“From the punchy riffs of Violins to the heartfelt Razor Burn, it’s a rare chance to experience the album that solidified Lagwagon’s place in punk history.”
Other songs from the album that feature highly on streamed lists include Kids Don’t Like to Share, Sleep, Sick, Rifle, Weak and Shaving Your Head.
Released in November 1995 through Fat Wreck Chords and regarded as Lagwagon’s seminal album, HOSS contains 14 songs in total.
When asked in a 2011 interview by Dave Lake of The Seattle Weekly, how the album got its name, Lagwagon frontman and founder Joey Cape said it had been inspired by the TV show Bonanza.
“Somewhere along the line, we realised that we all watched the hit TV show Bonanza when we were kids,” Cape said in the article.
“It had this great moral integrity to it. That’s the kind of stuff I looked to in my childhood to build character.
“Hoss is the best character. He just seemed like the best person to put on the cover.”
However, they hadn’t sought permission to use the image of Hoss, played in the series by actor Dan Blocker.
Blocker’s son Dirk lived in Santa Barbara, where the band is from. He discovered the album by chance, while visiting a local record store.
“[Guitarist] Shawn Dewey’s mom was in a record store in Santa Barbara when the record came out. It was in a display right up front, and she was standing there looking at the record really proud, and he’s standing there holding the record looking at it too.
“And she says, “This is my son’s band!” And he looks at her and goes, “This is my dad!”.
Blocker’s estate ended up contacting Fat Wreck Chords and said they weren’t going to issue a cease and desist notice and let the band keep the cover.
“All they asked is that we pick a charity and donate a certain amount of the proceeds from the record to it.”
Known for their high-energy, no-frills live shows, Lagwagon delivers the kind of performances that get the crowd moving and singing along.
Other songs played for fans on the current tour include Bubble, Surviving California, Dis’Chords, Know It All, Island of Shame, May 16, E Dagger and Alien 8.
Whether you’ve been a fan since the 90s or just discovered them, this tour promises a night of pure punk rock.
The Details
What: Lagwagon 30th anniversary ‘HOSS’ album tour
When: February 8, Double Whammy Auckland (R18), February 9, San Fran Wellington (R18)
Tickets: https://sbmpresents.com/tour/lagwagon-2026/
Win: a double pass to Lagwagon’s Auckland show. To be in the draw email your name, address, and daytime phone number(s) to hnfthcomps@gmail.com with Lagwagon Tickets in the subject, by midday, December 19.
Competition by Fill The House Tickets Project — proudly supporting families living with cancer
