Southern California's Brewfish is Back!

When we caught up with Southern California’s own Brewfish, we quickly realized one thing — this band isn’t just making a comeback. They’re leveling up.

After a short hiatus, Brewfish is diving back into the scene with a fresh lineup, a tighter sound, and new music that’s begging to be blasted loud with a cold one in hand. If you haven’t caught wind of Brewfish yet, it’s time to get familiar — especially with two Southern California dates coming up this weekend as they open for Kash’d Out and Sensamotion on April 5th at The Holding Company in San Diego and April 6th at The Wayfarer in Costa Mesa. Get your tickets here.

NOT JUST A COMEBACK

Originally, founded by frontman Alex Kay (guitar/lead vocals) and bassist Andrew Valero during their college days in Long Beach, Brewfish was born from jam sessions, cold beers, and a mutual love of Sublime covers. “We just hit it off,” Andrew shared. “Then we started making originals and it just felt right.”

What started as a duo quickly evolved into a full-fledged reggae rock outfit with original tunes and a strong DIY spirit. Fast forward to 2024, and Brewfish has rebooted with new blood: Justin Schubel on drums, Matt Mish on guitar and backing vocals, and the most recent addition of Van Maloney on keys — giving the band a fuller, more dynamic live sound.

The name? A garage-brewed stroke of genius. “We drink beer like fish drink water,” Alex jokes. “Brew as in beer, Fish as in motherf***in’ fish.”

The vibe? Brewfish exists in that sweet spot between reggae rock and something more hybrid. “Rock reggae peppered with other genres,” is how Alex put it. Each member brings a distinct flavor to the sound — hip hop, punk, ska, dub, and a heavy dose of West Coast sunshine. It’s a melting pot of musical influences that results in an energetic, sometimes aggressive but always just right vibe. Justin describes it best, “reggae rock with edge — it’s danceable, but it slaps.” Just what the people want!

SO, WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR BREWFISH?

With two studio albums and three EPs already under their belt, the band is back in the studio cooking up new tunes. Right now, they’re wrapping up recording on two brand new songs and a cover of a well-known 2024 hit (details still under wraps, but you’ll want to stay tuned). Markedly, reggae rock music lovers will be surprised to hear the familiar harmonies of Hayden Hanson (Tunnel Vision) on a few songs. For longtime fans, the band is also giving old songs new life with the expanded lineup — layering in keys and lead guitar to mirror the studio sound more accurately during live performances.

Live, Brewfish is a force. Crowd favorites like “California,” “In The Fire,” and “Walkabout” get the people moving — from mellow head-bobbing to full-on mosh pits. “In The Fire” is especially rowdy, with a dub-punk breakdown that hits hard and keeps the energy unpredictable.

Whether that’s in clubs, backyards, or festival stages, the goal is to share music, good vibes, and a little bit of real-life storytelling. “Just playing in front of people that connect with the messages we sing about,” says Alex. They want people to turn off their brains, turn on their hearts, and just feel something.

So, if you’re looking for a new band to root for — one that blends the nostalgic feel of 2000s reggae rock with a refreshed edge — catch Brewfish live this weekend.