[ATTENDED: June 10, 2026] Oxymorrons
This show was announced rather unexpectedly. Holy Wars and Oxymorrons are playing the Warped Tour in Washington D.C. But they had a few days off, so they decided to playt some small clubs in NY and Philly. I didn’t know Holy Wars, but I love Oxymorrons. This was my third time seeing them and it was the best one yet.
My son and I saw them twice in a bout a year back in 2023. Since that time they have been all over the world oening for everybody. They have played to massive crowds. And here they were playing for 100 people and they gave it 100%.
I had never been to Nikki Lopez before. The place is SMALL. So much so that everyone on stage was basically right in front of me. And since both singers move around so much, they were within inches of me from time to time. I am only surprised that they didn’t walk into the crowd–it was certainly logistically possible.
While guitarist Jafe Paulino was setting up, frontmen, Demi “Deee” and his brother Kami “KI” came bouncing up on stage. They have so much energy and are so fun.
Last time we saw them their drummer was Matty Mayz. He has since left (to start a restaurant, I believe) and as of May, their new drummer is Amani Drums–and he was phenomenal. Their setup hasn’t changed since we saw them last. One guitarist playing the riffs which belies how solid and huge they sound. With Amani on the drums, that’s all there is in terms of music (they definitely have some kind of backing music somewhere). Their songs have big punk riffs that are catchy and powerful. And that’s when Deee and KI come in. The verses are rapped and the choruses are sung. It’s not “rap rock” it’s an organic blend of punk and rapping that works perfectly, blending rap’s rage with punk rage.
When we saw them last time, they were just about to release Melanin Punk. Since then, they’ve put out an EP
They opened with Justice, which is from their debut, has a cool riff, aggressive rapping and then a big ol chorus (I’m tired of justice, I’m tired of pain, the rain only washes a few of the stains). They followed this with Green Vision. I was worried that they’d only play songs I didn’t know since it had been a while, but these first two songs I’ve seen twice before–which was perfect for singing along.
They also played a few songs from Melanin Punk, including Head for the Hills which I hadn’t seen them play before. I was surprised that their set was so short, but I didn’t realize that many of their songs are so short–everything is so intense and bouncy and exhausting that it feels like the songs are long. But Melanin Punk is less than 2 minutes and Enemy (a fantastic song) is just over 2 minutes. And I guess since Head for the Hills has a guest verse, they leave that one out, shortening the song live.
I had to laugh when I remembered that we were supposed to help out on Melanin Punk, by singing a “la la, la la la” part. But that part is only in the intro, so we didn’t have to do it again.
I also loved that they are still telling the origin story of their name
They were thinking about names and thought that Oxymorons was a great name. But they found out an old punk band already had the name. So they contacted them and the old geezers said they would sell them the rights for $25,000. So they decided to put a second R in their name because R’s are free. They kept the $25K and copyrighted their new name. So when they shout TWO R’s we shout NOT ONE!
Two R’s Not One–a catchy slogan and a way to not forget their name.
They played two songs from the 2025 EP. The naughty, but fun Laughing While Crying and the ripping BLK SHEEP, which has the superfun sing along “fucking why not” at the beginning of each line. And man the melody is so frikkin catchy.
I’ve liked Definition (which I’ve also now seen 3 times) from the first time I heard it. A killer melody singing
Can’t define me
I am, who I am on my own
Don’t try me again
We are ’bout to take you to another level
If you weren’t ready, baby, you’re in trouble
Can’t define me, don’t try me again
They ended with Look Alive, a ripping song that ended with Jafe making all kinds of noise with his guitar against the speakers and the mic stand and anything else he could scrape it against. And that was that. Only a half hour but with 2 hours worth of sweat.
I know that they have played all over the place–and are currently playing the Warped Tour this weekend. I am genuinely surprised they aren’t bigger. Because they are one of the best live bands I’ve seen–especially if you see them from two feet away.
| June 2026, Nikki Lopez |
January 2023, The Foundry |
March 2022, Union Transfer |
| Justice µ |
Intro |
Think Big µ |
| Green Vision µ |
Think Big µ |
Green Vision µ |
| Head for the Hills ♣ |
Green Vision µ |
Django µ |
| Melanin Punk♣ |
Ghost of Chuck Berry µ |
Definition µ |
| Laughing While Crying ∞ |
Enemy ♣ |
Happy Birthday to You |
| Deadass drum interlude |
Deadass Interlude |
Pretty People µ |
| Enemy ♣ |
Definition µ |
Justice µ |
| BLK SHEEP ∞ |
Melanin Punk ♣ |
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| Definition µ |
Django µ |
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| justice interlude |
Pretty People µ |
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| Look Alive (netic) ♣ |
Look Alive (Netic) ♣ |
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Justice µ (with preceding interlude) |
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Encore |
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Lapdance (N.E.R.D. cover) |
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∞ Create, Destroy, Rebuild, Repeat EP (2025)
♣ Melanin Punk (2023)
µ Mohawks & durags (2021)
I found out about Robyn Hitchcock in college when I was a DJ. I loved playing his song Balloon Man and much of the rest of the Globe of Frogs album. And I never really gave him much more thought than that. Over the years I’ve learned that he;s been around forever and was a part of The Soft Boys and all kinds of other interesting things about him. I still haven’t listened to all that much of his music, though.
