Publication Date: April 16, 2026
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April 15, 2026UncategorizedIN YOUR FACE
to Celebrate 40 Years at The Glass House
April 15th, 226 by Kevin Gomez
For over four decades Fishbone has been a groundbreaking, genre-bending pioneer in the Los Angeles music scene. Since the ‘80s they have blended elements of funk, ska, punk, and metal, inspired by George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic and Bad Brains. The band would pave the way for the future success of artists like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Faith No More, and Living Colour.
In the past year, Fishbone played the Vans Warped Tour and toured with Less Than Jake, Suicide Machines, and Catbite. They will be joining Suicide Machines to support Goldfinger at the Palladium this August.
But, before then Fishbone will bring their fully electric, always eclectic live show to The Glass House in Pomona on May 9th. The band is gathering to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their debut full-length album, “In Your Face.”
The album showed their earliest incarnations blending ska, reggae, punk and funk, before their eventual evolution into the harder sound they would become associated with.
“In Your Face” is important, not only as part of Fishbone’s journey, but the overall history of ska-punk music.
Never one to shy away from politics, even when controversial, the band released the single, “Racist Piece of Shit” in 2024 about a certain nameless president. The song would later be featured on the band’s eight studio album, “Stockholm Syndrome,” released last year. The album also included “Last Call in America,” a song featuring George Clinton.
Led by the human Energizer Bunny, Angelo Moore, fans at The Glass House will be treated to lead vocals, saxophone, and even theremin in between his endless antics.
The evening will also feature Piñata Protest, a band that truly captures a mixture of Tex-Mex music with punk rock, featuring Alvaro Del Norte on lead vocals and accordion. Kicking off the evening will be the current ska phenomenon Chudson.
This band is special and they have deservedly been receiving a lot of buzz from bands and fans alike, and when you catch their live show, you’ll see why. Between these three you will not have a second to catch your breath as you skank the night away.
Do yourself a favor and get out and see this legendary band – tickets are on sale now.
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April 15, 2026UncategorizedComing to The Wiltern
April 15th, 2026 Story by Shane Pase
The LA darkwave duo returns to their hometown for a night of hits — and possibly a preview of what’s coming next.
When She Wants Revenge invades the Wiltern on April 23rd, it will feel exactly like what it is — a hometown show from a band that knows how to connect with an audience.
The Los Angeles duo has spent two decades carving out a distinct space where indie rock, post-punk, and darkwave intersect. From the beginning, their sound resonated with listeners drawn to something mood-driven and immersive, and that connection has only grown over time. What started as a defining voice of the mid-2000s has continued finding new listeners, keeping the music relevant well beyond the moment it was made.
This Wiltern date stands out for how intentional it feels. Rather than a sprawling national tour, the band has chosen a focused run of appearances — including a high-profile slot at Sick New World — with this Los Angeles show as the anchor.
That selectiveness gives the night a sense of purpose. It’s less about promotion and more about the experience of seeing them live in the city that has always been central to their story.
Their live set tends to build gradually, drawing the audience in and letting each song settle before moving forward. Fans can expect a setlist built around the material that has defined them — songs that have taken on new dimension over the years in a live setting, feeling both familiar and refreshed at the same time. It’s the kind of catalog that brings longtime listeners and newer fans into the same room, each with their own relationship to the music.
Timing plays a role here too. There’s been a genuine resurgence of interest in post-punk and darker electronic sounds, and She Wants Revenge fit naturally into that landscape without having to chase it. The sound doesn’t need to adjust to what’s current — it simply belongs there.
For a Los Angeles crowd, there’s an added layer to all of this. This is home, and that familiarity tends to come through in the performance. There’s a confidence to a band playing their own city, a sense that they understand the room and the people in it.
In a live music landscape that often leans on scale and spectacle, there’s something genuinely appealing about a She Wants Revenge show that keeps the focus where it belongs — on the songs, the room, and the people who showed up for both. This one should be intimate and fantastic.
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April 14, 2026UncategorizedLive at Observatory Santa Ana
April 12th, 2026 Review by Amberlee Meyer
On April 4th, The Observatory in Santa Ana was stacked with punk bands spanning generations. On the bill? LA-based Knuckleheadz, Huntington Beach’s own Guttermouth, and the main event, OC’s punk rock legends Agent Orange.
First up was Whittier’s hardcore street band, Knuckleheadz, a gritty, no-nonsense, chaotic, underground DIY band born out of the fight club movement in 2021. Being “California sober,” they are part of a brotherhood that preached no heavy drugs or hard alcohol, focus on the music, and celebrate major events like parenthood.
