Publication Date: April 26, 2026
MORE GREAT STORIES
April 23, 2026UncategorizedComing to Observatory Santa Ana
April 23rd, 2026 by Christina Sanchez
The year was 1991, the place was Ukiah, California and that’s when a seismic shift in the reality of alternative rock fans worldwide and Davey Havok took the mic as A Fire Inside, most affectionately known to the enormous fanbase as AFI!
Immediately, the band blew up on alternative radio and they never looked back. They charted hits, “Miss Murder,” “The Last Kiss,” “Girls Not Grey,” “Medicate,” and “Silver and Cold.”
AFI fans recently got the news they have been waiting for, the band announced their 2026 North American Tour. Dubbed the Silver Bleeds Black Tour, Havok and company are now on the road, and they are headed for Southern California.
AFI will feature their classic catalog and songs from their latest album, “Silver Bleeds the Black Sun.”
The band’s live performance has been described as electric, volcanic and stunning. With cutting riffs on guitar and amplified vocals, their performance never falls short of being entertaining.
AFI will play Sick New World this weekend, but after that, they will trek a little bit of everywhere landing in Orange County September 19th.
For the uber-fans, they live for the crooner Davey Havok, but it’s that electrifying sound that really brings their music to life. Hunter Burgan slaps the bass, Jade Puget shreds on guitar, and Adam Carson pounds the skins. The band just sounds incredible when you put all the pieces together. AFI is a band you really have to see live to appreciate their sonic vision.
The OC show will take place at The Observatory Festival Grounds featuring supporting acts Areux, L.A. Witch and Kumo 99.
Tickets for this festival are now available. If you love your music loud with a splash of flare, get out to the Observatory in Santa Ana and check this one out!
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SID 260423 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR [...]
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April 22, 2026UncategorizedThe King of Cool is Coming to Yaamava’
ALL RISE FOR
April 22nd, 2026 by Jimmy Alvarez
He was born Leonard Albert Kravitz, but we know him as Lenny and the current King of Cool is coming to Yaamava’ with his electric brand of kick-ass and soulful blend of rock, funk, R&B and reggae!
He still looks and sounds like he is a twenty-something year-old, and his legion of fans can attest that he remains a must-see performer. He literally has done it all, he’s conquered the stage, the small screen and the big one too.
Best known for his role in The Hunger Games, this actor also happens to sing and he does it well.
He has a string of epic songs to his credit. Songs that make the whole world sing, “It Ain’t Over ‘til It’s Over,” “Fly Away,” “American Woman,” “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” and “Let Love Rule.”
The New Yor City native isn’t done just yet, add in some newer tunes and the Frankestien-ish way he just lights up a room shows us the “Pleasure and the Pain” that is his music.
His fans are getting a taste of “Blue Electric Light,” and it appears he can do no wrong as fans scream for more and more no matter where he takes the stage.
This Grammy Award winner is set to hit the road again and pay us a visit on May 23rd when his traveling circus hits Yaamava’ Resort & Casino Theatre in Highland.
If you want to be thoroughly entertained, come out for this on, trust me you will be entertained.
Tickets for the man, the myth, the legend that is Lenny Kravitz are now on sale!
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SID 260423 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR [...]
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April 22, 2026UncategorizedKROQ & In-N-Out
Two Icons Team Up
“SOUND SPACE”
April 22nd, 2026 by Traci Turner
Honestly, is there anything more Southern California than In-N-Out and KROQ? The two icons are recognizable across the country – and world – as original representatives of the California lifestyle. Now they are partnering to bring music fans the biggest names in the industry.
The Audacy-owned, Los Angeles radio station is giving its Wilshire Boulevard performance venue a new name: the In-N-Out Burger Sound Space at KROQ.
Kevin Weatherly, Senior Vice President of Programming at KROQ said, “For the last 15 years, The Sound Space at KROQ has been the original destination in LA and Orange County for intimate performances from the biggest bands in the world. We are excited to partner with In-N-Out Burger for the next and best phase. These two iconic, SoCal brands are joining forces with the sole purpose of delivering unforgettable live music moments!”
