Santa Ana’s Observatory OC became a war zone of punk rock mayhem on February 27 as The Exploited delivered a blistering set, backed by a powerhouse lineup of Narcoleptic Youth, Total Chaos, and D.I. The night was a full-throttle assault of classic punk energy, with the crowd fueling the chaos, throwing fists in the air, and surging into a massive pit that dominated the venue floor.

Narcoleptic Youth opened the night with their signature blend of lightning-fast riffs and razor-sharp lyrics. The veteran SoCal punks wasted no time getting the crowd moving, tearing through tracks that were equal parts frantic and fun. Their frontman, Jay Sinclair, commanded the stage with a manic energy that set the tone for the chaos that would follow. With breakneck drumming and ferocious guitars, Narcoleptic Youth proved why they’ve remained a staple in the local punk scene for decades.

Total Chaos took the stage next, delivering a furious barrage of street punk anthems that sent the pit into overdrive. Their raw, politically charged setlist struck a chord with the crowd, who chanted along with every word. With spiked hair, studded vests, and a sound that echoed the best of ‘80s anarcho-punk, Total Chaos showed that their message of resistance and rebellion is as relevant as ever. By the time they closed their set, the energy in the room had reached a fever pitch.

D.I. kept the momentum going with their unmistakable brand of SoCal punk, blending hardcore grit with a melodic edge. Casey Royer, the band’s longtime frontman, led the charge with his biting vocals and no-nonsense attitude. Then came one of the most unforgettable moments of the night—D.I. brought out GBH’s bassist Ross Lomas to join them on a song, but the surprises didn’t stop there. Midway through the track, Total Chaos’ frontman Rob Chaos took the stage, seizing the mic and turning the performance into an all-out Old School punk supergroup moment. The crowd erupted, the pit exploded, and for a few wild minutes, punk history was being rewritten right there on the Observatory’s stage.

Then came the main event—The Exploited. Led by the iconic Wattie Buchan, the Scottish punk veterans wasted no time launching into their high-speed, rage-fueled set. From the very first note, the pit expanded into a swirling vortex of chaos, bodies colliding as the relentless energy of the band fed directly into the crowd. Tracks like Punks Not Dead, Beat the Bastards, and Fuck the USA sent fists into the air as Wattie, a true punk rock warlord, snarled his way through each anthem with unrelenting aggression. Decades into their career, The Exploited still play with a level of fury that puts younger bands to shame.

Despite Wattie’s well-documented health struggles in recent years, he showed no signs of slowing down, commanding the stage with the same venomous energy that made The Exploited legendary. The band’s breakneck pace barely let up, pushing the audience to its limits. Even between songs, the electricity in the room never faltered, with fans screaming lyrics, fists in the air, and keeping the pit alive through the entirety of the set. When the final chords rang out, the exhausted yet exhilarated crowd roared in approval, knowing they had just witnessed a masterclass in punk rock at its most raw and relentless.

From start to finish, this was a night of pure punk rock adrenaline. No gimmicks, no half-measures—just a room full of people united by the music that defined generations of rebellion. If there was ever a night that proved punk’s not dead, this was it.

We took a TON of photos .. check them all out over on our Flickr page.