Never Enough’s album release for, “Turnstile,” was just a fun, lovely show. And Otto was in town! I’m so happy to be able to see him play. And to have sat and chatted with him on the radio. Met a few cool people at the show and saw several homies too. It was a dope time. More on that show sometime on SUBSTACK. ​

     An early show, on a Tuesday for St. Paddy’s Day? All the right bands. This is going to be super fun. ​

     Finally, a release from Banana Jazz. I lost count the amount of times I’ve seen them play and it would usually be at Manifest of Bevy. One of those places…and once (or twice?) at Proof. Such a lovely band. One of these days I’d love to hear them tackle any Gradius and/or Life Force in their set. I would absolutely go bonkers. ​

     This mini rock fest looks sick. And it’s gonna be at Rock Bottom? I’d walk past that place a bunch of times, on my way to and from class at UH. I’ve only been in there for a birthday party. And the lineup is stacked. I’m curious as to how the crowd will be. It feels like it’s gonna be different. And it starts early afternoon. On a Sunday. WONDERFUL. ​

This is a list of every show I plan to attend in February. I like my new work schedule, it will allow me to achieve this. I'll be missing Circle Jerks though; I'll be off island for work. But some changes were made to that work schedule too which will allow me to catch Screeching Weasel on both nights. Hopefully too, but it wasn't announced yet, Banana Jazz be playing 3rd Thursday at Bevy *fingers crossed.
​I screened shot all these flyers, can you tell?

This should be a fun one, a showcase of music videos produced by the student bands at Kailua Music School. Should be a fun time! I'm sure all the students put in a lot of work and time into making this happen. 

I still have yet to check out a show at Skull-Face. It looks like it could get tight in there, and maybe hot, but it looks like it's always a fun time there and packed! Very cool venue for all-ages shows and 3 bands too. SMITZ will always be a good time. Cesspool Democracy V2 have been putting in lots of stage time as of late, and no doubt will be in full-time shredders soon enough. This would also be my first time seeing Sumor, if I'm able to make the show. I've seen a couple of the members play in other bands such as Tuesday on Mars and Taboo Zero (just online stuff, have yet to see the band in full form). 

Final show? Damn. Crowd hits a little extra hard during a Weight of Sin set; either I go a little extra too or keep out haha. I think the singer is moving (relocating for work?), safe travels to ya! It'll be nice to see Fastidium again, always a wonderful set as are Third Degree and Switch. And by this time, I'll have my weekends back and can make this wonderful early show. 

Imma run to this right after the Manifest show. Hopefully not too much overlap or none at all; would love to catch these sets in their entirety. I can't recall if I've ever caught an 82fifty show. I feel like I have, possibly at the old Downbeat lounge? When it was still called Downbeat. I think it's currently The Otherside (HNL?). This is a solid punk-pop and rock bill. And it will be nice seeing the guys in Kill Tuco, very friendly dudes. Oh and I finally found my go-to parking spots for Harbor's. I'm not telling. I still don't want to chance it at Safeway lol. 

It was announced Lagwagon was going to be playing in Hawaii, March 2020. I remember wondering if it was going to be a possbility. Unwritten Law were in town, I remember watching Feeble open up and having to leave right after their set. It was supposedly the Knumbskulls final show (turned out it would be 4 years later...or not??) and Unwritten Law played (and they were here just months ago again). COVID was getting serious and the Lagwagon show was cancelled. The stars have realigned and Lagwagon is returning! And the best part, 13th Legion will be opening up. This is a WEDNESDAY SHOW, sooooo nice. I love 13th Legion, they are such a rad LIVE BAND. I lost count how many time I've seen them already and it's always solid. This is going to be a dope show. 

Never heard of this band until recently through a post from 808imposters. Nice&Swell have some pretty solid tunes and I think it'd make a fun date night at either Secret Spot (maybe, that's a Sunday) or at Anna's. I like the flyer. 

This should be a cool show, although, I get done at work right at 7:00pm, so I'm missing the opener whoever that is, which better not be Emergency Contact. I missed Frankengirl's first set. I don't really want to miss Emergency Contact's first show. Not sure how Secret Other's is going to go, is it their first show too? I think it's overlapping members of Convoluted Planes and Mara Bloom...and probably (secret) others. Last time I saw Saydie was at This is 808 Fest, the first and last of its kind. Very solid group. It was Kat (the singer) and Mara Bloom basically. I think she travels between Philippines and here and travels the world as Saydie. Dope. Should be a good mix of heavy, scremo and shoegaze. 

I have the Pettyfords to thank for introducing me to Screeching Weasel. Thank you. I'm also looking forward to both nights. Originally, I was only going to make it to night 2 due to work, but some changes were made and it looks like it's going to be a fun weekend of shows! I'm especially looking forward to seeing Square Shapes from Kauai. Never thought that was going to happen, but thank you Jason Miller! These shows are especially cool because of all the outer island bands coming out to play these shows. And it's Screeching Weasel's first time in Hawaii? Crazy. 

