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 […]

A chat with Bad Cop/Bad Cop frontwoman Stacey Dee

If you haven’t heard of Bad Cop/Bad Cop yet… let me tell you, you are massively late to the party for the most insanely talented group of punk rock women! The badass ladies of Bad Cop/Bad Cop are cooling their heels after a wild summer of touring to get up close and personal with their […]

Millencolin at San Diego’s Belly Up Tavern

Millencolin’s SOS World Tour graced San Diego with an unforgettable night, packed with early 2000s punk nostalgia. Old punk heads, like myself, moshed, crowd surfed and raged all night to howling guitars and snapping drum snares. The moment the pit started to swirl, it was like stepping out of a time machine and into the […]

The 5th Annual KAABOO Del Mar MIX-perience

There is always a rush of nervous energy lining the gates of KAABOO Del Mar, waiting to get in Day One alongside other early birds at the festival entrance. The fest superseding all other mainstream California festivals might span three days, but there is simply no time to waste. Every moment is spent with intention. […]

Breaking Benjamin & Three Days Grace in Irvine, CA

American hard rock giants Breaking Benjamin brought an outstanding lineup onstage for their 2019 North American summer tour in support of their latest album Ember. And, at the tail end of the tour, the bands stopped in Irvine, California at the FivePoint Amphitheatre on September 16th. Diamante and Dorothy were first to open the show. Those […]

Candlebox at Ramona Mainstage

For Candlebox fans, the candle still burns bright. There may have been a lot of warm bodies packed into the Mainstage in Ramona, California, but Candlebox fans remained chill. They even let you squeeze in for a minute to get your hand in there for a high five from Kevin Martin. Grab a cold 32-ounce beer […]

Billy Bio at Brick By Brick San Diego

Billy Graziadei, founder of Biohazard and Powerflo, set out on his own in 2018 as Billy Bio. Billy came out the night of August 2nd at San Diego’s Brick By Brick venue with a headset mic. Wait, what? A little Bierber-ish for punk rock? Nah, It’s brilliant! Billy Bio was free to move about the venue […]

Emery & Hawthorne Heights at The Roxy LA

Emo kids of the early 2000s rejoiced on Friday, August 16th as Hawthorne Heights and Emery sold out The Roxy in Los Angeles to celebrate their career defining albums. Oh, Sleeper opened the show with new songs fresh from their latest album Bloodied / Unbowed, as well as old favorites from their discography spanning over […]