MCA” Yauch’s 2012 death from cancer.
Diamond has said he and remaining member Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz do not expect to record or perform under the Beastie Boys name again. Needless to say, tributes by the biggest names in the music industry for this beloved band have become part of their legacy.
After the band’s indefinite hiatus, Diamond took a step back from the mic and moved into production and remix roles for artists including Soft Play, Portugal. The Man, and Christine and the Queens.
This show gives fans the chance to see this legendary rapper step back onto the stage on his own terms, and there’s nowhere better than the intimate Observatory. Rather than a nostalgia run, “Thank You” gives the audience some of that same post-electronic rap with a new inventive tone from Diamond.
No openers have been announced for this tour, but that could change as the shows start rolling out.
Tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m. local time.
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July 21, 2026UncategorizedGet Ready for the “Gold Album”
July 21st, 2026 by Kevin Gomez
Say it ain’t so! Has Weezer really released a whopping 20 albums in their storied career? Well, they will once their upcoming record – the latest in their self-titled saga – drops on August 21st.
The first “Weezer” album made waves in 1994 with one of the greatest debut albums in music history, often referred to as the “Blue Album.”
The four piece alt rockers have since followed that up with “Green” in 2001 (highlighted by their return to music and “Island in the Sun”); “Red” in 2008, “White” in 2016 (their most critically-acclaimed album of the 21st century); and “Teal” (their covers album) and “Black,” both in 2019.
These albums’ colorful nicknames come from the colored background surrounding the four members on the cover of each of these albums. Their latest effort, the “Gold Album,” indeed features a golden background, but this will be the first self-titled Weezer album that does not feature the four members on the cover. Instead, the cover features an infinity symbol, the Weezer logo above two hands flashing the Weezer hand gesture, and three mysterious symbols.
Before news of the “Gold Album” was released, Weezer had a bit of a resurgence earlier this year thanks to a song of theirs going viral, 12 years in the making. “Go Away,” a pop duet featuring Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast, was recorded for Weezer’s “Everything Will Be Alright in the End” released in 2014.
The song had minor success at the time as one of the album’s single, but it would not be until this year when it went viral on social media. “Go Away” reached number one on the alternative radio charts and became the band’s top hit on Spotify.
In March, Weezer fan club members began receiving cryptic messages that fans quickly deciphered as being a lead up to a new album.
Weezer then announced an upcoming tour of North America they are calling The Gathering, kicking off in September and running through October with support from The Shins and Silversun Pickups. The tour concludes on October 24th in their hometown of Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena.
Photo by Green-Eyed Blonde Photography
To whet your appetite until the album drops in its entirety on August 21st Weezer released the first single, “Shine Again.” Featuring their signature heavy distorted guitars and catchy hooks, it seems like the perfect song to get fans old and new ready for what’s to come.
The second single, “We Might as Well Be Strangers,” features alt rockers Wednesday, and guitar riffs reminiscent of their “Maladroit” album. The “Gold Album” will be the first time lead singer Rivers Cuomo and drummer Pat Wilson have written (along with guitarist Brian Bell) together since the “Blue Album.”
Fans can presave “Weezer” on all major music platforms and various exclusive singed vinyl is available for presale on the band’s website, although most variations are sold out.
While you’re at it, get your tickets to see them whenever they play a venue near you!
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July 21, 2026UncategorizedOCEAN WAY FESTIVAL
Coming to Santa Monica
July 20, 2026 by Stuart Karpel
Southern California’s beaches are tailor-made to catch waves and vibes, but as the sunny season gives way to fall, there’s no better time to transform a place as iconic as Santa Monica into an incredible celebration of music.
To perfectly encapsulate the spirit of California’s coastline, the Ocean Way Festival is coming to town September 26th and 27th, and it is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated events of the year.
The lineup is jam-packed with headliners that will absolutely kill onstage, unironically including The Killers, Jack Whitte, Sublime, along with Olivia Dean, and Khruangbin.
The plethora of amazing artists also include 54 Ultra, Alvvays, Austin Millz, BLOND:ISH, Carlita, Coco & Breezy, DJ Harvey, Durand Jones & the Indications, EREZ, Good Neighbours, Heidi Lawden, Hiatus Kaiyote, Hot Chip DJ set, Nala, Poolside DJ set, SG Lewis, and Vandelux DJ set.
Fans will experience a two-day lineup of arena-worthy anthems from genres like laid-back-reggae, psychedelic rock and soulful funk that’ll be sure to bring nothing less than an electrifying night. Day one will be a bit more rock flavor with The Killers, Jack White, Sublime, and Alvvays.
