Category: NEWS

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Warped Tour 2025: Full Lineup, Dates & Cities Announced

Vans Warped Tour is Back! 2025 Lineup, Cities & Dates For fans who grew up sweating through Vans sneakers in parking lots, clutching crumpled setlists, and discovering their favorite bands by accident—this is the moment you’ve been waiting for. After six long years of silence, Vans Warped Tour is officially returning in 2025. And it’s not just back. It’s bigger, bolder, and ready to ignite a new generation of fans. Once the lifeblood of youthful punk rock summers, Warped Tour was more than just a traveling concert—it was a cultural pilgrimage. Whether you were crowd-surfing to A Day To Remember or picking up zines at the PETA tent, every stop felt like a shared rite of passage. Since its final tour in 2019, fans have kept the flame alive through throwback playlists, tattered wristbands, and countless Reddit threads asking the same question: “Will Warped ever come back?” Now, it has—and the announcement didn’t just ripple through the music scene. It detonated. Reddit and X exploded. Music blogs lit up. Longtime fans and scene veterans reunited across timelines, screaming in all caps: “WARPED IS BACK.” But this isn’t just a victory lap or a reunion tour. Warped Tour 2025 is a

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Gang of Four At The Fonda Giveaway

Take This: Win a Pair of Tickets To See Gang of Four at The Fonda

Gang of Four will return to Los Angeles for their Long Goodbye Tour Stop at The Fonda on May 28th and we have a pair of tickets to giveaway.  See below or on Instagram for details. In 2024, Gang of Four embarked on their “The Gang of Four: The Return of the Gang of Four” tour, featuring King, Burnham, and Allen together for the first time since 1981. Now in 2025, the band has announced what they’re calling their Long Goodbye Tour, a final worldwide celebration of their music and legacy. This farewell tour delivers 2 sets of emotionally charged performances.  Set 1 is the Gang of Four album Entertainment! in it’s entirety, with set 2 delivering the best of the rest with deeper cuts and personal stories reflecting on their 45-year journey. related: Photo Recap- Gang of Four at The Roxy Janky Smooth is giving away a pair of tickets to one winner to see Gang of Four on their Long Goodbye tour stop at The Fonda Theater.  You can buy tickets HERE Or to Enter: Follow @JankySmooth on Instagram Like the original Gang of Four Giveaway Post in our feed. Tag a Friend Winner Will be announced Tuesday,

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L.A. Witch Lodge Room Ticket Giveaway

Take This: Win Two Tickets to L.A. Witch at The Lodge Room 05/23

We are giving away a pair of tickets to the L.A. Witch tour stop at The Lodge Room on May 23rd, 2025.  Details below… Last time we caught up with L.A. Witch was at the Palladium in Hollywood supporting Janes Addiction and it just re-sparked our love for the band.  On May 23rd we’ll get to see them in the preferred environment- an intimate gathering at an iconic venue in the city where they formed. related: Jane’s Addiction- Hollywood Royalty at The Palladium L.A. Witch embarked on a North American tour starting April 19, 2025, with performances in cities including New Orleans, Houston, Austin, and their hometown of Los Angeles at The Lodge Room in Highland Park. They are also set to tour Europe in the fall, with dates across Portugal, Spain, France, and the UK. For fans and new listeners alike, L.A. Witch’s 3rd full length, DOGGOD offers a compelling blend of haunting melodies and introspective lyrics, solidifying L.A. Witch’s place in L.A. Music Scene lore, once and for all. To Enter Our L.A. Witch Ticket Giveaway… Follow our instagram account @jankysmooth Tag a friend Winner will be announced Wednesday, May 21st at Noon Pacific.  Good luck!  

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Kyle "King Tuff" Thomas Plays Guitar for Ty Segall and The Muggers by Taylor Wong

King Tuff Is Leaving Los Angeles: A Final Farewell at the Lodge Room?

Los Angeles, get ready to say goodbye to one of the city’s most beloved rock ‘n’ roll weirdos. Kyle Thomas aka King Tuff is bidding farewell to the City of Angels with a final hometown performance at The Lodge Room in Highland Park on Wednesday, May 15, 2025. As part of what’s being called a celebratory send-off rather than a swan song, this show promises to be a psych-fuzz-reverb drenched night of gratitude, good vibes, and garage-glam magic. related: King Tuff and The Shrine In Venice for Red Bull Sound Select Tickets for King Tuff’s farewell LA show are going fast, and for good reason: this isn’t just another tour stop—it’s the end of an era for fans who’ve followed his journey from lo-fi beginnings to Sub Pop success. Whether you’ve been spinning Was Dead since 2008 or fell in love with the introspective shimmer of 2023’s Smalltown Stardust, this Lodge Room date is a rare chance to experience the full spectrum of King Tuff’s sound one last time in his hometown. Why This Show Matters This isn’t just a concert—it’s a transmission from a singular creative force. Over the years, King Tuff has helped shape LA’s indie-psych-rock landscape with

