Los Angeles, CA

Following the path of early punk rock bands such as Cock Sparrer and the Clash, Los Angeles' the Briggs consist of brothers Joey and Jason LaRocca, drummer Chris X, and bassist Ryan Roberts (who replaced original bassist Duck Matthews). Originally named I Decline, the group was forced to change the name due to it being used by another band. The Briggs' first album, the independently released Is This What You Believe?, surfaced in 2001, followed in 2003 by Numbers, produced by Duane Peters of U.S. Bombs and issued on his own Disaster label. After finding a home with SideOneDummy, another EP preceded Back to Higher Ground, released in September 2006. In addition to dates on the Vans Warped Tour, the band has toured with similar punk groups such as Flogging Molly and the Casualties. ~ Kenyon Hopkin