Photo by Casey Pinckard

Santa Barbara, CA's Versus The World have released their Cameron Webb-produced album “The Bastards Live Forever” via SBÄM Records. A post-punk unit from Santa Barbara, California featuring members of Lagwagon and Good Riddance, Versus the World issued its eponymous debut album in 2005 on Kung Fu Records. Drawing from their dense pedigree the band blends elements of pop-punk, melodic post-hardcore and troubadour-style vocals by founding frontman Donald Spence.

You can stream the album online here.

Of the album, singer Donald Spence says, "I can’t tell you how much work went into this collection of songs. I’d always been taught that if what you were working on wasn’t (what you thought) was your best... start over. Never put anything into the world that you were not absolutely sure of."

"The Bastards Live Forever" consists of 11 songs crafted to perfection. VTW's unique style of melodic post-punk elevates every member's skill from their other projects including Chris Flippin of Lagwagon. Obviously, Versus The World is not all about musical craft but you can hear a passion and an urge to scream out deeply rooted feelings in every syllable throughout the record.

Versus the World has toured extensively worldwide on subsequent releases Drink.Sing.Live.Love (2012) and Homesick/Roadsick (2015) in support of bands such as No Use for a Name, The Ataris, Lagwagon and MxPx. In 2021 the band teamed up with producer Cameron Webb (Motörhead, Megadeth) to make 'The Bastards Live Forever' which is due out in May 2023 on SBÄM Records.

West Coast Shows:

June 16 - Long Beach @ Supply and Demand w/ Mercy Music and Love Equals Death

June 17 - Los Angeles @ Permanent Records Roadhouse w/ Mercy Music and Love Equals Death

July 7 - Portland @ Dante’s w/ Diesel Boy

July 8 - Seattle @ El Corazon w/ Diesel Boy

Versus The World will be on tour in Europe this summer.

28.07. Berlin @ Wild At Heart

29.07. Hohenstaufen @ Vert Rock w/ Urethane

30.07. tbc

01.08. Erfurt @ Tiko w/ Urethane

02.08. Brussels @ Le Lac

03.08. Wermelskirchen @ AJZ w/ Authority Zero & Cigar

04.08. tbc

05.08. Duffel, B @ Brakrock

06.08. Düsseldorf, D @ Pitcher w/ Diesel Boy

08.08. Stuttgart @ Im Wizemann w/ Pennywise

09.08. Vienna, AUT @ Rhiz w/ Diesel Boy

10.08. Tolmin, SLO @ Punkrock Holiday

11.08. Bologna, ITA @ Freakout Club

12.08. Rimini, ITA @ Bayfest

FEATURED EVENTS

 

COLUMNS

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Big Black Car" by Part Time Baby

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Big Black Car" from "My Island," the third album from Jersey rocker Part Time Baby, aka singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mike Goldstein.

---

Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 10/29/2026

---

This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from October 27 to November 2, 2026

---

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "If the World Is Ending" by Renee Maskin

 

MORE NEWS

U.K. Folk Trio, The Longest Johns, to Perform at The Vogel

(RED BANK, NJ) -- U.K. folk trio The Longest Johns will perform at the Vogel on Sunday, November 8, 2026. They are are known the world over for their rollicking harmonies and raucous energy, blowing new wind into the sails of traditional sea shanties and work songs. They are on a U.S. tour to support their latest release End of the Earth. Showtime is 7:00pm.

---

Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor

---

State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead

---

The Cutting Room hosts Tripi: Close to Fire - A Grief Support Benefit Concert on Friday

---

Founder of The Jersey Pops Orchestra releases Christmas Album

 

UPCOMING SHOWS

Arts Council of Bradley Beach Presents "Sea & Sky Songwriters Acoustic Afternoon" at Erratic Fermentations Brewery

(BRADLEY BEACH, NJ) -- The Arts Council of Bradley Beach invites music lovers and community members to a special Sea & Sky Songwriters Acoustic Afternoon on Sunday, November 1, 2026 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. The live acoustic event will be hosted at Erratic Fermentations Brewery (714 Main Street) in Bradley Beach.

---

Shemekia Copeland to Perform Two Nights at Lizzie Rose Music Room

---

"Everything Fab Four" Fest 2026 to feature Ken Burns, Michael Lindsay-Hogg, The Cyrkle & many more

---

Roy's Hall to Host Peter Karp Record Release Show on November 6th

Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info

The Penguin Rocks

© 2026 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
[email protected]

Presented by New Jersey Stage

Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and our NJ Stage accounts on Instagram, and Threads

---

News | Features | Radio Shows | Penguin's Hall of Fame | Song of the Week | BlowUpRadio column

Contact Us | About Us | Submit Music | Ad Rates