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Model/Actriz at Cruel World 2024 by Taylor Wong

Model/Actriz- Pirouette: Bend Bodies/Break Brains/New Album

Boston-forged and Brooklyn-based post-punk provocateurs Model/Actriz returned to us on May 3 with Pirouette (True Panther Records), the feverishly anticipated follow-up to their blistering 2023 debut, Dogsbody. Known for their physical, feral live shows and vocalist Cole Haden’s magnetic, almost confrontational presence, Model/Actriz are back to twist the knife even deeper—dance or die. The first time I became aware of Model/Actriz was in 2017 when I was invited to see another friend’s new band at the Hi- Hat in Highland Park. I missed my friends’ band but I did NOT miss Model/Actriz. I knew, then and there, that I had witnessed something special there and instantly the bands’ first EP- “NO” became a classic in my catalog. related: The Next Wave of Sound- Model/Actriz at The Hi Hat While their follow up EP, AVA did not hit as hard for me, it served as a laboratory for their first full length 2023 release- Dogsbody. Where Dogsbody introduced the band’s vicious fusion of noise rock, industrial grooves, and sweaty club tension, Pirouette sharpens their edge without losing any of the body-moving chaos. Produced with a tighter, cleaner mix that never loses its grit, the record still slithers and screams with the

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Acid Bath in 1995

Memoirs Of My First Acid Bath Show…

After a 28-year hiatus, legendary sludge metal band Acid Bath returned to the stage this past weekend with their first show on April 25, 2025, at The Fillmore in New Orleans. The performance was a seismic event for fans, blending raw energy and haunting melodies that captivated the audience. Acid Bath’s return not only rekindled the fire of their loyal fanbase but also showcased their enduring influence in the metal scene. This milestone event marked a powerful chapter in the band’s storied legacy. A story that is part of my story, as well. The year was 1995. I was 15 years old. My mom had just gotten clean and decided to move us from San Diego to Panama City Beach, Florida. In her heart, I think she believed that putting distance between us and our delinquent friends would somehow make it easier to manage my sister and me while she got her shit together. Boy, was she wrong. Finding new friends to get in trouble with was super easy—and one thing was for sure: Floridian delinquents in the ’90s were a whole different level of crazy compared to San Diego kids. It felt like a dream. We lived at the

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Take This! Win 2 Tickets To See Swing Kids at the Lodge Room

Swing Kids, the iconic post-hardcore band from San Diego, California, are making a highly anticipated return to the stage with an upcoming show at the Lodge Room in Los Angeles on Monday, May 5th. Janky Smooth is giving away a pair of tickets to one winner to see Swing Kids.  You can Buy Tickets Now or see below for instructions on entering our giveaway Originally formed in the mid-1990s, Swing Kids made a powerful impact on the underground music scene with their intense live performances, emotionally charged lyrics, and a unique blend of hardcore punk, jazz, and noise rock. Led by frontman Justin Pearson—also known for his work with his label ThreeOneG and his other projects- The Locust, Retox and Dead Cross—Swing Kids stood out with their raw energy and unapologetic political edge. Though their original run was brief, their self-titled EP and the influential “Situation on Mars” release helped define a new era of art-damaged punk and laid the groundwork for future experimental hardcore bands. After disbanding in 1997, Swing Kids’ cult status only grew. Their sound influenced a generation of musicians and earned them a lasting place in post-hardcore history. The band reunited periodically for special benefit shows, always

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Crowd

Sex Cells Returns to Los Angeles: A Night of Subversive Glamour and Sonic Mayhem

After an extended hiatus, Sex Cells is making its highly anticipated return to The Dragonfly in the heart of Los Angeles on May 3rd, 2025. Known for its decadent fusion of underground music, avant-garde fashion, and unapologetically provocative aesthetics, this cult-favorite club night is more than just a party—it’s a cultural statement. Founded by creative provocateur Danny Fuentes, the res-Erection of Sex Cells promises a surreal collision of art, music, and provocation that only LA could birth. At the core of the Sex Cells ethos is Danny Fuentes himself, a driving force behind some of LA’s most boundary-pushing art and nightlife. He is the visionary behind Lethal Amounts, an iconic art gallery and brand known for celebrating counterculture, queerness, punk, fetish, and the underground. Located in downtown Los Angeles, Lethal Amounts has exhibited works by transgressive legends like Genesis P-Orridge, Lydia Lunch, and Rick Castro, creating a platform for voices and visuals too raw for the mainstream. related: Pink Flamingos and Peaches- 2nd Annual John Waters Easter at The Madonna Inn Sex Cells emerged as a natural extension of Fuentes’ world—bringing the spirit of the gallery to the dance floor. Originally launched in 2016, the party quickly gained notoriety for

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Featured Song: Phantom Hound’s “From Boom Town To Ghost Town”

