Is it 30 years in teal or aquamarine? Truth be told, no one here’s an expert on color theory but if teal is a clue, the self-professed crime-fighting prowess of the Aquabats is as sus as a Miami Dolphins Super Bowl ring in the same three-decade sample. But jokes aside, Huntington Beach’s greatest ska-punk-new-wave-power-pop outfit’s been rocking superhero theatrics like no other. And that’s enough hyphens for now.
Now fully presenting as a rock band, the Aquabats formed in 1994 in Orange County, California, where the founding core of vocalist Christian Jacobs, aka The MC Bat Commander, trumpeter Boyd Terry and bassist Chad Larson, aka Crash McLarson, quickly gained a cult following with their energetic performances and catchy, quirky songs.
Their debut album, “The Return of The Aquabats,” released in 1996, set the tone for a bevy of well-received full-lengths and myriad even-quirkier solo projects by the dozen-plus members who’ve cycled through over the years. In addition to their music career, the Aquabats created and starred in the television show, The Aquabats! Super Show!, which aired from 2012 to 2014 (with a two-year YouTube revival in 2019-2021) and followed Jacobs’ turn as creator of Nickelodeon’s wildly popular kids’ musical series, Yo Gabba Gabba!
Their seventh album, “Finally!” has, well, finally arrived and it continues the catchy pop vibes. Fans will be happy with the return of Terry – better known as Catboy – who left the band in 2002, and of guitarist Courtney Pollock, aka Chainsaw the Prince of Karate, who had jumped from the Battle Tram back in 2006.
Adding to the fun will be Angeleno ska reggae band, the Aggrolites. Fans will remember them from episode three of YGG’s season one and their slightly unhinged performance of “Banana.” Feel free to bring giant inflatable versions of the iconic fruit. Ska punkers Left Alone, also from the greater L.A. area, round out the evening’s entertainment. Led by former PCH Club owner Elvis Cortez, Left Alone are closing in on 30 years of staunch DIY living.
The Aquabats with The Aggrolites and Left Alone perform 6pm Friday, July 19 at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale. theaquabats.com ~ Abel Folgar
