MANGANISTA

MANGANISTA Bio

Not quite rock, not quite ska, not quite New Wave — but somehow all of those things at once. That’s the kind of noncommittal description you’ll hear after a Manganista show. 91X’s Tim Pyles famously dubbed them “San Diego’s answer to Oingo Boingo,” while the late, great Beat Farmer Buddy Blue once joked the band sounded like they’d taken “several blood transfusions from Aston Barrett, with a drummer who has four arms.”

Whatever Manganista is, their chameleon-like approach to making music has kept them thriving for over 20 years, playing everything from ska and reggae shows with The Aggrolites and Unsteady, to ’80s revival bills with Flock of Seagulls and When in Rome, to local rock showcases at The Casbah, Soda Bar, and Belly Up Tavern.

“When you zoom in, it always feels like we don’t really fit in anywhere,” says frontman Matt Rhea. “But when you step back and look at everything we’ve done, it turns out not fitting in has let us belong everywhere.”

Most recently, Manganista released a limited-edition 7” box set on Escape Hatch Records, featuring rock, reggae, and dub versions of “Human Being” and “Angeline,” with guest appearances from Roger Rivas (The Aggrolites), John Roy (Smoke & Mirrors Sound System), Dubrobot, and more.

Now, the band is gearing up to release their new single “Talking to Myself” — a New Wave-infused, alt-rock anthem about the noisy, relentless conversations we carry in our heads — on August 15, 2025. Blending steppers beats, shimmering synths, and layered saxophone hooks, it’s a bold, hook-driven track that captures the eccentric spirit Manganista’s fans have come to expect.
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The band continues to perform across Southern California, keeping audiences guessing — and dancing — with a sound that still refuses to sit still.

Music and Videos

Press

Manganista’s box set offers multiple covers, genres, and Space Pop Rocks
Andrew Hamlin, San Diego Reader 7/25/24
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​New Manganista single inspired by lucid out-of-body experiences
Andrew Hamlin, San Diego Reader 2/8/24
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​Rockola Indie’s review of “Angeline”
​Leo Mendez 2/7/24
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​Ska, Punk and Other Junk’s review of “Human Being”
Dane Jackson 1/29/24

Manganista acaba de lanzar “Angeline” el día de Año Nuevo de 2024, el último sencillo de su nuevo 7” en Escape
Alejandro Balcazar, Indie AM 1/6/24
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​Manganista acaba de lanzar “Human Being” su nuevo sencillo
Alejandro Balcazar, Indie AM 11/13/23
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​Shooting at the Big Bang Seams album review
Aldora Britain Records E-Zine Issue 58 9/29/21


Hillbilly Bomb Shelter EP review
Aldora Britain Records E-Zine Issue 57 9/8/21


Manga Interview
Aldora Britain Records E-Zine Issue 54 6/2/21


Will 13 Point Make Lemon Grove the New La Mesa?
Jay Allen Sanford, San Diego Reader 2/6/19


Blast Toronto Review of Shooting at the Big Bang Seams
Joe Taylor, Blast Toronto 11/11/16

Big Bang Dreams
Jay Allen Sanford, San Diego Reader 8/3/16
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Manganista Kicks off Launch Party for Vinyl Album at Pete's Place in the Village
Ken Stone, La Mesa Patch 1/30/12

Picture Head This:  Matt Rhea
Jay Allen Sanford, San Diego Reader 3/9/11


1st Manganista Gig in 3 Years @ Jan. 28 Picture Head Release Party
Jay Allen Sanford, San Diego Reader 1/29/11


Reunions & Debuts @ La Mesa Band Compilation Release Jan. 28
Jay Allen Sanford, San Diego Reader 1/22/12


Don't Tread on the Soundman
Jay Allen Sanford, San Diego Reader 3/22/07


You on the Bus?
Jay Allen Stanford, San Diego Reader 8/9/07


Big Score
Ken Leighton, San Diego Reader 11/22/06

Pictures

Contact MANGANISTA

Please reach out to Matt Rhea at [email protected] if you would like to book Manganista for a show.
Thank you!
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