This set was just straight-up loud, fast, unapologetic hardcore, and fans loved it! “Fuck McDonald’s” was a big fan favorite! It’s a stick-it-to-the-man, scream-out anthem.
The mohawks and leather jackets were everywhere, the pit was alive and well, and I’m happy to report there were no major injuries!
Other favorites during their set were “Wasted,” “Fighting Solves Everything,” “Punk Rock Warriors,” and “Fuck You I’m Done.”
Guttermouth was pure Guttermouth. Mark Adkins is a great frontman and knows how to have fun while simultaneously ensuring chaos, and this show was no different.
Even with some sound issues, they still shook the roof off the place and the pit was going off!
The OC is unique in that punk rock is woven into its culture, its clothes, and its attitude. Bands have been leaving lasting impressions since the late 70s, including The Adolescents, T.S.O.L., The Vandals, and Social Distortion. They all went on to become prolific and synonymous with the Orange County punk scene.
Agent Orange also hails from Orange County and is widely considered a punk rock legend in these parts. They were solid, tight, and ready to punk rock out the best way they could – a little surfy, a little poppy, a lot of skate punk, and a ton of badassery! The band has been around since the late 1970s, and they are just as good – if not better – live now as they were then.
While there have been lineup changes over the years – standard for such a lengthy career – since 2019, it has been founding member Mike Palm (vocals, guitar), Perry Giordano (bass), and Sandy Hanson (drums).
They opened with the surf-infused instrumental “Pipeline,” and they play well. Giordano has great stage style; he’s super low to the ground and it’s a great visual as he beats out bass riffs.
“Everything Turns Grey” blends punk rock and surf guitar, and fans ate it up! The vocals were fire and Mike Palm is a fantastic frontman.
“Tearing Me Apart” is definitely on the pop side of the early ‘80’s scene, but there is an undercurrent of darkness that OO is famous for. For a three-piece, they can make a lot of noise, and it sounded incredible.
“It’s All a Blur” is in the same vein, with great melodic vocals and just a well-written song. “America” had the pit on fire, with fists and elbows thrown; this is not your Warped Tour pit – it’s a little darker and more violent.
The anthematic “Breakdown” was outstanding! Pure punk with a message against the establishment. The backup vocals are my favorite part of the song! “Say It Isn’t True” is another example of great songwriting, and it comes through full throttle on this song.
“Mr. Moto” was pure surf punk at its best, and fans ate it up. The drums in this song are a standout, making it even more interesting. While there are no lyrics, lyrics are not important when you can play that way!
“I Kill Spies” is just another example of the dark sound that is in every successful Orange County punk band, and they do it so well! Later in the set, we heard “Living in Darkness,” a huge song for them, and they did not disappoint. It reminds me of a song by the band X in the way it’s constructed, and the crowd was so into it!
“Wouldn’t Last a Day” makes me think the band Pennywise is a big fan of Agent Orange: another great song and another super-tight performance.
The biggest cheers of the night came when the band blasted into “Bloodstains.” It’s punk, it’s dark, and it’s a brilliantly written song! The pit was crazy by this point, and the song was a favorite for the audience. Everyone was screaming out the chorus, and the room was full – such a loud, fun experience!
Closing with a Dead Kennedys cover, “Police Truck,” the audience exploded, and the energy was at an all-time high. It was a brilliant choice to close with, making the whole show worth it and this cover alone was fantastic! What a great way to end the night; fans couldn’t have asked for more!
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Todd Markel Rock Images
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April 13, 2026UncategorizedSTORYTELLERS EDITION
Catching Up with Doug “Sluggo” Roberts
April 14th, 2026 by Jimmy Alvarez
I can’t remember the exact date, but it was the very early ‘90s. I was set to do an overnight shift with my good friend The Swedish Egil. As I sat in the control room waiting on Egil, in through the doors came our Program Director Andy Schoen. He smiled and said, “Jimmy, I gave Egil the night off. We’re going to try out this new guy. Let him run the board, take over if there are any issues, let me know how he does.”
The door opened and in came a 20-some-year-old kid. He looked amped; I recall him having the biggest smile and he had long hair, down to his mid back. I still remember it as if it was yesterday, he said… “Hello fellow human, I’m Doug!”
DOUG THE VERY YOUNG SLUG
We talked for a few minutes about the board and agreed he would do it all himself. Given it was all new to him and his first shift I thought that was ballsy. He podded his mic and introduced himself as “Doug the Slug.” I was like, did I hear that right?
In the next break he called himself the Slug Monstrosity. That made me laugh, and I was amazed how much the listeners loved his name, his delivery and the stories he told about the bands and songs we played that fateful night, he was quite the storyteller. Obviously I told Andy the new guy did good!
