California

If you're going to launch a West Coast punk supergroup, what better name to use than California? That certainly seems to be the thinking behind this fast, loud, and hooky pop-punk trio featuring members of some of the Golden State's best punk outfits. California is fronted by guitarist and singer Jason White, who has been a touring guitarist with Green Day since 1999, and became a full member of the band in 2012. White has also played with Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong in his side projects Pinhead Gunpowder, Foxboro Hot Tubs, and the Network. Joining White in California are drummer Adam Pfahler, best known for his work with the band Jawbreaker, and bassist and singer Dustin Clark of the Insides. California began playing out in 2014, and in 2015 the trio released a limited-edition single -- "Same Boat" b/w "Bad Directions" -- which quickly sold out. A second 7", "Hate the Pilot" b/w "Cut & Paste," was released in a special edition of 250 copies for Record Store Day 2015, and like the first single, it quickly ran through its print run. California returned to the studio to complete their self-titled debut album, which was slated for release in April 2016. ~ Mark Deming