The Ziggens, straight out of Huntington Beach, have been stirring up good vibes and quirky tunes since the early ’90s. Known for their self-proclaimed “cowpunksurfabilly” sound—a blend of surf rock, punk, ska, country, and rockabilly—they’ve always marched to the beat of their own drum.
And let’s be real, that’s part of what makes them so endearing.
If you’ve ever jammed to Sublime’s acoustic cover of “Big Salty Tears” or caught the name-drop in “Greatest Hits,” you’ve already felt The Ziggens’ influence. These guys weren’t just a band in the scene; they were a huge part of the Skunk Records family, the same crew that helped Sublime blow up. Bradley Nowell and Miguel Happoldt of Sublime, cofounded Skunk Records in 1990 and were both huge Ziggens fans. In fact, Bradley wrote “Badfish” after hearing The Ziggen’s single, “All the Fun that We Missed.” That mutual love led to some top notch collaborations and historically significant pop cultural moments; including the untimely death of Nowell as The Ziggens were on tour with Sublime when Bradley was found deceased.
Now, here’s the kicker: Skunk Records just dusted off a gem from their vaults—the 1991 Ziggens cassette-only release, Wake Up & Smell…. This isn’t just any re-release. It’s the raw, unfiltered essence of the band, recorded live in Dickie Little’s living room by Rob Perez. It’s got all the charm of a house party jam session, with Brad Conyers killing it on drums, vocals, and songwriting.
The album is pure fun, capturing the band’s infectious energy and offbeat humor. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering The Ziggens, this is the kind of album you crank up loud and let the good times roll. Skunk Records put it best: “Crank it up loud for Berto and all of Ziggenation.” It’s finally streaming everywhere, so there’s no excuse not to dive in.
Listening to Wake Up & Smell… feels like flipping through a photo album of SoCal’s early ‘90s music scene. The Ziggens were the guys bringing their skateboards to gigs, making everyone laugh, and throwing down some seriously catchy tunes. Their legacy isn’t just in their music—it’s in the vibe they brought to the scene. The vibe that continues to define Southern California.
So, go ahead. Hit play, turn it up, and let The Ziggens remind you why their “cowpunksurfabilly” weirdness is still so irresistible. Whether you’re chilling on the beach or stuck in traffic, this one’s got “good times” written all over it.
