Attending the One Love Peace Protest in Long Beach

COVID-19 has changed live music forever, it seems. With more bands announcing postponed or canceled shows around the country, protest concerts are filling the void and bringing live music back to the masses. June 27th, 2020 was a day of peaceful protest in Long Beach in the form of the One Love Peace Protest, a […]

Vaudeville Revival delivers in ‘The Death of Los Angeles’ album

Living their lives caught somewhere in between starving artists and superstars, the members of the LA-based indie rock duo Vaudeville Revival have independently released their second full-length album, suitably titled The Death of Los Angeles — a followup to their 2019 debut, Free Dirt. The music of Luke Culhane and Jake Marino shouldn’t solely be pigeon-holed […]

Audic Empire demands attention in ‘Head Change’ album

Audic Empire of Austin, Texas takes no names. Instead, this reggae rock band open fires on all topics in their latest Head Change album, now available on all streaming outlets via Reggae 360 and Blue Avenue Music Group. Matching the music’s metal-infused demeanor is the album’s producer Howi Spangler, frontman of similar zero-fucks-given reggae rock […]

Common Saints impresses with “Idol Eyes” single

You may not be too familiar with rising sensation Common Saints of the UK, yet the name Charlie J. Perry should ring a few bells. The accredited producer out of South London has worked with the likes of BTS, Jorja Smith and Maverick Sabre (among several other big names), recording his own works here and there […]

Aloha Radio is on “Island Time”

Let’s face it — if any year was on ‘island time’, it’s 2020. With a slow rollout, abrupt change of pace and virtually no agenda (pun intended), what better way to commemorate this forced downtime than with kicking back and making the most out of life on pause? Orange County indie rock band Aloha Radio […]

Riot Fest drops massive 2021 Phase One lineup

Without the thrill of monthly festivals and concert getaways, 2020 has been, well, the biggest drag of all time musically. Great pieces of art have surfaced along the way, sure, yet only an extremely limited amount of events are being experienced in-person due to social distancing. Damn COVID. In summary, festivals need a do-over. Up […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Sunny State “Human”

We are honored to host the world video premiere of “Human”, a single by California reggae band Sunny State. Focusing on big picture philosophies set to ukulele, Sunny State asks if we are being the best people we can be, considering we’re all in COVID-19 together — “have I treated you the way you deserved […]

SYNRGY to release “Here I Am” E.N Young Remix

SYNRGY is a soulful, sweet San Diego reggae rock band, one that has consistently brought blessings and positive vibes to the scene. From local shows to large weekend festivals, SYNRGY has made a name for themselves since their formation in 2007. Now, with three full-length albums and two EPs under their belts, SYNRGY continues their […]

LA’s upcoming One Love Peace Protest combines Reggae & BLM

Reggae, especially American reggae, is under fire right now. These artists are the ones that have been preaching peace, love and unity for black citizens since the inception of its genre. Now that Black Lives Matter and the fight for equality has hit a critical high in this country (and around the world), believers in […]

#BlackLivesMatter playlist on Top Shelf Spotify

Contentious clashes between police and protestors have intensified over the past weekend, as people of all colors and creeds speak out on the inhumane and incorrigible death of George Floyd. Following Floyd’s death, there has been a litany of marches around the United States — all justified, most ending in violence. Some police officers join […]

Long Beach Dub Allstars are back & better than ever

It has been just over two decades since Wilson and Gaugh founded the Long Beach Dub Allstars (LBDA), joined by frequent Sublime contributors Michael “Miguel” Happoldt, Todd Forman and “Field” Marshall Goodman. The SoCal group first came together in the late 90s after the tragic overdose of Sublime’s lead singer, Bradley Nowell, continuing on the […]

Chester Bennington lives on in Grey Daze’s “Soul Song” video

The iconic career of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington is far from complete, albeit postmortem. Nearly three years after the nu metal singer-songwriter met his untimely death, Bennington resurrects with a full-length album from his early 90s rock ensemble Grey Daze entitled Amends, out June 26th via Loma Vista Recordings. Bennington decided to reunite with […]

Shrub lays it all out in ‘Back To Earth’ album

Guess what, guys? Shrub is back! For those unaware or for those that need a brush-up on early reggae rock names, Shrub is an Ohio-based hip hop-meets-reggae effort led by frontman Jay Shawberry. You might recognize the old guitarist, Blaine Dillinger, as he is the current lead guitarist for HIRIE. Now solo, Shawberry used to […]

NwRootz podcast welcomes Top Shelf Editor-in-Chief Kristy Rose

Nwrootz, a podcast out of the Pacific Northwest, welcomes Top Shelf Music Editor-in-Chief Kristy Rose to the microphone for their 12th episode! Chatting about the history of the brand all the way to personal music preferences, hosts Kris and Joanna get to know our commanding Editor through this enlightening podcast. “…get to know our commanding Editor through […]