Publication Date: February 20, 2026
OTHER GREAT STORIES
February 20, 2026UncategorizedLive at The Observatory Santa Ana
February 20th, 2026 Review by Todd Markel
The Observatory in Santa Ana hosted what promised to be a stacked night of old-school punk. That promise took a small hit just days before the show when The Dickies quietly bowed out for unknown reasons. Disappointing, sure, but once the lights went down and the amps came alive, it was clear the night didn’t need rescuing.
Opening duties went to Angry Samoan, officially minus the “s” these days. Led by the only original member, drummer Bill Vockeroth, the band wasted no time, launching straight into classics like “Right Side of My Mind” and immediately locking into familiar territory.
Handling vocals duties was Manny Espindola, a well-known figure on the local punk circuit and frontman for the band Jack Tripper. Espindola stepped confidently into the role, tearing through staples like “Gimme Sopor” and “Gas Chamber” as the crowd readily responded.
Their set leaned heavily into the band’s enduring legacy, with songs like “You Stupid Asshole,” and its companion, “You Stupid Jerk.” They took a detour into their punk cover of the Chambers Brothers’ “Time Has Come Today.”
And, of course, no Angry Samoan set would feel complete without “Get Off the Air,” their once-infamous swipe at L.A. DJ Rodney Bingenheimer. Purists may scoff at the idea of a band with only one original member still carrying the name, but when a group has been around for nearly 50 years, lineup changes aren’t just likely, they’re inevitable. As the night would soon prove, Angry Samoan wasn’t alone in that reality.
It was then time for Black Flag. Every new incarnation of the band arrives with certain curiosity and controversy, and this lineup was no exception.
Change has always been part of the band’s DNA, with guitarist and primary songwriter Greg Ginn as the lone constant. Fans often fixate on Henry Rollins or Keith Morris, forgetting that the microphone has passed through several hands over the decades.
Few band logos go beyond music the way Black Flag’s four bars have. It’s not just a logo – it’s a symbol, instantly recognizable and permanently etched into punk’s visual language.
Following the departure of Mike Vallely after nearly 11 years of fronting the band, Ginn unveiled this new “Gen Z” lineup in April 2025, made up of mostly unknown Texas musicians, but featuring Max Zanelly, handpicked by Ginn, as the band’s first female vocalist, along with bassist David Rodriguez and drummer Bryce Weston.
The band opened with “Can’t Decide” from the “My War” album, followed by the classic “Nervous Breakdown” off their 1979 debut EP. From the first notes, they sounded tight and assured, as Zanelly’s vocals slid into the catalog with surprising ease.
Black Flag played two full sets, digging deep into their catalog with songs like “No Values,” “Black Coffee,” “My War,” and “Gimme Gimme Gimme.” They all hit with confidence and conviction.
The night wrapped up with a chaotic, crowd-pleasing cover of “Louie Louie.” More than anything, the performance underscored how durable these songs still are, alive, confrontational, and fully capable of thriving in the hands of a younger generation.
In the end, the show delivered what a hard-core punk night should: sweat, volume, history, and just enough controversy to keep things interesting. Not bad for bands that refuse to be frozen in time.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Todd Markel Rock Images
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February 20, 2026UncategorizedTo Invade Hollywood Bowl
with The English Beat & Adam Ant
February 20th, 2026 by Traci Turner
One of the best live acts around is headed our way this year, and they are bringing two incredible acts with them AND doing it all at the legendary Bowl!
The British “Cool Cats” known as Squeeze do not disappoint with their shows – their precision, talent level, and charming attitudes guarantee a night of fantastic music. Every time I have seen them perform, it has been incredible – my love for British gents does not even factor in, I promise.
Of course, you do not need my flattery because you probably adore their catalog already: “Take Me I’m Yours,” “If I Didn’t Love You,” “Another Nail in My Heart,” “Goodbye Girl,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Pulling Mussels (From the Shell),” “Tempted,” “Cool for Cats,” and “Black Coffee in Bed” are classic staples.
