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Live at Pacific Amphitheatre
August 26, 2024 Review by Todd Markel
The Aquabats have had a summer to remember, starting with a standout performance at the No Values Festival in June, followed by the release of their eagerly awaited album “Finally!” and a successful cross-country tour.
To cap it all off, they returned home for a grand finale – a show for their dedicated fans on the final weekend of the Orange County Fair. This event promised something for everyone, from the youngest kids to the most loyal longtime fans.
The evening kicked off with LA’s own The Aggrolites, fronted by the dynamic Jessie Wagner. The band quickly set the tone with their signature “Dirty Reggae” sound, launching into funky tracks like “Funky Fire” and “Pop the Trunk.”
Wagner shared stories of the band’s long-standing friendship with The Aquabats, reminiscing about their first cross-country tour together back in 2006. He also engaged the crowd in a lively sing-along during “Mr. Misery,” encouraging everyone to join in with “Hey hey”s and “ahh”s that echoed through the venue.
One of the highlights of The Aggrolites’ set was their playful rendition of The Pyramids’ “Banana,” a song they performed on The Aquabats-associated children’s show, “Yo Gabba Gabba.” During the performance, a few members of The Aquabats – not-so-subtly disguised – joined in the fun by waving inflatable bananas and lifting kids onto their shoulders, adding to the joyous atmosphere.
The set concluded with a superb cover of The Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down,” which was met with enthusiastic applause from the crowd still filtering in from the fair. The Aggrolites knew their role as the opening act, and they executed it perfectly, getting the crowd warmed up and ready for more.
Next up were the Sweet and Tender Hooligans, a band named after a song by The Smiths. Billed as the ultimate tribute to The Smiths and Morrissey, they lived up to the hype.
Lead singer Jose Maldonado (dubbed the Mexican Morrissey); his voice, mannerisms, and even his looks are eerily accurate.
The band played a set that included classics like “This Charming Man,” “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now,” and “How Soon Is Now,” closing with the iconic “Bigmouth Strikes Again.”
Fans of The Smiths and Morrissey were well-represented in the audience, and they showed their appreciation with raucous cheers and applause. Maldonado, unlike the artist he emulates, didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that was as reliable as it was entertaining.
As the anticipation built, the festive atmosphere grew more profound. Beach balls began bouncing through the crowd, as the venue filled up with fans, affectionately known as “Cadets.” The stage lights dimmed, and a video montage chronicling The Aquabats’ colorful history played on the large screen, setting the stage for the main event.
The crowd erupted into chants of “Aquabats, Aquabats!” as the band members took their places on stage. The excitement reached a fever pitch as the giant graphic of their new album “Finally!” was projected on the screen, signaling the start of the show.
The band kicked things off with “Shark Fighter,” a high-energy track that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Inflatable sharks were tossed around the audience, a hallmark of any Aquabats show, where inflatable objects of all kinds make regular appearances. Next up was the fan-favorite “Cat with 2 Heads!” which saw the first of many costumed characters take the stage, with two giant cats running around to the delight of the crowd.
The lineup for the night was bolstered by some special guests, including former members and friends like Chainsaw, the Prince of Karate on guitar, Johnny Christmas of Reel Big Fish, along with old-school members Catboy on brass and Gorney on keytar and keyboards.
The band’s core members – Eaglebones Falconhawk on guitar, Crash McLarson on bass, Ricky Fitness on drums, and Jimmy the Robot on sax – were all led by the ever-charismatic MC Bat Commander.
Throughout the night, the band performed a mix of old favorites and new material. “Martian Girl!” had the crowd singing along to every word, while “Lovers of Loving Love!” saw inflatable hearts floating through the air.
One of the high points of the show was the performance of “The Aquabats! Super Show! Theme Song,” which had the audience singing and dancing along. They also debuted new songs like “No Rewind!,” “Little Lady Amazing!,” and “Dr. Space Mummy!” – the latter featuring a towering Dr. Space Mummy character menacing the band onstage.
As always, The Aquabats kept the energy high with songs that celebrated life’s simple joys. “Pizza Day!” was a perfect example, with inflatable pizza slices flying through the crowd, adding to the fun. A special moment came when Clive Farrington of When in Rome joined the band onstage, professing his love for The Aquabats before launching into a rendition of his hit “The Promise.”
It was a nostalgic touch that added an extra layer of warmth to the evening. The band continued to pump up the excitement with classics like “Red Sweater!” and “Super Rad!” each delivered with the unbridled enthusiasm that has become their trademark.
The night ended on a high note with “Pool Party!” a fitting finale that saw the stage filled with characters from the entire evening, including familiar faces from “Yo Gabba Gabba” like Brobee and Plex, a Yeti, Grimace, and a slew of kids dancing and singing along.
It was a perfect end to a night that had something for everyone, young and old alike. The Aquabats delivered a show that was as joyful and exuberant as their music, leaving the crowd with memories to last a lifetime.
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