This is not a “10 Best Songs About Drinking” list, and it is not even a “10 Essential Songs About Drinking” list. These are simply ten of our favorite songs about drinking, including several tracks that are not always associated with alcohol unless you really know the lyrics. We deliberately stayed away from many of the usual choices such as “Whiskey in the Jar,” “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer,” and “I Drink Alone” because those songs already dominate so many drinking-song lists. Instead, we wanted to dig a little deeper and choose songs where drinking becomes part of a
AFI – The Observatory Festival Grounds – September 19, 2026
I discovered AFI shortly after moving to California in the early 90’s because my friend had one of their stickers on the window of his broken down and mostly-in-the-shop Corolla. I asked him about it, and a couple of his borrowed CDs got me started down the rabbit hole of all things AFI.
AFI
The Observatory in Sana Ana California is an institution – tons of famous bands representing all music genres have played the 1200 venue, but when a larger band rolls through Orange County, the streets surrounding the venue close down, the stage moves outside, and the capacity grows into the thousands. Food trucks galore line the closed streets, and The Observatory Festival Grounds really do feel like a music festival, complete with shuttle buses to move thousands of people from off-site parking lots to the location.
Saturday night’s event was completely sold out, and the grounds were as jammed with people as it could be. That overflow spilled into the photo pit – not just with crowd surfers of which there were many, but with more photographers than I’ve ever seen at one show – at least 30, not including the three videographers filming the show. Moving in the pit was madness, and trying not to blow someone else’s shot while vying for interesting angles and position was not an easy endeavor.
AFI went on at 9:30pm, and excited fans pressed up against the barricade. The doors opened at 5:00pm, and the area closest to the stage had been packed since then. The fans on the rail didn’t move and risk giving up their coveted spot, and stood in the heat of the day waiting for the sun to go down and the festivities to begin.
There is never a bad time at an AFI show – people are there to enjoy themselves, and the band always exceeds expectations. AFI delivers both great musicianship and intense energy, led effortlessly by frontman Davey Havok, who spent much of the night jumping off platforms, pacing the stage while singing passionately, and pushing ever closer to the edge of the stage to be as close as possible to the diehard fans. Despite being obscured by the stage right smoke machine and a westerly breeze, founding member Adam Carson clearly killed it on drums, while bassist Huntter Burgan moved with him in lockstep and held down the low end. Jade Puget was a whirling dervish with his guitar and great to watch as he seamlessly blended aggressive punk stylings with melodic textures.
The tour was in support of 2025’s Silver Bleeds the Black Sun, and four of the night’s seventeen songs were from it. The setlist at an AFI show changes every night, but Saturday’s offering seemed to be tailor-fit for the Southern California audience – the perfect balance of tracks to satisfy both the old-school fans and the newly converted.
This night was fun in every regard. Most fans in attendance had been to many AFI shows in the past and knew exactly what to expect, and AFI overdelivered. They played both the hits and deeper cuts from multiple albums, and gave their fans – some of the most passionate and loyal in music – a fantastic night of music that they’d remember for a long time, or at least until the next time the band rolls through town.
AFI are:
Davey Havok – Vocals
Adam Carson – Drums
Hunter Burgan – Bass
Jade Puget – Guitar
Setlist:
1) Strength Through Wounding
2) Girl's Not Grey
3) Love Like Winter
4) Holy Visions
5) A Single Second
6) Snow Cats
7) 17 Crimes
8) Killing Lights
9) Behind the Clock
10) Beautiful Thieves
11) Bleed Black
12) Marguerite
13) I Hope You Suffer
14) Nooneunderground
15) The Days of the Phoenix
16) Miss Murder
Encore:
17) Silver and Cold
18) Total Immortal
Brooks RobinsonPhotographer & Writer
Brooks Robinson is an LA-based concert photographer, and 30+ year freelance camera operator for film, television, and music videos. He has photographed some of the largest film/TV projects in history, and hundreds of music videos in MTV's heyday.
Photo: David Randall/GRTR! The millennium has seen the revival of one of Sweden’s great melodic rock exports – Europe – and since their reformation in 2003 they have gone from strength to strength, reasserting their credentials and making some consistently … Continue reading →
Willian Shatner has made his debut performance as a heavy metal frontman. The 95-year-old Star Trek veteran performed with his backing band The *uckers at a Riot Fest warm-up show at the 1000-capacity Park West in Chicago, covering songs by Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica and Motörhead alongside three original songs from his upcoming album What the F Is Heavy Metal?
Shatner’s performance was a dress rehearsal for his Riot Show appearance on the final night of this year’s three-day event, which features headliners Twenty One Pilots, Tool and Pierce The Veil alongside Iggy Pop, Rise Against, Pixies, Morrissey, Alanis Morissette, Elvis Costello and many more.