Squeeze also has a brand new album on the way titled “Trixies” which will drop on March 6th. You can get a taste of what is ahead with the new single, “You Get the Feeling.”
Squeeze founders Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook decided to bring some friends along and make the night an even bigger party. The English Beat and Adam Ant will join them for an evening of the best ‘80s hits – and more!
The English Beat’s Dave Wakeling turned 70 this week, but that man does not slow down! We can expect classics from The English Beat and General Public like “I Confess,” “Mirror in the Bathroom,” “Save It for Later,” “Hands Off… She’s Mine,” “Tears of a Clown,” “Tenderness,” “Never You Done That,” “Hot You’re Cool,” and “Ranking Full Stop.”
Another British gent that ruled the ‘80s and beyond, Adam Ant will be onstage giving us the anthems we danced along to on MTV: “Antmusic,” “Goody Two Shoes,” “Desperate but Not Serious,” “Stand and Deliver,” “Strip,” “Vive le Rock,” “Puss ’n Boots,” and “Friend or Foe.”
Squeeze, Adam Ant, and The English Beat? Sign me up! Get your tickets now for the Hollywood Bowl show happening September 19th. Do not miss out on these three iconic acts on one stage!
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February 20, 2026UncategorizedPresents Inaugural Field of Dreamz Fest
February 19th, 2026 by Joey Clark
Petco Park, the home of the Padres, will play host to Slightly Stoopid’s latest venture, the Field of Dreamz Festival. The festival is undoubtedly rooted in reggae and rock with the lineup and is the first festival for the band to craft.
With roots cemented in Ocean Beach, a San Diego neighborhood, the band thought it was the perfect fit. Slightly Stoopid expressed, “The Padres and Petco Park have always been special to us. From growing up watching the games to headlining shows here, and even throwing out the first pitch, partnering with the Padres and creating our own festival on that field in our hometown is truly a dream come true.”
Slightly Stoopid has brought Sublime in on the fun as they have a long-standing friendship with the group. Their storied relationship spawned from the late Bradley Nowell mentoring the group’s founding members, Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald, in their salad days.
Alongside Sublime, Stephen Marley, Pepper, Denm, Z-Trip, Band of Gringos, and Boostive are set to perform at the festival.
The band is enthused about this lineup as they describe the roster as being, “really special, especially with so many of our musical friends and heroes joining us.”
This era for the band is particularly exciting as not only are Slightly Stoopid putting on this festival, but they are slated to release their 10th studio album this year. With the singles “Shine for You” (feat. G. Love), “Step Into the Sun,” and “The Upside Down” (feat. B-Real & Chali 2na) making splashes, it seems we are all in for a real treat.
Don’t miss out on the action on June 13th! Tickets and VIP packages are available February 21st.
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February 18, 2026UncategorizedJOE JACKSON
New Music and Tour
HOPE AND FURY
February 18th, 2026 by Amberlee Myer
Legendary British singer songwriter Joe Jackson is at it again! His forthcoming album, “Hope and Fury,” is set to drop April 10th, and promises a compilation of a thoughtful, provocative blend of rock, jazz, and funk with heavily Latin influences.
Many of us fell in love with the Grammy-winning artist thanks to his classics “Is She Really Going Out with Him?,” “Got the Time,” “Breaking Us in Two,” “I’m the Man,” and his mega hit, “Steppin’ Out.”
While he originally gained fame as part of the second British invasion in the early ‘80s, Jackson has released 21 studio albums across multiple genres, proving he can do it all. From the start of new wave, to rock, jazz, swing, blues, and classical, he’s conquered them all with style and grace.
As for the new material, he has already teased us with the single “Welcome to Burning-By-Sea,” inspired by his hometown of Portsmouth and the seaside resort town of Brighton.
Jackson laid the groundwork for “Hope and Fury” in Berlin, then returned to New York to record with his usual cohorts: bassist Graham Maby, guitarist Teddy Kumpel, and drummer Doug Yowell. The tracks were given the Latin flair thanks to the percussion work of Peruvian native Paulo Stagnaro.
