XXX pioneers Justice League are set to return to the stage for the 1st time since 1988, reuniting for a trio of rare performances this month in honor of late SoCal punk icon Big Frank Harrison.

Emerging from Pomona’s vibrant scene in the early ’80s, the band helped shape the straight edge movement and left a lasting mark on hardcore’s evolution. Pomona, CA — June 4, 2025 — Legendary California hardcore band Justice League will reunite later this month for three exclusive shows, marking their first public performances since 1988. Formed in Pomona in 1983, Justice League carved their place in hardcore history with blistering energy, straight edge ethos, and a legacy that would go on to influence some of the genre’s most revered acts — including Chain Of Strength, co-founded by Justice League members Ryan Hoffman and Chris Bratton. The catalyst for this long-awaited reunion is the memorial benefit for Big Frank Harrison, a beloved figure in the SoCal punk scene whose influence spanned generations. While the Big Frank tribute show is the centerpiece, Justice League is also playing two additional shows surrounding the memorial event:

Cover photo: 1987, City Gardens, Trenton, NJ / Photo: Ken Salerno

Friday, June 20 – Characters, Pomona, CA – with Decry Tickets
Saturday, June 21 – The Paramount, Los Angeles, CA – with Underdog, Bold and more Tickets
Sunday, June 22 – Garden Amp, Garden Grove, CA – Big Frank Memorial with T.S.O.L., Cro-Mags, D.I. and many others Tickets

Justice League’s history reads like a roadmap of ’80s punk evolution. Originally inspired by Minor Threat, SSD, Negative Approach, the band quickly established themselves as one of California’s first wave of straight edge bands. Over the years, they shared stages with the likes of 7 Seconds, Youth Of Today, Social Distortion, The Vandals, Descendents, and helped ignite what would become a national hardcore movement. Though their discography is relatively brief — highlighted by the ‘Think Or Sink’ 7″ (1985) and their full-length ‘Shattered Dreams’ (1987) — their impact was outsized, paving the way for post-hardcore experimentation and influencing bands coast to coast. Notably, Hoffman and Bratton’s next project, Chain Of Strength, took its name from a Justice League song. This 2025 lineup features core members Ryan Hoffman, Marc Maxey, Mat Baker, with Wal Rashidi (Jr. Juggernaut, For Closure) joining on drums. The band is keeping fans guessing on which vocalists will take the mic — and teasing possible guest appearances by past members and hardcore legends. This isn’t just a reunion — it’s a celebration of Justice League’s legacy, a tribute to the late Big Frank, and a rare moment for longtime fans and new generations alike to experience the raw energy of a band that helped define West Coast hardcore.

Justice League’s place in the scene is etched in memory:

“Our first show was on their equipment. They were rad.” — Fat Mike (NOFX)
“Justice League was the first of those California [straight edge] bands I saw… all these kids fighting to sing the chorus of every song.” — Roger Miret (Agnostic Front)
“I hadn’t even heard them yet and I knew… these guys were brothers.” — Porcell (Youth Of Today)
“By their second song, we all had our jaws to the floor… they blew everyone away that night.” — Popeye (Farside)
“They had so much energy. It inspired me to be in a band.” — Jon Bunch (Sense Field)

1984 – Cathay de Grande, Hollywood, CA/ Photo: Chris Ortiz

Justice League Bio:

Pomona, CA-based hardcore band Justice League formed in late 1983, taking early inspiration from hardcore bands such as Minor Threat, SSD, Negative Approach and became known as one of the first wave of California straight edge bands. Founded by original bassist (and later guitarist) Ryan Hoffman and guitarist Ted Edeson, the band also launched with vocalist Trevor Raham, who performed at a handful of parties and shows into early 1984. Raham was replaced by Jon Roa, re-creating the lineup of the quartet’s earlier skate punk band Diversion, formed before most members were old enough to drive. This lineup never did a formal studio recording but was featured on Flipside ‘Video #5′. Soon after, Edeson left the band, Hoffman moved to guitar, bassist John Godfrey was recruited, and the band played SoCal shows with the likes of Broken Bones, Battalion Of Saints, Uniform Choice. This lineup went to Mystic Studios to record the song ‘Attitude’ for the ‘Party Animal’ compilation, receiving considerable airplay on KROQ’s “Rodney on the Roq” show in Los Angeles. In February 1985, Edeson rejoined as lead guitarist and the band went into Casbah Studios to record and mix six songs in one night. The result was the ‘Think Or Sink’ 7”, released in November of that year on Fartblossom Records. In May 1985, Edeson left the band again and Marc Maxey replaced Godfrey on bass. Fred Mahintorabi joined on lead guitar and the band played shows all over California and Nevada through January 1986 with bands such as Social Distortion, NOFX, The Vandals, 7 Seconds, Youth Of Today, The Melvins, Government Issue, Dr. Know, Adrenalin OD, Agression, SNFU, Decry, Ill Repute. By January 1986, Roa quit and was replaced by Casey Jones, the vocalist on the only Justice League full-length LP, ‘Shattered Dreams’, which was recorded in Spring 1986 and released in January 1987 on Fartblossom. LP featured a wide mix of styles, as the band started outgrowing their early hardcore influences and were listening to Hüsker Dü, Squirrel Bait, Rites Of Spring, Bauhaus, The Smiths. After the recording — but prior to the album release — Jones left and the band embarked on a six-week U.S. Summer tour (with all members now on vocals), which saw Justice League open East Coast shows for Descendents and Dag Nasty, as well as other shows with NOFX, Verbal Assault, MDC, Underdog, Soul Side, Doggy Style and Mission Impossible (featuring a then 16-year-old Dave Grohl on drums). Chris Bratton replaced original drummer Skip Turner after the tour, and the band continued a heavy schedule of live shows, including the second show ever at the legendary 924 Gilman in Berkeley, CA. In Spring 1987, the band recorded the ‘Reach Out’ EP, which was released in October 1987. During these sessions, Maxey emerged as the “primary” vocalist. Kevin Seconds offered to release these songs on his Positive Force Records label, manufactured and distributed by Dutch East India. 7 Seconds took Justice League out on a U.S. tour in the summer of 1987. Prior to hitting the road, Mahintorabi left and was replaced by Mat Baker, and bassist John McKeown was added with Maxey moving solely to vocals (and occasional rhythm guitar). One notable show in Boston had an early version of The Lemonheads opening. After the tour, the band went on hiatus and returned for one last show in March of 1988 with a revamped lineup of Roa, Hoffman, Mahintorabi and Bratton. Hoffman and Bratton then formed the band Chain Of Strength, named after a popular Justice League song. Group has been dormant since, aside from a brief reunion in 2007 at Maxey’s 40th birthday party. This year, they’ve been invited to play at a memorial benefit show for “Big Frank” Harrison, with two other shows added, including a hometown Pomona show on June 20th. Hoffman, Maxey, Baker will be joined by new drummer Wal Rashidi. The band has yet to disclose which of their previous vocalists will join them onstage, but there may also be guest appearances by previous members as well as other punk rock luminaries at these upcoming shows. Stay tuned!