Saturday night in the Burgh saw a legion of fans clad in matching blue uniforms and rubber helmets completely take over the Roxian, ready for superhero shenanigans! The comfortably full theatre became the ultimate battleground for fun as Southern California punk rock superheroes The Aquabats rolled into town on their massive Gigantish tour. They’ve spent decades blending upbeat ska tempos with surf rock and a comic book mythology that positions them as defenders of the universe. And being the day before Father’s Day, there were plenty of families ready to jam out together.
Kicking things off was Sullvn, an energetic act that did a phenomenal job setting the baseline tempo for the night. They brought a highly melodic set that immediately got the early arrivals moving in the pit. The infectious rhythms felt incredibly fresh and vibrant, enhanced by the lively trumpet and trombone. Everyone in the crowd appreciated how much effort they poured into their performance as they jumped around the stage and chatted casually between songs. As a special surprise, Dicky Barrett of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones joined Sullvn on stage for a few songs to round out the set, including a cover of “The Impression That I Get” that sent the pit into a frenzy.
Taking the stage next was Murphy’s Law, and these seasoned New York hardcore veterans brought a completely different blast of historic energy to the room. They wasted absolutely no time diving into a fast and loud set that created a friendly kiddie mosh pit right in the center of the floor. Legendary frontman James Drescher spend most of the set pressed right up against the barricade, wanting to get as close to fans as possible. He even hopped in the pit for a song, towering over all the little tykes getting their first taste of proper hardcore punk. Drescher did try to tone things down a bit for the kids, a piece of tape on his hand reminding him not to curse, but a few dirty words did slip out. He was so sweet with the kids though, passing out candy and juice boxes, shaking hands, and even reassuring a young boy that it’s cool to wear glasses. It was such a jarring contrast to the hardcore jams, in the best way possible. Murphy’s Law’s old school punk rock style added a perfect grit to the evening, showing the deep roots shared between the hardcore and ska scenes. And of course Dicky Barrett had rejoin the fun. His very first tour was with Murphy’s Law, so it was a full circle moment, and they celebrated with a perfect cover of “A Little Bit Ugly.”
When the house lights finally dropped, the crowd was lulled into a nice calm with beach noises, waves softly moving back and forth, before all hell erupted into absolute chaos as the full superhero squad marched out in their iconic costumes. MC Bat Commander led the charge with his unmatchable comedic charisma, jumping and kicking and running all over the stage, while Crash McLarson held down the low end with some booming bass lines. Guitarists Eaglebones Falconhawk and Chainsaw! The Prince of Karate traded blistering riffs and heroic poses all night long, and Ricky Fitness kept the tempo running at maximum speed from behind his drum kit. Jimmy the Robot and Cat Boy added that perfect quirky futuristic touch on the saxophone and trumpet, and Gorney rounded out the massive sonic wall on keys. Immediately, giant inflatable beach balls flooded the Roxian, tossed from stage to pit and everywhere in between! It was absolute chaos, and that was just the beginning.
The Aquabats packed just about everything they could into the 90 minute set. Sure, there was singing and dancing and moshing, but there was so much more. MC Bat Commander beat up Frankenstein while clips from the The Aquabats! Super Show! and their YouTube series played on the backing screen. Lil Bat made a few appearances, messing with the Aquabats while they played and hyping up the crowd. As is typical at an Aquabats show, MC Bat Commander picked out a young cadet and (with parental consent!) yeeted them onto a giant inflatable pizza to ride around the Roxian. This usually works better at venues with larger pits, but the crowd made it work, sending the cadet-topped pizza wall to wall and back again!
Musically speaking, the band sounded incredibly tight as they tore through a setlist that spanned their discography. Fans went absolutely wild for the classic anthems “Cat with 2 Heads!” and the hilarious poolside narrative of “Pool Party” that opened the set. They also treated fans to some awesome newer material from their 2024 album Finally!, including the ridiculously catchy tracks “No Rewind” and “Dr Space Mummy.” Every single horn line and synth hook cut through the room perfectly, making it impossible for anyone to stand still. They of course threw in their beloved ode to school cafeteria food, “Pizza Day,” which had the entire Roxian singing along to every word at the top of their lungs. Silly shenanigans are fun, but the real magic happens when the antics are paired with stellar musicianship.
What made this specific show so remarkably special is how seamlessly it appealed to multiple generations of fans simultaneously. Parents who grew up attending underground third wave ska shows in the late nineties stood shoulder to shoulder with their own young children who discovered the band through their hit television series. Kids were safely blowing bubbles in the back of the room, completely mesmerized by the colourful costumes, while older fans happily skanked along in the traditional dance floor circles. The Aquabats curated an environment that felt completely safe, totally inclusive, and endlessly positive. The set closed with “Super Rad!,” and Sullvn, Murphy’s Law, and Dicky Barrett all joined the superhero gang for one last glorious, unified, over-the-top hurrah!
June 20th, 2026
