Durban M

06/03/2026

Boston’s The Elovaters have officially created and dropped their fifth studio album, Shark Belly Motel. Released right in the middle of a massive peak, the 18-track record from track one kills it as another notch in just how creative the energy can flow. 
Working with producer Jon Joseph, the band masterfully mixes traditional root rhythms with alternative indie-pop sound. Frontman Jackson Weatherbee describes the process as a cohesive, late night sonic escape. Tracks like "Leave The Light On" and "Sunburn" carry that signature, surf-influenced sound with bright brass horn arrangements. Other tracks bring a soulful grit "Jean Jacket" (featuring Collie Buddz) and the breezy, infectious hooks of "Pockets Full Of Sand" (with Bryce Vine) prove the band's need for creativity and want to push genre boundaries. It is well produced and does not lose its grassroots soul, packed with anthems designed specifically for massive outdoor spaces.
The Elovaters are backing this release with a massive touring schedule. Currently headlining their own Sunburn Tour 2026 alongside John Brown's Body and Surfer Girl, they are also set to get on the road with Slightly Stoopid for the massive Road Trippin' Summer Tour, which includes stops throughout the West Coast this fall.
The true test for any elite reggae rock act is the legendary Monterey County Fairgrounds, and the band’s recent performance at Cali Roots 2026 was polished and on point. Taking the stage on Friday, May 22, the group brought the energy and chill textures of Shark Belly Motel to life in the crisp air. The live delivery was exceptionally tight, effortlessly transitioning from deep dub pockets into soaring rock choruses. From the crowd, it was visually and sonically undeniable: The Elovaters aren't just participating in the progressive roots movement anymore,they are actively driving it forward.

05/31/2026

Hailing from the sunny beach town of Hermosa Beach, California, Fortunate Youth has established itself as one of the most dedicated and chart-topping forces in the American reggae-rock scene. Formed in 2009, the group’s origin story reads like a classic Southern California tale. Longtime friends who bonded on Little League fields and attended the same high school later crossed paths at a backyard birthday barbecue, uniting members from two local bands, Rude Boy Roots and Irie State of Mind.
Led by the distinct, soulful vocals of frontman Dan Kelly, the group includes Jered Draskovich (keys/bass), Corey Draskovich (bass/guitar/keys), Travis "Travi Bongo" Walpole (percussion), Greg Gelb (bass/guitar), and Revelation Kalauli (drums). Driven by a democratic, egalitarian philosophy, the band is famous for an on stage musical chairs routine where members frequently rotate instruments during live performances.
Fortunate Youth's signature sound is a vibrant tapestry woven from roots reggae, ska, rock, blues, and punk. Over more than a decade of relentless touring, they have transitioned from playing small local bars to headlining massive national festivals alongside genre giants like Slightly Stoopid and Stick Figure. Their grassroots, DIY work ethic paid off quickly: after their 2011 debut Irie State of Mind hit #2 on the iTunes Reggae charts, their subsequent studio albums It's All A Jam (2013), Don't Think Twice (2015), and their 2017 self-titled LP all claimed the #1 spot on both the Billboard and iTunes Reggae charts.
Through countless miles on the road and a prolific discography, the multi faceted sextet remains fiercely devoted to their original, simple mission: spreading messages of peace, love, and unity worldwide.

05/26/2026

Hailing from the beaches of Treasure Island, Florida, Seranation has carved out a unique space with their signature "Tropical-Rock" a seamless blend of upbeat reggae rock grooves and infectious pop sensibilities. Formed in 2014 by guitarist Adam Hocker and bassist Bianca Schlosser, the lineup was completed when lead vocalist J. Carter Gleason crushed his audition with Sublime’s "Garden Grove."
​The band established their regional presence with their 2015 independent debut, Island Thinkin'. Their major national breakthrough arrived with their 2018 sophomore album, Livin' the Dream, released under LAW Records (founded by Pepper). The record was a resounding success, hitting #1 on the iTunes Reggae charts and #5 on the Billboard charts, launching them into a cross-country touring powerhouse.
​Following high-profile collaborations with Rome Ramirez of Sublime with Rome, Seranation embraced total creative independence. In September 2024, they dropped their third studio album, Meant to Be, on their own imprint, Livin' the Dream Records. Fueled by standout singles like "Not Today" and "Waves," the band continues to spread positive vibes nationwide, recently delivering an incredible performance on the Cali Roots Bowl Stage with Adam taking over lead vocals.

