Total Chaos Punk Invasion Tour of Aotearoa New Zealand Announced

California hardcore / street punks Total Chaos are exactly what the doctor ordered for this post-election miasma and the unknown months ahead. Co-founded in 1989 by Rob Chaos, who still commands the mic with veteran guitarist Shawn Smash plus fresh recruits Chema Zurita and Jamie Oliver (The Toy Dolls), Total Chaos have been a force of political-punk activism for nearly four decades — consistently denouncing racism, running benefit shows for Food Not Bombs, supporting the Big Mountain Indian Reservation, and helping to open the Los Angeles Anarchist Center.

With eleven studio albums to their name, including back-to-back Epitaph Records '90s classics Pledge of Defiance / Patriotic Shock through to 2023's Mind Warfare and beyond, Total Chaos are finally heading our way. They've got four summer gigs teed up around Te Ika-a-Māui during the month of February, so grip the details below and snag tickets for these riotous events asap — brought to you by Perfidious Promotions in association with WOTEVER EVENTS...

Total Chaos - Punk Invasion Tour

Thursday 11th February - venue to be announced, Hamilton/Kirikiriroa
Friday 12th February - Whammy Bar, Auckland/Tamaki Makaurau with Drop Off Point, Cootie Cuties*
Saturday 13th February - Valhalla, Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara with Cootie Cuties*
Sunday 14th February - Under The Bridge, Tauranga

*Tickets on sale HERE via UTR

Here's 'RIOT CITY' from 1994's Pledge of Defiance, with newer footage filmed in Bali in 2016...

Crank up 'Police Rat' from 2016's World of Insanity...

Squiz their mega-catchy 'What you gonna do', from 2004's Freedom Kills...

Press release:

California Street Punks Total Chaos brings the show to New Zealand for the first time this coming February! Brewed in 1989 in the unban streets of Pomona Valley, out of a need for a band with a stronger political ethos and a less commercial style of punk music. Total Chaos hit the punk scene with urgency and momentum, living and breathing their views on social responsibility, with a harder-edged, angrier sound and passionate, energetic live performances.

The band and frontman Rob Chaos helped set up Food Not Bombs, organised Peace Punk Picnics, formed the LA Anarchist Centre, and supported Big Mountain Indian Reservation.

After signing to Epitaph Records in the 90s and releasing their cult classic album Pledge of Defiance, Total Chaos has been a staple of the street punk scene for over 30 years. Still as relevant as ever, the band just wrapped up a tour with The Exploited.

Rob Chaos and Shawn Smash are joined by hot young guns Chema Zurita and Jamie Oliver, both last in New Zealand when playing with the UK Subs. Jamie is taking a break from The Toy Dolls to join Total Chaos on this Asia-Pacific tour.