Save Ferris is a ska-punk band formed in Orange County, California circa 1995. Their name is a reference to the 1986 film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Lead by the inimitable front-woman Monique Powell, the band enjoyed mainstream success in the late 1990s with radio hits, constant touring and appearances on a variety of television shows and movies.

The band released their debut EP “Introducing Save Ferris” on Powell’s own Starpool Records, in 1996. They ended up selling close to 20,000 copies of their EP out of the trunks of their cars, thanks to loyal fans and huge support from Orange County independent record shops. That same year, Powell provided vocals on the Reel Big Fish song “She Has A Girlfriend Now” on their album “Turn the Radio Off” (Mojo).

As favorites of KROQ radio’s legendary Rodney on the Rock, Save Ferris became a regular presence on LA’s KROQ radio.

Later that year, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences gave the band a Grammy showcase award for best unsigned band, earning them a recording contract with Epic Records (SONY).

The Aquadolls:When Melissa Brooks formed The Aquadolls 10 years ago, it served as an outlet for her

to channel her angst. In high school, she was bullied by her peers, and music served as

a therapeutic way to express herself in a positive way. Though she initially aspired to be

the next Lady Gaga, Brooks found her way into rock music for outsiders

Following the formation of the bedroom project, Brooks — who serves as the band’s

primary singer, songwriter and guitarist — released the ‘Free’ EP in 2012 and her debut

album, ‘Stoked on You’ in 2013. After cycling through musicians, Brooks joined forces

with bassist Keilah Nina and drummer Jacqueline Proctor and things fell into place. The

trio released their sophomore album, ‘The Dream and Deception,’ in 2018.

Once their current lineup solidified around the release of ‘The Dream and Deception’,

the Aquadolls made serious moves. They’ve performed with artists including Kate

Nash, Pennywise and Jimmy Eat World, and have featured on major festival lineups

like Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Warped Tour and a pair of appearances at

Eddie Vedder’s Ohana Festival. The Los Angeles-based band spent summer 2022 on the road with Incubus and Sublime with Rome. Bigger things yet are looming large in the foreseeable future.