The Expendables have proven anything but in their nearly 25-year career since starting out as a spirited party band in high school performing surf-rock covers for birthdays and family
gatherings. A quarter-century later, elementary school buddies Raul Bianchi, Adam Peterson and
Geoff Weers, along with bassist Ryan DeMars, who joined in 2000, have forged a unique sound
born in the laid-back beach life in their hometown of Santa Cruz, CA. The Expendables’
infectious hybrid of ska, surf-rock, punk, reggae and metal can be heard in their latest streaming track, “Surfman Cometh,” a spaghetti-western meets “Pipeline” twang that could easily form the soundtrack to the latest Quentin Tarantino film. The song is the first release from the group’s new and improved Band Room, their longtime rehearsal space in a 1,100 square foot warehouse and former wine cellar on Coral Street, where Adam Patterson took charge of the final mix to great effect. The band’s previous studio album of original material, 2015’s Sand in the Sky, was followed by The Expendables’ second release featuring acoustic reworkings of past material, Gone Raw, 2019’s follow-up to 2012’s Gone Soft. The Expendables continue woodshedding until they can get back out on the road. Their 2017 Moment EP, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Reggae chart, showed the band starting to move into different musical directions, a set featuring collaborations with reggae crooner HIRIE, rapper Tech N9ne, Eric Rachmany, and Micah Peuschel

Chad Tepper (born 1992) is an American singer-songwriter, content creator, and former pro skateboarder, originally from Merritt Island, Florida. Known for his candid vulnerability and energetic presence, Tepper has built a devoted following (over 4 million social media followers) through music, storytelling, and performance.

His early life was marked by significant adversity, including years of homelessness, experiences that deeply influence his songwriting and artistic voice. After relocating to Los Angeles around 2015, he leaned fully into music, channeling his journey into a distinctive sound that blends elements of rock, pop-punk, grunge, and alt-rock.

Tepper’s debut full-length album, Never Stood a Chance (2023), marked a turning point in his career. It resonated with audiences for its emotional candor and lyrical themes of heartbreak, resilience, and identity. In the years following its release, his music has amassed millions of streams annually, and his reputation as an “authentic rockstar” in the alternative scene has solidified.

On stage, he delivers dynamic and theatrical performances, giving everything in service of connecting with his audience. He remains committed to vulnerability in his art, believing that exposing truths—even messy ones—is a path to relatability. In interviews and podcasts through 2025, Tepper continues to emphasize the importance of staying true to one’s story and using music as a means of healing and expression.

In his personal life, he is openly engaged, and he shares glimpses of life with his fiancée and their dog. His creative scope also extends beyond music—Tepper experiments with fashion, visual art, and storytelling, seeing himself as a multifaceted creator.