10 Best OC Concerts on the First Day of Summer

By mid-June, most people are already sweating and spending money like it's summertime. But we're here to remind you that the first day of the season doesn't officially start until June 21. That's why for the next few days, we suggest you save up those hangovers and do some planning. Specifically, how do you want to spend your first summer outting of 2014? Since you're reading you're reading this, we're guessing you'd prefer to see a concert. You're in luck, there's a ton of 'em and you'll have some choices to make. To help you out, we've chosen our 10 best concerts to see on the first day of summer.

See also:
The 50 Best Things About the OC Music Scene
The 50 Worst Things About the OC Music Scene

]


Aliso Black and Prime Meridian
Boscoe's (Lake Forest)

The thought of seeing real hip-hop in Lake Forest is just too novel to pass up. And as far as OC rappers go, Aliso Black is better than most when it comes to rocking crowds from the gulliest ghettos in Santa Ana to the burbiest 'burbs in South County. He'll be rocking at Boscoe's with his DJ Prime Meridian. Full show info.
Price: $8


Animals as Leaders
The Glass House (Pomona)

If you like having your head attached to your body, maybe this isn't the show for you. But for the prog metalheads out there who enjoy the cranial explosion they get when trying to absorb the virtuosic riffage of Animals as Leaders,be prepared to really start your summer off with a bang. Full show info.
Price: $16-$18
[

Back 2 Basics 3
The Observatory (Santa Ana)

Holy two-day hip-hop fest, Batman! This is some serious shit. Day 1 of the Back 2 Basics festival features performances by Brother Ali, Murs, People Under The Stairs, Talib Kweli, Blackalicious, Tha Liks, and Kool Keith. This is definitely not a basic way to start the summer. By the end of the festival, we can assure you that you'll leave satisfied and definitely a little burnt (and probably very, very baked!). Full show info.
Price: $40


Intocable
House of Blues (Anaheim)

Since they started in '94, Intocable has lived us to their name (it means “Untouchable,” you gringo!) as the most influential band in Tejano. Their tough Tejano/NorteƱo fusion has become the blueprint for dozens of Tex-Mex groups. They have a three-night run at House of Blues Anaheim this week, but of course, their show on Saturday will be the best of the bunch. And if you've run out of burning “Ask a Mexican” questions for our editor-in-chief, going to this concert should leave white folks with plenty of queries. Save them for Gustavo though, if you ask someone at the show, you'll probably get your ass kicked. Full show info.
Price: $54.50
[

Jeramiah Red
OC Tavern (San Clemente)

If you're into the OC rock scene, all you have to do is go to OC Tavern, grab your favorite IPA and be there when Jeramiah Red does their famed “Whoo-hoo-hoo-oo” song (a.k.a. “My Baby”) and you've already had an entire beer commercial's worth of fun on your first day of summer. It's that easy! Stick around for their other songs too, barroom rock rarely gets better than this! They'll be playing with Greg Griffin & Noah Lekas and Not In The Face. Full show info.
Price: $5


Kevin Parx
Slidebar (Fullerton)

Rapper Kevin Parx is one of those young gun rappers waiting to be discovered. We can't say he's not doing a good job of at least getting us at the Weekly to pay attention. That Free Throws EP he released last year is still worth bumping and we only see more from the big man of local hip-hop collective Get Money Boys. Ironically, this show at Slidebar is totally gratis so you actually don't have to get any money to enjoy it. Parx will be joined by fellow emcees Matt Allenn and Pwest (to better assess their skills, check 'em out on our list of the best rappers in OC). Full show info.
[

Led Zepagain / Queen Nation
City National Grove of Anaheim (Anaheim–duh!)

Never has the sight of old dudes pretending to be the young version of other old dudes been so goddamn entertaining! Led Zepagain and Queen Nation co-headline this cornucopia of cover songs from two of the best tribute acts that refuse to go away (for good reason).


Punk Rock Luau
The Doll Hut (Anaheim)

Few things are a natural affront to punk rock fashion like a colorful Hawaiian shirt. But hey, even punks can admit that it's too hot to celebrate summer in a leather jacket and Doc Martens. Come to the Doll Hut during the daytime hours (what? weird!) for a road house festival, dubbed, Punk Rock Luau #2, featuring a gang bang of punk bands from 1-9 p.m. The line up includes Shattered Faith, Anarchy Taco, Love Canal, Bad Samaritans, The Maxies, No More Saints, Sorry State, Civil Disgust, and Otherside. Show up sporting your best Tommy Bahama and save $2 on the entry fee.
Price: $10 or $8 with Hawaiian shirt. Full show info.
[

The Downtown Fiction
Chain Reaction (Anaheim)

Nothing says summer in OC like a pop punk concert. Chain Reaction is still king of that realm and they're kicking off the season in the realest of ways with Virginia quartet The Downtown Fiction. The band are celebrating the release of their new album Losers & Kings. Their dreaminess is sure to attract plenty of fine females so make sure your fohawk game is on point, yo. Full show info.
Price: $10-$12


Wake the Street
The Coach House (San Juan Capistrano)

If being close to the beach makes you suddenly yearn for thoughtful love songs built on power chords by clean cut dudes in their early 20s, then do not fight that urge! Go to the Coach House. The South County venue is hosting a bonafide “1st Day of Summer” show full of local pop/alternative/pop punk outfits that offers performances from Wake the Street, That was Then, Hey Jyosh, and Bent Jetty. A full crowd of of fans should help heal their broken hearts. Full show info.

See also
10 Punk Albums to Listen to Before You Die
10 Goriest Album Covers
10 Most Satanic Metal Bands

Follow us on Twitter @ocweeklymusic . Like us on Facebook at Heard Mentality.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *