Metal Sludge — After going viral for all the wrong reasons, it looks like Finnish rockers Santa Cruz are planning a do-over.

Santa Cruz have announced their official return to “The Whisky” rock club in Hollywood for Thursday August 25th 2022.

The band’s new promo poster reads: “Back For Round 2 – This Time It’s Personal.”

As many recall the band had some play-back issues during their April 6th show at the world-famous club on the famed Sunset Strip.

The band had a solid crowd who seemed to be cheering their every move, but during their new single “Under the Gun” the group hit a snag.

The live take of this song has close to 200,000 views (see below) in less than a few week’s time, and it’s mainly due to the wide-spread shares and press.

But much of it was mocking the band, and making fun of them for their semi-live train-wreck.

In short, the band was using some playback tracks, and the drummer, or band seemed to lose their place.

While trying to get back on track and sync’d up, Cruz along with guitarist Jerry Jade, bassist Tommy Bradley and drummer Randy McDemian just kind of, well… imploded.

It was during this point of the show, when all 3 of the front of stage players, were facing the drummer, and the vocal playback was blaring from the P.A. system, yet nobody was near a live microphone.

This went on for almost the entire first verse (over 20 seconds) and the band stood facing the back of the stage trying to recover, while the playback played on.

The crowd didn’t seem to care too much but the fall-out after the fact was heard far and wide after radio personality Eddie Trunk unloaded on the band in social media posts while sharing the live clip from YouTube.

The Trunk rant was then picked up by Blabbermouth, Sleazeroxx, Metal Sucks, and a host of other rock sites including Metal Sludge.

The band’s founder, lead singer, guitarist and only original member Archie Cruz has since addressed the band’s problems.

“I twas F@#king embarrassing.” said Cruz.

Cruz, 30, appeared on the This, That & The Other radio show with host Troy Patrick Farrell to explain his side of what happened.

Cruz at some point accepted responsibility but did kind of blame alcohol for his harsh reaction to the industry’s reaction to their musical mishap.

Cruz fully owned it when he talked with Farrell, but that was after he had already publicly went off on and insulted Trunk, Blabbermouth and Metal Sludge for the way his band was covered.

Cruz has since apologized to everyone he electronically insulted.

The band teased their new show announcement over the weekend and now it’s been officially announced, that they will return to the scene of the crime so to speak later in the summer.

However, some fans are already attacking the band on their official Facebook posting for the show and the trolling is hard and heavy.

One comment says: “Kings of playback?” with a laughing emoji.

And another asks: “Will Eddie Trunk be there?” with a pondering emoji.

Make sure to mark your calendar, as Santa Cruz is looking to redeem themselves.

While you’re surfing, go find Santa Cruz on social media for more updates and information.


Santa Cruz @ WebSite – Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Spotify –