After Screeching Weasel night 2, Imma run down to Irish Rose for Once a Month Punk, which is happening on the 4th Saturday instead of the 3rd. Good, cuz I want to see all these bands again. And I'm glad to see that Once a Month Punk is still happening. But how about twice a month? 

February is going be a fun month. 
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It's the end of December and a few shows coming up that look real good. First off, the last ever Once a Month Punk? That can't be. I hope it's not true. But I think it's because of the owner of Irsh Rose Saloon is gonna be retiring? That was the home of OAMP since it left Tsunamis due to that whole building being closed down...and it's still there, a somewhat eyesore on Kuhio. I hope that something comes up for it. And becuse of OAMP, I got to see many bands for the first time, and Mistermeaner a whole bunch of times. Like a lot, like I lost count how many times I've seen Mistermeaner. And thankful for every set. I got to see Dicks of Doom, Old Habits Die Hard, Pimpbot, 2Face4, the Knumbskulls, Load tha Chamber, Grapefruit, Hiriz, and like choke more. And that's just at the top of my head. If I see a flier, I'm confident enough to confirm if I've been to a particular one or not. Cheers!

Another happening this weekend. Satsang, playing three shows in Hawaii. He's originally from Montana. Acts like these rarely come through, and I think it's usually a good opportunity for locals to check out. Some soulful acoustic vibes. 

Oh snap. I feel like this next show came out of no where, but glad it's happening. Ten Things I Hate About You be playing next week. Last time I saw them was a couple years ago. And it was Soon's last show. Feeble and Aswang played too. I remember this drunk guy getting tossed out. What was he doing? Any way. This would be a delight. And the lineup of bands is solid too. And that's next weekend. 

I screenshoted all these flyers. Credit due to the creators of these dope flyers. 

So I went to see the Get Up Kids a few months back. And it was pretty stellar. Local band, Turning Roots, opened up the show. Missed the band's set entirely, got there a bit late because dinner was pushed back. But it was dope nonetheless. 

A few shows happening this week. I know, I know, I can't go to ALL OF THEM, but I can try. OR, just go to one of them. 

I haven't been to one of these events, well, not EMO KIDS. Is that different than Emo Social? Not sure. But Summer Street playing and that's always a good time. Very solid pop-punk. I still have yet to hear the band member's Green Day tribute band. And of course, a couple members do participate in Goat Punishment, a very solid Weezer tribute band. 
Now three different events happening on Saturday. 

In-store performances are always fun to go to, especially when it's in celebration of a record release! An acoustic performance by Party Foul inside of Hungry Ear Records this Saturday. An early show too! 

The Elevations are gonna embark on their first tour in the mainland. I think it's for a handful of shows, and they gonna be bringing their unique 3-part harmony of island funk and soul. And Hell Caminos gonna be opening up. Wounds is such a good album. 

Been wanting to check out Awa Hou Kave Lounge for a bit now, I know they've had a bunch of open mics (and on a Monday too!). I made it to one once, but I think they were all ready done for the night. Or in between sets. My girlfriend and I got to the venue and everyone was cruising, so we got food instead. The venue is on S. King st. on the left side after 7-11 if you're driving towards Market City. It looks like a solid lineup. Been wanting to catch the homie, Mophead, live for a bit now (he does Post-Music Radio on KTUH, Friday's, 12pm to 3pm). It would be my first time seeing Over Grey, although, it's members of Faux de Tail, who I got to check out at Sailor Jerry in 2024. Dreamy indie-pop that's magical and poppy. And Feeble gonna be playing. They posted on IG that's it's gonna be the band's last show for a LONG while. I want to hear shamowowza live one more time then. Please. 

I won a pair of tickets to see the The Get Up Kids in September! Pretty stoked about that, thank you to bamp project for that. This would be my second time seeing them live, the first being the last time the band was here back in 2019, same venue. 

April was filled with lots of good shows. 

Went to see Chrisette Michele with the love of my life. Eating dinner (and not just french fries) during someone's set is still a little weird to me, but not that night. The food was top notch and the set was amazing. TEAM PRIME RIB. Michele's set was packed with lots of positive vibes, soulful gems and R+B jams. Great service from the staff too. ​

Picked this up recently, I've always been a big blink-182 fan. Not sure what I want to learn more about Mark and blink-182 because so far, it's stuff that I've heard or read about all ready. Granted, I'm still early on in the book, right now I'm at the part about the Josie video shoot. Reading about Scott and how that all went down just kind of confirmed everything I read about that up until this point; pretty bummed to read how that went down. But it seems that the moment blink started, it was just a steady ascent to rock stardom; not to forget all the work that went into the band up until that point, happily, it all paid off in the end, and still the band gets to create awesome music. 

Once-a-month-punk was a blast as always. As you can see, the lineup below. I got to see John Doe and Wally Brando play for the first time, and Yolo Ono too, when she stepped in to do vocals during Wally Brando's set. Full Send and the Granite Saints, solid as always. 