05/21/2026

Emerging from the DIY South Bay punk scene of Los Angeles in late 1979, the Circle Jerks became the roots of the American hardcore punk movement. The group was co founded by singer Keith Morris, who had recently left his role as Black Flag's original vocalist, and guitarist Greg Hetson, formerly of Redd Kross. Eager to push the boundaries of punk with faster tempos and heavier aggression, they teamed up with bassist Roger Rogerson and jazz influenced drummer Lucky Lehrer to create a remarkably tight, high-speed rhythm section.
In the autumn of 1980, they unleashed their definitive debut album, Group S*x. This landmark release crammed 14  tracks into a solid 15 minutes, establishing the sonic template for West Coast hardcore. Anthems like "Live Fast Die Young" blended youthful frustration with biting societal critique. The band's volatile energy and chaotic live performances were famously captured by filmmaker Penelope Spheeris in her iconic 1981 music documentary, The Decline of Western Civilization.
Subsequent records like Wild in the Streets (1982) and Golden Shower of Hits (1983) showcased a willingness to experiment with pop parodies and varied melodies. However, the mid-1980s introduced instability. Frequent member changes disrupted momentum, though the arrival of bassist Zander Schloss provided a grounding presence. Additionally, Hetson's focus became split when he joined Bad Religion in 1984. Worn down by internal friction and a changing alternative rock landscape, the Circle Jerks split up for the first time in 1990.
A mid-1990s reformation yielded Oddities, Abnormalities and Curiosities (1995)—their sixth and final studio album—which was followed by a repetitive cycle of hiatuses and sporadic reunion concerts throughout the 2000s.The enduring impact of the Circle Jerks is visible across generations of rock music, directly inspiring mainstream heavyweights from Pearl Jam to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Now featuring a revitalized lineup with veteran drummer Joey Castillo, the band continues to tour worldwide, bringing their foundational punk energy to contemporary audiences.

05/17/2026

05/03/2026

If you think you know symphonic music and you love death metal then the Italian masters of sonic chaos, Fleshgod Apocalypse will be a band worth going to see live. They don't just play music they embody a style and look of interview with a vampire meets subterranean Torture chamber

Born in 2007 in the city of Perugia, Italy, the band was brought together by Francesco Paoli, who fused the hyper technical precision of death metal with the grandiose, sweeping drama of classical composition. They became friends with the energy of masters like Mozart and Beethoven bringing them into the mosh pit. This collision of art fused into a tight sound that works amazingly well. Going to a show and watching them perform is like watching a Anne Rice, baroque fever dream. Their stage presence is a spectacle of tattered, sweat-drenched Victorian elegance, appearing as a legion of aristocratic undead who have emerged from a subterranean crypt to teach the masses the art of the headbang. You have Francesco Ferrini over a piano like a mad scientist and the beautiful sound of Veronica Bordacchini operatic vocals piercing through the sheer physical violence of the rhythm section metal chaos. I was blown away by not only the stage presence but the full penetrative relationship with orchestration and death metal mixing together perfectly.  The vibe of sorrow and rage can be felt in the music with a meticulous grind to the creation of each song. In a world of so much cookie cutter metal, Fleshgod Apocalypse stands alone with what you get when you are able to mix elegance, death metal and pure unadulterated Italian Fury and class. 

They transcend the boundaries of a mere band, they are the definitive soundtrack to a cinematic apocalypse, orchestrating the end of the world with a sublime and terrifying elegance.