Of course, a massive tour is the best way to share new music, and Jackson will be making plenty of stops in North America and Europe. The North American leg kicks off May 11th in New York, then hits the West Coast at the end of May.
SoCal has two dates: May 31st at San Diego’s Balboa Theater, and June 2nd at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles. The trek will then continue its journey and close out back in New York on July 18th. After that, Jackson will head to Europe for the remainder of 2026.
Don’t miss your chance to see this living legend live. Tickets are on sale now!
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February 18, 2026UncategorizedNO KINGS Land of Hope & Dreams
AMERICAN TOUR
February 18th, 2026 by Jimmy Alvarez
The year was 1984 and music was life. MTV was blowing up and bands like Depeche Mode, The Cure, Eurythmics and Culture Club were everywhere. For me, I was fascinated by a band out of Ireland called U2. Needless to say, I was elated when the word got out that they would be playing a few shows in Los Angeles later in the year.
What I loved most about that band was how their lyrics represented a theme of fairness to all people and how they stood up to the powers that be. My friends and I pooled our money together and when tickets were available, one of our friends went down at midnight, stood in line and bought them. Little did I know at that time that this show was going to be bigger than seeing one cool band who spoke truth to power.
It was now October 25th, 1984 and we were ready for U2. I was surprised to find out they were playing the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. I was even more surprised to find out they were the opener.
As we arrived, we were all amazed by the gigantic banner as you walked into the enormous edifice that is the Coliseum. The oversized banner said, “Born in the U.S.A. Tour.” I was like what?! Turns out the headliner was Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Still at that point I didn’t realize what a monumental moment this would be for me. The show started and U2 was U2, Bono was fantastic, the band was everything I hoped they would be. I loved them so much I would go on later in life to see them a half dozen times.
But it was the headliner that changed my perspective on what music could be and what it could mean to the masses.
I recall seeing the MTV videos, “Hungry Heart,” “Thunder Road,” and “Born to Run,” and songs from the album, “Glory Days,” “Dancing in the Dark,” and the title song, “Born in the U.S.A.”
As soon as they took to the stage, the drumbeat from Max Weinberg and the sax from Clarence Clemons had the crowd in awe. Then, The Boss came out: the crowd lost its mind. What stood out to me wasn’t just the music, it was the connection Springsteen had with all in attendance. I was enthralled by the stories he told between songs – how much distain he had for war and violence that was happening worldwide.
What impressed me most was how Springsteen delivered a sermon. Nothing over the top, just simply put that there is nothing heroic about watching a person die and how governments worldwide should represent the will of the people. Those words never left me and his passion for humanity left me believing that day that music could move mountains when needed.
Flash forward to 2026 and Springsteen is still Springsteen and he remains a powerhouse behind speaking truth to power. With all the issues we see on the evening news each and every day, Springsteen has not toned down his belief in power to the people and that government should always represent the interest of the people and not their own, or any one person. Hard to believe that after decades of championing causes, he has found another reason to admire his legacy. The Boss is making a point with his latest effort, “Streets of Minneapolis.”
So why be excited about another song? Because Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Gang is taking their message on the road. The tour is simply titled NO KINGS, Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour.
About the tour, Springsteen said, “We are living through dark, disturbing and dangerous times, but do not despair — the cavalry is coming! Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band will be taking the stage this spring from Minneapolis to California to Texas to Washington, D.C. for the Land of Hope And Dreams American Tour. We will be rocking your town in celebration and in defense of America — American democracy, American freedom, our American Constitution and our sacred American dream — all of which are under attack by our wannabe king and his rogue government in Washington, D.C. Everyone, regardless of where you stand or what you believe in, is welcome — so come on out and join the United Free Republic of E Street Nation for an American spring of Rock ‘n’ Rebellion! I’ll see you there!”
The tour launches March 31st in Minneapolis, the 21-show run traverses the country landing in Los Angeles at the Kia Forum April 7th and 9th.
