It was a packed house at the Observatory in Santa Ana as fans showed up early and in force for a full night of punk rock mayhem. With a stacked lineup featuring some of Southern California’s most respected punk bands, the crowd was buzzing before the first note even dropped. From the moment the lights dimmed and the opening chords rang out, it was clear this wasn’t just a concert – it was a full-on celebration of punk energy, community, and raw musical attitude.
Opening the night was Splntr, a long-time staple in the SoCal punk scene. These guys didn’t waste a second easing into their set. They launched straight into it, blazing through high-octane tracks like “Grind” and “Trails,” and closed out with a pounding version of “Automatic.” Every song was delivered with speed, precision, and aggression – the hallmarks of true punk – and the crowd responded accordingly. The pit ignited early and didn’t slow down.
If you’ve never seen Splntr live, do yourself a favor and make it happen. Their set was tight, clean, and unapologetically in-your-face. They came to make a statement, and judging by the early chaos in the pit, it worked.
Fans were immediately on board, fists pumping and bodies flying, setting the tone for what would be a nonstop, high-energy night.
Next up was Fourth In Line, hailing from La Habra, California. The band took the stage with heavy hearts, having just lost their friend Joe Rimicci from Jughead’s Revenge the day before.
They dedicated their set to him, and it was evident the emotion fueled every chord, lyric, and scream. Despite the somber circumstances, the band absolutely stole the show.
Fourth In Line brought unmatched energy and a raw punk spirit that had the crowd losing their minds.
Lead vocalist Chris Griffith was a force of nature, stage diving and charging across the stage with reckless abandon. The setlist was a powerful mix, featuring anthems like “Model Citizens,” “Broken Empire,” “Backside,” and “98.” Every track hit harder than the last.
The pit never let up – pure chaos from start to finish. As the band closed out their set, Griffith jumped into the crowd to finish the final song from the pit, igniting an even bigger frenzy.
Then, in true punk fashion, bassist Eric Bootow and guitarist Jimmy Joyce each threw their instruments across the stage, a perfect exclamation mark to a set full of raw emotion and unfiltered punk aggression. It was unforgettable.
Following that intense performance, Chaser took the stage and somehow managed to keep the energy sky-high. Known for blending melodic punk with a message of positivity, Chaser proved once again why they’re one of the most exciting acts in the scene today.
Their set was a nonstop ride through songs like “Brand New Enemy,” “2020,” “Good Times,” and “Fault Lines.”
Their stage presence was tight, enthusiastic, and infectious. The crowd fed off their positive energy, keeping the mosh pit alive and active.
There was never a lull – just a constant pulse of fast riffs, driving drums, and sing-along choruses.
Chaser’s message of unity and hope rang loud and clear, but they never compromised on the aggression and speed that defines punk rock.
Pulley followed with a strong, focused set that kept the crowd on its toes. Led by front-man Scott Radinsky – who, by the way, still has one of the cleanest voices in punk – Pulley delivered a relentless mix of classic and newer material.
Though I didn’t catch their full setlist, the performance was sharp and passionate, with Mike Harder, Tyler Rebbe, and Sean Sellers laying down heavy-hitting instrumentals that gave Radinsky the perfect foundation to shine.
Every track was met with a roar of approval, and the crowd seemed locked in from start to finish.
The energy was building with each band, all leading up to the moment everyone was waiting for: the arrival of Agent Orange.
Before we get to the headliner, it’s worth mentioning a highlight off the stage – two guys dressed head-to-toe in banana costumes that spent the entire night in the pit. Yep, full yellow suits, moshing with total commitment. It was hilarious, ridiculous, and completely punk. Shout out to the Banana Boys – thanks for the laughs and for showing everyone that punk is also about having fun.
And then, the legends known as Agent Orange took the stage and wasted zero time kicking it into high gear. Mike Palm, Perry Giordano, and Sandy Hensen lit it up from the first note, showing no signs of slowing down even after decades in the game.
They ripped through a killer setlist that included classics like “Mr. Moto,” “No Such Thing,” “Bloodstains,” “Miserlou,” and even “Police Truck.” Each track was delivered with precision and intensity, and the crowd went wild. The pit reached another level, and longtime fans were shouting every lyric like.
It’s wild to think that the first time I ever heard Agent Orange was back in 1984 in the legendary “Skatevisions” video, and here they are – still killing it, still drawing massive crowds, and still making punk rock feel like the most alive, electric thing in the world.
What a night. Five bands, endless energy, and one of the most passionate crowds I’ve seen in a while. If you missed this show, go out and support the future live punk shows.
Whether it’s a legendary act like Agent Orange or an opener you’ve never heard of, this scene thrives when people show up, go wild, and scream their lungs out together.
Punk isn’t dead. It’s alive, well, and moshing hard in Santa Ana.
