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Interview with
JOEY CAPE
from
LAGWAGON

(26th January 2026)

Interview by Dave Bruce

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How did the band come together back in California in 1990? Where did it all begin?
Well, we actually began as a band in 1988. At the time, we were called Section Eight. Our home town, Goleta, near Santa Barbara, California, is a pretty small town. The Punk and Metal scene was tight. We all knew each other. Lagwagon members were from various other bands in our scene.

There was a story you found each other as abused children in a support group. Is that true?
No. Hahaha. We used to make up stories of our roots, to make it seem more interesting than just a group of guys who started jamming. We thought it was obvious we were joking. People believed.

Briefly describe your music journey since then.
Unlike NOFX, we started out good and then got great. Also, we are not quitters. Hahaha.

How would you describe your sound? Why do you think fans resonate with your music?
Pop Metal with a bit of Punk angst. I have no idea why what people respond to our music, but I’m glad they do.

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Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today? 
Bands that are still at it after many, many years, and still delivering are inspiring. Like Bad Religion and Descendents.

Your last album, your ninth, ‘Railer’ came out in 2019! Any new music on the horizon? 
Definitely. We just need to get in a room.

You have an Australia/NZ Tour coming up in Jan/Feb ‘26? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
It’s always fun to play albums in their entirety. There are always a few deep cuts we would not normally play. This tour we are performing “Hoss.”

If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why? 
Elliott Smith. He has been my favorite lyricist and melody maker since I first heard him. He also struck me as a beautiful human.

After 35 years, are there still long-term music aspirations, more items on your bucket list?
Absolutely! I personally would like to experiment with different genres. Soundtrack music in particular. This would be a solo thing.

Again, after 35 years, what piece of advice would you give to an artist starting out? 
Do it only if you love it. If you are passionate enough about art, it won’t matter if you lack monetary success.

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With so many highlights over your career, which one stands out as “life-changing” from the band’s perspective?
There are almost too many to list. But, off the top of my head, “May 16th” being included in the the Tony Hawk “Pro Skater” soundtrack was amazing for the bands notoriety. Also, the earliest Warped tours in America introduced us to a larger audience and were an introduction to a traveling festival tour. Those were a lot of fun.

Now for some quickfire questions to get a little personal:
What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done? I once passed out in an industrial trash compactor.
What is the one topic you can talk about for hours? Food
What is the thing you like most about yourself? My girlfriend or my daughter.

Finally, let’s find out what your current (or all time) favorites are –
Album – Abbey Road
Artist – Elliott Smith
Movie – One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
Place to visit – Andalusia
Venue to play – Area-Vienna
Food – Seafood Tower
Drink – Negroni
Person in History –  Nicholas Winton
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?)  I have none. I would get a bar code.

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Tour Dates

Sat 24 Jan
Perth, Froth & Fury Festival

Tue 27 Jan
Newcastle, Hamilton Station Hotel
w/ LRF
[SOLD OUT]

Wed 28 Jan
Sydney, Metro Theatre
w/ Chinese Burns Unit
[LOW TIX]

Fri 30 Jan
Wollongong, UOW UniBar
w/ Chinese Burns Unit
[LOW TIX]

Sat 31 Jan
Adelaide, Froth & Fury Festival

Sun 1 Feb
Barwon Heads, Barwon Heads Hotel
w/ Sidesplitter
[SOLD OUT]

Wed 4 Feb
Melbourne, Croxton Bandroom
w/ The Shorts 
[LOW TIX]

Thu 5 Feb
Brisbane, The Triffid
w/ Deadheat
[LOW TIX]

Fri 6 Feb
Gold Coast, Miami Marketta
w/ Fake News
[SOLD OUT]

Sun 8 Feb
Auckland, Double Whammy
w/ The Vile Maxim
[SOLD OUT]

Mon 9 Feb
Wellington, San Fran
w/ The Vile Maxim
[SOLD OUT]

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Follow LAGWAGON
FACEBOOK – INSTAGRAM – WEBSITE

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Press Release 22nd January 2025 (below) HERE

LAGWAGON
celebrate the 30th Anniversary
of iconic album
HOSS
across Australia & New Zealand

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AMNPLIFY – DB