Day two will have more of a groove vibe thanks to Olivia Dean, Khruangbin, and Durand Jones & the Indications. Single-day tickets are available if you prefer one over the other, but you might as well snag a two-day pass.
The Santa Monica Pier will be the backdrop for the stage and fans are encouraged to bring beach towels to relax on the sand on the south of the pier.
Although it’s being compared to other infamous celebrations like Coachella, the moment the backdrop turns into a beautiful, golden sunset and you feel the sand and ocean breeze embrace you, it’ll be an experience more like a well-needed massage.
Rather than rushing from stage to stage in a dry, hot desert like most festivals, Santa Monica’s atmosphere will be the perfect setting for people to truly enjoy the moment.
From incredible live music to the unmistakable charm of SoCal’s music-culture scene, this will be the weekend of a lifetime, and you definitely don’t want to miss out – tickets are selling out fast!
Whether you’re discovering a new artist for the first time or you’re going to see that one musician you can’t live without, you can expect nothing less than an exceptionally well-rounded lineup, a breathtaking setting and an event that’ll be sure to provide a welcoming environment for people from the area and beyond.
Tickets are available now, go out and get them. This is destined to be a very memorable inaugural event!
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July 19, 2026UncategorizedINDUSTRY REPORT # 68
Catching Up With
July 19th, 2026 by Jimmy Alvarez
When a defining moment in time lays claim to an era, those who lived through the era become gatekeepers to those moments making sure we never forget them. In the word of music, changing of the guard when it comes to musical movements will always capture our hearts and musical soul. The ‘90s was a time when moments meant everything; they still do.
Grunge was on the front page of our memories, but there was another movement that just as monumental and pierced our hearts. That movement was the third-wave of ska-punk. Its epicenter was Orange County, California. Leading that movement was OC’s own Reel Big Fish.
The band was formed in Huntington Beach and was originally a rock band who loved covers. As the music fates would have it, the band migrated from rock to ska-punk, and when that happened, history took over.
The Reel Big Fish then did it all, radio darlings, they were MTV favorites, their music was on the big screen, the little screen and the lifestyle was just as powerful as grunge or punk rock. Just link blink-182 defined Warped Tour, RBF was also a mainstay
Playing a boatload of shows annually, fans couldn’t get enough of their music catalog that saw songs like “She Has a Girlfriend Now,” “Beer,” “Monkey Man (Toots & The Maytals cover),” “Ska Show,” “Everything Suck,” “Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison cover),” and the two songs that changed h trajectory of not only the band, but ska fans worldwide… “Take On Me (A-Ha cover),” and “Sell Out.”
History tells us the band blew up and would be on their own non-stop reel big Warped Tour headlined by Reel Big Fish! But, after years and years of touring… all good things had to come to an end. For the fish fans, there really wasn’t a big ceremony or goodbye tour. The band just stopped playing. Truth is, they were playing for years non-stop, so for many what the fish did was they just took a very long and well-deserved post-Covid break.
Without official word, it’s been whispered about that Reel Big Fish will be back soon. That was the thought and rude boys and girls worldwide crossed their collective fingers. As luck and the music fates would have it, we had not seen the last of The Reel Big Fish.
The news was finally out, and our favorite third-wave ska-punk band would be back; and they would resurrect itself courtesy of Kevin Lyman and the Vans Warped Tour!
With Warped coming up next weekend, I had a chance to catch up with two of the reel big fishies, Scott Klopfenstein and Dan Regan. Both were very-very happy to be back at it and playing with their brothers in arms. Per the guys, the re-animated fish include Aaron Barrett (guitar & lead vocals), Johnny Christmas (trumpet), Matt Appleton (sax), Scott Klopfenstein (trumpet & backing vocals), Dan Regan (trombone) and Ed Larsen (drums).
It’s been a minute since the guys have been in front of thousands screaming fans, but the band is ready to take the stage in Long Beach. When asked how RBF got itself back together. Scott said that he had been jamming with Aaron for a few weeks and it felt good to be back at it with his friend.
He went on and said, one thing led to another and before they knew it, Kevin Lyman’s camp got wind of this possibility and after Aaron spoke with the other fish, they knew it was time.
Dan said he knew things were getting real when one day out of the blue he got a call from Aaron. Before he picked up, he said he knew that call could only mean one thing, and he couldn’t answer the call fast enough.