“In-N-Out Burger has a strong synergy with the Southern California experience, just like KROQ,” said Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, President and Owner of In-N-Out Burger. She went on, “Music is such a powerful way to connect with the people we care about, and I can’t wait to see this special space filled with live performances, community, and memorable experiences.”
The very first artist to take the newly minted stage is alt indie rockers, Bleachers. The band gave an exclusive performance at the In-N-Out Burger Sound Space at KROQ and lucky fans enjoyed the In-N-Out food truck giving away the tasty burgers and fries.
Since opening in 2011, the KROQ Sound Space has been home to some of the most sought-after, intimate shows, including Green Day, Arctic Monkeys, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Twenty One Pilots, Linkin Park, Imagine Dragons, and Fall Out Boy. Keep listening to KROQ for info on getting yourself into the next incredible show.
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SID 260422 | JIMMY ALVAREZ | EDITOR [...]
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April 21, 2026UncategorizedAnnounce New Album and Tour
“Born To Be”
April 21st, 2026 by Kevin Gomez
Well, kids, it’s already April. You know what that means – it’s time to start announcing some 2027 concert dates. At least if you’re New Jersey’s The Bouncing Souls, it is. The boys don’t plan to stop by Southern California again until February 2027, a good 10 months from now. But to be fair they’ll be plenty busy touring all over North America.
Last week The Bouncing Souls announced their 13th studio album, “Born to Be,” dropping June 26th. This effort will be their follow-up to “Ten Stories High,” in my opinion one of the finer punk albums from 2023.
The Souls have had an incredible career, spanning nearly four decades, never waiting more than four years to release new material. While many bands with that longevity have released some duds and fillers, The Bouncing Souls have released absolute classics making them one of the most prolific and influential punk bands of the ‘90s and 2000s.
The Souls are celebrating a new album with the release of its first single, “The Light,” produced by Will Yip, who just won a Grammy for his work on Turnstile’s “Never Enough.” If “The Light” is any indication on “Born to Be,” The Souls have done it again with another smash album.
The Bouncing Souls also announced an upcoming tour in support of the new album, as well as the 30th anniversary of “Maniacal Laughter,” 25th anniversary of “How I Spent My Summer Vacation,” and 20th anniversary of “The Gold Record.”
The tour will be a co-headlining one with Detroit’s ska-punk kings, The Suicide Machines. Legends in their own right, they will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of their iconic debut album, “Destruction by Definition.” The album introduced The Suicide Machines to the world, featuring songs like “No Face,” “S.O.S.,” and “New Girl,” and they will be playing the album in its entirety. Just seeing these two legendary bands celebrating these epic albums would be enough for anyone.
Still not convinced? How about these opening acts: The tour will kick off in July through the Northeast and Canada with support from Death by Stereo & The Drowns.
The tour resumes in September through the Southeast with Strike Anywhere and Human Issue. They’ll come back in December to the Midwest and through the Northeast again with The Flatliners and The Jack Knives.
The tour concludes in February of 2027 finally giving some love to the West Coast with support from The Aggrolites and Dead Bars. The tour will stop at the Observatory in Santa Ana on February 13th, and the Belasco in Los Angeles on February 16th.
It may be a long ways away, but you do not want to sleep on it – tickets are on sale now.
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SID 260422 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR [...]
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April 20, 2026UncategorizedINTRODUCING
April 20th, 2026 by Traci Turner
As Coachella fades into the sunset, our eyes turn to the next festivals on the calendar for 2026. Yes, there are the usuals, but we also have some new ones that are ready to become permanent summer rituals.
Not many bands had a bigger 2025 than Sublime. With Jakob Nowell now behind the mic and founders Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh in place, they had a number one song, “Ensenada,” and have wrapped up their album, “Until the Sun Explodes,” which is due out June 12th.
But that was not enough for the Long Beach gents – they have created their own festival AND cruise. Basically, they are taking the Sublime experience everywhere they can.