Here we are decades later, and a lot has happened in the world of music and radioland since my first encounter with Doug. It’s no secret that KROQ has had its ups and downs, and lately they have resurrected themselves from some dark days to being at the top of the ratings again.
Those of you who follow this Industry Report series know the story that the turnaround had much to do with the return of Kevin Weatherly, Sr. VP of Programming at KROQ. Another key acquisition was bringing on Miles Anzaldo aka “Miles the DJ” as the stations Music Director (MD).
Anzaldo | Weatherly | Roberts
In other radio-related stories we have covered how music truly is the driving force behind any successful radio station. But, it’s the personalities, the voices that bring home the music. The voices who interview our sonic heroes and tell us the stories we love to hear about our favorite bands and songs – it’s the storytellers that make the difference between being a good radio station and being a great one. If you’re really lucky, if you have the right storytellers, you may even earn the moniker of being referred to as world famous.
In the end, music is the great communicator; With the support of Audacy – Weatherly and Anzaldo have put together a solid on-air lineup and delivered music in a way that has put KROQ back at the top. Another truth … when we think of all the iconic stations on the planet, we all have our own opinions of which era was the best. I am happy to report that in the last ratings book, KROQ across-the board had the best ratings ever – that speaks volumes about what’s happening there today.
Their morning show is top notch, the return of Kevin Ryder healed many wounds, add Megan Holiday and the return of fan favorite DJ Doug the Slug – it turned KROQ back into a radio juggernaut.
As I arrived at my old home, Doug greeted me with a handshake and that same familiar welcoming smile. We caught each other up on how we were and how our families are doing. I then asked the big question: How does it feel to be back home? He paused and said it was hard to put into words. You see, Doug has a way to animate his feeling through his smile, and his eyes just light up.
His early days had him at KZZP in Phoenix, a stint at KROQ then after a radio-walkabout journey that saw him behind a mic in New York at the iconic KROCK (WXRK), and back in L.A. at 95.5FM -KLOS – he said it was surreal to be back home. He added that he loves what’s happening at KROQ. He especially loves the direction they are going with music.
The Slug Monstrosity said with a very big smile that he really looks forward to playing new music each and every day and doing segments like the ‘90s at Noon.
I told him one of the things that I have always loved about listening to him was how much joy he had in playing the music and telling stories; he often sounds like a teenager that can’t wait to talk about the coolest music, or band.
He laughed when I mentioned places like Poo-Bah and Tower Records on The Strip. He said he loved those places and when he was a kid in Phoenix, you could always find him at Bill’s, MusicLand or Tower. He loved all the new tunes that came out and he couldn’t get enough of the rock bands.
He told a story of when he was around nine years old. He got stopped by a mall cop because he was carrying about a dozen 45s. Obviously security thought he had stolen them because he couldn’t find his receipt.
He was told that no nine-year-old walks around with a handful of 45s. He was taken back to the record store where they confirmed he bought them and he was a regular. The way he told the story was as if he was reliving it on the spot.
We then turned back to the first time we met, I asked him what it was like for him to be a young dude landing a gig at a place like KROQ. He paused and with a boyish grin he said, “That was really something. The joqs welcomed him he said – Kevin, Bean, Romando and Blade, and Jed… that dude really made me feel like I belonged.” What he liked most about those days was how everyone had an opinion about music and would tell you what they thought.
JED THE FISH
We discussed where the radio industry was today. We both agreed that COVID was a very dark time for everyone, and it was almost a death sentence for radio stations nationwide. But the industry persevered and yes, there were other challenges and some self-inflicted wounds that had to be overcome. KROQ has done a very good job in learning from some of the challenges. Bringing back Kevin Ryder was a big deal; when he spoke about Ryder, and old friends like Jed the Fish, that Doug Roberts smile and energy filled the room.
I said that I thought the station once again had a kick-ass morning show, he agreed and said they are a great team, and he too was extremely happy for them and their ratings numbers. Overall, fans had a reason they were mad at the station, but with a little time and a return to some familiar programing and voices, those changes were the reason listeners needed to come back; they have come back home in droves.
I asked what else he was up to, he said he does a show on the First Wave channel at SiriusXM. He said he works with another old friend, Chris Muckley who puts together some wicked-good programming and pulls out music most people have forgotten about, but still sounds just as good today as it did when we first heard it. He said he really enjoys working with Muckley at Sirius.
Another passion for him is a podcast he does with Kevin Ryder called Three Fourths Human Podcast. The show originally had a third host, Marci Wiser. But with Wiser anchoring mornings at Live105 in San Francisco, she does spot appearances now, and they are very fortunate to have Kat Corbett sitting in.
