Last month, UK punk legends Subhumans announced they would play a couple dozen shows on the West Coast, including several Southern California dates. Now we know they are headed to the Observatory in Santa Ana on October 26th, which is exciting news since the group has not been around these parts since last November for the Punk in the Park Fest.
The band is celebrating its fourth decade since first forming in England in 1980, and if recent activity is any indicator, these shows will sell out.
In February, Subhumans released a definitive box set covering their earliest releases from 1981-1986. The seven-vinyl box set was anticipated to be popular, however, even the band themselves did not foresee that the entire pressing would sell out as quickly as it did – in little over a day. Fans were relieved that the band decided to release a second pressing in neon green.
Subhumans were part of the early ‘80s English anarcho-punk movement, along with Crass and Discharge. Their first EP, “Demolition War,” (featuring their iconic skull logo) and their debut album, “The Day the Country Died,” are two of the most influential punk albums of all time.
Despite breaking up throughout the years, the band reunited in 2004 and has been playing steadily ever since. They are also still writing and recording, having released “Crisis Point” in 2019.
Joining Subhumans on this current tour is San Antonio’s Fea, a punk rock/riot grrrl featuring four Latinx members who first popped up on my radar while touring with Bad Cop/Bad Cop. The band sings several songs in Spanish, including “Ya Se” and “Mujer Moderna.” I caught them at Punk Rock Bowling and they are definitely going to set a high-energy pace that will get the crowd riled up for this tour.
Don’t sleep on this event – get your tickets now for Subhumans at the Observatory. If you can’t make that date, they will also be in San Diego on October 22nd at Corazon del Barrio, San Pedro on October 27th at The Sardine, Los Angeles on October 28th at First Street Billiards, and Ventura on October 29th at Gigi’s.
