Big Yen
Big Yen, JAMM, & Pocket Change
Soda Bar
3615 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92104
May 18, 2025
7:00 PM PDT
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About this concert
BIG YEN – Hip hop, punk, reggae, and psychedelic dub fuse together for a soulful melodic mixed drink that delivers goosebumps on the first sip.
Originally from Charleston and now based in San Diego, Big Yen is a unique rock trio that melds positive philosophies, infectious melodies, and a range of styles to get the party jumping.
Yen in Chinese is 'lifelong yearning or desire'... so... what's your Big Yen?
Their 2023 "punkadelic" EP was produced by George Spits (Slightly Stoopid, Damian Marley & Nas, Llammabeats) while Backflip & Concrete Hills were both produced by John Shields (of Little Stranger)
Big Yen has sold out shows on both coasts and have shared the stage with the likes of Little Stranger, Stoplight Observations, Of Good Nature, Ty Segall, Alific, Mike Pinto, Vana Liya, George Spits, Aaron Wolf, The Resinators, and Kat Hall!
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JAMM – Born from Northern California's College town of Chico, JAMM is a high-energy 4-piece reggae rock and funk band hailing from a wide range of influences resulting in a blend that is both beautifully memorable as it is face-melting.
JAMM gained notoriety in Chico State's house party scene from 2018-2022 before relocating to San Diego in 2023. The band has since played over 100 shows in San Diego alone and has enjoyed immense growth on both social media and listenership as well a successful first West Coast Tour in 2023.
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Big Yen Biography
What is Big Yen?
Yen, in Chinese, is a lifelong yearning or desire. In this case on their newest release, the "Big Yen" is to inspire thought, question norms and habits, live in the moment, and incite an energetic movement of bodies who like to rock.
What's your Big Yen?
punkadelic is the newest EP from San Diego based trio Big Yen.
Co-Produced by George Spits (Slightly Stoopid, Damian Marley & Nas, Llammabeats) this release from Big Yen features cosmic perspectives and positive philosophies that permeate into punk rock grooves, melodic hip hop verses, and energetic reggae ska beats.
Big Yen adds some of a different flavor to the California music scene in order to not just be another one of the same. In fact, no two songs are similar on this project which pivots from punk, reggae, ska, hip hop, and jazz influences. Tongue in cheek humor is contrasted with introspective insights and even an interstellar love letter.
It's like Jerry Garcia smoking a J with Tribe Called Quest: there's some unexpected choices being made in these pairings and yet, in todays scene where parameters of genres are more or less set in stone, that's what's refreshing to hear: Something new that also pulls from older things we love. In this way Big Yen uses punk rock, reggae, and hip hop to inspire stepping toward the highest expression of self. Goosebumps guarenteed.
This type of band could play Cali Roots, a Warped Tour, and open for Beastie Boys in the same month and it would be musically appropriate.
Big Yen shows there's no need to pigeonhole musical tastes because of "markets", "genres", or commercial labels of any kind.
James Frolio & the boys have sold out shows on both coasts and have plans to follow up this heavier rock EP, with a hip hop single produced by Little Stranger.
Big Yen is James Frolio (guitar and vocals), Bryan Prusiensky (Bass), Jordan Starke (Drums).
Read MoreYen, in Chinese, is a lifelong yearning or desire. In this case on their newest release, the "Big Yen" is to inspire thought, question norms and habits, live in the moment, and incite an energetic movement of bodies who like to rock.
What's your Big Yen?
punkadelic is the newest EP from San Diego based trio Big Yen.
Co-Produced by George Spits (Slightly Stoopid, Damian Marley & Nas, Llammabeats) this release from Big Yen features cosmic perspectives and positive philosophies that permeate into punk rock grooves, melodic hip hop verses, and energetic reggae ska beats.
Big Yen adds some of a different flavor to the California music scene in order to not just be another one of the same. In fact, no two songs are similar on this project which pivots from punk, reggae, ska, hip hop, and jazz influences. Tongue in cheek humor is contrasted with introspective insights and even an interstellar love letter.
It's like Jerry Garcia smoking a J with Tribe Called Quest: there's some unexpected choices being made in these pairings and yet, in todays scene where parameters of genres are more or less set in stone, that's what's refreshing to hear: Something new that also pulls from older things we love. In this way Big Yen uses punk rock, reggae, and hip hop to inspire stepping toward the highest expression of self. Goosebumps guarenteed.
This type of band could play Cali Roots, a Warped Tour, and open for Beastie Boys in the same month and it would be musically appropriate.
Big Yen shows there's no need to pigeonhole musical tastes because of "markets", "genres", or commercial labels of any kind.
James Frolio & the boys have sold out shows on both coasts and have plans to follow up this heavier rock EP, with a hip hop single produced by Little Stranger.
Big Yen is James Frolio (guitar and vocals), Bryan Prusiensky (Bass), Jordan Starke (Drums).
Hip Hop
Acoustic
Punk
Reggae
Rock
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