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Live Five: The Gay Agenda, Mark Montijo, Watson & Beldock, Peterson & Cowsill, Johnny “V” Vernazza
Hardcore punk, acoustic Americana, folk jazz, roots rock, and soulful blues in City Heights, Coronado, Carlsbad, Rancho Bernardo, Shelter Island
“Homo riot” hardcore punk outfit The Gay Agenda
The Gay Agenda at the Banshee Bar
May 15
Formed in 2017 and citing influences such as Limp Wrist and The HIRS Collective, The Gay Agenda is a “homo riot” hardcore punk outfit known for advocating LGBTQ+ rights through their music. The group was founded by singer David Hurtt (Stalins Of Sound), who has said that he wanted to create heavy punk music while being unapologetically, irreverently, and identifiably queer. Blending hardcore punk with metal to create a "queercore" sound, their debut self-titled EP dropped in 2018. An album called Penetrating was recorded entirely live in one take and released in 2020 via La Escalera Records, preceded by a single and video for “Homo Riot” featuring Justin Pearson, of the Locust, Retox, and Dead Cross. The show is headlined by seminal 1970s/1980s L.A. protopunk band the Droogs (also often associated with the 1980s Paisley Underground scene), and opening acts include locals Homeless Sexuals.
Mark Montijo at Coronado Library
May 15
Acoustic Americana artist Mark Montijo first emerged in the 1960s club and festival scene, before stepping away from music entirely in the late 1970s to pursue business and political work. Montijo recently reentered the studio, releasing his debut return album History, which earned praise from American Songwriter. His 2024 album If I Get To Heaven was nominated Best Local Album (All Genres) by the San Diego Music Foundation, and his song “Apricot Moon” was nominated Best Folk or Acoustic Song at the 2026 San Diego Music Awards. Joining Montijo in Coronado will be multi-instrumentalist Lenny Bole, a seasoned banjo player whose talents extend to dobro, lap steel, and Weissenborn guitar. A former member of the Montezuma’s Revenge touring band, Bole spent years as a teacher before returning to music in retirement. Today, he performs regularly with local groups, including the Carlsbad-based bluegrass band Stay Tuned.
Peggy Watson & David Beldock at Pilgrim United Church of Christ
May 16
Peggy Watson and David Beldock perform original acoustic folk, blues, and jazz music. They started their collaboration as unlikely music partners. While Beldock spent years performing with various bands, honing his rock and blues guitar-playing, Watson was rooted in contemporary folk traditions with occasional detours into jazz and pop. Watson has recorded with pianist Barnaby Finch (keyboardist for Lee Ritenour and former musical director for George Benson). Her 1998 independent release A Thousand Wishes was one of two CDs selected to be part of KPBS Radio’s premium membership package, and songs from her CDs have been featured on public radio and college stations across the country. Beldock is known as one of three singers from the band Bordertown, whose album Angsters of Love was nominated for a 2005 San Diego Music Award, and for recording an SDMA-winning album with Whitney Shay. As a performing duo, Watson and Beldock bring musicianship, harmonies, humorous stories, and melodic and emotional original songs to the Carlsbad stage.
Vicki Peterson & John Cowsill at Bernardo Winery
May 17
Vicki Peterson’s work with The Bangles includes the number one hit “Walk Like An Egyptian” and several other Top Ten songs such as “Eternal Flame." Throughout the 1990s, she appeared on albums with Tom Petty, John Doe, Hootie & The Blowfish, and Belinda Carlisle, and also toured with The Go-Go’s on their 1994-1995 reunion tour, as well as reuniting with the Bangles to release four more albums. John Cowsill is known from the famed family band The Cowsills, who were the inspiration behind The Partridge Family. He has performed live and/or recorded with Bob Dylan, Mamas & Papas, Harry Chapin, Maroon 5, Herman’s Hermits, Micky Dolenz (The Monkees), and Chuck Berry. Cowsill is also currently one of the lead singers for The Smithereens and serves as the touring drummer for Peter Perrett (The Only Ones). Last year, Peterson and Cowsill released their debut duo album Long After the Fire, featuring songs written by Cowsill’s late brothers and bandmates, Barry and Bill Cowsill.
Johnny “V” Vernazza at Humphreys Backstage Music Club
May 18
Johnny “V” Vernazza has played guitar with blues greats like Chicago guitarist Luther Tucker and Sunnyland Slim, as well as with Chuck Berry, Steve Miller, Gregg Allman, George Thorogood, Charlie Daniels, and Commander Cody & the Lost Planet Airmen. Vernazza also spent years with blues-harpist Norton Buffalo and his band the Knockouts, as well as playing with the Elvin Bishop band for six albums, being heard on tunes like the 1976 hit “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” (which rose to number three on the charts) and “Struttin’ My Stuff.” At his 1970s-era peak, Vernazza played around three hundred dates a year while appearing on music television shows of the day like The Midnight Special. He earned a gold record (500,000 sold) for his signature guitar part on “Fooled Around and Fell in Love,” and the song can be heard in numerous movies, including Boogie Nights and Big Daddy. Vernazza released a new album late last year, Home By Christmas, featuring classics like "Silent Night," "Blue Christmas," and "Winter Wonderland," as well as a collaborative track with Tommy Castro, "Back Door Santa."
Here's something you might be interested in.
