Event Detail
Formed in 1995, Save Ferris remains one of the seminal and most beloved bands from the third wave of ska. The group’s Orange County home was fertile ground for a thriving music scene, with punk, rock, and ska emerging from the region. Save Ferris blended the best elements of these sounds and their humble beginnings saw them play house parties and local venues, powered by Monique Powell’s high-octane vocals.
When KROQ DJ Rodney Bingenheimer played their cover of Dexy's Midnight Runners “Come on Eileen” on his show, the response was overwhelming and was added to the taste-making station’s playlist. All of this happened independently without a record label and with Powell serving as the singer and band manager.
Save Ferris signed with Epic Records in 1997, unleashing their debut album, It Means Everything, and touring the world for the next six years. In 2003, SF went on hiatus until Powell, with a new cast of characters, reformed SF in 2013, coming home to Orange County and a sold-out show at the Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa. Another raucous show at the Santa Monica Pier drew over 20,000 people, proving that the band wasn’t just back, but ready to roar.
Powell is the centerpiece of the action. Her dazzling on-stage presence continues to wow audiences and the band’s energy is infectious. After spending 2023 touring and delighting fans, she has prepped new Save Ferris music for release in 2024. Save Ferris are out to prove their best days are still ahead of them.