If you want to see living history, get tickets wherever he plays. Tickets go on sale this Saturday at Noon (local time).
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February 16, 2026UncategorizedREMAINS UNSTOPPABLE
February 16th, 2026 by Traci Turner
The one band that I insist will put you in a celebratory mood every single time is returning to North America this year! Grammy nominated reggae-pop legends, UB40 announced their 2026 U.S. and Canadian trek,
The Unstoppable Tour, which will kick off in September. Launching in Canada and then bouncing between the two countries, the jaunt runs through November and includes several SoCal stops. In addition to the tour news, the band also confirmed plans to release a new album in summer 2026.
Anaheim, California
October 28th, 2026
The “Red Red Wine” icons remain one of the most successful and influential British groups of all time. With more than 100 million albums sold, our lives would not be complete without their classic hits “Here I Am (Come and Take Me),” “(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love With You,” and “The Way You Do the Things You Do.”
The official UB40 band features founding members James Brown (drums), Robin Campbell (guitar/vocals), Earl Falconer (bass/vocals), and Norman Hassan (percussion/vocals), along with Martin Meredith (keyboards/WX7/saxophone), Jahred Gordon (keyboards), Laurence Parry (trumpet/flugel/trombone), Ian Thompson (saxophone), Gilly G (MC vocals), Matt Campbell (backing vocals), and lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Doyle.
Robin Campbell is excited to head our way, saying, “We can’t wait to embark on ‘The Unstoppable Tour,’ as the tour title says that’s how we are feeling! New music, more shows than our last visit, and a more extensive tour of Canada. This will be our fifth consecutive year back in North America and we couldn’t be happier to be coming back. We are currently in the studio working on our new album which will be out before we arrive, and we can’t wait for the fans to hear what we have been cooking up!”
Jimmy Brown added, “Really looking forward to this year’s USA tour. It’s always fun getting on the road. We could fly on the longer journeys, but we prefer to go by road. You get to see the changing landscape and meet ordinary people along the way. I think this is the fifth year in a row now that we have toured the States, and it just keeps getting better. More gigs, bigger venues, bigger production. American audiences are the loudest in the world, and the crowd has become more and more diverse over the years. Can’t wait to get there.”
The 2026 tour takes the band through 40 markets at major amphitheaters and performing arts centers including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Vegas, Dallas, Atlanta, and closes out in Florida. Southern California receives four dates: October 24th in Cabazon at the Morongo Casino; October 25th in Thousand Oaks at Kavil Theatre; October 28th in Anaheim at House of Blues; and October 31st in San Diego at Open Air Theatre.
Tickets and fan experiences with VIP Meet & Greet packages are on sale now. While you are getting that squared away, you can go ahead and preorder the upcoming album too!
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February 13, 2026UncategorizedLive at the Wiltern
February 13th, 2026 by Amber Meyer
The mood for State Champs’ Celebrating 10 years of Around The World and Back at The Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles was… pure, unadulterated excitement!
This Albany five-piece pounded out energetic bubblegum pop-punk tunes with sing-along choruses. The band’s over-the-top, dedicated fans came out in full force to celebrate with them.
Derek DiScanio’s vocals have tons of melodic pop sensibility. Add in Tyler Szalkowski’s overarching guitar and break stops, Evan Ambrosio’s fast-paced drums, and Ryan Scott Graham’s solid bass lines, and this album is true to the pop punk formula: a quick three minutes that packs a huge punch!
Just Friends from Dublin, California, started the night with pop-punk, emo, and funk colliding to create their unique sound.
Washington, D.C.’s indie pop-punk band Origami Angel did a solid job of getting the crowd warmed up with songs like the melodic anthem, “666 Flags.”
They were super tight and so much fun!
Next on the list was LA’s own Honey Revenge. Dressed to impress, donning matching purple and black attire, topped off with a matching pink guitar and bass.
They looked great and sounded even better. Songs like “Risk,” with its dance and rock elements, make them unique.
