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Little Steven’s Underground Garage Cruise proves you can rock the boat

BBG News

Picture this: I’m embarking on a blissful four-day voyage to the Bahamas, donning my swimsuit and clutching a refreshing cocktail, all set for some tranquil relaxation. As I stride towards the sun-kissed pool deck, an electrifying sound waves over me – it’s none other than the iconic L.A. punk band X, blasting “Johnny Hit and Run Paulene” with their raw, distorted guitars and powerful vocals that pierce through the air like a punk rock symphony on the high seas!

The ambiance during the Little Steven’s Underground Garage Cruise was extraordinary. This voyage departed from Miami between May 9th and 13th aboard the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Gem, and it seemed as if the 1,800 attendees were in a paradise for punk rock music enthusiasts.

The lineup showcased a variety of bands hailing from Southern California, such as Social Distortion, L7, Rocket From the Crypt, the Lords of Altamont, and the Dollyrots. They were accompanied by numerous other artists spanning the rock ‘n’ roll genre, ranging from the energetic Fleshtones to the mischievous Supersuckers, to Tommy Stinson’s Bash & Pop, to the timeless Linda Gail Lewis – Jerry Lee Lewis’s younger sibling.

As John Doe of X said, “bands you never thought you’d see on a boat.”

The idea of a sea-based festival isn’t fresh or innovative; it has been around since 2001. The company responsible for this cruise event, Sixthman, has been orchestrating festivals for over two decades and currently provides more than 25 unique festival cruise experiences. Among the upcoming voyages are Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Alaska, Chef’s Making Waves Boston, Rock the Bells Cruise, and Headbangers Boat.

In a slightly different way:

The notion of festivals on the sea isn’t something novel or groundbreaking; it has been practiced since 2001. The company that manages these cruises, Sixthman, has been arranging festivals for over twenty years and offers more than 25 tailored cruise festival experiences. Among the upcoming sailings are Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Alaska, Chef’s Making Waves Boston, Rock the Bells Cruise, and Headbangers Boat.

And another version:

The idea of festivals on a ship isn’t fresh or original; it has been in existence since 2001. The company that operates these cruises, Sixthman, has been organizing festivals for over twenty years and currently offers more than 25 customized cruise festival experiences. Among the upcoming trips are Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Alaska, Chef’s Making Waves Boston, Rock the Bells Cruise, and Headbangers Boat.

Lastly:

The idea of festivals on a boat isn’t new or inventive; it has been around since 2001. The company that runs these cruises, Sixthman, has been organizing festivals for over twenty years and currently offers more than 25 curated cruise experiences. Among the upcoming sailings are Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Alaska, Chef’s Making Waves Boston, Rock the Bells Cruise, and Headbangers Boat.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that the inaugural voyage of Little Steven’s Underground Garage Cruise was, in many respects, inspired by the successful journey of the Outlaw Country Cruise, which concluded its ninth sailing this year. However, this celebration had a bittersweet undertone due to the untimely passing of two significant figures – SiriusXM’s Jeremy Tepper and Mojo Nixon – in 2024.

The cruise featured a diverse group of musicians including Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, and Dave Alvin. These artists have musical connections with many performers on the Underground Garage Cruise, as well. For instance, Dave Alvin’s former band, the Blasters, performed alongside X during L.A.’s initial punk movement, and Social Distortion’s Mike Ness was frequently spotted in the front row watching them play.

According to Alvin, Jeremy and Mojo had an exceptionally strong bond. They were almost like two souls intertwined in an unusual manner – creative, artistic souls.

On the Outlaw Country Cruise, a surprising addition was Jello Biafra, who teamed up with Mojo Nixon for their 1994 album “Prairie Home Invasion”. During an emotional homage to his deceased friend, he performed alongside Nixon’s band, the Toadliquors.

Biafra expressed that the situation was difficult due to a melancholic atmosphere surrounding the event, as Mojo was absent and everyone’s past memories were resurfacing. He added that he too had a lot of such recollections.

Several artists, even those who hadn’t embarked on a cruise previously, harbored doubts about the experience offered by the Underground Garage Cruise.

Donita Sparks of L7 commented, “I assumed there would be a great deal of wild, intoxicated behavior.” However, she has noticed more of a festive atmosphere than a booze-fueled brawl. There have been no fights, just people enjoying themselves, laughing, hugging, and dancing to the music. Instead, she’s observed a lot of happiness.

In simpler terms, when it comes to John Reis, the frontman and guitarist from Rocket From the Crypt, there were initial worries about experiencing seasickness and feelings of confinement. However, neither of these concerns materialized, and he discovered that surrendering to the atmosphere was effortless for him.

According to Reis, Rocket From the Crypt doesn’t require much formal attention, and festivals can be quite rigid. There’s often a significant amount of pressure, particularly for those organizing the events. However, a cruise isn’t like that at all; it’s much more relaxed and laid-back.

It appears that even the lead singer of Social Distortion found himself drawn to the laid-back allure of the cruising lifestyle. As he stood on stage, he expressed his feelings by saying, “Relax into the day, do as you please. No congestion, no stress.

