Alternative Press celebrates 40 years in LA

Last night in West Hollywood, Alternative Press celebrated a major milestone — 40 years of AP — with a gathering that honored the past, spotlighted the present, and looked ahead to what’s next. The night also marked the launch of our new 40th anniversary book, bringing together friends, artists, and collaborators who have helped shape AP across generations.

Hosted at Holiday, owned by Nick Holiday — entrepreneur, designer, and certified Fall Out Boy superfan — the space set the tone for a night rooted in creativity and community. Guests including Eyedress, Jesse Rutherford, Joel Madden, Matt Koma, Goody Grace, Grave Secrets, BSD.wave, and more flipped through four decades of AP history, revisiting iconic moments from the Cure’s 1985 cover to Hayley Williams’ cover earlier this month.

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As we flipped through 40 years of covers, stories, photos — an apt highlight was the presence of Norman Wonderly, a legend and key player in AP’s history and legacy. As publisher for 20 years, Wonderly championed many of the magazine’s most iconic eras and moments, making his attendance a powerful bridge between where AP has been and where it’s headed.

Also stopping by were photographers Jonathan Weiner, Zachary Gray, and Daniel Rojas, each of whom has shot major AP covers over the years — from Green Day and Slipknot to Hayley Williams to Travis Barker x Yellowcard, respectively. They are just as much stars of our story as the artists themselves, underscoring the continued evolution of AP’s visual legacy as a publication, brand, and cultural touchpoint.

With Caliwater keeping guests hydrated, Fresh Brothers Pizza fueling the night, and the incredible Holiday brand team helping bring everything together, the celebration was a reminder of what Alternative Press has always been about: community, culture, and championing the creatives who define alternative music — from the faces in the magazine and on the masthead to the behind-the-scenes folks whose work allows our ideas to get off the ground.

A celebration of the past, present, and the excitement of the future — here’s to 40 years of Alternative Press, and to even more ahead in ’26.

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