“Only posers die,” this quote from SLC Punk (1998), rings true as bands come and go but the true punks are the ones that refuse to quit and keep going. Bands like Descendants, Circle Jerks, Bad Religion, the Germs and Black Flag are among the few from the OG West Coast U.S. punk scene that are still proving to generations that punk is not dead…and might be even more relevant now in 2026 just like it was in the late 1970s post-Vietnam era.
“We’ll make some music to entertain whilst bombs are exploding in fucking Iran,” said frontman Milo Aukerman before launching into “Everything Sux.” This sentiment set the tone for the raw energy that ensued for the next hour and a half. This show became an escape from all the noise that is going on in the world. At that moment, it wasn’t just a sold-out show but an expression of community and togetherness that was needed in a time of hyperpolarization and conflict.
I don’t know how many people can say they found community in a mosh pit, but it’s true. If you’ve ever been to a hardcore or punk show, you know and should live by the phrase “if someone falls, pick them up,” this was the energy you felt amongst the crowd.
The band tore threw an impressive 33 song set, playing all their classics like “I Don’t Want to Grow Up,” “Suburban Home,” “ ‘Merican” and “I’m Not a Punk.” From headbanging, belting at the top of their lung and circle pits, the crowd was there for every note and riff. The crowd spanned generations; the youngest person I saw was six years old, proving the power of punk and its ideology doesn’t fade as the times change.
The opener, Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, was a bit of a detour from the Descendants previous tour with Adolescents. The opener was a much more folky, indie vibe versus the brash intensity from the previous. The English band was similar to The Menzingers, offering that folky punk sound. To my surprise, the crowd participation was there. Turner reciprocated their energy by calling the audience “friends.”
