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 […]

Cleaver, Nu Ritual & Worldwide Panic at LA’s Rainbow Room

It was a crisp, crystal clear autumn night as the historic Rainbow Room sign stood tall over the Sunset Strip in Hollywood on November 11th, 2019. ‘Metal Mayhem’ night, hosted by LA Talk Radio’s Jennifer Devoe (of Jenny’s Real Talk on the Block), was on the rise and things were about to get loud AF! […]

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 […]

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 […]

KAABOO Del Mar 2019: Day Two

KAABOO weekend is always a highlight of the year. After KAABOO Del Mar kicked off to an epic start with Wu-Tang and Snoop Dogg headlining Night One, Day Two vibes were running high… almost as high as the heat! Good thing the pool in the BASK section was popping off all day aside the Sunset […]

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 […]

Pasadena Daydream 2019 official Top Shelf after movie

Top Shelf Music journalists Kristy Rose and Jenni Lynne take on the first ever Pasadena Daydream Festival at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, presented by The Cure and Goldenvoice. Despite the extreme heat of Labor Day Weekend, New Wave and punk rockers flocked by the hundreds… Despite the extreme heat of Labor Day Weekend, […]

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 […]

Blink-182 & Lil Wayne satisfy Seattle

Wow, what an amazing night for the people of Seattle, Washington! One of the greatest pop-punk bands and rappers of all time coming full throttle! The White River Amphitheater was full of energy and the fans were ecstatic to listen to rock and hip hop. The stage at the White River Amphitheater was full of huge […]

Experiencing Pasadena Daydream 2019

The sizzling, southern California sun shone down brightly on August 31st for the most highly-anticipated festival of the summer season. To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of The Cure’s Hyde Park show in London, The Pasadena Daydream Festival was born. With the lineup handpicked by The Cure’s Robert Smith himself, the day was sure to please. […]