Now, we all know Sublime can put on a show and host a fantastic party, but they are bringing along several friends to assist in the festivities. Many we already know: The Interrupters, Long Beach Dub Allstars, Codefendants, and Nowell’s previous incarnation – Jakobs Castle. But a name has popped up that we did not know yet… DIZZYISDEAD.
Hailing from the land above us, aka Canada, Blake Lounsbury is DIZZYISDEAD (sometimes stylized as dizzyisdxad). The alternative singer/songwriter may look like a tough guy with tattoos, but he shares his emotions and vulnerability in a way I was not expecting. I mean, I was not prepared to be called out while prepping for a chat.
It’s time to meet DIZZYISDEAD!
Traci: Hey there! Nice to meet you!
Dizzy: It’s nice to meet you!
Traci: Where are you today?
Dizzy: I’m in Kelowna, British Columbia.
Traci: Is that your home?
Dizzy: Yeah.
Traci: So let’s spend five hours getting to the deep heart of all your emotions…
Dizzy: We’re gonna figure out where everything comes from.
Traci: Right! I won’t torment you too much. I saw in your bio that you have loved music as long as you can remember. Do you know the first song that you fell in love with?
Dizzy: The first song that I probably fell in love with, um, trying to think back, I’m trying to jog the memory here. I listened to a lot of Pearl Jam when I was a kid. I think one of the first songs that ever really hit me and I still love to this day would be “Black” by Pearl Jam. I think that one’s just stuck with me.
Traci: You also said you started writing when you were a teenager. Do you remember the first song you wrote or what it was about?
Dizzy: I think it was probably mainly focused on mental health and stuff. I’ve had terrible mental health since I was in my teen years, so I think I’ve mainly focused a lot of what I do around mental health and the struggles I’ve had with it.
Traci: I was feeling a bit attacked by your lyrics in “I’ll Be Fine:” “I’m fucked up, but aren’t we all? And no one can reach me because I put up a wall.” Stop getting in my head!
Dizzy: Yeah, no, exactly! That’s why that song did so well; so many people resonated with it.
Traci: Do you have plans for an album or are you a single release type artist?
Dizzy: I’ve been releasing singles just because the way that society is right now and just retention with attention is so low that singles have kind of just been the most forward momentum. But I would love to be working on an album, and that is the plan, is to get working on an album.
Traci: I know it’s so hard now for artists, like content, content, content on social media. And “Oh, we gotta do this single, we gotta do that single because otherwise, our content and retention drops.” I mean, that’s gotta be so freaking hard and exhausting.
Dizzy: It is. It’s a big toll on just your workload because not only do you want to be in the studio all the time creating the art, but then you have to go out for days and film the content for it and stay up to date with all that. We’re a slave to the social media nowadays.
Traci: Do you just set aside a day, like a day a week, go film content and then release it gradually?
Dizzy: Sometimes, or most of the time it’s just the free time in between whatever else I’m working on. Then I’ll just be like, “Let’s go up for an hour or two hours and film as much as we can. For the longest time I was just filming everything on my phone and then editing everything and doing everything myself. It took up a lot of my time. Luckily I have a friend out here that moved from Calgary and now I got him shooting all my content. So it takes that workload off at least.
Traci: Mental wellness is important to you – as it should be to everyone. Besides writing, what are some other ways that you help keep yourself in check?
Dizzy: Just pushing myself to not stay in my house or my bed all day is mainly just keeping that in the back of my mind, where maybe you shouldn’t just bed rot and watch Netflix all day. Just get out of bed and do something. Pick your guitar up, write music, get out, shoot the content that I have to shoot, and it keeps my mind occupied.
Traci: I saw that you’re teaching yourself guitar.
Dizzy: I have been teaching myself guitar. It’s been fun. It’s something I wish I picked up a lot earlier.
Traci: Well, you’re doing awesome so far! While I said I was feeling attacked by some of your lyrics, you have some lighter songs. For instance, I laughed all through “Wish You Worse:” “Hope your favourite artist finally has a show in your town, but when you go to buy admission, they’re already sold out.”