“Baby, don’t you sign that paper tonight”, she said, “But I can’t work in fast food all my life“
Aaron Barrett – The Reel Big Fish
When asked how the preparations were going, Scott said that it was very organic and they had played so many shows together, it was just a matter of getting their timing back in sync. When asked has that happened, he said … “we’ll see” which made us all laugh.
I told the guys that nostalgia mixed with mania makes for a great turn out at concerts. I added that RBF is so loved by their fans, it has to make them feel good that they are getting the kind of reception that they are.
They both looked at each other and echoed that sentiment that it is kinda cool that their fans can’t wait to see them and they can’t wait to see their fans.
RBF at KXFM Studio | Laguna Beach, CA
I asked the guys, so when you go out there, what kind of effort are you putting into the performance. Scott said, “100% effort,” Dan said, “I play my ass off, and if I ever see someone that seems to not be into their music, that makes him want to try even harder to entertain that person… it’s important that we connect with our fans and give it all we got.”
We then talked about the band’s support staff, and the guys confirmed one of their longtime road staff will be back. Scott said, “we’re a family and this will be one heck of a reunion!” I then asked, “you guys look very happy?” Scott responded, “we are, it’s good to be back with my friends.” Dan said, “I am so stoked to be back doing what we all love with the best band in the world!”
I have been covering Reel Big Fish for a very long time, and I can honestly say when they consider you family, they mean it. So expect a reel big show next weekend at Warped Tour: Long Beach.
For countless teenage kids that grew up in the ’90s, Reel Big Fish was a monumental skankin’ influence in their lives. In the sonic history of kick-ass bands, RBF is one of those bands that matter – one can even argue they are era defining. That said, it’s unclear what the future holds for the fish; let’s keep our fingers crossed because this band is special – let’s hope we see more of them!
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July 17, 2026UncategorizedGUTTERFEST VOL. 5
Live at Garden Amp
July 17th, 2026 Review by Kevin Gomez
It was a sunny summer day, perfect for an outdoor music festival as Guttermouth celebrated their fifth annual Gutterfest at the Garden Amphitheatre in Garden Grove on July 11th. As they do every year, the band took over both venues, the main stage and the indoor Locker Room.
Kicking the festivities off on the main stage was local punk favorites Taken Days. Guitarist Brent Waterworth led off the gnarly riff for “I Decide” to begin their set. The catchy “Atomic” featured great lead and backing vocals from Waterworth and bassist Corey Glockner. They did a great cover of Rancid’s “Junkie Man” before closing with “How Did It Come to This?”
Cheeseball seemed like the perfect band to pack into the intimate Locker Room as their loud, fast sound blasted out the doors. They played short songs at breakneck speed, squeezing in a dozen tunes in just 30 minutes.
A pit formed almost as soon as they started playing the opening notes to “Scooter” and kept right on through the next song, “Cereal for Dinner.”
This crowd really didn’t need an excuse to go wild, but Cheeseball gave it to them as they covered fan favorite NOFX’s “Bob,” leading into complete pandemonium. As they played their final song, “Street Dogs,” their guitarist bravely played in the middle of the pit.
White Kaps took to the main stage, able to redeem themselves as they were slotted to play Gutterfest 3, but had to cancel. For “American Dream” the crowd chanted “90210” along with the band. Following “Salad Days,” the band started playing the intro to The Vandals’ “Urban Struggle.”
They played their tongue-in-cheek parody of a Creedence Clearwater Revival song with “Bad Bone Rising.” Highlight for me, as someone who discovered White Kaps from the OC Punk vs. Ska Round 1 compilation is seeing singer KC Maddox organize an all-girl pit so they could play the song from that album, “Girl in the Pit.”
Back to the Locker Room for Chemical Control, just some old school punk rock. The crowd kept up the same high energy as the band opened with “Trippin to Hollywood” and “I Love Speed.” Lead singer Dan Bull spit out angsty lyrics on “Burn in Hell” and “Fill Ya Full of Lead.” The crowd got rowdy for the last two songs of the set, “Dead End” and “World War Pigs.”
One of the most anticipated sets all day came from Los Angeles heroes, The Briggs. They always bring it, led by singer Joey LaRocca whose high-energy performance is always a highlight of any show. They wasted absolutely no time opening with “Bored Teenager” and “Mad Men.” LaRocca climbed onto the front stage riser and towered above the crowd as he sang “Back to Higher Ground.”
The Briggs really are a tight, well-oiled machine and were firing on all cylinders Saturday. They played a fiery cover of Cock Sparrer’s “Because You’re Young,” which just dropped in May, and got the whole crowd singing along. The singing kept going as the band finished with the Angeleno theme song, “This is L.A.”
