Weird Journalism

10/28/2025

Unfortunately in this world everything must rest & after 25 years the indie rock band Murder By Death is hanging it up. One of my favorite bands for the past 15 years. I've seen them a dozen times & will again tonight, tomorrow & in Louisville next month. They've written concept albums about revenge, redemption and even a 🐎 Western space 🌌 opera.

Read all about what makes them one-of-a-kind in my exclusive interview with singer & lyricist, Adam Turla (thanks again!) in my latest for the East Bay Express


And make sure to catch them tonight in Berkeley at the UC theater or tomorrow at the Belasco in Los Angeles (for my SoCal fam)🤠🌌

Murder By Death gives last call—the Western-inspired indie-rock band from Indiana announces its final ride.

10/25/2025

There's no denying times are bleak right now. It seems like we are all helpless to the wrecking ball of the Trump Administration. But as long as there are people willing to stand up and say "No" there is hope. If you're in Santa Cruz and want to know how 🫵 can fight back go to the Vets Hall RIGHT NOW as activists Chase Iron Eyes, Camilla Chavez, Danny Sheehan and musician Poranguí are rallying to organize & inform the people!

Read all about it in my latest for the Good Times!

The “People of the Americas Unite” rally and musical event offers a proactive solution to racist immigration policy enforcement.

10/20/2025

https://youtu.be/ysKtxNU9jMs?si=V6avOrqQ3KGGO2Nf

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/20/2025

Here's one recent local band who I wish did more. Maybe we'll see them again soon. Until then, check out Ladders at the Trestles album release party last month at The Catalyst Club

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/15/2025

🍗Poultrygeist 2 -- the new TROMA gorefest filmed in Santa Cruz & surrounding areas -- is almost wrapped up. Pick up a Good Times Santa Cruz & read about the life lessons learned on set before you meet Uncle Lloyd Kaufman at Streetlight Records-Santa Cruz this coming Monday (10/20/25)! 🐔☣️🧟‍♀️

Mat Weir reports firsthand from the blood-stained set of Poultergeist 2, bringing us into a story that many Santa Cruzans missed, from right in our own backyard.

10/13/2025

Yesterday's Dusted Angel record release show at Moe's Alley, Santa Cruz was heavy, boy. Here's "Kiss of Shame" track off their first LP in 15 years, "This Side of the Dirt" 🤘

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/08/2025

I was lucky enough to be asked by the talented Alan Snodgrass to write a show review for the PUP/Jeff Rosenstock/Ekko Astral show at the Fox Theatre Oakland last Saturday to accompany his always amazing photos! 📸

Read all about it and see what you missed on New Noise Magazine 's website

It’s been 10 years since PUP and Jeff Rosenstock went on tour together. And let’s just say it didn’t go as planned. In a short period of time the Rosenstock van broke down twice, PUP’s singer Stefan Babcock fell face first into a cactus while hiking and–on a different day–their guitar pl...

10/06/2025

What's better than ☝️band? How about Double Band! What's better than a Double Band??? TRIPLE BAND, duh!!!

PUP, Jeff Rosenstock (Death Rosenstock) & Echo ended last night's set with a TRIPLE BAND cover of Alanis Morissette with a song you oughta know!!! 🌈

Don't forget to LIKE & SUBSCRIBE!!!

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/05/2025

Last night's Bones Shredder record release show was a special night of friends celebrating friends. Check out the new album Morbid Little Thing on CD or vinyl or any streaming services now!

Make sure to watch the full video of Baby's in Black featuring Lucy Giles on guest vocals and don't forget to like And subscribe 🤘

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/03/2025

Despite rumors of 2024 being the final year, The Santa Cruz Comedy Festival is ✨BACK✨ albeit in a slightly different form as the Laughtopus 🐙

Tonight kicks off one of two days of comedians at Woodhouse Blending & Brewing 🍻 in Downtown Santa Cruz!

Buy your 🎟️ 🎫 now & read all about the festival 's shift, how DNA & Michael Booth (along with a group of local comedians) are adding kindling to the local comedy scene & why it's important for tonight's headliner Valerie Tosi (thanks again for the great interview!) to use comedy as a message in these dark times in my latest for the Good Times Santa Cruz

A rebranding of sorts, the Laughtopus is presented by the Santa Cruz Comedy Festival as a smaller, more condensed way for Santa Cruzans to get their yearly festy laughs.

10/01/2025

Who am I gonna 👀 on Friday for the Bines Shredder debut release show at Art Boutiki Music Hall ???

After years of recording with a multitude of bands, San Jose's Randy Moore is ready to debut his authentic self. Read all about his journey to creating MORBID LITTLE THING, why he chose Art Boutiki & why the fabled San Jose venue is closing its doors after 16 years in my latest for the Metro 🦇🧛‍♂️

Link in comments

09/27/2025

Trestle's day is finally here!

Read all about the local surf rock band's journey writing their new album SALT & how they're ready to bring Santa Cruz's vibe to the rest of the world in my latest for the Good Times Santa Cruz

👉After that, go check out the new album at 🍻 Humble Sea brewery today & get some super salty, hella malty güd food 🥨 & drinks while you're at it!

(Presented by ).

THEN head down to The Catalyst tonight for Career Woman, Ladders & Trestles in the main room! 🎶

Then party like a rock star at the after party (if you were lucky enough to RSVP first!)

Good Times music critic Mat Weir catches up with Santa Cruz surf punk band Trestles as they celebrate their new album, Salt