Rocketship Celebrates 30 Years of 'A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness' with Vinyl Reissue and Tour

The iconic 90s indiepop band is bringing back their cult classic debut album for the first time since its original release.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:57pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged geometric shapes in shades of blue, pink, and white, capturing the dreamy, nostalgic essence of Rocketship's music.Rocketship's 30th anniversary tour celebrates the enduring appeal of their iconic 90s indiepop sound.Los Angeles Today

Rocketship, the beloved indiepop band from the 90s, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of their iconic debut album 'A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness' with a vinyl reissue and a West Coast tour. The album, known for its sugary-sweet melodies, jangly guitars, and dreamy shoegaze hues, will be reissued on vinyl by Slumberland Records on March 20, 2026, much to the delight of fans who have been clamoring for a repress of the now-rare original copies.

Why it matters

Rocketship's 'A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness' has maintained its relevance and cult status for three decades, showcasing the band's ability to blend nostalgia with forward-thinking musicality. The upcoming vinyl reissue and tour will allow a new generation of listeners to discover the album's timeless appeal.

The details

The 30th anniversary vinyl reissue of 'A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness' will feature the original album tracks, which blend sugary-sweet melodies, jangly guitars, and dreamy shoegaze hues with a subtle krautrock undertone. The band will also embark on a West Coast tour, their first shows in eight years, with stops in San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland. They will be joined by a stellar lineup of Slumberland labelmates, including The Umbrellas, Tony Molina, Kids on a Crime Spree, and Chime School.

  • The 30th anniversary vinyl reissue of 'A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness' will be released on March 20, 2026.
  • The Rocketship 30th Anniversary Tour will kick off on April 9, 2026 in San Francisco.

The players

Rocketship

An indiepop band from the 90s known for their iconic debut album 'A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness'.

Slumberland Records

The record label that will be releasing the 30th anniversary vinyl reissue of Rocketship's 'A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness'.

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What’s next

Fans are eagerly awaiting to see if Rocketship will add any East Coast tour dates to the schedule, as the band's last New York City performance was in 2014.

The takeaway

The 30th anniversary celebration of Rocketship's 'A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness' is a testament to the enduring appeal of the band's innovative blend of genres and their ability to capture the essence of the 90s indiepop scene.