The show is smart, funny, and just very entertaining. It is available on Patreon, Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Play Podcast – seriously check them out. Lately they have been delving into KROQ history and reliving fantastic memories.
I asked how he has the energy to do all he does. He laughed and said, “I really need to have a passion for anything I do. I really have to like it,” because he emerges himself and is an expert in the subject matter. He doesn’t know any other way to do it and he has paid the price for how he goes about what he does. He finished with, “You just gotta’ really love what you do.”
In the end, it’s good to see good things happen to good people. No matter which shows you like best, Three Fourths Human Podcast, First Wave on Sirius, or middays at The World Famous KROQ, you get the Slug Monstrosity. Any way you slice it, you are getting top notch entertainment from one of the good guys.
You can catch Doug the Slug Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 106.7 FM, KROQ.
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April 13, 2026UncategorizedSet to Play House of Blues Anaheim
April 13th, 2026 Story by Joey Clark
Fresh off his Coachella appearance, legendary rock singer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, David Lee Roth will be touching down in Anaheim this month during his three month U.S. tour.
If last year’s tour is any indicator, the frontman is expected to perform a high-octane setlist of classic Van Halen songs and covers from his era of the band’s career.
Roth had initially discussed intentions of retiring following a residency at the House of Blues in Las Vegas that was to take place at the tail end of 2021 going into early 2022, but that was ultimately canceled.
Prior to that residency, the last live performance he had was opening for KISS in Texas during a 43-city tour that was cut short halfway through due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The lead singer came back strong and reinvigorated last year and was clearly inspired to keep the show going.
With no Van Halen reunion/reformation in sight after the unfortunate loss of Eddie Van Halen in 2020, there’s no better way to experience songs like “Jump,” “You Really Got Me,” “Panama,” “Runnin’ With the Devil,” “Hot for Teacher,” “Right Now,” “Dance the Night Away,” “Jamie’s Cryin,’” and “Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love” live than with the original frontman who brought these smash hits to life.
Don’t sleep on this show! Whether you were on the barricade for Van Halen in the ‘70s or digging through your parents’ record collection this weekend to discover the brilliance of the Roth’s vocal range, you’ll want to be at the House of Blues in Anaheim on April 20th!
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April 9, 2026UncategorizedLive at St. George Art Festival
April 10th, 2026 Review by Alaina Pierce
Thousands swarmed the streets of St. George, Utah last Friday night, as The Aquabats charged onto the mainstage in their signature blue rashguards and iconic masks.
Each year, the annual St. George Art Festival transforms its quaint little downtown into rows of white tents hosting over 160 artists, food trucks, and performers, with bands playing on three stages.
Typically, this festival receives 30,000 art-loving visitors, however the buzz about The Aquabats headlining traveled to surrounding states, which pushed festival organizers to anticipate nearly 50,000 attendees. While impossible to get an exact headcount, the band’s merch sold out within minutes and fans sporting their superhero look could be seen for blocks.
What made The Aquabats the perfect headliner for the festival is their cross-generational appeal. With over 30 years of making music, international tours (most recently in England), seven studio albums, and a live-action tv show under their belt, their music bridges generational gaps, which I witnessed in the all-age mosh pit.
A frenzy of life-sized inflatable sharks infested the sea of fans when the band kicked off their 90-minute set with “Shark Fighter,” followed by “Cat with Two Heads.” MC Bat Commander may have retired from doing his classic onstage backflips, but his vocal gymnastics are still in peak condition!
The MC Bat Commander (Christian Jacobs) delivered an electric performance and non-stop witty entertainment. During the chorus of “Martian Girl,” he conducted the entire audience in a call-and-response of “Wo-wo-wo” with participatory choreographed hand motions.
Another surge of excitement ensued at the sight of enormous inflatable pizzas being launched into the audience along with actual pizza slices when the band began playing “Pizza Day.”
Some danced, some sang along, some ate the pizza thrown at them, and some elbowed their way onto the giant pizza slice floaties to surf the crowd.
At one point, a seven-year-old named Maizie was invited onstage to sing with The Commander, then he lovingly sent her crowd surfing on one of the slices to have the thrill of her (very short) life.
It was pretty special seeing the return of early band members Cat Boy (Boyd Terry, trumpet) and Chainsaw (Corey Pollock, guitar) reunited with long-standing members like Crash (Chad Larson, bass). Their set was jam packed with surprises, killer solos by Eaglebones (Ian Fowles, guitar), and solid hits like “Red Sweater,” “My Skateboard,” “Play Doh,” “Whatever Forever,” “Dr. Space Mummy,” and “Burger Rain.” Of course, huge inflatable burgers “rained” into the mix of crowd surfing toys.
