Good Riddance Releases New Album, Plays Catalyst Santa Cruz Show

Santa Cruz punk legends celebrate 10th album release with hometown show

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:22pm

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A bold, abstract illustration featuring stark geometric shapes and silhouettes in high-contrast red and black, capturing the raw energy and rebellious nature of punk rock music.Good Riddance's new album release and hometown show celebrate the enduring spirit of Santa Cruz's vibrant punk scene.Santa Cruz Today

The renowned Santa Cruz punk band Good Riddance has released their 10th studio album, "Before the World Caves In", and will be celebrating with a record release show at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz on Friday, April 10th. The album, which the band has been sitting on for over a year, features 13 songs of tight, thought-provoking, and catchy punk rock. Good Riddance will be joined by fellow 1990s punk peers Fury 66 and two newer bands, Planet on a Chain and The Government.

Why it matters

Good Riddance is considered one of the ultimate, essential Santa Cruz bands, with a career spanning roughly four decades. The band's new album release and hometown show shine a spotlight on the vibrant punk scene in Santa Cruz, a small beach town that has produced influential bands like Bl'ast! and Camper Van Beethoven.

The details

Good Riddance took their time preparing and working on the new album, with singer and lyricist Russ Rankin recording the initial tracks in his home studio before bringing in the rest of the band to learn and build upon the songs. This allowed the band to experiment with different tempos, shifts, and dynamics, while still staying true to their melodic hardcore sound. The album's release was also timed with the transition of their longtime label, Fat Wreck Chords, closing down and selling its vault to Hopeless Records.

  • Good Riddance released their 10th studio album, "Before the World Caves In", on March 27, 2026.
  • The band will be celebrating the album release with a show at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz on Friday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Good Riddance

A renowned punk rock band from Santa Cruz, California, that has been active for roughly four decades and is considered one of the ultimate, essential bands from the city's vibrant music scene.

Russ Rankin

The singer and lyricist of Good Riddance, who wrote and recorded the initial tracks for the band's new album in his home studio before bringing in the rest of the band.

Chuck Platt

The bassist of Good Riddance, who noted that the band's new album might be their best yet and that they are one of the few Santa Cruz bands to have released 10 records and done extensive touring.

Fury 66

A fellow 1990s punk band that will be joining Good Riddance for the record release show at The Catalyst.

Planet on a Chain

A newer band that will be supporting Good Riddance and Fury 66 at the record release show.

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What they’re saying

“I woke up at four in the morning [on March 27th] because I was so fucking excited. And the reception has been really, really good. Some people are even saying it might be our best record ever.”

— Chuck Platt, Bassist, Good Riddance

“The people at Hopeless have been awesome to work with so far, it's been great. But I'm super grateful for everyone who's been at Fat all this time. They took a big chance on us and we're just now realizing how lucky we were.”

— Russ Rankin, Singer and Lyricist, Good Riddance

“Does any other band in Santa Cruz have 10 records and done the amount of touring Good Riddance has done? There might be bigger bands like Camper Van Beethoven–who had a radio hit–or Drain, who is definitely now bigger than Good Riddance, but nobody else has that.”

— Chuck Platt, Bassist, Good Riddance

“The biggest band ever in Santa Cruz will always be Bl'ast!. But for me, I'm backing any band that puts Santa Cruz on the map. It's really cool to be from this little beach town and throwing down worldwide. The more focus that's put on the scene here, the better.”

— Russ Rankin, Singer and Lyricist, Good Riddance

What’s next

Good Riddance's record release show at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz on Friday, April 10th will be the band's first major hometown performance in support of their new album "Before the World Caves In". Fans can expect the band to play a mix of new songs and classics from their extensive catalog.

The takeaway

Good Riddance's new album release and hometown show highlight the enduring influence and legacy of the Santa Cruz punk scene, which has produced iconic bands like Bl'ast! and Camper Van Beethoven. Despite the challenges facing the music industry and the country, Good Riddance remains a vital voice, using their music to reflect the anger and frustration of the times while also celebrating the community that has supported them for decades.