Bowling, Beaches & Bangers: JOEY CAPE Spills On 31 Years Of LAGWAGON

Interview by Ali WilliamsIf you thought punk rockers lived only for chaos, let Joey Cape of Lagwagon shatter that illusion—with a story or two about lawn bowling and beer in the sunshine. In a recent HEAVY podcast sit-down with Ali Williams, Joey offered up vintage Lagwagon charm, plenty of self-deprecating wit, and a clear message: after 34 years on the circuit, he and the crew are still stoked to be heading Down Under for another round of Australian mayhem. Joey barely remembers his first Australian tour in the mid-90s—blame it on time, touring, or maybe just the volume of beers shared with local mates like Melbourne’s One Inch Punch. These days, he jokes, it’s less punk bars and more dinner with friends (and, yes, the occasional barefoot lawn bowl). Apparently, there’s nothing quite like sizing up a crew of retirees on the green and wondering if you’re officially “the young guy” again. Lagwagon is hitting the Australian summer hard in late January, with a run that includes the Froth and Fury Festival and a string of headlining shows, before popping over to New Zealand and—on brand—wrapping up with some R&R in Hawaii. Joey’s bringing his partner along for the ride, so expect extra stories and possibly a few more lawn bowling anecdotes at the merch table. This tour is something of a “31st Anniversary” bash for their classic album Hoss (punk math: book a 30th, play the 31st, still call it a party). But, as Joey laughs, “Old albums are 30 minutes long—so you basically play the album, then two times more music just to make it a set.” Setlists? Lagwagon’s “text thread democracy” means every show gets a different flavour, with Joey confessing that every band’s got “that one guy who refuses to play that song.” Still, you’ll hear the fan-favourite May 16th—immortalized in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater—plus deep cuts for the diehards. Ever wondered about the real story behind May 16th? Joey lays it bare: it’s the date of his best mate’s wedding… that he wasn’t invited to, thanks to an unimpressed bride. Fast-forward: Joey stumbles onto the ceremony from a stranger’s window after a night out and channels heartbreak into punk rock legend. Decades on, the couple is now are divorced, and they’re mates again, and Joey declares, “Stick around long enough, you always win.” If you catch Lagwagon this tour, don’t expect a bunch of solemn, over-rehearsed rock stars. Lagwagon’s vibe is about enjoying the ride, whether it’s smashing out classics or just soaking up the sun. “The shows are always great—the band’s playing better than ever—but honestly, that’s the least interesting part. It’s everything else you look forward to.” Lagwagon hits Australia in late January, headlining Froth and Fury Festival (WA and SA) and shows across the country, then heading to New Zealand. Check local listings for details, pack your sunscreen, and maybe a bowling hat. Confirming that perseverance, a bit of stoic attitude, and a good sense of humour are the secrets to making it this far—both in punk and in life, Lagwagon are guaranteed to not disappoint, fans of old and those of new can expect some top shelf shows from these sublime legends. Tickets and info: sbmpresents.com/tour/lagwagon-2026/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.