Live Five: The Gay Agenda, Mark Montijo, Watson & Beldock, Peterson & Cowsill, Johnny “V” Vernazza
Hardcore punk, acoustic Americana, folk jazz, roots rock, and soulful blues in City Heights, Coronado, Carlsbad, Rancho Bernardo, Shelter Island
Live Five: The Gay Agenda, Mark Montijo, Watson & Beldock, Peterson & Cowsill, Johnny “V” Vernazza
Hardcore punk, acoustic Americana, folk jazz, roots rock, and soulful blues in City Heights, Coronado, Carlsbad, Rancho Bernardo, Shelter Island
“Homo riot” hardcore punk outfit The Gay Agenda
The Gay Agenda at the Banshee Bar
May 15
Formed in 2017 and citing influences such as Limp Wrist and The HIRS Collective, The Gay Agenda is a “homo riot” hardcore punk outfit known for advocating LGBTQ+ rights through their music. The group was founded by singer David Hurtt (Stalins Of Sound), who has said that he wanted to create heavy punk music while being unapologetically, irreverently, and identifiably queer. Blending hardcore punk with metal to create a "queercore" sound, their debut self-titled EP dropped in 2018. An album called Penetrating was recorded entirely live in one take and released in 2020 via La Escalera Records, preceded by a single and video for “Homo Riot” featuring Justin Pearson, of the Locust, Retox, and Dead Cross. The show is headlined by seminal 1970s/1980s L.A. protopunk band the Droogs (also often associated with the 1980s Paisley Underground scene), and opening acts include locals Homeless Sexuals.
Mark Montijo at Coronado Library
May 15
Acoustic Americana artist Mark Montijo first emerged in the 1960s club and festival scene, before stepping away from music entirely in the late 1970s to pursue business and political work. Montijo recently reentered the studio, releasing his debut return album History, which earned praise from American Songwriter. His 2024 album If I Get To Heaven was nominated Best Local Album (All Genres) by the San Diego Music Foundation, and his song “Apricot Moon” was nominated Best Folk or Acoustic Song at the 2026 San Diego Music Awards. Joining Montijo in Coronado will be multi-instrumentalist Lenny Bole, a seasoned banjo player whose talents extend to dobro, lap steel, and Weissenborn guitar. A former member of the Montezuma’s Revenge touring band, Bole spent years as a teacher before returning to music in retirement. Today, he performs regularly with local groups, including the Carlsbad-based bluegrass band Stay Tuned.
Peggy Watson & David Beldock at Pilgrim United Church of Christ
May 16
Peggy Watson and David Beldock perform original acoustic folk, blues, and jazz music. They started their collaboration as unlikely music partners. While Beldock spent years performing with various bands, honing his rock and blues guitar-playing, Watson was rooted in contemporary folk traditions with occasional detours into jazz and pop. Watson has recorded with pianist Barnaby Finch (keyboardist for Lee Ritenour and former musical director for George Benson). Her 1998 independent release A Thousand Wishes was one of two CDs selected to be part of KPBS Radio’s premium membership package, and songs from her CDs have been featured on public radio and college stations across the country. Beldock is known as one of three singers from the band Bordertown, whose album Angsters of Love was nominated for a 2005 San Diego Music Award, and for recording an SDMA-winning album with Whitney Shay. As a performing duo, Watson and Beldock bring musicianship, harmonies, humorous stories, and melodic and emotional original songs to the Carlsbad stage.
Vicki Peterson & John Cowsill at Bernardo Winery
May 17
Vicki Peterson’s work with The Bangles includes the number one hit “Walk Like An Egyptian” and several other Top Ten songs such as “Eternal Flame." Throughout the 1990s, she appeared on albums with Tom Petty, John Doe, Hootie & The Blowfish, and Belinda Carlisle, and also toured with The Go-Go’s on their 1994-1995 reunion tour, as well as reuniting with the Bangles to release four more albums. John Cowsill is known from the famed family band The Cowsills, who were the inspiration behind The Partridge Family. He has performed live and/or recorded with Bob Dylan, Mamas & Papas, Harry Chapin, Maroon 5, Herman’s Hermits, Micky Dolenz (The Monkees), and Chuck Berry. Cowsill is also currently one of the lead singers for The Smithereens and serves as the touring drummer for Peter Perrett (The Only Ones). Last year, Peterson and Cowsill released their debut duo album Long After the Fire, featuring songs written by Cowsill’s late brothers and bandmates, Barry and Bill Cowsill.
Johnny “V” Vernazza at Humphreys Backstage Music Club
May 18
Johnny “V” Vernazza has played guitar with blues greats like Chicago guitarist Luther Tucker and Sunnyland Slim, as well as with Chuck Berry, Steve Miller, Gregg Allman, George Thorogood, Charlie Daniels, and Commander Cody & the Lost Planet Airmen. Vernazza also spent years with blues-harpist Norton Buffalo and his band the Knockouts, as well as playing with the Elvin Bishop band for six albums, being heard on tunes like the 1976 hit “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” (which rose to number three on the charts) and “Struttin’ My Stuff.” At his 1970s-era peak, Vernazza played around three hundred dates a year while appearing on music television shows of the day like The Midnight Special. He earned a gold record (500,000 sold) for his signature guitar part on “Fooled Around and Fell in Love,” and the song can be heard in numerous movies, including Boogie Nights and Big Daddy. Vernazza released a new album late last year, Home By Christmas, featuring classics like "Silent Night," "Blue Christmas," and "Winter Wonderland," as well as a collaborative track with Tommy Castro, "Back Door Santa."