Sage Jackson does a heck of a lot for the desert’s music scene. He’s fostered bands and fans in the hardcore music world with his Hot Stuff Booking company, which swings from shows showcasing locals and other bands from the Inland Empire, to hosting world-class acts like Haywire, Militarie Gun and Knuckle Sandwich. He’s helped keep the hardcore flag waving with his band Face Facts, and provides guttural, screaming vocals over a sonic mix of punk, groove and grunge. The band’s singles and EPs have recently been packaged on vinyl, and the 13-track collection The Rhythms Of … is available exclusively on vinyl. Grab a copy at www.indecisionrecords.com.
What was the first concert you attended?
The band Fuel played a free show by my house when I was, like, 12, and I went to that with my parents. The first show I went to that I actually wanted to go see was Touché Amore, Tigers Jaw, and Dads in 2014 at the Glass House (in Pomona).
What was the first album you owned?
Neighborhoods by Blink-182 on CD. It was their first album back after a long time, so I was excited to go pick that one up. It’s all right, I guess. It was the first album I bought with my own money.
What bands are you listening to right now?
I’ve always liked the band Now, Now a lot, but I’ve been listening to it almost every day to start 2026. Been listening to a lot of Trapped Under Ice and Terror recently, trying to get inspired to finish writing my band’s first LP. I’ll throw Forced Order and Freedom in there, too. There’s a TikTok guy, Hudson Freeman, who has a good song called “If You Know Me” that I’ve been playing a lot, too.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
Pop country. Singing about partying in a Southern twang is debilitating.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
I never got to see the original lineup for Tigers Jaw. At the Drive-In would be cool as well. Johnny Cash in his prime would’ve been another good one to see.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
I don’t like calling any of it a guilty pleasure, but I guess MySpace scene music: Millionaires, Medic Droid, and Paddock Park.
What’s your favorite music venue?
Chain Reaction (Anaheim). Rest in pieces.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“A hint of light in the dark / Only enough to keep from giving up / If I could go back to the start / To break the pattern forming between us,” “Thread,” Now, Now.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
Have Heart was my introduction into hardcore and more underground music. I didn’t know lyrics and music could be written like that until I heard it. Up until that point in my life, I didn’t really care for music in such a passionate way.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
Kurt: Who did it?
What song would you like played at your funeral?
I don’t really care, honestly. Whatever everyone else thinks I would’ve wanted to hear, I guess.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
It’s too hard to say. It’s always changing. I’ll just say the Elliott Smith discography and cheat. Squeeze the figurative trigger so I don’t have to answer.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
“Let It Win” by Neu Blume.