The Uprising is actually the “bastard son” of El Centro, an OC punk band from the ‘90s. Sirens wailed signaling the start of their set as they opened with “Intro.”
They then went into their anti-war (not anti-American!) song, “No More War.” Ironically enough the song was written in 2007, but is as relevant as ever two decades later. They played “Kill Em All” with thundering drums opened “Enemies.” They closed with “Paralyzed.”
A large crowd gathered for the co-headliners on the main stage, Ignite. Eli Santana belted out hardcore classics like “Veteran” and “Poverty for All” as fans moshed, crowd surfed, and even stage dove. “This song is a love letter to the punk rock community,” guitarist Nik Hill said. “This is our house,”
Hill said referring to Orange County and he led the band in “The Butcher in Me.” “Let it Burn” really showcased Santana’s insane falsetto capabilities. The band played “Bleeding” and by the time they finished with “Fear is Our Tradition” it almost seemed like the crowd was exhausted after such an intense set, but we were far from over.
To know Guttermouth is to know they are a merry bunch of pranksters who rarely take their lyrics or themselves seriously. But, much like last year, lead singer Mark Adkins started off by genuinely expressing his gratitude to their fans. “Thank you for following us for all these years,” he exclaimed before the band jumped into “Lucky the Donkey,” a vulgar song about a young man and his mother’s unfortunate trip to Mexico.
A few songs in Adkins asked Gutterfest promoter Landon Gale-George to put up their backdrop, which ended up being a photo of Nic Cage eating a hot dog with mustard. This was a rotating gag all night, including photos of Fonzie, Charlie Chaplin, and even Gale-George eating various hot dogs or corndogs.
Drummer A.J. Condosta is the consummate professional, always keeping the band tight and on the rails. He shined on songs like “End on 9” and “Baker’s Dozen.” In addition to fan favorites like “1, 2, 3…Slam!,” “Race Track,” and “Bruce Lee vs. Kiss Army,” Guttermouth also played “Perfect World,” which I’ve been waiting about two decades to hear live.
Before finishing the night off Adkins again thanked the crowd for another successful Gutterfest. “I’m the luckiest guy in the world: look what I get to do for a living.” And with that, Condosta kicked off the drum intro to “Lipstick,” concluding their set.
I’m not sure if many people would have thought Guttermouth would be around for five years when they first started, much less doing their fifth straight festival. Instead of wondering if there will be a next year, now we’re just left wondering who’s playing with them in 2027.
FESTIVAL PHOTO GALLERY
by Todd Markel Rock Images
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July 15, 2026UncategorizedReady to Trick or Treat to the Beat
July 15th, 2026 by Kevin Gomez
All systems go! The Aquabats are back to haunt your October and this time on a much larger scale. Last year the OC ska-punk superheroes hosted the inaugural Trick or Treat to the Beat – four concerts that were “a Halloween costume party freak out.” With two shows in October and two in November, they featured support from Home Grown, Left Alone, and Mike V and the Rats.
This year the boys decided to triple that number, playing nearly a dozen shows through October around the West Coast. The tour kicks off October 1st in Chico, CA with openers CJ Ramone and the Fast Movers and Sullvn. Openers will be shifting each night, with three chances to catch this tour in Southern California.
The Aquabats will be stopping by the Glass House in Pomona on October 16th with Sullvn and an opener to be determined. They will stop by The Observatory North Park in San Diego with Mariachi El Bronx and Mrs. Magician on October 23rd. The tour will conclude October 24th at the House of Blues Anaheim with Manic Hispanic and Mrs. Magician.
It’s really a lot of fun, the usual, incredible live show from The Aquabats with even more people decked out in costumes than normal. With support CJ Ramone, Mariachi El Bronx, and Manic Hispanic, all three legit headliners on their own, this is going to be one spooky event you don’t want to miss.
And yet, perhaps the one special show I’m most excited about is not one of the Trick or Treat to the Beat shows.
The band also announced that just days before they play the October 16th Glass House gig, they will be performing at the Glass House on October 10th. However, this show will be specifically The Aquabats! Tribute to the Cure!
I’ve been fortunate enough to catch this act a few times, most recently this past May when they supported Sweet & Tender Hooligans.
The normally cheerful and bouncy Aquabats do a dead-on gloomy impression note for note tribute to all your favorite Cure songs. At the conclusion of the performance that night, lead singer MC Bat Commander announced how much fun the band has when they play these shows and promised they would be playing them more.
