Almost Acoustic Christmas: The ghost of KROQ past

It's been 18 years since the first KROQ-FM Acoustic Christmas show (which in short order was renamed Almost Acoustic in deference to all the rock kids who were reluctant to unplug) and how different is the L.A. powerhouse's playlist these days? Well, take a look at the lineup the first year: Dramarama, Social Distortion, the Havilinas, Chris Isaak, the Posies, Soho and the Trash Can Sinatras.

The lineup for the first night of this year's edition was announced today and at the top of the bill is Dexter Holland (above) along with the other members of the Offspring, one of the true stalwarts of KROQ though the years. They are joined by the Stone Temple Pilots, Rise Against, AFI, Staind, Three Days Grace, Slightly Stoopid and Hollywood Undead.

Acoustic Christmas this year will be Dec. 13 and 14 at the Gibson Amphitheater, the building that has housed every one of the holiday shows except two; in 1998 the Offspring, Korn and Depeche Mode topped the two-night bill at the Shrine Auditorium and in 1999 the one-night-only edition of the franchise went to the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, as the Honda Center was called then, with Oasis, Blink-182 and Foo Fighters. The lineup for the second night of the show will be announced later today, check back here for details. The show benefits Para Los Niños and and the Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center.

-- Geoff Boucher

Photo: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times