I have to say, stepping onto the grounds of the Warped Tour in Long Beach this summer felt like stepping back into a part of my own history. The sun was hot, the air buzzing with that familiar energy, and it was as if time folded in on itself. Seeing Warped come back reminded me that this tour was never just a lineup of bands—it was a whole world of kids, punks, and misfits coming together to build a community around music. That spirit was alive and thriving, and it was electric to be part of it again.

Of course, for me and the rest of L7, Warped isn’t just any festival. We played the very first one, back in 1995, when the idea of a punk-rock traveling circus seemed both wild and impossible. To watch it grow into such a cultural force over the decades has been surreal. It’s rare to see something that manages to hold onto its raw heart while still reaching so many people. Walking through the crowd, I could see flashes of that same fire that fueled us back then.

What struck me was how the music continues to bind generations together. Kids were seeing their first Warped Tour with wide eyes, and veterans like me who’ve seen this train roll for nearly thirty years. New vendors, comprising longtime friends and newcomers, also came together to showcase how much the imprint’s brand has expanded over the years, with the latest additions keeping the festival’s spirit alive. That cross-generational mix reminded me that punk has always been about more than style or era—it’s about energy, honesty, and showing up. The fact that Warped still carries that DNA proves how powerful this scene really is.

By the end of the day, I felt equal parts exhausted and rejuvenated, the way only a festival can do to you. Warped Tour may look different now, but it’s still a place where people gather to scream, sweat, and celebrate music together. Long may it live!

@vanswarpedtour @311 @adtr @blackveilbrides @bfs_official @dancehallcrashers @dropkickmurphys @fallinginreverse @fishbonesoldier @goldfingermusic @icemft @bodycountofficial @pennywise @thedark_punkband @sublime @silverstein @saosin

#vanswarpedtour #warpedtour2025 #longbeach #california #punkrock #punkrocktour #kevinlyman #311 #adaytoremember #theallamericanrejects #blackveilbrides #bowlingforsoup #dancehallcrashers #dropkickmurphys #fallinginreverse #fishbone #goldfinger #icet #bodycount #pennywise #thedark #sublime #silverstein #saosin

Forty years of L7 — can you believe it? We’re throwing down in DTLA to celebrate, and this one feels massive. Our partners in crime, Lunachicks, are flying in from New York just for this show. It’s been what feels like forever since we’ve shared a stage together, and the thought of reconnecting with them in the chaos of Los Angeles is enough to make my head spin (in the best way). This isn’t just another gig — it’s family, it’s history, it’s a full-circle moment that’s been a long time coming.

And then, to make it even wilder, our friends in CSS are flying up from Brazil to bring their unstoppable energy into the mix. Three bands, three different continents represented, all converging in Los Angeles for one night of pure fire. It’s going to be loud, sweaty, and unforgettable — exactly how an anniversary should be.

SET TIMES

Doors – 7:00 p.m.

Bonavega – 7:30 p.m.

CSS – 8:00 p.m.

Lunachicks – 9:00 p.m.

L7 – 10:10p.m.

Aftershow dance party at 11:25 p.m. in the upstairs ballroom

@l7theband, @lunachicksofficial, @cssmusic, @bonavegamusic @jenniferfinch, @donitasparksofficial, @suzi_gardner_official, @ginavolpe, @theokogan

#l7theband #lunachicks #cssband #bonavegas #jenniferfinch #donitasparks #suzigardner #deeplakas, #theokogan #ginavolpe #sidneysilver #chipenglish #lovefoxxx #luizasa #anarezende #carolinaparra #thebelascotheatre #downtownlosangeles #losangeles #hillst

Coming back from our run in the Pacific Northwest, I’m feeling both exhausted and totally lit up in the best way. There’s something about that part of the country that feels like home turf — rainy skies, evergreen air, and audiences who give you everything they’ve got. Being back on the road with L7 always brings this wild mix of chaos, humor, and sisterhood, and Portland and Olympia gave us precisely the kind of shows that remind me why I keep saying yes to this life.

The Crystal Ballroom in Portland is one of those venues that feels alive. The floor literally bounces under the weight of the crowd, and when we hit those first chords, the energy ricocheted back at us like a tidal wave. It was sweaty, loud, and a little unhinged — exactly the way it should be. Then up in Olympia, playing the South Sound Block Party alongside Bratmobile was like stepping back into a punk rock time machine. Seeing Alison and the girls on stage again, with all their fire intact, was nothing short of inspiring.

Beyond the music, it was a gift to reconnect with old friends in both cities. Some of these folks I hadn’t seen in decades, yet the conversations picked up as if no time had passed at all. Those hangouts backstage and after the shows reminded me that the punk community isn’t just about the gigs — it’s about the people who’ve been in the trenches with you all along. The Pacific Northwest showed up for us, and I’m carrying that love and gratitude with me.

Up next is The Belasco in DTLA alongside Lunachicks and CSS for L7’s 40th anniversary party!

#l7theband #suzigardner #donitasparks #jenniferfinch #deeplakas #punkrock #ontheroad #portland #oregon #olympia #washington #southsoundblockparty #bratmobile #mikelove

Photo by South Sound Block Party

LIVE EVENT – September 6th, 2025: 7 – 10 PM

SOAP PLANT/WACKO
4633 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
@jackgrishamphoto
@soapplantwacko
@punk.hostage.press
@patricksoneil
@channelthree
@dead_western_mind

On Saturday, September 6th, I’ll be taking part in a very special night in Hollywood — the launch party for Transmission, the new book by my friend Jack Grisham of T.S.O.L. The event is taking place at the legendary Wacko/Soap Plant and is being organized by Punk Hostage Press and Nu-Pike Press. It’s going to be an evening where punk music, literature, and community all collide in the best way possible.

I’ll be joining a lineup of readers to help bring Jack’s words to life. For those who may not know, Jack has always possessed a rare ability to blend raw honesty, biting humor, and straightforward confrontation into both his music and writing. I’ve admired his voice for years — first as the frontman of T.S.O.L., and now as an author whose books (An American Demon, The Coffee Maker, Code Blue: A Love Story) dig deep into identity, addiction, love, and survival. Transmission carries that same energy and unflinching storytelling, and I’m eager to share what’s inside with everyone there.

Also involved in this production is my friend Iris Berry, who co-founded Punk Hostage Press. Iris is a real-deal L.A. original — a poet, author, and musician who has been documenting and shaping the underground for decades. Her writing captures the grit and glamour of Hollywood and greater Los Angeles like no one else’s, and she’s been a driving force in keeping punk literature alive and thriving. Having her hand in this event makes it even more meaningful because Iris has always been about giving space for voices that deserve to be heard.

What I love most about nights like this is the spirit of collaboration and connection. Punk has always been about more than just music — it’s about art, rebellion, and telling the truth as we see it. This launch is precisely that: a celebration of Jack’s work, yes, but also of the creative sparks that keep this community alive. If you’re in L.A., come out and be part of it.

Visit Punk Hostage Press for more information on upcoming events.

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