04/26/2026

It is a rare feat for a band to make you want to put down the camera, vault the barricade, and lose yourself in the pit. Yet, King Parrot’s live energy is so infectious you can feel the entire venue vibrate. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, they have carved out a reputation as one of the most chaotic, irreverent, and hardworking acts in the modern extreme metal scene.
Formed in 2010, the band’s identity centers on the manic energy of frontman Matthew "Youngy" Young. After building a local buzz with their 2011 EP The Incision, they released their debut full-length, Bite Your Head Off, in 2012. This breakthrough showcased their ability to pivot seamlessly between lightning-fast grindcore blasts and heavy, mid-tempo grooves. What truly set them apart, however, was their visual identity. Their music videos—stepped in raw Australian humor and ridiculous scenarios—went viral at a time when the metal scene often took itself far too seriously.
King Parrot’s trajectory shifted significantly when they caught the ear of Phil Anselmo (Pantera, Down). Impressed by their "no-holds-barred" attitude, Anselmo signed them to Housecore Records and produced their sophomore effort, Dead Set (2015). Recorded in New Orleans, the album peaked at #21 on the ARIA Charts—a massive achievement for extreme metal.
The band soon became global road warriors, touring North America and Europe alongside legends like Soulfly and Voivod. In 2017, they released Ugly Produce, an album praised for its "disgusting" technical precision that captured the claustrophobic energy of their live sets. They have remained relentless ever since, recently releasing the EP Holed Up in the Lair, recorded at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis.
Categorized as "Thrashy Grindcore," King Parrot is defined by Youngy’s signature screeching vocals and a sonic palette that shifts from 250 \text{ BPM} grind to sludge-filled breakdowns. Their shows are a physical experience, often involving water throwing, stage diving, and intense audience interaction.
On​ tour with Soulfly and Gwar, King Parrot proves they are the ultimate catalyst for high-voltage energy. The current bill feels like three headliners in one show.

04/20/2026

Hailing from Gothenburg, Sweden, Avatar is a band that defies the standard boundaries of heavy metal. Since 2001, they have evolved from a melodic death metal act into a world renowned theatrical powerhouse. Known for elaborate costumes and the charismatic showmanship of frontman Johannes Eckerström, Avatar doesn’t just play concerts,they host immersive, dark carnival experiences.

My introduction to the band started with a simple mission for food and beer. My friend and I were at a massive festival, cutting through the food pavilion to find some shade and a cold drink before the next headliner. Suddenly, we both froze. We looked toward the stage and saw a group of guys in 18th century soldier whites performing synchronized hair twirls to an unbelievably heavy riff. The song was "Let It Burn," the band was Avatar, and I was instantly hooked.

As a photographer, it’s a rare privilege to step into the pit for a band you truly love. While I appreciate all music, Avatar has a specific way of sending my pulse racing the second they take the stage. They aren’t just a band; they are a high-concept theatrical experience. Having seen them a few times in the last few years, I can tell you firsthand that they don't just "play" they inhabit a world and stick to the bit with relentless commitment.

I even recall a surreal night in a tiny Reno club where Devin Townsend  opened for them with an experimental project. Don’t get me wrong, Ian sounded great, but it was a total "clash of worlds" considering the metal storm Avatar was about to unleash.

If you’re looking for a band that just stands there and stares at their shoes, Avatar isn’t for you. You’re going to get a frontman who commands the crowd like a ringmaster, a dual-guitar attack that sets the atmosphere, and a rhythm section that locks in to drive the madness home. Do yourself a favor: queue up a few tracks. If you have any love for metal, you’re going to be hooked.

Mon, Apr 20
Revel Entertainment Center
Albuquerque, NM

Wed, Apr 22
Aztec Theatre
San Antonio, TX

Thu, Apr 23
The Criterion
Oklahoma City, OK

Sat, Apr 25
Steelhouse Omaha
Omaha, NE