TSM #HotList: February 20th, 2020

Welcome to another installment of our Top Shelf Music Artist #HotList, with host Alexia Johnson! This episode brings forth the talents of Skunk Funk, The Irie, Boca 45 and Pacific Roots… which makes a pretty funky bunch! Follow us on social media (specifically Instagram) @topshelfmusicmag to be the first to know more music news as […]

The Melvins sell out Casbah San Diego

There’s something about driving a couple of hours to a show that is just better than going to a local show… more build up, more anticipation and you feel like you’ve accomplished something more, as well. My excitement was running high during the two and a half hour drive on the way down from Pomona to […]

Motion City Soundtrack at House of Blues, Anaheim

The House of Blues Anaheim was packed Thursday, January 23rd thanks to Motion CIty Soundtrack’s Don’t Call It A Comeback Tour. Complete with two shreddin’ openers, the night was every pop-punk fantasy come to life. First up was Arms Akimbo, starting it off right with high energy, personality and an incredible sound to match. As […]

HELLYEAH rocks House of Blues, San Diego

It was a packed house at San Diego’s House of Blues, smack dab in the middle of downtown’s Gaslamp District on the night of December 17th. Deepfall opened up for Nonpoint and HELLYEAH, and I expected a little bit heavier sound. Deepfall has a Three Doors Down sound, founded in 2015 by keyboardist Tim King. […]

Sublime With Rome hits TopGolf Las Vegas

Fans of all generations gathered together in fellowship to celebrate and venerate the music of Sublime, carried out by Sublime With Rome on January 8th at TopGolf in Las Vegas. Some wore tie-dye and flowers in their hair, many opted for a 90s grunge style, while others donned the iconic ‘Sublime sun’ on their apparel […]

BeachLife returns to Redondo May 2020

Year Two of festivals usually capitalize on where the inaugural year went right and work out the few kinks Year One went disastrously wrong. It’s a learning curve that could make or break a fest, considering music festivals are a dime a dozen these days. Some festivals, however, know how to do it right from […]

Beartooth & Motionless in White at SOMA San Diego

Beartooth and Motionless in White kicked off the New Year on January 8th at SOMA San Diego as part of their Diseased and Disguised co-headlining tour, named after their most recent album releases. As I rolled up to SOMA, the line waiting for doors to open was wrapped around the building! All ages — from […]

Top Shelf Music News: Episode 1

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Top Shelf Music News, with your host Matt Cook & Kristy Rose guiding you on this daring quest. It being right after the holidays, a lot is going on in the music industry, from festival announcements to new music to hot gossip of the bands you love. This episode […]

Wonderfront 2019: Day Three

Still reeling from the previous two days, I was a child at Christmas impatiently waiting to open my presents or, in this case, the festival gates. I knew the festival grounds like the back of my hand by now; I had my sets lined up and now I just needed a beer. Local breweries were […]

Wonderfront 2019: Day Two

Day Two — let’s go! First off, kudos to Wonderfront for their festival companion app! I’ve never seen a more polished festival app that was intuitive, fast, reactive and a must-have for the festival-goer. I started my day with the app and a cup of Joe. Selecting all the acts I wanted to see then […]

Bad Cop Bad Cop at Alex’s Bar in Long Beach

It was a proper night of angst and love as punk rock fans packed the famous Alex’s Bar in Long Beach to see a stellar lineup of Upper Downer, Bella Novella, Bar Stool Preachers and Bad Cop Bad Cop. California locals Upper Downer started the night off with a raucous set that got the crowd […]

Between You & Me at Chain Reaction Anaheim

Tearing up a Friday night at Chain Reaction, up-and-coming band Between You & Me are ready to conquer their second North American tour with their first full-length album out to the world. The guys — consisting of vocalist Jake Wilson, guitarists Jai Gibson and Chris Bowerman, bassist James Karagiozis and drummer Jamey Bowerman — all came […]

The Last Gang at Anaheim’s Chain Reaction

When looking for something to do on a Wednesday night, there was nothing else to consider when I saw that The Last Gang was playing October 2nd at the infamous Chain Reaction in Anaheim, California. As the crowd settled into the bar, Orange County’s own favorite punk band Chaser took to the stage. I was […]

After effects of Aftershock 2019

Wow! Can’t believe this is the 8th year of Aftershock in Sacramento, CA. This year, the festival took place at Discovery Park and had a sold-out crowd, including huge headliners. The bar was set very high, but the music, fans and overall experience definitely delivered. Fans were dressed in metal, gothic, and alternative clothing on […]

Senses Fail rocks Anaheim’s Chain Reaction

Senses Fail brought a special performance on October 16th at Chain Reaction in Anaheim, CA, playing songs fans haven’t heard in either a long time or not even at all, while making for alternative history in a unique, cozy venue. Bringing along epic performers Hot Mulligan and Yours Truly, the energy from the intimate venue […]