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Justin Pearson and the rest of Swing Kids reuniting for one more show
Then it’s back to his other bands and other projects
Justin Pearson: not headed for the nostalgia circuit.
“It wasn’t something grand or unique outside of the actual simplistic meaning of friendship,” says Justin Pearson of the upcoming Swing Kids reunion show. “John Brady, the band’s bassist, is turning 50, and he decided to throw a mini-fest for himself as a celebration for making it that far in life.” That celebration is taking place on both sides of the border: Brady’s active band, Agonista, will play one night in Tijuana, with the Swing Kids reunion the following night in San Diego.
Upcoming Event
Swing Kids, Negative Blast, Agonista
- Sunday, March 30, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
- Casbah, 2501 Kettner Boulevard, San Diego
- Age Limit: 21+
All of Pearson‘s endeavors have a driving force that permeates the artistic process; consider the combination of ‘90s grindcore with more obscure influences in The Locust. With Swing Kids, the final result came from a jazz approach in the loosest of definitions, a mindset more than a blueprint. “Back when I was 19, and we started Swing Kids, we had no idea what we were doing. We had no concept of uniqueness, or what a driving force was. We were kids trying to make sense of life, and function and engage in a world that needs art to reflect on the injustices of this world, and to hopefully be part of setting things right. We were all into jazz music, and a lot of aesthetics and ethics of certain players and bands of the genre.”
He notes that Swing Kids drew influences (mostly nonmusical) from folks like Ornette Coleman and Cecil Taylor, all the way to stuff like John Zorn or maybe James Chance. “To be honest, there were very few musical jazz references in what Swing Kids did. Not that we were poseurs, as we all loved the genre, but we certainly didn’t integrate it much into the band’s material.”
Besides his musical work, Pearson is an actor — his roles range from appearing as a guest on Jerry Springer to playing alongside Charlotte Gainsbourg in the Asia Argento film Misunderstood to voicing a character on Cartoon Network’s Uncle Grandpa — and a writer. His latest book, GG Alien and the Mystery Meat, recalls the era wherein he worked at Rich’s in Hillcrest. While the perspective of a straight man working in a gay nightclub is compelling enough, the book features social commentary that results in laugh-out-loud moments, courtesy of Pearson’s application of logic to absurd situations, such as a driver asking and answering his own question with the locker room confrontation, “What, are you gay, faggot?”
Along the way, we meet Pearson’s dog at the time, GeeGee, (named after GG Allin for her love of poop) nearing the end of her life, sleeping in close proximity to drummer Dave Lombardo’s (Slayer) bass drum. The book also tells of Pearson wearing Gene Simmons (KISS) makeup during Rich’s What the Fuck nights. Given Simmons’ unauthorized and unlicensed appearance on cover artwork and shirts for Pearson’s band Deaf Club, I wonder what the draw is. “I may have coined him as ‘The Butthole of Rock’ n’ Roll’ in recent years, but at an early age, I was obsessed with KISS — until I realized that they were mediocre at best, as far as their music was concerned. So, I suppose my draw to Gene is moreso my focal point as to what not to do as a musician.” Has Simmons threatened litigation over his trademarked makeup-covered face being used on another band’s merch? “Not yet. But we are patiently waiting.”
It’s not just rock icons that receive Pearson’s acerbic assessments. Rich’s regulars like “Bootboy,” a Nazi fetishist, and “Machine gun guy,” a vapid creature with a machine gun tattooed on his side, also make appearances via photos. The author is unconcerned with legal action. “I think both of them were pretty lame. If anything, they would probably avoid legal action and just kill me. They both seemed ignorant enough at the time to go that route rather than take me to court. So, we shall see how that plays out.”
Barring death by douchebags, Pearson will be fronting The Swing Kids on March 30 at the Casbah with Negative Blast, Agonista, Prisoner, Fractal, Death Blows to Empire, and Nanobel. Swing Kids will include drummer Jose Palafox (Struggle), with guitarists Jimmy LaValle (The Locust, GoGoGo Airheart, Tristeza) and Nathan Joyner (Secret Fun Club, Hot Nerds, Leg Lifters). It’s likely your final chance to see the band, which has rarely reunited since the 1998 death of guitarist Eric Allen. “I am fairly certain Swing Kids are not in the realm of ‘90s and early ‘00s bands who are reuniting and selling out large venues. So we will stick to the birthday party vibe and move on to the future of our current active bands.”
Here's something you might be interested in.