Shatner’s backing band for the two shows includes guitar and musical director Marcus Nand (Mike Tramp, Candice Night), bassist Phil Soussan (Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, guitarist Britt Lightning (Vixen, Cactus) and drummer Fred Aching (Kings of Thrash, Dead Groove, Fraxures).
“I’ve always believed that music, like space, is about exploration,” says Shatner. “Riot Fest is exactly the kind of place where anything can happen. We’re bringing volume, intensity, and a few surprises. With this incredible band behind me, I expect nothing less than lift-off. I can’t wait to share this experience with the fans.”
“William Shatner has spent a lifetime redefining expectations,” says Brian Perera, founder of Cleopatra Records. “This isn’t a novelty performance – it’s a real rock show featuring world-class musicians behind one of entertainment’s greatest icons. Riot Fest is the perfect stage for this next chapter, and we’re going to deliver a performance worthy of the festival’s incredible legacy.”
No release date has been announced for What the F Is Heavy Metal?, which reportedly features guest appearances from Brian May, Tony Iommi, Rob Halford, Dave Lombardo, Mikkey Dee, Vinny and Carmine Appice and dozens of others.
Below, Shatner can be seen performing Ozzy’s Crazy Train, Metallica’s Enter Sandman and Motörhead’s Ace Of Spades.
Taiwanese metal band CHTHONIC and Finnish artist Mariska have released a new collaborative single titled “Näin Määrättiin.” The track marks a unique milestone, as it is the very first time Mariska has appeared on an extreme metal song. Together, the two artists deliver a powerful release that draws on the tragic human stories and shared historical struggles of both of their countries.
The lyrical themes of “Näin Määrättiin” were originally inspired by the final words written by Taiwanese political prisoners to their loved ones before their execution. While researching the song’s subject, CHTHONIC vocalist Freddy Lim discovered that stories of Finnish resistance during the Winter War were frequently reported in early Taiwanese newspapers. These stories provided encouragement to Taiwanese readers, many of whom later became political prisoners themselves. Deeply moved by the idea that people on opposite sides of the world could inspire one another through similar heartbreak and survival, Freddy Lim connected with Mariska to bring her poetic songwriting to the project.
www.rosshardingmusic.com [Release date 28.08.26] Does this work? A big gamble from Ross. But you have to erase the original from your mind and treat this like it’s the first time you have heard it, then it works. It works big … Continue reading →
Norwegian folk band Kalandra has released their new single “Lost in the Dark,” the second track taken from their upcoming third studio album, The Other Side, due out November 13 via By Norse Music. The song holds special meaning for the group, as it was originally written and composed by Helen Morrisson, a university friend and former member of Kalandra who previously contributed as a songwriter, backing vocalist, and pianist. Vocalist Katrine shared that the band is honored to give the track new life, noting that it explores the paradoxical journey of self-discovery where searching for oneself can sometimes lead to feeling more lost.
The themes of “Lost in the Dark” tie into the broader concept of The Other Side. For this record, Katrine and bandmate Jogeir Daae Mæland dove into dream analysis, keeping notebooks by their beds to capture fragmented imagery and subconscious narratives upon waking. These recordings of recurring dreams, fears, and memories became the foundation for the new collection of songs. Fans can also look forward to experiencing the new music live as the band heads out on a European tour featuring special guest Finnegan Tui.
Rock band KALAMITY KILLS has released a new version of their single “I Still Believe,” accompanied by an intimate studio music video. The track is a cover of the classic song originally featured in the 1987 movie The Lost Boys. This release introduces the band’s new vocalist, Vincent Langdon, who stepped in after the departure of founding singer Jamie Rowe earlier this year. The lineup is completed by co-founder, guitarist, and producer Jamey Perrenot, along with bassist and vocalist Julia Lauren Bullock and drummer Rob Bodley.
Jamey Perrenot explained that the band always intended to remix their 2023 version of the track to give it a proper push at radio. While the remix process began with Jamie Rowe, his departure coincided perfectly with Vincent Langdon joining the group, allowing the new singer to record his vocals just in time for the final cut. The accompanying music video focuses directly on this recording process, showing the band working in the studio and highlighting the dynamic of their new lineup as they enter this next chapter.
Nashville-based symphonic power metal band Valkyrie’s Fire released their debut full-length album, Out of Darkness, on September 18 via Eclipse Records. Produced and engineered by Joey Grimaldi, the album features cover art by Jan Yrlund and includes the track “Burning Sky,” which boasts a guest vocal appearance by Mikael Sehlin of Amaranthe, who also mastered the project.
Alongside the album launch, the band shared a music video for their latest single “Cascade.” Directed by ProMotion LLC, the video focuses on stargazing and the cosmos. Frontwoman Bettie Floyd and fellow vocalist Adam Sanders note that the visual production offers a serene escape, letting the imagery of space take center stage. The record also includes tracks like “Evermore,” which reimagines the works of Edgar Allan Poe into a message of hope.
