Foo Fighters’ PAT SMEAR joined TAYLOR HAWKINS’ son SHANE HAWKINS on stage to perform the RAMONES’ “Blitzkrieg Bop” during Chevy Metal’s show on Sunday night (Dec. 22) at The Roxy in LA!
A Punk Rock Tribute: Pat Smear and Shane Hawkins Light Up The Roxy with “Blitzkrieg Bop”
On Sunday night, December 22, The Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles was buzzing with raw anticipation. Chevy Metal—the hard-hitting cover band founded by the late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins—was already set to deliver one of its typically wild, no-holds-barred sets. But fans who packed the legendary Sunset Strip venue were in for something far more memorable than they could have expected. In a moment that perfectly blended punk history, family legacy, and heartfelt tribute, Foo Fighters guitarist Pat Smear joined Shane Hawkins, the teenage son of Taylor Hawkins, on stage to perform a blistering rendition of the Ramones’ classic “Blitzkrieg Bop.”
The collaboration was brief but electric, capturing the spirit of both the punk pioneers who inspired a generation and the rock icons who continue to keep their fire alive. For the audience, it was more than just a cover song. It was a bridge across time—uniting past and present, legacy and continuation, grief and celebration.
A Stage Steeped in Legacy
The Roxy isn’t just any venue. Since opening in 1973, it has been a breeding ground for cultural revolutions in music—from early shows by Bruce Springsteen to game-changing punk performances by The Ramones themselves. Hosting this Chevy Metal show on that stage made the night feel like a circle closing. To see Taylor Hawkins’ son pounding away on the drums at the same venue where the Ramones once ripped through their sets was something of a full-circle rock-and-roll moment.
Shane Hawkins has quickly become known for his powerhouse drumming style. Ever since his viral, emotional performance of “My Hero” at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert in London in 2022, fans have seen in him the unmistakable spark of his father’s talent. At The Roxy, he didn’t just keep time—he drove the song forward with intensity and joy, channeling the urgency of the Ramones while adding his own youthful fire.
Pat Smear: Punk Royalty Meets Rock’s New Generation
For Pat Smear, this wasn’t just a guest appearance—it was a homecoming. Long before his Foo Fighters days, Smear was the guitarist for the Germs, one of the foundational bands of Los Angeles punk. His roots stretch deep into the same soil that birthed the Ramones’ stripped-down, high-speed rock revolution. To watch Smear tear into “Blitzkrieg Bop” alongside Shane Hawkins was like watching two worlds collide: punk’s gritty past and rock’s ongoing story embodied in a new generation.
Smear’s grin never left his face as he slashed through the familiar chords. He played with the same reckless abandon that made him a legend, clearly energized by the youthful energy beside him. The chemistry between him and Shane was undeniable—a silent acknowledgment of Taylor Hawkins’ ever-present spirit guiding the moment.
The Spirit of Chevy Metal
Chevy Metal, often described as a “garage-rock jukebox,” was always Taylor Hawkins’ playground outside of Foo Fighters. Known for their high-energy sets packed with covers of everything from Queen to Van Halen, the band became a cult favorite among fans who loved to see Hawkins behind the kit, smiling ear-to-ear and pounding through rock’s greatest hits with his friends.
Since his passing, Chevy Metal has continued as a vehicle for tribute and celebration, with Shane frequently stepping in to carry his father’s torch. Each performance feels less like a show and more like a gathering of extended family—a chance for friends, fans, and fellow musicians to honor Taylor’s outsized personality and love of music. Sunday night was no different. The addition of Pat Smear elevated that atmosphere into something truly unforgettable.
“Hey Ho, Let’s Go!” – A Moment of Catharsis
The second the unmistakable chant—“Hey! Ho! Let’s go!”—rang out, the crowd at The Roxy erupted. Fans pogoed, fists punched the air, and the walls seemed to shake with communal energy. For those few minutes, grief transformed into celebration. The performance wasn’t just a cover of a punk anthem; it was a release, a reminder that rock and roll thrives in the connections it creates across generations.
Audience members described the scene as “pure catharsis.” Many noted the way Shane locked into the groove, his drumming fierce and confident, while Smear’s guitar cut through with sharp, unapologetic energy. Together, they created a sound that was both faithful to the Ramones’ simplicity and infused with fresh vitality.
Carrying the Torch Forward
For fans of Taylor Hawkins, seeing his son on stage is more than symbolic—it’s hopeful. Shane Hawkins isn’t just stepping into his father’s shadow; he’s carving out his own place in the music world, with authenticity and natural talent. Performances like Sunday’s suggest that he has both the passion and the chops to keep the Hawkins name a staple in rock for years to come.
Meanwhile, Pat Smear continues to embody the connective tissue between eras of music. From the Germs to Nirvana, Foo Fighters to Chevy Metal guest spots, his guitar has been present at some of the most pivotal crossroads of rock history. Sharing a stage with Shane was a reminder of his role not only as a musician but as a living link in rock’s long and ever-evolving chain.
More Than Just a Show
What happened at The Roxy on December 22 was bigger than just another night out in Los Angeles. It was a family moment, a communal moment, and a musical milestone all at once. Fans walked away knowing they had witnessed something rare: the merging of legacy and future in a performance that honored the past without being weighed down by it.
Chevy Metal once again proved its purpose—not only as a cover band but as a vessel for joy, tribute, and connection. With Shane Hawkins behind the kit and friends like Pat Smear stepping up, the band continues to be a living testament to Taylor Hawkins’ enduring influence.
And as “Blitzkrieg Bop” rang out into the night, with the crowd shouting in unison and the energy bouncing off the walls of The Roxy, one thing was clear: the spirit of rock and roll isn’t going anywhere. In fact, with young talents like Shane carrying the beat, it’s only getting louder.
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