In the packed confines of House of Blues Anaheim, nostalgia collided with raw musical joy as Oingo Boingo Former Members transformed a routine weekend into something decidedly more celebratory. The show wasn’t just another stop on a reunion tour circuit – it was a masterclass in how to honor a legacy while keeping it vibrantly alive.
The place was buzzing as the venue reached capacity early. Southern California’s enduring devotion to all things Boingo was evident in the diverse crowd – original fans sporting vintage tour shirts mingled with younger generations discovering the band’s frenetic energy for the first time.
Anaheim, California
May 4th, 2025
Perhaps most telling of the band’s enduring appeal was the quartet of teenage girls commanding prime real estate along the front rail. Throughout the night, they belted every single lyric with precision – a testament to Boingo’s multi-generational reach. Fifteen-year-old Bailey, vibrating with excitement between songs, revealed she’d been loving the band’s catalog for over five years after her family’s introduction. “This isn’t even my first show,” she told me, her face glowing with the particular joy of finding her musical home. “They’re my absolute favorite.”
Before the main event, The Untouchables seized the stage with the confidence of veterans who’ve been championing So Cal ska since the early ‘80s. Led by Chuck Askerneese, who now fronts the band solo following co-singer Jerry Miller’s passing in 2024, the nine-piece outfit wasted no time igniting the crowd. Opening with the upbeat “Be Alright,” they quickly established the evening’s kinetic atmosphere.
The Untouchables’ 12-song set demonstrated why they’ve remained relevant for four decades.
Their blend of ska, soul, and reggae rhythms on tracks like “Mandingo” and “What’s Gone Wrong” had the floor moving in waves.
The horn section punctuated Askerneese’s commanding vocals on “Live & Let Dance” while “Free Yourself” closed their performance with an infectious energy that left the audience properly primed.
After a brief changeover, the lights dimmed and the familiar figures of Oingo Boingo Former Members took their positions. The lineup featured original members Johnny Vatos (drums), Sam “Sluggo” Phipps (saxophone), Carl Graves (keyboards), and Steve Bartek (guitar), with Freddie Hernandez holding down bass duties. But all eyes were on vocalist Brendan McCreary as the opening notes of “On the Outside” crashed through the speakers.
McCreary always brings his own commanding presence while respectfully channeling the manic energy that defined Boingo’s early performances. His vocal range seamlessly navigated the demanding vocals on “Nothing to Fear (But Fear Itself)” and “Goodbye Goodbye” and the nuanced delivery of “Just Another Day.”
The band’s performance always feels like a continuation of the Boingo legacy. Bartek’s razor-sharp guitar work cuts through on every song, proving his technical prowess remains undiminished.
Meanwhile, Vatos’ thunderous percussion drove “Grey Matter” with the same intensity that powered the band’s legendary Halloween shows decades ago. Which, of course, they continue to do with this lineup.
Mid-set highlights included a particularly haunting rendition of “No One Lives Forever,” with McCreary prowling the stage as Phipps delivered the iconic saxophone lines that define the band’s signature sound. “Water” showcased the group’s musical dexterity as they navigated its complex arrangement to perfection.
The latter portion of the set cranked the energy to feverish levels. Before launching into “Wild Sex (In the Working Class),” McCreary and Vatos exchanged knowing glances toward the front row, with Vatos jokingly announcing, “This next one is for the 18-and-over crowd only.”
The warning only seemed to energize the teenage front-row contingent, who proceeded to belt every suggestive lyric with unflinching confidence, drawing amused smiles from band members and surrounding concertgoers alike.
The moment perfectly captured the band’s cross-generational appeal – music originally performed before these young fans were born, now embraced with the same fervor as its initial audience.
“Nasty Habits” demonstrated why these songs remain relevant despite their ‘80s origins. The satirical edge and social commentary embedded in tracks like “Only a Lad” still resonate in today’s cultural landscape.
The show’s closers of “We Close Our Eyes,” “Stay,” and “Violent Love” showcased their musical roots. The night concluded with “Goodbye Goodbye,” a once traditional closer to nearly every Boingo show of the past, bringing the 22-song marathon to a satisfying conclusion nearly two hours after it began.
What makes the Oingo Boingo Former Members experience remarkable isn’t just the technical execution of these beloved songs but the genuine joy the musicians still find in performing them. Unlike many acts revisiting their catalog, there’s nothing perfunctory about their approach. Each song receives the full-throttle treatment, with arrangements that honor the original recordings while benefiting from the musicians’ additional decades of experience.
McCreary deserves particular recognition for tackling one of rock’s most challenging vocal catalogs. Boingo’s original performances demanded theatrical versatility, manic energy, and impressive range, not to mention incredible musical talent – requirements McCreary meets with apparent ease. His command of the material goes beyond mere vocal similarity; he embodies the eccentric spirit that made Boingo performances legendary while adding his own interpretive touches.
This wasn’t a night about recapturing past glory as much as demonstrating why this music continues to connect with audiences. The songs’ quirky arrangements, dark humor, and danceable rhythms feel remarkably fresh despite their vintage.
Southern California may have changed dramatically since Oingo Boingo’s heyday, but the band’s musical DNA remains thoroughly embedded in the region’s cultural identity.
For longtime fans, the evening offered comforting familiarity. For newcomers – whether they discovered the band last week or, like Bailey and her friends, were introduced by parents or older siblings – it provided an introduction to a uniquely Southern Californian musical institution.
As the house lights came up and the sweaty crowd filtered toward the exits, the consensus was clear: the Former Members aren’t just keeping the flame alive – they’re still fanning it into something that burns with remarkable intensity.