During fan favorite “Fashion Zombie,” a larger-than-life Frankenstein made a special appearance, as well as the Professor, who was later the catalyst for a theatrical fight sequence between The Aquabats against the wrestlers, cyclops and other villains.
I am happy to report no one was seriously injured, and The Aquabats won because they’re super rad.
Speaking of which, they closed their set playing “Super Rad” with such palpable energy, it intoxicated the entire festival. Everyone was up on their feet dancing and singing.
Demands for “One more song!” immediately followed. That was quickly swallowed up by loud repetitive chants for “Pool Party!” The band indulged the audience’s wishes and gave them a finale they won’t soon forget. An absurd amount of pool toys was unleashed onto the crowd. All the characters from the show came out to celebrate, and fans were invited on stage to sing and dance.
After the concert, I asked Christian Jacobs the circumstances that led to the band playing at the festival. Jacobs had been struggling to find a local venue in Washington County, suitable for the band to play. A friend of his presented the matter to St. George City, who then suggested the festival. Playing the Art Festival made sense to Jacobs because “we (The Aquabats) are art on wheels.” He then added that the concert may have had a little more chaos than St. George is used to, but “a little bit of controlled chaos can be fun.”
Moms, dads, kids, even grandparents were moving their feet and it was pretty evident everyone had a fun time!
EVENT PHOTO GALLERY
by Alaina Pierce
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April 9, 2026UncategorizedSHOCK*WIEDLIN*LWIN & The Reflexx
Coming to Garden Amp
April 9th, 2026 by Amberlee Meyer
If you are into early new wave, the Garden Amp has a show on May 9th that you won’t want to miss! THREE darlings – who are also badasses – of the new wave scene will join forces for a night of music sure to make you dance!
As co-founder of The Go-Go’s, Jane Wiedlin’s rhythm guitar and vocals left an imprint on all those poppy songs they are known for. The legend keeping the beat with her was drummer Gina Schock, who remains one of the most popular drummers around.
The all-girl band with roots in the LA punk movement moved into new wave and pop, churning out hits like “Vacation,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” “We Got the Beat,” “Turn to You,” “How Much More,” and “Head Over Heels.”
As their legendary story goes, the band went on to solo careers that took them to the top of the charts and the big screen. In the end, the mark they left on a generation was so significant, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.
As for the third powerful woman that night, Annabella Lwin of British band Bow Wow Wow, whose vocal prowess defined the band’s sound with the ‘80s smash hit, “I Want Candy.”
Bow Wow Wow put out other era defining classics, “Aphrodisiac,” “Do You Wanna Hold Me,” and “Baby, Oh No.” Since then, Annabella has remained active in music, evolving into a solo artist, collaborating on EDM projects, and has an impactful place in her heart for charity work.
The Reflexx will open the night and provide support for Shock and Wiedlan. Get to the Garden Amp early as this band is not only one of the most prolific cover bands on the planet, but they also bring an electricity to the stage that you have to see and hear to believe. They are fan favorites who have played with some of the biggest names in the music business and performed on the biggest stages. In other words, this band can bring it!
The Garden Amp is a perfect place for an early summer evening to enjoy a show with a packed ‘80s punch! The open-air seating and the huge dance floor will not disappoint.
Tickets for this larger-than-life event are available now, so get yours!
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April 7, 2026UncategorizedSURPRISE
New Music & Coachella is Calling
April 7th, 2026 by Jimmy Alvarez
As another epic opening weekend at Coachella draws near, one of the featured acts has just dropped a surprise new single.
The Strokes have been part of the musical landscape since 1998 and as they get ready to take the stage in front of a mega-crowd at the Polo Grounds, they gave all their fans a taste of what’s coming.
It was 1998 when we got our first taste of the New York alt rockers. It’s hard to explain, but the Casablancas hit parade has given us ear candy with songs for years.
For me, I could not hear “Last Nite” enough when it first dropped. It was just so different, cool guitar riffs with just enough of a quirky twist.
Since then, their hit parade took off with songs like “12:51,” “Someday,” “Reptilia,” “Under Cover of Darkness,” and “Juicebox” among a number of other songs that mean so many things to so many people for so many different reasons!
The upcoming album, “Reality Awaits” is the first since 2020’s “The New Abnormal,” which garnered Julian Casablancas & Co. its first Grammy. Now, with a new single release to really excite the fanbase, they are making noise, the good noise… new music!
The Strokes are playing Coachella this weekend; they’re also headlining Bonnaroo and Outside Lands this summer. So get out and catch them whenever they come to a city near you!
As for “Reality Waits,” we have to wait just a little longer for the drop date, but it will land this summer… so stay tuned!