Went to check out a punk crust and shoe gaze show. Fastidium, YUH, Lesbian Dads and Violent Beach played (in that order), a lot of overlapping members and it was Lesbian Dads' last show too. It was a solid set, the crowd vibed and lots of good energy in the room. 

Lots of cool shows coming up.

This May 4th at Harbors Vintage, ASWANG, THIRD DEGREE, LOAD tha CHAMBER, and WEIGHT OF SIN. ​That's going to be a fun one. 

SWITCH turning one, show at 3rd Space, May 10, alongside, MARA BLOOM, and GAUZE from Maui. 

Gonna be a fun month. Then summer starts, then summer school. PEACE. 

     I got to check out Feeble's album release show back in December. Also playing at the show were Grapefruit, Earl Grey and Soon. It was a dope show, Feeble played all the songs off the new album, my first time hearing any of the new stuff. I think they went to Maui the next day with Soon.
     The newest album is Growing Out of Touch, a flavorful mix of indie pop medleys coated in purple sticky punch and passion orange guava. It's as sweet as it sounds without any of the stickiness. The songs are laced with poppy hooks and spacey guitars, a constant upbeat of rock and pop jams. The lyrics have a common thread of staying indoors, sleeping in, and getting high – an almost daily routine for some people these days. This might be your survival guide to get you through the month. For any other day of the year, it's pop punk for the soul.  

     SOON, a four-piece made up of members from Rotten Blossom, Lice, and Siblings (and probably many other projects...), formed in 2018, and now have 12 new tracks of fast punk and hardcore. The new album, What the Fuck did we do to the Earth, is raw and abrasive as can be and probably what you might expect based on the title alone. Four of the tracks originally appear on their first demo, now revised and updated for a clearer sound. The tunes are still thrash filled and gritty though, and violently fast and heavy on impact. Sure, it's 12 tracks in 12 minutes, but condition yourself before listening, you'll be exhausted by the end.  

     Another Hawaii ska band? Yes, please. Like most (if not all) local ska bands past and present, No Villains Left is no different: strong horn parts, a groovy rhythm section and off-the-wall lyrical content (“...and if you love me, let me eat your crust,” - Pizza is For Winners). After four years of playing shows and crafting a sound that's fresh and original, it's time NVL release an album. And it's a good one too, not Turn-the-Radio-Off, “good.” NVL is made up of 5 seasoned musicians, they skipped formalities and went straight to Why do they rock so hard? territory. It's a 90's ska/punk party on this debut record, Bright Lights.
     The album opens big with the track, Dark Days, a punk-ska tune with a catchy horn riff and dual vocals going back and forth on verses. This song is followed up with an even bigger horn theme, Pizza is for Winners, a ditty that pays homage to the dish best served with sausage and pepperoni, yeah, pizza (deep dish or the floppy kind? The floppy kind). Another funny track on the album, is the rocking tune, Hairline. This is a tune dedicated to a receding hairline (Push back against the wall, no, it's never gonna come back, IT'S NEVER GONNA COME BACK). Sad times, for real.
     

Check out the album HERE
​Official Website: HERE

     I went to once-a-month punk on the Saturday before last, the 17th and really enjoyed this one. Everyone on the flyer played, with a sort of last minute addition (MISTERMEANER!!!). I even got there early, like, two pints and one monster, early. And I stayed til the last song. The streets were still pretty active on the walk back to the zoo, maybe because of all the recent graduates celebrating (congrats to all of this years new graduates!). But yeah, I dug every one of the sets. The theme of the night, Punk Vs. Ska. 

     Look Out! Rosie! opened, and played a very energetic set. I think they're from Hawaii Kai side. Nice blend of punk and ska grooves.
     Anti-Matter played second, with some high energy punk rock, fast and sweet. Really nice sound. They mentioned a CD release show coming up, I think in the beginning of July. Flyers were passed out. Check them on Facebook HERE. 
     MisterMeaner brought the rage afterwards. Loved the set, but maybe I didn't show it? I'm fine with just watching the band, especially in small settings. Looking forward to their upcoming show with Good Riddance though. That's gonna be a tight show. I'm still waiting for that moment to hear, AREA 51, live. In fact, I hope they open with that song. 
     The last time I saw Black Square was at...I can't think of the venue name...right at fort street mall and Beretania...that one place you go upstairs...anyway, it was there, Upstanding Youth played and so did Buckshot Shorty. Maybe a couple other bands too? I'm unsure. It was a nice chunk of time since then, so it was especially nice to hear their songs live finally. The Rude Boy song they played is really tight. I think it's a newer song, but I imagine they've been playing live for a while now. I need to hear that again. 
     Pimpbot closed the night. Excellent set as always. Tons of energy with non-stop jams. And I think they played a few more songs than originally planned. Very nice. The crowd was definitely enjoying themselves. I thought I was going to see a fight break out in front of me. I'm glad that didn't happen, it was too late into the night for that to happen all ready. 
     Black Square and Pimpbot will be playing this Saturday again too! Info HERE. Along with Super Fuct. Should be fun. #localmusic