From Zip-Locks to Power Chords: Lit Wakes Up Ocean City

By Dave Parsons

The crowd was still filing into the Ocean City inlet for the incredibly packed lineup of Day 2 of the first Boardwalk Rock festival. Encompassing a wide area under the title of rock, the weekend saw every kind of rock music on the planet.

Most notably, this early in the day was the band Lit.  Formed in Fullerton, CA, in 1988, Lit’s catalog runs the emotional spectrum. From skate-punk roots to pop-rock radio staples. Vocalist A. Jay Popoff and lead Guitarist Jeremy Popoff are brothers whose charisma became pop-punk’s class-clown motif. They rocked through the late ’90s with Zip-Lock, Miserable, and their biggest hit, My Own Worst Enemy. Despite lineup shifts, they have released seven studio albums.

So it was no surprise when Popoff slung the first chords of Kicked Off the Plane, the crowd instantly welcomed them to the party.  The set continued with Four and Zip Lock.  You could see the older demographic singing along in unison, and you could see the younger demographic recognizing the songs that their parents play in the car nonstop.

Each song built on the previous one, with the same happening to the crowd. It was Miserable that set the tone. I wanna take it back… to drive my car right down your street. The crowd roared as teenage energy met adult liberation.  The crowd thoroughly enjoyed Miserable.

Playing festivals means bands get to see their friends who are never home from touring, either.   Lit brought out Zach Myers of Shinedown for the show’s climax.  His harmonies added new flavor to a track every person knew by heart. The crowd pulled out cell phones almost as one, as the cross-band cameo was electric.  This is why festivals matter.  There are moments you can’t see on the album or livestream.  The only way to truly experience it is live.

The whole set was fun, rebellious, fearless, and do I dare say it….Lit!

Setlist – Lit, Boardwalk Rock, May 18, 2025

1. Kicked Off the Plane
2. Four
3. Zip‑Lock
4. Over My Head
5. The Last Time Again / Lipstick and Bruises
6. Miserable
7. Something to Someone
8. Sick of Me Too
9. Let’s Go (The Cars cover)
10. My Own Worst Enemy (with Zach Myers)