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April 6, 2026UncategorizedLive at Garden Amp
April 3rd, 2026 by Amberlee Meyer
This swing revival, jump blues, and jazz ensemble from Ventura is definitely not something you see every day. They stand with style and elegance on every stage they grace – even the world’s largest stage when they performed as part of the 1999 Super Bowl halftime show with the legendary Stevie Wonder!
Amazingly, the band has spent nearly 30 years together recording, touring, and playing across the globe without a line-up change; that’s an incredible feat for a band.
Opening was the Jessica Kaczmarek band and with a wink and a smile she immediately took control of the crowd.
The supporting cast were the perfect bandmates as they were energetic and electrifying.
The crowd was so captivated by their onstage antics, they moved their set to the crowd and the response was so good, we knew this was going to be a very fun night.
Nobody seemed to mind that they became part of the show as they jumped, jived and whaled in their laps!
Because they were an opener, the set was short and before we all knew it, the band was saying goodnight after a job well done.
Scotty Morris leads the band on vocals and guitar, Joshua Levy is on the keys, Kurt Sodergren on the kit, Karl Hunter is on tenor saxophone, clarinet and just about every other reed instrument, Andy Rowley on baritone saxophone, Glen “The Kid” Marhevka takes trumpet, and Dirk Shumaker on double bass.
Their set was tight and perfectly executed, opening with a rendition of Cab Calloway’s “Come On With the ‘Come on,’” and the crowd immediately started moving. They followed up with another Calloway favorite, “The Calloway Boogie,” and fans were proving they definitely love BBVD’s sixth album, “How Big Can You Get? The Music of Cab Calloway.”
BBVD is a sharply-dressed bunch, donning suits and hats, and with their style of music, they could have easily just stepped off the stage of a big band era performance. Think the Paramount Theatre in New York City, or the Paradise Lounge in Los Angeles.
“Jumpin’ Jack,” a Big Bad Voodoo Daddy original, turned up the vibe! When these boys are performing, it’s easy to see how much fun the band is having connecting with the audience.
Moving into “I Wan’na Be Like You (The Monkey Song),” a cover from the Disney classic movie “The Jungle Book,” was absolutely infectious; the entire place erupted in song and dance.
“Minnie the Moocher” is a favorite of mine; it is another famous Cab Calloway tune, and they could not have done it with more style and class.
They also took time for other legends by showcasing works by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra with “Diga Diga Doo,” and again with “The Jitters” by Frankie Newton and His Café Society Orchestra. The set flowed beautifully, allowing the band to showcase the mastery of this musical genre.
Original hits like “You Me and the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight,” “Mambo Swing,” “Mr. Pinstripe Suit,” “King of Swing,” and “Go Daddy-O” were phenomenal and the crowd about lost their minds.
Every single song featured top-shelf solos from every band member, and believe me, these boys can play! I have a sneaking suspicion that frontman Scotty Morris has perfect pitch. If I were a betting lady like Minnie the Moocher, I would bet on that.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is outstanding live. It is an absolute delight to spend an evening seeing this band! BBVD’s next dates take them to Florida and New Orleans, so keep checking their calendar for your chance. It’s a night worth experiencing, so catch them if you can!
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Todd Markel Rock Images
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April 3, 2026UncategorizedLive at House of Blues San Diego
April 2nd, 2026 Review by Joey Clark
Hawthorne Heights packed the House of Blues San Diego during their Lonely World Tour, devised to celebrate their second studio release, “If Only You Were Lonely.”
Within the confines of those 12 tracks was an emotional journey that resonated with many pop-punk and emo fans alike, which is why the album remains the band’s highest charting record to date. It was evident that the passion for their 2006 release was stronger than ever.
As I scanned the barricade, it was easy to see the love for Hawthorne Heights was not limited to the fans who caught them on the Vans Warped Tour over two decades ago; their fan base had expanded to the high school/college kids now carrying pop-punk torch.
Before Hawthorne Heights was unleashed upon the audience, the horror punk band, Creeper from Southampton, England took command of the stage. All of the members emerged with a sense of mystique and intrigue as they donned a uniformed, black and white facial make up design.
The ringleader of this spectacle was frontman Will Gould. He led the group with ferocity and excitement through their six-song set. It’d be criminal to not mention the secret weapon of the group, Hannah Greenwood. Providing backup vocals and keys earlier in the show she remained a subtle presence in the background, but when she emerged as a lead vocalist, the audience was shocked.
She came out in full force. Greenwood’s vocals were powerful and her intention was clear: she was here to cement this show into the concertgoer’s minds. She accomplished just that. The band performed like a headliner and delivered a performance that reminded the crowd of early Misfits shows combined with the theatrics of glam rockers from ‘80s.