Devin Papadol is a fabulous front woman with equal measures of skill, attitude, and sugar. Her vocal style is killer. Their fans in the audience were plentiful and definitely impressed.
Their song “Habitual” had the venue in an uproar, dancing and singing as crowd participation was encouraged and happily obliged.
When headliner State Champs took the stage with octane-level energy, starting with songs from the band’s most popular album, “All Around the World and Back,” a 2015 release, they opened with the first four singles in quick succession. “Eyes Closed” got the crowd hyped, and the hit song “Secrets” had fans going ballistic!
By the third song in the set, “Losing Myself,” the floor was literally shaking. I had never experienced that at the Wilturn, but sure enough, all the jumping and pogo-ing in place did the job, all while hands held high in the air.
It was infectious, and if you knew the words, you were definitely singing along! If you didn’t, you were jumping around like everyone else!
Playing the album in its entirety, the single “All You Are is History” was met with fan fervor…again!
Moving through the set, they slowed it down with the ballad “Around the World and Back,” featuring Devin Papadol of Honey Revenge on stage for this duet. A powerful performance, this love song was probably my favorite song in the set.
Fans were beyond stoked that songs from all five of their albums were performed, including the love lorne “Light Blue” and the anethematic “Clueless” from the 2024 self-titled release.
Also performing two new singles, “(For The) Hell Of It” and “Common Sense,” released in November 2025, fans were over-the-top receptive, and I’d say there’s a good chance we will see another album from the band, which would be a great thing!
Up next is Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Berach. A big stage for sure for a band that will bring their larger-than-life performance to the masses!
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Red Hare Images
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February 11, 2026UncategorizedCOMING TO GARDEN AMP
February 11th, 2026 by Amberlee Meyer
March 28th, Cool Cats Big Bad Voodoo Daddy bring their swing revival sound to the Garden Amphitheater in Garden Grove. It’s their only Southern California show, and it’s a show you won’t want to miss.
Formed in the sleepy surf town of Ventura, the band delivers their take on the music of the bygone era of the 1940s and ‘50s, and these big band swingers have been performing in concert halls around the globe since the release of their 1994 self-titled album.
The name? Frontman Scotty Morris had a chance meeting with the legendary blues artist and band leader Albert Collins, and he received a poster signed “To Scotty, the big bad voodoo daddy.” Morris thought it was a perfect name for his band and never looked back.
Besides being the band leader, Scotty Morris handles the vocals and guitar. Kurt Sodergren on the drum kit; double bass is handled by Dirk Shumaker; Andy Rowley heads up the brass section on saxophone; Glen “The Kid” Marhevka takes the trumpet. At the same time, Karl Hunter does double duty with saxophones and clarinet, and Joshua Levy is the man on the piano.
Rising to popularity in the ‘90s, Big Bad Voodoo blends big band, swing, and jump back blues. Hits include “Mr. Pinstripe Suit,” “You & Me & the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby),” and “King of Swing.”
They’ve done some iconic covers as well, including their version of “I Wanna Be Like You” (based off the original in Disney’s “The Jungle Book”). Their cover album “How Big Can You Get?: The Music of Cab Calloway,” released in 2009, is beyond compare, and their cover of “Minnie the Moocher” is incredible… as is the rest of the album!
Of course, with the Super Bowl on everyone’s mind right now, Big Bad is also a part of that history having performed in the halftime show in 1999. Titled “A Celebration of Soul, Salsa and Swing,” Big Bad Voodoo Daddy shared the stage with Stevie Wonder and Gloria Estefan. Not too shabby!
Mark your calendars, get dressed to the nines, and put on your dancing shoes!
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Header Photo Credit Andy Rowley
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February 10, 2026Uncategorized25 Years of “Bleed American”
February 10th, 2026 by Traci Turner
Jimmy Eat World will honor the 25th anniversary of their iconic album “Bleed America” with a North American tour.
The 2001 album cemented to band in our musical history thanks to the title track, “A Praise Chorus,” “Sweetness,” and the monster hit, “The Middle.”
You could not escape those songs if a radio was nearby – although why would you?