Dizzy: Yeah, yeah, there’s a little bit of that. You’ve got to have fun with it.
Traci: Exactly. A very nice balance. Now you’re going to do these shows with Sublime. Have you met them before?
Dizzy: I haven’t. I grew up listening to Sublime, but I haven’t met them. And these are going to be my first shows in America too, so I’m super excited for it.
Traci: Well, first of all, Jakob does not sit still. (laughing) But they sound amazing live, and the fans are really into it. I think you’re gonna have some awesome crowds.
Dizzy: I’m really excited!
Traci: Have you been to the US at all?
Dizzy: Yeah, when I was younger, I went to Disneyland with my mom a couple of times. And then just other random stuff like crossing the border to go grocery shopping because that was something. I grew up in a really small town, like farm town in Ontario, and it was always that cool thing. It’s just like, “Oh, we’re going to go across the border and go get groceries” or something. And that was like the highlight of the week when we got to do that because there’s nothing else to do in the town I grew up in.
Traci: Is there anything you’re looking forward to when you come back?
Dizzy: Probably the fast food! I’m not gonna lie, you guys got so much cooler food out there than we have in Canada. (laughing)
Traci: Well I always vote for In-N-Out Burger!
Dizzy: Yeah, I’m for sure trying that when I come.
Traci: What else have you been working on that you’re allowed to share info about?
Dizzy: I have a new song coming out, but I’m not quite sure the release date yet. It’s called “Spiderwebs” and I’m really excited.
Traci: I think being on with the Sublime folks, you’re definitely going to get a lot of attention because the excitement for these shows is insane.
Dizzy: So I’ve seen!
Traci: Sorry, is that going to make you nervous? (laughing)
Dizzy: No, no, it’s all good. It’s always good to have that little bit of like anxiety, pre-show anxiety, because that’s what we do it for. That’s the feeling we want to have. And then when you get up there, all those nerves go away and it’s like the coolest feeling ever. Just being in front of that crowd doing what you’ve always dreamed of doing.
Love it. That’s what it is all about! Catch DIZZYISDEAD playing the Sublime Festival June 27th in Portland, OR and the Sublime Reef Madness Cruise in November. Show this Canadian some love from the rowdy neighbors below!
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SID 260419 | JIMMY ALVAREZ | EDITOR [...]
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April 19, 2026UncategorizedLive at The Glass House
April 19th, 2026 Review by Kevin Gomez
Johnny Quest thinks Less Than Jake are sellouts. Well, if he meant selling out The Glass House in Pomona, then he was correct. The Gainesville, Florida band stopped by to play a show (one of only a handful of West Coast dates for this year) in between their weekend sets at Coachella.
Omnigone took the stage as spoken word played over the PA. Out of nowhere the band launched into “Regress,” a ska-punk featuring a screaming chorus. With their sound, it’s not surprising that lead singer Adam Davis was previously the guitarist for Link 80, featuring many of the same sounds and themes as the former band.
Davis introduced the band to the audience by saying, “We’re from the East Bay. It cost $230 worth of gasoline to get here.”
More spoken word played over the PA from “The Dutchman” signaling the heavy “Debt Past Due.” Drummer Brent Friedman switched seamlessly from metal, double-bass drumming of “Violence” to slowed down ska beat of “Grief.”
Half Past Two bassist Eric Whitt filled in on guitar for Omnigone’s set and led the stabbing riff of “Modern Medicine,” which saw Davis jump down to the barricade to finish the song.
I really enjoyed the upbeat “Her Story,” featuring a nice solo from Whitt. Davis called for “an old-school circle pit” for “Destroy Hymn” that the crowd was happy to provide. They closed with “Obituary” as Davis sang the wise words, “Don’t let you obituary describe you as ordinary; let no one tell you how to live your life.”