If you like your music equal parts moody and crushing, Phantom Hound’s latest release,  “From Boom Town To Ghost Town” is just the jam you’ve been looking for. Hailing from Oakland, California, Phantom Hound is a power trio that plunges new depths of heavy psych and stoner rock to conjure a sound too hallowed to be restricted by the genre conventions of “doom”. Signature to this band’s sound and aesthetics are their grunge influence and love of all things vintage, be it western saloons, scarred leather, or good ol’ fashioned American gothic. “From Boom Town To Ghost Town” is a slow, methodical journey through American history, where black and white film can’t help but feel macabre. These grainy, faded memories marry the song’s themes well, about venturing back to places in your own past and discovering all that remains is a ghost town of what once was. The song juggles between a melancholy reverie of American shamanism to a stoner clinic with a brutal, sludge-fest of riffs, transcendent solos, and a powerful vocal performance that you would follow anywhere. Whether you prefer to pair their playing with a joint or bottle of whiskey, these riffs go down thick and Jake

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Das Bunker Summer Ticket Giveaway

Take This: Spend Your Summer w/ Das Bunker Ticket Giveaway

Das Bunker is responsible for some of our favorite club nights, launching some of the freshest new bands and continuously resurrecting some of the rarest acts in dark, underground dance music.  This summer, in the year of our Lord, 2023, Janky Smooth has teamed up with Das Bunker to give 2 lucky winners, 2 tickets each for all 6 of their summer events.   You can buy tickets NOW or check the details on how to enter below Das Bunker has got your summer covered with 2 band nights, 2 club nights and two themed cruises floating on the Pacific Ocean. related: Pixel Grip, Spike Hellis and Black Light Odyssey Find Refuge at Das Bunker Calendar of Das Bunker Ticket Giveaway Events Spike Hellis, Gatekeeper and Feudal at Catch One- June 30th 2023 Creux Lies, Deceits and Hallows at Catch One- July 6th 2023 Sarin (DJ set), Milliken Chamber (live) and Cruel Kiss (live)at Catch One- July 8th 2023 MorrisSea: Morrissey/Smiths themed cruise on the Long Beach Harbor- July 29th 2023 Nine Inch Sails (Nine Inch Nails themed) cruise on the Long Beach Harbor-  Aug 5th 2023 Summer Massive: 7 clubs join forces at Catch One- Aug 12th   Goths,

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Godflesh at Brick by Brick by Becky DiGiglio

A Proven Experiment: Oblivion Access Festival Returns To Austin June 15th-18th

Oblivion Access Festival will be returning to Austin, Texas in 2023 to host their signature celebration of experimental music and art showcases from all different walks of life, and this is not a year to be slept on. Spanning over multiple genres with darker gothic performances of Drab Majesty and TR/ST, heavier metal grooves of Godflesh and Earth, stagedive-filled hardcore sets from Drain and Drug Church, and even underground hip-hop artists like Clipping and Lil Ugly Mane; Oblivion Access Fest is sure to blow your mind no matter what your brand of the avant-garde and strange falls under. related: Austin Psych Fest 2023 – Authenticity In A Far Out Place Germany’s classic progressive rock band Faust is headlining the festival to celebrate 50 years of their mind-melting psychedelic career. Faust hasn’t graced America in 5 years with their mesmerizing grand performances, and they’re the most authentic way to experience the weirdo avant-garde roots of progressive rock live and in-person nowadays. Experiencing Faust live is a rare opportunity with how sparsely they visit the States, and their performances take you on an introspective adventure that is sure to stick in your mind just as much as an actual psychedelic experience would.

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Jim Reid- Jesus and Mary Chain by Johann Ramos

Take This: Win Two 2-Day Passes to Cloak And Dagger Festival

If you dress in black everyday and find comfort in the shadows, you’re in luck. Janky Smooth is proud to announce our Cloak And Dagger: Dusk Till Dawn festival giveaway. Goth, post punk, industrial, and more, converge into one monstrous 2-day lineup that will be taking place at both the Globe and Tower Theaters on October 19th and 20th. This is the first year of this two day festival created by those that brought you Cloak and Dagger Tuesday club night’s in Hollywood. We here at Janky Smooth haven’t seen a lineup as whole and cohesive as this one in quite awhile. A lot of bands Janky Smooth has loved for quite some time will be playing, bands like: Ho99o9, Health, The Gaslamp Killer, Drab Majesty, and Uniform. There will also be plenty of powerhouse acts playing like: German industrial legends KMFDM, OHGR of Skinny Puppy, and of course Jesus And Mary Chain. IF YOU HAVEN’T BOUGHT TICKETS ALREADY, DON’T WASTE ANYMORE TIME. YOU CAN BUY THEM HERE. IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE COIN AND FEEL LUCKY, SIGN UP FOR OUR GIVEAWAY. CONTEST RULES Join the Janky Smooth newsletter.  Subscription box pop’s up anytime you visit JankySmooth.com.  (if you hit

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