Frontman and guitarist Jim Adkins discussed the celebratory tour, “I feel like at this time in our lives, especially for me, it’s important to get back to a place that you can savor.” He went on, “This tour is designed to be an elevated version of our show, a heightened experience with production that reflects 25 years of learning how to stretch artistically in the live environment.”
Adkins is joined by additional founding members Tom Linton on guitar and Zach Lind on drums. Longtime member – who might as well have been a founder – Rick Burch remains on bass.
The guys will have a rotating crew of acts lending support, including Rise Against, Hot Mulligan, Sunny Day Real Estate, Thrice, Motion City Soundtrack, Mom Jeans, Minus the Bear, Thursday, The Get Up Kids, PUP, Sparta, Hey Mercedes, Girls Against Boys, Illuminati Hotties, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, and Jay Som.
The trek kicks off in Denver at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre on June 9th, travels along the Midwest and East Coast, then closes out November 14th in Tampa.
Jimmy Eat World is also part of the Vans Warped Tour’s 30-ish days of Warped, and will perform at all five dates of the festival including July 25th-26th in Long Beach.
Visit the band’s site to hop on the presale action, or get tickets Friday during the general onsale.
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February 9, 2026UncategorizedAnnounces Concert to Celebrate 3rd Anniversary
February 9th, 2026 by Kevin Gomez
It seems just like yesterday the Punk Rock Museum was opening its doors for the first time.
The punk community can often be some of the harshest and skeptical critics, and some saw this as a commercialization of a genre that often rebels against such acts. But, any skepticism was quickly squashed when you actually got to visit and witness the museum in all its glory for the first time.
I went for the first time shortly after their grand opening during Punk Rock Bowling weekend in 2023. It can be overwhelming; two stories filled wall-to-wall with memorabilia telling our history for the last five decades. From setlists to flyers, from photographs to a wall of leather jackets, to the very instruments from all your favorite bands (that you’re encouraged to pick up and play) it’s a pretty impressive experience.
There is also the Three Star Punk Bar (enjoy a Fletcher: a rum and Coke served in a Pringles can), a tattoo bar, and even a wedding chapel. The museum also offers guided tours throughout the year from some of your favorite punk rock icons.
I was fortunate enough to attend the first anniversary concert held in the museum’s parking lot in 2024. An all-star lineup that included The Vandals, Get Dead, The Last Gang, Soldiers of Destruction, Sakura, and Suburban Resistance. Last year’s second anniversary show featured T.S.O.L., Voodoo Glow Skulls, Playboy Manbaby, Knuckleheadz, and The Dollheads.
The Punk Rock Museum just announced they will be holding another parking lot show to celebrate their third anniversary.
The show will be held Easter Weekend, on April 4th, and will be headlined by the magnificent Spike and the Gimme Gimmes.
Spike is joined by CJ Ramone on bass, Andrew Pinching on drums, John Reis on guitar, and Strung Out’s Jake Riley on guitar. The museum will be announcing additional performers as the show grows closer.
This will be another incredible celebration of all things punk and the amazing museum itself. Tickets are on sale now.
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February 8, 2026UncategorizedSet to Play Amoeba Music with New Album
February 8th, 2026 by Kevin Gomez
Hardcore music and mariachi both have a long, deep-rooted history in Los Angeles. It’s not very often that the two genres collide, especially within the same band and fanbase, but that’s exactly what makes Los Angeles’ Mariachi El Bronx so unique and special.
Their story began in 2002 when vocalist Matt Caughthran joined guitarist Joby J. Ford to form The Bronx, a hardcore punk band.
They’ve undergone few lineup changes over the years before settling on second guitarist Ken Horne, bassist Brad Magers, and the exceptionally talented Joey Castillo on drums. Castillo has become something of a session drummer having played with icons like Circle Jerks and Queens of the Stone Age.
The band has put out six studio albums over the years, including 2021’s “The Bronx VI.” They’ve played countless festivals over the years, including Warped Tour, Riot Fest, Camp Punksylvania, and Punk in the Park.