Orange County’s ska sweethearts Half Past Two took the stage and opened with “Talk is Killing Me.” The band is always a lot of fun, and they’ve rightfully built up a solid fan base that comes out to support them whenever they play.
“Curse The Universe” started with a righteous drum intro from Savannah Tweedt, with a great trombone solo from Luis Gracia-Alonso. Singer Tara Hahn threw on some badass white shades for “Never Saw Me,” which ended in an absolute headbanging finale.
Hahn explained to the crowd that her first ska show was at Chain Reaction when she was 12. “I saw a band, they were still going by the Pharmaceutical Bandits (who would later just go by RX Bandits and switch to prog rock).” She explained that it changed her whole world view. “Ska is a huge community; it’s a scene, and we need our community more than ever, especially right now.” They went on to play the song inspired by that story, “Heather,” about the girl who “changed my life immediately.”
Half Past Two brought out Davis from Omnigone, who immediately jumped into the crowd. With his coaxing Hahn then climbed onto his shoulders as Davis led them through the crowd and they sang the duet “Turn Back the Hands.” They played the fantastic “Shine” and then closed with my favorite song of the night, “Dominoes,” while Hahn belted out, “I’m paper torn in half, broken by the whiplash” followed by a dual horn solo from Gracia-Alonso and Patrick Holder.
Less Than Jake took the stage to a huge ovation as singer Chris DeMakes began the opening guitar riff to “Automatic,” which opened an immediate skanking pit and dual smoke machines set up on the drum riser. DeMakes mentioned, “We haven’t played here in a hot minute.” The crowd helped him sing back the “whoa”s for “History of a Boring Town” as the crowd jumped along for the chorus.
DeMakes told the crowd that the band had just played their first Coachella this past weekend. He mentioned seeing Katy Perry and Tom DeLonge backstage. He joked about trying to get the latter’s attention, “Hey Tom! We toured together back in ‘97!” I was fortunate enough to catch that tour as my third concert ever.
The magnificent Buddy Schaub kicked off the iconic trombone intro for “Nervous in the Alley.” DeMakes announced they were playing three songs off “Hello Rockview,” which just celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2023.
If the crowd seemed a bit timid before, they erupted into their full potential for bassist Roger Lima’s vocals on “Help Save the Youth of America from Exploding,” and especially when the band kicked into “All My Best Friends Are Metalheads.”
DeMakes brought up his aunt and uncle from the crowd before the band played the fan favorite, “Johnny Quest Thinks We’re Sellouts.” DeMakes announced that 4/7 of Reel Big Fish was in the crowd tonight as well as Eddie Casillas from Voodoo Glow Skulls. Before playing “1989,” Lima remarked, “Let’s make some noise for Justin Bieber’s laptop,” a reference to the pop singer’s performance at Coachella Saturday night.
For the Lima-sung, “Science of Selling Yourself Short,” Johnny “Christmas” Christianson of Reel Big Fish came out to play trumpet. Lima kicked off the sweet bass intro for “Plastic Cup Politics,” the final song of their set, featuring fantastic horns from Schaub and saxophonist “JR” Wasilewski.
For the encore DeMakes came out solo with his guitar and began the “The Brightest Bulb Has Burned Out,” before the rest of the band joined him on stage and exploded into the “Screws Fall Out.” DeMakes sang the verses and Lima gave great vocals on the chorus for “Look What Happened,” an anthem about trying to make it out of your dead-end town.
DeMakes introduced the last song of the night by saying, “If you ever make it to Florida, be sure to check out Gainesville Rock City!” The song starts with the sweet horns of Schaub and Wasilewski before DeMakes jokingly said, “These guys only let me have one solo per night, and this is it,” then proceeded to rip a sweet guitar intro. After the song’s closing, Lima bid farewell with a “Catch you later, Bill & Ted!”
However you might feel about Coachella, it’s nice to know a band like Less Than Jake is there representing all the ska-punk kids.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Todd Markel Rock Images
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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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SID 260416 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR [...]
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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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SID 260415 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR [...]
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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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SID 260413 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR [...]
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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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