Darker Waves in Huntington Beach - Nov 18, 2023

The English Beat

8 concerts

The Beat, formed in Birmingham in 1979, spurred the British Two Tone Ska movement with their mix of soul, reggae, pop, and punk. Known for hits and a message of love and unity, they remain influential under Dave Wakeling's lead.

Clan of Xymox

11 concerts

Dutch band Clan of Xymox, formed in 1981 in Nijmegen, blends darkwave, gothic rock, and synth-pop. Known for hits like "A Day" and their atmospheric, moody sounds, they've been influential in the gothic scene since their debut.

The B-52's

5 concerts

Formed in Athens, GA, the B-52s blended surf music, '60s pop, and kitsch to create hits like "Rock Lobster" & "Love Shack." Known for their LGBTQ+ advocacy, they earned a multi-platinum record with their album Cosmic Thing.

Christian Death

5 concerts

Founded in L.A. in 1979, Christian Death spearheaded American goth rock with confrontational themes of blasphemy and deviance. Known for songs like "Romeo's Distress," their influential blend mixes punk, metal, and goth elements, heavily rooted in dark theatrics and provocation.

Soft Cell

27 concerts

Synth pop duo Soft Cell, formed in England by Marc Almond & Dave Ball in 1977, famed for 'Tainted Love' cover. Scored four Top 20 UK albums & reunion hits. Known for electronic style & impactful singles.

Blossoms

15 concerts

UK band Blossoms, from Stockport, hit the music scene in the 2010s with their Brit-pop and indie rock style. Known for hits like "Charlemagne," they've topped UK charts and maintained a strong touring presence. Their sound blends classic pop with modern influences, drawing comparisons to the Doors and Arctic Monkeys.

DEVO

22 concerts

Devo, from Akron, Ohio, is known for pioneering new wave with dark social satire and unique visuals. Hits like "Whip It" and collaborations with Disney show their wide influence. Formed by Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh, they tackled themes of dehumanization with humor and innovation, using homemade instruments and bizarre concepts. Their debut album, backed by David Bowie and Iggy Pop, became an underground hit, cementing their place as a cult band. Despite fluctuating success, Devo's legacy endured through reunions, soundtrack work, and a 50th-anniversary anthology.

The Cardigans

2 concerts

Swedish pop band The Cardigans, formed in 1992 by metal fans, are known for their upbeat 1995 hit album "Life" and "Lovefool". They blend solid musicianship with clever pop arrangements, achieved gold and platinum status, and saw success in Japan and the US.

T.S.O.L.

3 concerts

T.S.O.L., formed in 1978 in Huntington Beach, CA, is a seminal gothic punk band known for albums like "Dance with Me" and "Beneath the Shadows." Collaborating with bands like Dead Kennedys and Bad Religion, they gained a cult following but faced frequent lineup changes. Despite legal and personal challenges, they released influential songs like "Nothing for You" and made a comeback in 2009.

She Wants Revenge

2 concerts

LA DJs Justin Warfield & Adam Bravin formed She Wants Revenge in 2004, inspired by Joy Division. Known for hits like "Tear You Apart", the band has toured with Depeche Mode and released albums like Valleyheart.

The Chameleons

26 concerts

Formed in Manchester, The Chameleons debuted with "In Shreds" (1982), known for atmospheric pop and moody albums like "Script of the Bridge." Acclaimed for live performances; reunited in 2000 after 1986 split.

Urban Heat

9 concerts

Urban Heat, formed in 2019, blends 80s dark styles with modern touches. Known for vibrant live shows and hits like “Have You Ever”. Winners of Austin’s "Best Band", featured at Cruel World and SXSW.

Violent Femmes

9 concerts

Born in Milwaukee, the Violent Femmes fused folk-punk in hits like "Blister in the Sun." Known for powerful, darkly humorous music, they achieved platinum with their 1983 debut. They've collaborated with icons like Tom Verlaine and experienced tumultuous band changes over decades.

Echo & the Bunnymen

4 concerts

Echo & the Bunnymen, formed in Liverpool, fuse post-punk and psychedelia, noted for Ian McCulloch’s voice and Will Sergeant's guitar. Hits include "Lips Like Sugar" and "The Killing Moon." Known for albums like 'Ocean Rain.' Faced tragedies but remained iconic in the rock scene.

The Human League

14 concerts

Formed in Sheffield, 1977, the Human League, pioneers of synth pop, produced hits like "Don't You Want Me". They influenced countless artists, and won widespread acclaim for melding melodies with technology.

Kavinsky

1 concert

Born in France, Kavinsky, aka Vincent Belorgey, sparked the synthwave movement with '80s-inspired hits like "Nightcall" (featured in "Drive") and "Odd Look." His 2013 album "OutRun" hit #2 in France. Known for his zombie alter ego story and collaborations with The Weeknd and Justice.

New Order

2 concerts

Formed from Joy Division, New Order, led by Bernard Sumner, is famed for merging post-punk with electronic music. Known for "Blue Monday," the top-selling 12-inch ever, they've influenced music greatly and collaborated with stars like Iggy Pop.