Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-04-17
Fishbone co-founder Norwood Fisher is launching a new chapter with the debut of his label InnaNuttshell Reekordingz, and he’s kicking things off with a band he knows well: Orange County punk lifers Mad Tab. Their new single “Awake,” out now, marks the first official release on the imprint—and a long-overdue arrival for a band that’s been grinding in the Southern California underground for nearly two decades.
Stream "Awake" HERE.
Watch the video HERE.
At its core, “Awake” is about breaking out of cycles that keep pulling you under—pushing past self-destruction and figuring out what comes next. That weight comes through in the track’s urgency: fast, sharp, and locked-in, with a dual-vocal attack and a precision that leans as much toward controlled chaos as it does outright aggression.
Formed in 2006, Mad Tab built their reputation the hard way—through DIY shows, constant lineup changes, and long stretches where momentum stalled out. Along the way, they experimented across reggae, ska, and rocksteady before circling back to the punk foundation that always drove their songwriting.
“Awake” feels like a reset point. It’s the first time the band’s recorded output fully matches the intensity and chemistry they’ve developed over years of playing together.
Sonically, the track sits somewhere between the ferocity of Bad Brains and the modern edge of Turnstile, with flashes of melody and groove cutting through the speed. Subtle layers of keys and analog synth add depth without softening the impact, giving the band a wider dynamic range than most of their peers.
The connection to Fisher stems from a long-running relationship with frontman Dave Tab, built through years in the Southern California scene. As Fisher launches InnaNuttshell Reekordingz, Mad Tab becomes a deliberate first signing—setting the tone for what the label aims to represent.
Nearly four years in the making, Mad Tab’s debut full-length Alas! The Bomb Voyage… is slated for release in Fall 2026. The album was recorded with Hayden Hanson (Tunnel Vision) at Tubetown Studios in San Clemente and mixed by Jim Monroe (The Adolescents, The Dickies, Cadillac Tramps), capturing the band with a clarity and force that had previously eluded them.
After years of stops and starts, “Awake” introduces Mad Tab not as a band building toward something—but as one finally hitting its mark.
“Awake” is out now via InnaNuttshell Reekordingz.
Alas! The Bomb Voyage… arrives Fall 2026.
May 16 — Costa Mesa, CA @ Tiki Bar (w/ Yellowman) 21+
“Awake” is out now via InnaNuttshell Reekordingz.
Debut album Alas! The Bomb Voyage... arrives Fall 2026.
For the full story behind the band’s two-decade journey, additional background click here.
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