An artist presale is on now with code MUMMY. The general on sale is Friday at 10 a.m. PST.
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July 15, 2026UncategorizedAnd So It Is!
“ADIOS AMIGOS”
July 15th, 2026 by Jimmy Alvarez
Punk rock has been around for the better part of five decades and bands from both sides of the pond can claim of the emergence of this beloved genre. Bands like The Clash, The Damned, Sex Pistols, Ramones are at the top of that list.
That said, there is one more OG punk band that has a worldwide presence. The band is from Ipswich, Suffolk, England, but some bandmembers call Southern California home, the band is The Adicts.
The Adicts feature core members that have been with the band since day one. Behind the mic is Keith Warren who is affectionately known as “Monkey.” By far he is one of the most electrifying frontmen on the planet. There’s Pete Davison aka Pete Dee on guitar, Michael Davison aka “Kid Dee,” all original members. Today’s band rounds out with Kiki Kabel on bass, and Highko Strom on guitar. Their collective efforts and signature sound is a portal to the early days of punk with an energy that is embraced by generations of punk rock fans known as the Droog Army.
No matter where you call home, The Adicts deliver the kind of show that can only be compared to the early days of Earth, Wind & Fire or Led Zepelin: In other words – it’s memorable.
Their hits catalog is simply unreal, “I’m Not Scared of You,” “Bad Boy,” “Joker in the Pack,” “Life Goes On,” “Let’s Go,” “Spank Me Baby,” and their anthem to the masses, “Viva la Revolution.” This band has so many songs that mean so much to so many, trying to name them all would not do them justice.
As for the shows, The Adicts will be play on October 21st at The Music Box in San Diego, then they travel up the I-5 on October 23rd to play at The Novo in Los Angeles.
As for the locals in OC, they will play the Garden Amp on October 18th! Support openers at Garden Amp include Love Canal, Knuckleheadz, Dirty Black Summer, Gvllow and Carveliners.
In the meantime, if you want to see living history, get your tickets, join the Droog Army and see The Adicts when they come to play anywhere near you!
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July 14, 2026UncategorizedSet to Open July 17th
July 14th, 2026 by Kevin Gomez
Summer vacation, fireworks, warm sunny days. These are just some of the things we associate with July, along with the iconic OC Fair. Established in 1890, the annual fair kicks off this Friday and runs through August 16th. Tickets are on sale now, and fans are anxiously counting down the minutes until this weekend.
I, for one, look forward to the new concert calendar dropping every year. This year is no exception, continuing to bring amazing and diverse music acts.
The festivities will take place at the Action Sports Arena at the Fair and will begin Friday with Sweet Revenge, a tribute to My Chemical Romance. Saturday will be headlined by The Iron Maidens, “the world’s only female tribute to Iron Maiden.” Sunday will feature The Spazmatics, a popular ‘80s cover band. Tickets will include same-day admission to the fair, and unlimited tastings on over 100 craft beers on tap.
Some concert highlights during the OC Fair at the Pacific Amphitheatre: ‘90s alt rock night featuring Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, and Tonic on July 26th; Cypress Hill with Ozomatli on July 29th; Nelly and Too $hort on August 2nd; John Fogerty on August 5th; and the final evening of the fair finishes off with Steel Pulse and Long Beach Dub All Stars on August 16th. September 5th brings us legends Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and punk icons, X!
When I hear “OC Fair,” the first thing that comes to mind is all the delicious, innovative, and often outrageous foods.
No one is more synonymous with the OC Fair and fried food than Chicken Charlie’s, founded by Charlie Boghosian. The man who gave us the fried Oreo, fried Kool-Aid, and deep-fried avocados is back as always.
This year Chicken Charlie’s will feature a shawarma fry cone and deep‑fried tiramisu exclusive to the fair. Other new creations this year are a peanut butter and jelly bacon cheeseburger from Philly Cheese Steak, Dubai deep‑fried Oreo from Fried Affair, and the croffle, a South Korean croissant pressed in a waffle iron, from Mom’s Bakeshoppe.
If your kids are bored and you don’t want to take out a government loan to take them to a theme park, the Fair has you covered.
From a Ferris wheel, to carousels, to piggies, bumper cars to funhouses, there are literally dozens of rides and carnival games to keep your family busy. Maybe save the deep-fried tiramisu for after the rides.
From art exhibits to four areas of livestock, community dance groups and dozens of vendors, there’s something for the whole family, even your picky Aunt Bertha.
