Goddamn it feels like eons ago...actually it was eons ago. In the early to mid-nineties we were quite active in the East Bay putting together shows at Gilman and Berkeley Square for such punk luminaries as Good Riddance, AFI, Lagwagon, Fuel, Ill Repute, Swingin Utters, etc...But our presence in the Bay was short-lived, with an already self-sufficient scene in place and overbearing commitments to our Socal base we decided to scrap the Bay and focus on other parts of the golden state. Well 15 years later and with me now a part-time resident of this promised land we are back in full swing. The calendar is bursting with rad shows. On 8/26 we have legendary rockabilly kingpins THE BLASTERS at Shattuck Downlow in Berkeley. The Oakland Metro Operahouse will hosts a plethora of shows starting with splashy psychobilly spooksters THE HORRORPOPS on 10/22, melodic hardcore heroes STICK TO YOUR GUNS & deathcore angelinos AS BLOOD RUNS BLACK decimate the place on 10/29, metal-core buzz band THE GHOST INSIDE & heart-on-the-sleeve hxc lifers FIRST BLOOD takeover the Metro on 11/13. We are ecstatic to be back in the Bay, get in touch if ya wanna play, help out or contribute.

Ever wonder what putting on a show entails, how we book the bands, pick the venues, and get the word out? Ever wonder what happens in the Numbskull war room, behind the scenes? What goes on after the lights go out, beyond the velvet rope & behind the curtain...and why bands need deli trays? Well this Summer we have an internship position available for some lucky open-minded, hard-working individual who wants to learn the answers to these questions and more. You can get school credit and gain valuable experience, not to mention perks galore. Please submit inquiries and such to Info@numbskullshows.com

The lineup for this year's Punk Rock Bowling Tournament in Las Vegas is an absolute juggernaut. What was once an annual playground for the independent punk rock biz community, is now for the first time ever, open to the general public. The event, masterminded by the Stern Brothers of Youth Brigade and BYO Records fame, is now bigger, longer, & uncut. We are honored to be a part of it. NOFX, Flogging Molly, Against Me!, Fucked Up, DRI, Me First & The Gimme Gimmes, & The Revival Tour are just few of the bands partaking in the bedlam. Check out our show listings for the full lineup and other gory details.

AFI make their triumphant return on Wednesday, January 27 at the Rainbow Ballroom in Fresno. Tickets go on sale Saturday, November 7, 10am at Vallitix.com, SBI, Retro Rag, Boo Boo & all Vallitix outlets.

Our November calendar is shit-hot. Tons of can't-miss shows with something for everybody. We kicked the month off with MINUS THE BEAR slaying downtown brew last Sunday...and the onlsaught continues this weekend with punk pioneer EXENE CERVENKA of X at Audies 11/6 & Velvet on 11/15. X are a national treasure and we are honored to have Exene grace us with her presence. The sultan of sleaze MICKEY AVALON will be at DTB 11/7 & Velvet Jones on 11/8 boasting bout his member. I really need a dose of THE LAWRENCE ARMS fuel injected sappy punk tunes on 11/9 at DTB. VAMPIRE WEEKEND bite SLO on 11/10 & Bako on 11/12. Glorify drug use with ANDRE NICKATINA on 11/12 at DTB and 11/13 at Velvet. Wallow in the dreamy lo-fi of THE MOUNTAIN GOATS on Friday The 13th at DTB. Witness the debut of STOP BREATHING, which features members of THE MISSING 23RD on 11/13 at Rock City in Camarillo. Nardcore legends ILL REPUTE close out the festivities. The almighty SUICIDAL TENDENCIES wreck havoc 11/14 at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz. Definitely a life-affirming week if there ever was one.