Surf City Blitz 2018: Day One

November 9, 2018 Heather VandemarkComments 0 Punk, Reggae, Ska

Around Day One

Lost In Atlantis

Around Day One

Sharp Shock

Moto Beach Classic

Around Day One

Voodoo Glow Skulls

Moto Beach Classic

Around Day One

Mad Caddies

Around Day One

Moto Beach Classic

Around Day One

TSOL

Around Day One

Moto Beach Classic

Around Day One

Suicidal Tendencies

Around Day One

Pennywise

Around Day One

The Offspring

The weekend of October 27th and 28th brought out punk rockers from around the world for the debut of Surf City Blitz in Huntington Beach, California. A SOLD OUT weekend of 40,000 people of all ages! There were five-year-old punk rockers showing off their mohawks on the shoulders of their punk rock dads, singing the words to the music they were both raised on.

Being an old rocker myself, I couldn’t help but appreciate the ambiance of old friends coming together onstage or meeting up at the festival: the young kids in awe of the whole scene and the old-school punk rockers with the gray mohawks two-feet high. People were happy, polite (yes, I said punk rockers are polite) and treating you like family, welcoming you into their circle when you’re standing alone. Rockstar had a fun place that looked like it was for VIP only, but everyone was welcome and they were giving out FREE Rockstar drinks. Everyone had lots of energy for the mosh pits. There were photo galleries with concert photography from years' past, as well as lots of vendors beer and food choices. Walking in the sand was a little bit tough, but it’s a great workout! Lest we forget, the Moto Beach Classic was taking place less than 100 yards from the music stages.

A SOLD OUT weekend of 40,000 people of all ages!

The bands were so stoked to be playing in their hometown (or state) too, taking us for a walks down memory lane. Day One had an amazing lineup, with Lost In Atlantis, Sharp Shock, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Mad Caddies, TSOL, Fear, Suicidal Tendencies, Pennywise and The Offspring headlining the night. Mike Muir of Suicidal Tendencies still has the energy of his 20-year-old self. All he wanted was a Pepsi! Pennywise had something to say about the “Authority” in this country. Amazing to hear an entire beach singing “Fuck Authority” and of course, ending with Bro Hymn and a stage filled with their peeps.

The Offspring closed out the night. Sometimes, you don’t realize how many hits a band has until you see them in concert. Noodles and Dexter had fun commentaries in between songs. Song after song had the entire crowd singing every word. That’s unity! Day Two coverage to come shortly.

Photography by Sean McCracken & Heather Vandemark

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