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The Evolution Of
Live at The Music Box
December 7th, 2025 Review by Jimmy Alvarez
It was a brisk night in San Diego, with a light wind blowing from Petco Park. Fans lined up early because this was going to be a night they would all remember. As I got there, I spoke with a few of the early birds, and they had similar stories: this was a band they all grew up with and wanted to be there as their next journey began.
For me it was 1980 – and on a night very much like this one I was with many of my high school pals after a football game and listening to a new radio station called KROQ.
Then, the station played a song that drew me immediately to this band; it was “Only a Lad.” Since then, for many of their fans, we live to see this band live as it is like a Grateful Dead atmosphere, a high school reunion so-to-speak; this night was no different.
Well, there was one difference, they were about to debut a new lead singer: Jose Maldonado was about to take front and center behind the mic. With no opener before them, the capacity crowd crammed in, and like sardines they were poised to welcome the band to San Diego.
The show was dubbed the Jam-A-Pallooza. It was set as a benefit concert to benefit Cancer for College. The show had significant industry support, local radio kicked in and actors like Will Ferrel put his name behind it. As the pre-show festivities came to an end… and just like that, the band walked on stage.
At first the crowd was respectful and subdued, but as soon as Johnny Vatos hit his high hat, boom – it was on! Opening with “Who Do You Want To Be,” Steve Bartek led everyone into the mayhem with the guitar riffs that was signature Boingo. With John Avila on bass, it took two seconds for the Music Box to get loud.
It was evident that growing up a Boingo fan, Maldonado knew the words, but could he deliver on a performance fans expect, demand and are very critical of.
Best known as the Mexican Morrissey from his other band, Sweet and Tender Hooligans, Maldonado is no stranger to understanding the importance of delivering on a legendary sonic catalog.
With his signature Morrissey pouf in play, Maldonado did not let anyone down; the band’s legacy would stay secure as the sound and delivery is what the crowd came for and got. Songs like “Nothing to Fear,” “Just Another Day,” “Weird Science,” “No One Lives Forever,” and “Grey Matter” took us all back in time and it became a Grateful Dead moment; trying to compare the singer to Elfman was removed from the plate and simply enjoying the band was the focus.
Vatos was Vatos on drums, Carl Graves brought that distinct new wave feel to the undertone of each and every song. Brian Swartz anchored the horns, and Mike “The Spike” Glendinning was masterful on guitar.
Other fan favorites blew the joint up, “Not My Slave,” “Stay,” “We Close Our Eyes,” and “Nasty Habits” had San Diego feel why Morrissey himself gave Maldonado the thumbs up.
His vocals were in sync with the band’s legendary sound and it felt like we were back at Universal Amp or Irvine Meadows for their legendary Halloween shows. That’s how solid the vocals were, and the band: it’s former members – so yeah, it sounded epic!
As the night slowly came to an end, the Music Box crowd got another hit list set with “No Spill Blood,” “Get Your Head Out of Your Ass,” “Only a Lad,” and “Dead Man’s Party” was the closer.
Maldonado being the showman he has proven to be, his onstage delivery and engagement with fans will endear fans to the new crooner.
What’s interesting about the closing, with little time to put this all together – OBFM delivered on an encore that felt so familiar: “Violent Love,” sounded electric; “Minnie the Moocher” had the crowd singing along; and then they said goodbye with “Goodbye Goodbye.”
What a night for the return of old friends; what a night for great music; and what night to be able to say see you at the net Boingo show.
Up next, catch Oingo Boingo Former Members March 13th at the House of Blues Anaheim, then at Stage Red in Fontana on March 14th. Seriously, get out and see this larger-than-life band as their next evolution is here and you have to see it to believe it.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Green-Eyed Blonde Photography
TO FOLLOW
SID 251205 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