As the changeover occurred the audience was buzzing from Creeper’s standout set and awaiting SoCal’s own, letlive. The house lights fell and two figures emerged: drummer Ryan Seaman, and rhythm guitarist Jeff Sahyoun.
Both had drumsticks in hand as the stage became bathed in an eerie, red light. Seaman approached his kit and Sahyoun poised himself in front of a metal trash can, in unison they began pounding away and within seconds the rest of the band took to the stage. What was about to unfold would be arguably the best set of the night.
Lead vocalist, Jason Aaron Butler went off like a powder keg as he dove headfirst into the set. Sweat began to fly within a couple of songs, and the band made sure they gave each moment their absolute best during their nine-song performance.
Spitting powder, high jumps, Butler turning the stage into a Slip ’N Slide and treating the balcony like a personal jungle gym left the audience clamoring for more.
What was truly amazing about their time on stage is that on top of the wild antics, letlive.’s musicianship rang true throughout every single song. They have mastered their craft and are thankfully moving forward together as a band despite doing a farewell tour last year after an eight-year hiatus.
Following some much-needed stage clean up, the house lights went down again, this time for the band we all came to witness, Hawthorne Heights.
The Warped Tour veterans strolled across the stage, they paused, gauging the audience’s excitement for a moment then launched into first track off “If Only You Were Lonely,” “This Is Who We Are,” the perfect sentiment to open up the evening.
March 23rd, 2026
After the first song, frontman JT Woodruff took a moment to reminisce on the band’s past performances in the San Diego area and let everyone know that, “The rules are still the same: we’re here to have a good time.”
As the band progressed through the rest of record it was wonderful to see that the fans weren’t just singing along to the hits like “Saying Sorry” and “Pens and Needles,” they gave it their all with deep cuts too, like the melancholy “Dead in the Water,” and cathartic anthem “Where Can I Stab Myself In The Ears?” They left the stage triumphantly after wrapping up the 20th anniversary set.
To close out the celebration Hawthorne Heights performed an encore consisting of “Bring You Back” off of “Skeletons,” “Dandelions” from the “Lost Lights” EP, their latest song, “Like a Cardinal” (released earlier this month), “Niki FM,” and the final song of the night, “Ohio Is For Lovers” (off of their label debut, “The Silence in Black and White”).
Hawthorne Heights didn’t concoct a half-baked anniversary tour; they cultivated a phenomenal night of music to gift their diehard fans. With the theatrics of Creeper, the high-octane performance of letlive. and Hawthorne Heights’ stage prowess, I can’t recommend enough catching a date on their Lonely World Tour while you can!
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Joey Clark | Highway One Photography
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April 2, 2026UncategorizedLive at House of Blues Anaheim
April 2nd, 2026 Review by Amberlee Meyer
If you grew up in the ‘80s – especially in SoCal – there is no way you have never heard of Oingo Boingo. I fell in love with the first self-titled, 10-inch EP in 1980 – all very Devo-esque, with the analog synth, tight, turned-up guitar – as people were leaving punk and moving into new wave.
For many Boingo fans, the music is part of their personal soundtrack, especially those who have been following them since the beginning. I finally had a chance to catch Oingo Boingo Former Members in March at the House of Blues in Anaheim. Seeing this new wave ska, skippy, trippy, sometimes spooky, art rock mash-up was definitely worth it, especially with a packed house on Friday the 13th.
To get the night started was America’s first ska band, The Untouchables! Given Orange County is the epicenter of Third-Wave ska-punk, this band is not only a fan favorite, but there were hardcore skankers throughout the venue.
The passing of lead singer Jerry Miller was on everyone’s mind, but luckily for all of us, founding member Chuck Askerneese has taken the reins of primary vocals and he does Jerry and the band’s legacy justice.
As the emcee brought out the band, they were treated to new and classic UT’s music. Opening with “Whiplash,” Askerneese segued into “Be Alright,” then fan favorite “I Spy (For the F.B.I.).”
Needless to say, the crowd went nuts! Other songs from their kick-ass set included “Lebanon,” “Jade,” and “Tear Gate Down.”
Because they were the opener, the set was abbreviated, that was the only drawback because the UT’s were on fire.
The horn section was prominent, one could even say they were Boingo-esque. The brass section for UTs is solid, it features Jack Sneddon on trombone, Nick Ramos on trumpet, William Overholtzer on tenor sax, Ian Baritone on sax and keys. These guys delivered an amazing version of “What’s Gone Wrong,” and the crowd ate it up!
