Adorn the Heresy, faithful to the fringe
Occupier Returns to Vista: A Night of Local Music at Booze Brothers
We’re looking forward to spending the evening with the musicians and the Vista community. Come out, catch Occupier live, and support the local connections that make nights like this matter. We hope to see you there.
Joey Heretix
10/21/20262 min read
Some bands become part of a community one show at a time. San Diego alternative rock band Occupier has built that connection with Vista through appearances at the 2025 and 2026 Vista Viking Festival, and their set at the Loki Sessions in August 2026, The festival’s pre-festival beer release party. On Friday, November 6, they’re back in Vista for a night at Booze Brothers, presented by Vista Viking Festival, High Strangeness, and Heretix Skate Company.
Meet Occupier
Occupier brings together musicians with deep roots in San Diego’s music scene. Ernie Longoria, drummer for Sprung Monkey, is the band’s primary songwriter and vocalist. Sprung Monkey bassist Ryan Flores plays bass and brings recording engineering experience, while Dan Vega plays guitar and Aaron T. Smith adds guitar, keys, and synth.
The band’s songs include “Invincible” and “Breaking News.” Occupier runs alongside the members’ work with Sprung Monkey, giving them another place to create and play together. If you haven’t heard them yet, take a moment to explore their music ahead of the show at occupierband.com.
A Vista connection that keeps growing
Occupier’s return feels like a natural continuation of the ties they’ve made here, from two years of Vista Viking Festival performances to the Loki Sessions this past summer. Local music is part of what makes a community feel lived-in: familiar gathering places, artists who keep making things, and people showing up to share a night together. We’re glad to help bring Occupier back to Vista.
There’s another reason to come out: Dave Nilson, a friend of Heretix and a member of its advisory board, will perform music from his former band The Cry with members of Occupier in a side project called Beautiful Reasons, the same name as a Cry album. It’s an added musical connection to the evening, with Occupier remaining at the center of the night.
Show details
Friday, November 6, 2026
Booze Brothers in Vista, California
Music: 8 p.m.–10 p.m.
Presented by Vista Viking Festival, High Strangeness, and Heretix Skate Company
We’re looking forward to spending the evening with the musicians and the Vista community. Come out, catch Occupier live, and support the local connections that make nights like this matter. We hope to see you there.