Alternative Citizens is a young, energetic, multi-vocalist band formed in 2018 from Anaheim, CA. The band consists of Zachary John (vocals and guitar), Mason Ortiz (vocals and guitar), and Vaughn Blesser (drums). 

After releasing their first EP, First the Worst (2019), with the well known track in the underground scene “So Do I” they followed it up with their second EP, Nothing but Hard Feelings (2020), leading off with the single “Wannabe”. Later that year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alternative Citizens took a route that not many other artists were choosing. 

They recorded a compilation, Little Citz (2020), of B-Sides, demos, and covers themselves in a kitchen in Anaheim with absolutely no prior knowledge of engineering, mixing, mastering, or even microphones. And they actually released it. With little promotion and no shows being able to be played, Little Citz gained some quick traction with the tracks “Totally F*cked”, “I Need You”, and “Alcoholic” which have now made their way into the regular setlist rotation.

 In 2021, Alternative Citizens jumped at the opportunity to start playing shows again and were welcomed with three back to back sold out shows in Santa Ana and San Diego. Shortly after the San Diego show they inked a deal with Postmark Records, known for signing bands such as The Frights, The Grinns, Death Lens, and On Drugs. Knowing that it was time for their first proper LP, they went into the studio and knocked out some singles they had lying around. 

“Bad Attitude” (2021) and “Suzy Q” (2022) were tracks that individually reached 10,000+ streams quicker than any previously released tracks. They also included a new better recorded version of “So Do I”. After a year of demoing, writing, playing shows, and growing, the group went back into the same house they recorded Little Citz with producer Richard Dotson from The Frights and they recorded the debut LP, Born Again (2023). This experimental, hard hitting, amazingly catchy record is the best Alternative Citizens has ever sounded. 

“This record is about us, it’s about growing up, losing friends, love, heartbreak, a cancer scare, mental health, and feeling like you’re doing everything wrong…” stated by Zachary John in an interview for Amateur Magazine. The band is releasing three singles off the record “Way to Die”, “Hoping”, and “That Stupid Feeling” early 2023 before the record comes out this spring. This is a record and a show you don’t want to miss. Follow @alternativecitizens on Instagram and visit alternativecitizens.com to stay up to date with new videos and tour dates.