Justin Pearson and the rest of Swing Kids reuniting for one more show
Then it’s back to his other bands and other projects
Justin Pearson and the rest of Swing Kids reuniting for one more show
Then it’s back to his other bands and other projects
Justin Pearson: not headed for the nostalgia circuit.
“It wasn’t something grand or unique outside of the actual simplistic meaning of friendship,” says Justin Pearson of the upcoming Swing Kids reunion show. “John Brady, the band’s bassist, is turning 50, and he decided to throw a mini-fest for himself as a celebration for making it that far in life.” That celebration is taking place on both sides of the border: Brady’s active band, Agonista, will play one night in Tijuana, with the Swing Kids reunion the following night in San Diego.
Upcoming Event
Swing Kids, Negative Blast, Agonista
- Sunday, March 30, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
- Casbah, 2501 Kettner Boulevard, San Diego
- Age Limit: 21+
All of Pearson‘s endeavors have a driving force that permeates the artistic process; consider the combination of ‘90s grindcore with more obscure influences in The Locust. With Swing Kids, the final result came from a jazz approach in the loosest of definitions, a mindset more than a blueprint. “Back when I was 19, and we started Swing Kids, we had no idea what we were doing. We had no concept of uniqueness, or what a driving force was. We were kids trying to make sense of life, and function and engage in a world that needs art to reflect on the injustices of this world, and to hopefully be part of setting things right. We were all into jazz music, and a lot of aesthetics and ethics of certain players and bands of the genre.”
He notes that Swing Kids drew influences (mostly nonmusical) from folks like Ornette Coleman and Cecil Taylor, all the way to stuff like John Zorn or maybe James Chance. “To be honest, there were very few musical jazz references in what Swing Kids did. Not that we were poseurs, as we all loved the genre, but we certainly didn’t integrate it much into the band’s material.”
Besides his musical work, Pearson is an actor — his roles range from appearing as a guest on Jerry Springer to playing alongside Charlotte Gainsbourg in the Asia Argento film Misunderstood to voicing a character on Cartoon Network’s Uncle Grandpa — and a writer. His latest book, GG Alien and the Mystery Meat, recalls the era wherein he worked at Rich’s in Hillcrest. While the perspective of a straight man working in a gay nightclub is compelling enough, the book features social commentary that results in laugh-out-loud moments, courtesy of Pearson’s application of logic to absurd situations, such as a driver asking and answering his own question with the locker room confrontation, “What, are you gay, faggot?”
Along the way, we meet Pearson’s dog at the time, GeeGee, (named after GG Allin for her love of poop) nearing the end of her life, sleeping in close proximity to drummer Dave Lombardo’s (Slayer) bass drum. The book also tells of Pearson wearing Gene Simmons (KISS) makeup during Rich’s What the Fuck nights. Given Simmons’ unauthorized and unlicensed appearance on cover artwork and shirts for Pearson’s band Deaf Club, I wonder what the draw is. “I may have coined him as ‘The Butthole of Rock’ n’ Roll’ in recent years, but at an early age, I was obsessed with KISS — until I realized that they were mediocre at best, as far as their music was concerned. So, I suppose my draw to Gene is moreso my focal point as to what not to do as a musician.” Has Simmons threatened litigation over his trademarked makeup-covered face being used on another band’s merch? “Not yet. But we are patiently waiting.”
It’s not just rock icons that receive Pearson’s acerbic assessments. Rich’s regulars like “Bootboy,” a Nazi fetishist, and “Machine gun guy,” a vapid creature with a machine gun tattooed on his side, also make appearances via photos. The author is unconcerned with legal action. “I think both of them were pretty lame. If anything, they would probably avoid legal action and just kill me. They both seemed ignorant enough at the time to go that route rather than take me to court. So, we shall see how that plays out.”
Barring death by douchebags, Pearson will be fronting The Swing Kids on March 30 at the Casbah with Negative Blast, Agonista, Prisoner, Fractal, Death Blows to Empire, and Nanobel. Swing Kids will include drummer Jose Palafox (Struggle), with guitarists Jimmy LaValle (The Locust, GoGoGo Airheart, Tristeza) and Nathan Joyner (Secret Fun Club, Hot Nerds, Leg Lifters). It’s likely your final chance to see the band, which has rarely reunited since the 1998 death of guitarist Eric Allen. “I am fairly certain Swing Kids are not in the realm of ‘90s and early ‘00s bands who are reuniting and selling out large venues. So we will stick to the birthday party vibe and move on to the future of our current active bands.”
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