However, in 2007 Caughthran began expressing an interest in recording a mariachi album in interviews. The result was 2009’s “Mariachi El Bronx” (much like The Bronx, all of their albums are self-titled). If critics thought they were initially joking or even skeptical, all doubts were put to rest after a single listen.
For their records, the band takes on additional members including guitarrón Mexicano (Mexican guitar) players, violinists, and horns. Mariachi El Bronx take this side of their music very seriously, showing up in full mariachi ensemble for their live performances.
Caughthran has said that Mariachi El Bronx “was something that was a part of us that we didn’t really realize. I mean, being from Los Angeles and, you know, growing up and surrounded by Mexican culture, it just kind of happened.” He was also quoted as saying this was the easiest and most fun they’ve ever had recording an album.
Their newest album, “Mariachi El Bronx IV,” will drop February 13th and the band says it will capture “warriors, and lovers – characters that channel the specific weight of being alive right now.” A recent press release from the band says they continue to “honor the rich Hispanic music and culture woven into the fabric of Los Angeles.”
Fans will get a special opportunity to catch Mariachi El Bronx on February 17th for an in-store performance and signing at the world-famous Amoeba Music in Los Angeles.
Before that, they have two local-ish dates: February 13th at M-Theory Music in San Diego, and in Tijuana at the famed Black Box on February 14th. So, grab your señorita and your passport and head for the border for a romantic Valentine’s evening.
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February 5, 2026UncategorizedJOHNNY MARR
The California Calling Tour
February 5th, 2026 by Amberlee Meyer
For those of you with inquiring minds, it can be argued that the ’80s and ’90s delivered some of the greatest guitarists of all time. Truth is, there are a few still touring, and one of them is coming to Southern California. It’s been a minute since we saw him last, but the legend that is Johnny Marr will be back to entertain us next month.
The UK-born son of Irish immigrants would become the singer-songwriter man behind the jangle-pop guitar of the unforgettable band, The Smiths. Marr was paired with Steven Patrick Morrissey, together they put out their signature sound as The Smiths.
Morrissey’s haunting vocals along Marr’s signature guitar riffs electrified the world. Songs that became an era-defining moment in time included “Ask,” “This Charming Man,” “Panic,” “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now,” “London,” “Sheila Takea Bow,” “Bigmouth Strikes Again,” “What Difference Does It Make?,” “Is It Really So Strange,” “Girlfriend in a Coma,” and perhaps a top five song of the decade, “How Soon Is Now?”
Unfortunately, growing tension between Morrissey and Marr ultimately led to the band’s breakup in 1987. Both went their own way and found success in their solo careers.
LOS DARKS FESTIVAL
Santa Ana Stadium
March 28th, 2026
After disbanding The Smiths, Marr had a short stint in The Pretenders, formed supergroup Electronic with New Order frontman Bernard Sumner, produced albums, worked as a session musician, and of course, toured as a solo artist.
His solo work has created a new fanbase, songs like “Hi Hello,” “Armatopia,” “Spirit Power and Soul,” “Walk into the Sea,” and more recently, “Somewhere” has created a buzz that is uniquely Johnny Marr.
Marr’s latest release, “Look Out Live!,” includes original songs by Marr, a host of Smiths songs that he co-wrote, and a variety of covers including David Bowie’s hit “Rebel Rebel,” and Iggy Pop’s “The Passenger.” It’s a fantastic live album worth listening to!
No matter where Marr plays, he gives it his all and delivers on that mastery of his guitars in a manner you just have to see and hear to believe.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see him on the California Calling Tour! These SoCal dates will be shows to remember!
Catch Marr at Pappy & Harriet’s in Pioneertown on March 26th, Los Angeles on the 27th at the Lodge Room, and in Santa Ana on March 28th as part of the Los Darks Festival at the Santa Ana Stadium (also featuring Caifanes, The Growlers, Twin Tribes, The Adicts, and more!).
If you want to see living history, then get your tickets now!
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