Southern California’s reggae rock scene is built on sun-soaked melodies, punk rock energy, and a tight-knit music loving community.
Few bands embody that spirit better than The Last Call, a new project formed by members of Diego Roots, Split Finger, and Mix Mob—bands that helped shape the SoCal reggae rock movement from the late ‘90s into the 2000s.
After years of crossing paths, sharing stages, and hanging at beachside dives, these longtime friends decided it was time for one last ride. The result? A fresh fusion of reggae, rock, and punk, anchored by decades of experience and a deep love for the music and the culture that raised them.
Their debut single, “Yesterday”, is already streaming on all platforms, setting the stage for their upcoming six-track EP, One More Round, produced by Hayden Hanson of Tunnel Vision and dropping just in time for Summer 2025. The EP will also be pressed as a limited-edition 12” vinyl on PIER RAT RECORDS—a nod to the band’s roots in the underground DIY scene.
A Music Video You Don’t Want to Miss
But the hype doesn’t stop there. The Last Call is about to drop the official “Yesterday” music video, shot and directed by Jeff Pliskin of Raised Fist Propaganda— who won The Pier’s Music Video of the Year in 2013 and 2014 for his work on Slightly Stoopid’s “Don’t Stop” and “No Cocaine.”
With The Last Call, you can expect nothing less than an electrifying, raw, and dynamic visual that matches the band’s unique sound.
From Mix Mob to The Last Call: A Full-Circle Moment
For Mike Counts (guitar), Sean Bowman (bass), and Greg Kellen (guitar), The Last Call began as a continuation of songs they had written during their time in Mix Mob. But instead of letting those songs collect dust, they called on their old friends, bringing in Chris “RoOtsy” McConnaughey (vocals, Diego Roots) and Jimi Lane (vocals, Split Finger) to bring them to life.
McConnaughey recalls the moment Sean Bowman hit him up in 2021: “I was living in South Bay L.A. at the time, just writing acoustic tracks for myself. Sean reached out and said, ‘Hey RoOtsy, would you be interested in playing some music together?’ We started passing ideas back and forth on BandLab, and a year later, I moved back home to San Diego—and we never looked back.”
The lineup was completed with percussionist Chuck Prada and drummer Devon Beck, both longtime friends and scene veterans who brought even more groove and energy to the mix.
For many of the members, this band is more than just another project—it’s a second chance to make music with their closest friends. Jimi Lane, who swore off playing after Split Finger ended, admitted, “I talked myself into believing I was done with music. Then I got a phone call to meet the guys at the studio. I was nervous, excited, unsure how it would go—but it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Why ‘The Last Call?’
The band name was no accident. It represents both their final shot at making music together and their deep connection to late-night San Diego bar culture. McConnaughey explains: “At the end of the night, the bartender yells out ‘Last Call’—that hit home in so many ways. This would be THE LAST CALL for me in the music scene. And it stuck.”
For Bowman, the name carries even more weight: “It pays homage to what could be our last run at band life. It just fit perfectly for all seven of us and what we represent, both literally and metaphorically.”
Influences & Writing Process
The Last Call’s sound is deeply rooted in reggae, rock, and punk, drawing influence from bands like Sublime, Steel Pulse, Bad Brains, UB40, The English Beat, and of course, their hometown neighbors and reggae rock pioneers, Slightly Stoopid.
But when it comes to writing, they don’t follow a formula. Sometimes the music comes first, sometimes the lyrics, and sometimes inspiration strikes in the moment. “We joke that our motto is ‘No ego, amigo,’” says Bowman. “Every idea is welcome. The writing process is effortless because we trust each other.”
Lane adds, “For me, I’ve lived a lot of life. Some of these stories need to be heard. Then you add RoOtsy’s side of things, and our vocals together—and it’s on.”
Their latest single, “Yesterday”, tackles the struggles of life, self-discovery, and learning to embrace a new path. “It’s a song about overcoming life’s challenges and being okay with where you end up,” Lane explains.
And there’s plenty more where that came from. With nearly a dozen songs already in the works, The Last Call plans to hit the studio again soon to keep the momentum going.
Catch Them Live – April 24th at The Holding Company
Live music seekers, mark your calendars! The Last Call is hitting the stage at The Holding Company on April 24th with Tomorrows Bad Seeds, Hazmatt, and Moni Light. With such a staked lineup, don’t sleep on tickets! Grab them here.
This isn’t just a show—it’s a homecoming. It’s a night of high-energy reggae, rock, and punk from a band that helped shape the scene decades ago, now back and better than ever.
As Bowman puts it: “We’re not slowing down. It’s never too late to get it going. This might be the most fun project we’ve ever been a part of, and we can’t wait to share it with the world.”
So grab a drink, raise a glass, and don’t miss your chance to be part of The Last Call’s next chapter.
Photos by Jeff Pliskin & Nori Dragon
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