Don’t miss out on everyone’s favorite time of year, but act fast, because much like summer, the OC Fair will be gone before you know it.
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July 14, 2026UncategorizedWrap Up Tour at The Wiltern
July 14th, 2026 by Shane Pase
There’s something fitting about The Damned closing out their Final Damnation 50 tour in Los Angeles at The Wiltern.
On November 17th, the band that helped start British punk 50 years ago will take that stage as, quite possibly, their last U.S. show outside of the occasional festival date down the road.
We all love the iconic band behind “New Rose,” widely considered the first UK punk single, and the first British punk act to release an album and tour the United States. That’s not a small footnote — it means whatever happens at The Wiltern is happening because of a chain of shows that stretches all the way back to the band’s earliest days in the U.S., decades before most of the acts influenced by them even existed.
Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, and Rat Scabies are still out there doing it, the same three who were part of the band from the start. Over the years they’ve moved through punk, goth, psychedelia, and pop, often shifting sound from one album to the next instead of settling into one lane.
You can hear that range across the catalog — the raw snap of “Neat Neat Neat” and “Smash It Up” sitting alongside the darker, more atmospheric turn of “Grimly Fiendish,” or the surprise pop detour of their cover of “Eloise,” which became one of their biggest hits despite sounding almost nothing like where they started. Somehow all of it still holds up, whether it’s the frantic early stuff or the moodier material that came later.
The tour is billed as Final Damnation, and the band has said plainly why: given how long they’ve been at this, there’s a real chance it’s the last time they bring a full U.S. run of this size. They don’t seem to be treating it like a lap of honor, though. Recent shows find a band playing loose and having fun, mixing deep cuts in with the songs people actually came to hear — a set that pulls from every stretch of their career rather than just leaning on the singles everyone already knows.
As for the venue: The Wiltern suits them well. It’s got some old theater grandeur to it, which fits a band that’s always leaned into a bit of theater, but it’s not so big that the show turns into a spectacle from a distance. It’s a venue with its own history in this city, which makes it a fitting stop for a band that’s spent 50 years building one of its own.
As the final stop on the tour, it’s a good place for things to land. If this really is the end of The Damned’s U.S. touring story, The Wiltern gives it a fitting setting — an LA room with some history of its own, closing out a night with a band that helped start the whole thing. There’s no telling exactly how the band will choose to close things out, but given their track record, expect a set that covers a lot of ground and doesn’t take the moment too seriously, even if everyone in the room does.
The Flamin’ Groovies open the show, rounding out a bill that feels less like a goodbye and more like one last good night out. Whatever comes after November 17th, it will be a show worth being at.
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July 13, 2026UncategorizedPWR/UP North American Tour
July 13th, 2026 by Clara “Amaris” Becker
You would have to be living under a rock to not have heard of AC/DC – and even then, you’d still feel the vibrations from their legendary guitar riffs. Known for iconic hard rock songs that seem to be the highlight of every action film soundtrack released in the past 50 years, the Australian band has just kicked off the North America leg of their PWR/UP tour.
It all traces back 53 years to when Malcolm and Angus Young’s sister Margaret spotted the symbol for power on the back of her sewing machine and suggested it as their name – the spark that created one of the most influential bands in the world.
At 71, Angus is still in his schoolboy uniform, and Brian Johnson has returned to the stage to leave audiences thunderstruck on this tour. Both are accompanied by longtime rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, along with touring members Matt Laug on drums, and Chris Chaney, formerly of Jane’s Addiction, on bass.
Their beloved hits have become anthems and radio staples – “Highway to Hell,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “T.N.T.,” “Thunderstruck,” “Back in Black,” “Moneytalks,” and “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” for starters. This tour complements their 2020 album “Power Up,” and is bringing a free, two-day pop-up to every city, featuring exclusive merchandise, themed food and drinks, fan photo ops, and ticket giveaways.
Pretty Reckless opens every date, bringing a grittier rock energy that feels like a complement rather than a warm-up act killing time. The New York City-founded band is fresh off the release of their new 14-track album, “Dear God.”
Their fans still can’t get enough of the live version of their monster hit, “Death By Rock And Roll.”
For anyone catching AC/DC for the first time this summer, the songs haven’t changed; their audience has only expanded.
This hard rock and roll band’s music has influenced and caused hearing loss to every generation since their conception, so remember earplugs when you go to their concert!
There are currently no SoCal dates, but if you feel like making a road trip, you can try August 1st in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium, or August 5th in San Francisco at Levi’s Stadium.
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