For individuals of a certain age who are into punk music, the anticipation for a concert is often high, but the reality of leaving home, navigating traffic, finding parking, and enduring opening acts can dampen the initial excitement. However, on the Underground Garage Cruise, all performances are conveniently located within a short walk and last between one to one hour and fifteen minutes, without any openers or encores, ensuring a more streamlined and enjoyable concert experience.

At many festivals, bands typically perform just once. However, during this music cruise, acts play multiple times, allowing you to catch them again if you missed their set on the expansive pool deck. You could find them later at the 850-seat Stardust Theater or in one of the smaller, club-like lounges that offer an intimate setting for a second chance to enjoy your favorite performances.

That means you can choose where and when you want to see the band — even early in the afternoon.

At their 1:15 p.m. performance, Eddie Spaghetti from the Supersuckers shared with the audience that they’ve been doing what they do for quite some time. However, he added humorously, “We’ve never done it this early,” a comment echoed by his bandmate, “Metal” Marty Chandler.

Apart from performing onstage, artists also took part in various activities backstage: autograph sessions, wine tastings with The Dictators, poker games with the Slim Jim Phantom Trio, and interviews for the Little Steven’s Underground Garage channel on SiriusXM. An interview with Mike Ness concluded unexpectedly with a brief set by Social Distortion, featuring keyboardist Ben Alleman playing the accordion.

Cruise vacations indeed come with their own set of challenges. Unlike attending a festival where you can choose to leave whenever you’re not enjoying yourself, departing from a cruise ship isn’t as simple. There are also broader issues associated with the cruise industry that warrant attention. For instance, the massive ships in this industry have significant environmental impacts, and there’s concern about the relatively low wages given to foreign workers who make up the majority of the staff, handling tasks like cooking and cleaning.

In a more conversational tone:

Cruise trips can be great fun but they also come with their downsides. Unlike festivals where you can leave whenever you’re not enjoying yourself, leaving a cruise ship isn’t as easy. Plus, there are bigger concerns about the entire cruise industry, such as how these huge ships affect the environment and the low wages given to many foreign workers who do most of the work like cooking and cleaning.

John Doe mentioned that he was torn about the job because he usually does things either out of affection or financial necessity. However, this task is for monetary reasons. Yet, he admires band X.

Additionally, there’s a common misconception that cruise vacations are geared towards the elderly, rather than children.

Many of these original punk musicians have certainly advanced in age. If you remember being part of the crowd during shows by bands such as X, Social Distortion, and L7 when they were just starting out, it’s clear that you too share their vintage status.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Eddie Spaghetti remarked that rock ‘n’ roll resembles jazz today,” he stated. “In essence, it has evolved into a specialized genre appreciated mainly by the elderly, as younger generations seem to have lost interest in rock ‘n’ roll.

As people grow older, their physical condition may deteriorate, yet the fervor for the music of their younger days persists unchanged. Many music enthusiasts, including myself, grapple with various health, disability, and mobility challenges that can mar the usual festival ambiance. However, Sixthman stands out by ensuring a warm welcome to all attendees.

For example, every location during the Underground Garage Cruise offered plenty of seats for individuals with disabilities, and staff were readily available to aid those who needed it. A staff member I conversed with mentioned that she keeps an eye out among the crowd during performances, identifying people who could potentially use additional help.

Such individual care significantly contributes to the understanding of why everyone, including fans, artists, and crew, view these cruises as more than just events; they see them as communities. The bonds formed during these journeys are unique and not commonly experienced in a regular festival setting.

At the festival, attendees aren’t simply fellow festival-goers; they can be your local residents and even the ones who share breakfast with you sometimes. The intimidating punk rocker adorned in tattoos becomes much friendlier when he’s enjoying pancakes alongside his partner at the buffet.

This camaraderie might not be the primary reason people initially join a music cruise, but it’s certainly one factor that encourages them to come back again and again. On the Outlaw Country Cruise in February, those who had sailed on all nine of these cruises gathered together for a group photo.

It’s clear that camaraderie is equally significant for musicians, as it is for fans. Every person I conversed with couldn’t stop praising the concerts they attended. Just like any avid fan, Jonny Two Bags from Social Distortion showed his excitement upon receiving the schedule, marking the bands he wanted to watch. His anticipation was particularly high for Bash & Pop, a band he had played alongside in the early ’90s.

In the early ’90s, Donita Sparks of L7 cherished their times jamming with the Supersuckers. As she put it, “We often crashed on the Supersuckers’ couch in Seattle,” and they’d throw a dance party each evening.

The enthusiasm for the diverse range of bands, as described by Jennifer Finch from L7, is contagious. This is the reason why Little Steven’s Underground Garage Cruise will set sail once more next April, this time to Cozumel, Mexico.

“We’re all alive,” Sparks said. “We’re here and we’re still rocking.”

Jim Ruland serves as the acclaimed author who has topped the LA Times bestseller list with his book “Corporate Rock Sucks: The Rise & Fall of SST Records” and the novel “Make It Stop.

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2025-05-15 01:32

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