Rounding out The Untouchables with an electric and soul piercing glow are Bubba Sanchez on keytar (backing vocals), Dave Cassell on guitar, Ryan Roberts on bass, and James Robertson on the skins.
As the crowd slowly re-grouped, I overheard the chatter. Clearly, most knew OBFM contains original Boingo members.
Original core members include Johnny Vatos (drums), Sam “Sluggo” Phipps (saxophone), Carl Graves (keyboards), Steve Bartek (guitar), and John Avila (bass) although Avila was not there that night.
The Former Members were rounded out by Freddy Hernandez (bass), Brian Swartz (trumpet), Mike “The Spike” Glendinning (rhythm box), and new frontman, José Maldonado.
Opening with “Dead or Alive” the band showcased the vocals prowess of Maldonado, who many know him as the frontman from Sweet and Tender Hooligans (The Smiths, Morrissey tribute bands); many were eager to see how this first real gig on front of a large crowd would shake out for the Boingo enthusiast. The feedback was a very quick thumbs up!
Up next was the 1985 hit “War Again,” followed by “Controller,” one of the best-performed songs of the set in my opinion. Fun, on point, it got the crowd revved up for the rest of the night.
“Nothing to Fear (But Fear Itself)” is a personal favorite of mine; the intro always reminds me of what could be a James Bond theme song, before it scattered across many musical genres.
“Just Another Day” makes me think of a very cool sped-up Duran Duran tune, and it was performed with sheer reverence, and “Private Life” took the crowd to another level of insanity.
Then the crowd heard the beginning of “Weird Science,” from the ‘80s cult classic film of the same name, and the roar of the crowd was insane, as it should be; it was the band’s highest-charting single. Then, they followed with another crowd favorite, “Not My Slave.”
The talent on the stage was immeasurable. No kitschy getups, no organized dance moves, the saxophone solos, epic guitar solos (Bartek wow!), and every musician on the stage was recreating the world of Boingo that fans have come to love, and there were a ton of people onstage to facilitate it. It all just worked!
Further into the set, we heard “Gratitude,” a Danny Elfman song from his “So-Lo,” and an up-tempo ska/new wave tune with a punk rock heart, “Life is Good,” written by sax player Sam “Sluggo” Phipps. Also in the mix was “Grey Matter,” “Sweat,” “Stay” and “We Close Our Eyes.” The way Maldonado delivered those last two songs impressed the heck out of everyone!
The last four songs went off without a hitch, and the crowd was definitely feeling it! “Wild Sex (In the Working Class)” and “Only A Lad” were met with cheers and lyrics singing by the crowd, while the next song, “Dead Man’s Party,” had everyone jumping and getting their groove on! Finishing with “Goodbye Goodbye” was the perfect way to end the night.
In the end, the crowd got what they came for, a kick-ass Boingo show and the band delivered. For Maldonado, a self-professed Boingo fan, this was a dream come true. Any normal person would be nervous as hell, but I will give Maldonado much credit for not letting nerves get the best of him as his delivery wasn’t the talk of the after show; it was how great the band sounded. That is the testament of not just a great lead singer, but an accomplished band filled with accomplished musicians that made the night sound fantastic!
For Boingo fans, rest assured, this band is ready to hit the road again. Next time you see this band listed to play, do yourself a favor and go!
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Shane Pase Photography
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April 1, 2026UncategorizedAnnounce 40th Anniversary Shows
April 1st, 2026 by Traci Turner
In news that will make you clutch your chest, our beloved Pixies are turning 40! The legendary alt rockers formed in Boston in 1986, and it is time to tour the globe in celebration.
So far, the US only has a few dates, but their site states more will be added. The little trek kicks off in September and hits Greenville (SC), Wilmington (NC), East Aurora (NY – Borderland Music Festival), Asbury Park (NJ – Sea Hear Now Festival), Louisville (KY), Columbia (MO), Santa Fe (NM), and Tucson (AZ). Pixies will spend the summer in Asia and Europe, hitting all the major cities and countries.
The band released “The Night the Zombies Came” last year, their first record with bassist Emma Richardson. Richardson replaced Paz Lenchantin in 2024.
Pixies remain Black Francis on vocals and guitar, Joey Santiago on guitar, Magic Man David Lovering on drums, and the previously mentioned Richardson on bass.
Hopefully the additional dates will land them closer to SoCal so we can get our “Where Is My Mind,” “Wave of Mutilation,” “Monkey Gone to Heaven,” “Gigantic,” “Dog for Fire,” “Velouria,” “Here Comes Your Man,” and “Is She Weird” up close and in person!
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SID 260401 | JIMMY ALVAREZ | EDITOR
Header Photo by Travis Shin [...]
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