Tony Molina
Backgroundperson
OriginMillbrae, California
Genreindie rock · power pop · hardcore punk
Years active2001 - present
LabelSlumberland, Matador
Current member ofThe Lost Days
Past member ofDystrophy · Ovens · Violent Change
WebsiteBandcamp

Tony Molina is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist from Millbrae, California. He began playing in hardcore punk bands as a teenager and young adult before establishing himself as a solo performer of indie rock and power pop songs.[1] He has released albums on Slumberland[2] and Matador Records.[3]

Molina's solo career began in 2008, when two friends could not show up to a recording session, and asked him to take the session for them. Molina agreed, and recorded his solo songs during that session. These recordings became his debut solo album, Embarrassing Times.[4]

Molina’s second solo album, Dissed and Dismissed, was awarded a score of 7.5 out of 10 by Pitchfork Magazine.[5] His follow-up album, Kill the Lights, was named Stereogum's album of the week in July of 2018, and received praise from Paste and Vice magazines.[6][7][8] He has also recorded and toured with The Softies and released material as The Lost Days, a duo with Sarah Rose Janko of Dawn Riding.[9][10][11] Molina was previously a member of Ovens and Violent Change.[1]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleYearLabelNotes
Embarrassing Times2013650 Tapes (2009), Catholic Guilt Records (2023)Debut album. Initial release was 50 cassette copies, offered for free with mail-order copies of Ovens's self-titled record from Aquarius Records. Re-released on vinyl in 2023.[4][12]
Dissed and Dismissed2013Melters / SlumberlandOriginally released in a limited pressing of 500 copies; reissued by Slumberland in 2014[13]
Kill the Lights2018Slumberland RecordsNamed Stereogum's Album of the Week[14]
Songs from San Mateo County2019Smoking RoomRarities compilation of unreleased and unfinished material recorded 2009–2015[15]
In the Fade2022Summer Shade / Run for Cover Records
On This Day2025Slumberland Records / Olde Fade[16]21 tracks in 23 minutes[17]

EPs

TitleYearLabelNotes
Six Tracks EP2013Matador RecordsReleased as part of Matador's Singles Going Home Alone series; B-side features a cover of Metallica's "Orion"
Confront the Truth2016Slumberland RecordsEight-track acoustic EP
West Bay Grease2017Smoking RoomSolo live cassette recorded at 1234 Go Records, Oakland; limited to 50 copies
Pacific Northwest Tour2023Tour EP

Collaborative releases

TitleYearArtistLabel
Live in San Francisco2021Rose Melberg & Tony MolinaSelf-released
Tony Molina & The Softies2023Tony Molina & The SoftiesSlumberland Records

Band discography

Molina has recorded as a member of several bands throughout his career.

Violent Change

Main article: Violent Change
TitleYearLabel
Suck on the Gun2012Melters

Caged Animal

TitleYearLabel
Caged Animal EP2013Melters

Ovens

Main article: Ovens (band)
TitleYearFormatLabelNotes
Ovens2009CD (44 tracks)tUMULtCompiled from mid-2000s sessions; first release of the recordings
Ovens 7"20117" vinyl (8 tracks)Catholic Guilt RecordsSongs from 2008 recording sessions
7"20147" vinyl (4 tracks)Melters (MELT004)Recorded in 2005 by Kurt Bloch; mastered by Paul Oldham
Ovens20222×LP, 45 RPM (Tankcrimes TC131)TankcrimesFirst vinyl pressing of the 2009 CD; first time on streaming platforms; 200 black / 1,800 white vinyl

The Lost Days

Main article: The Lost Days
TitleYearFormatLabelNotes
Lost Demos2021Cassette, LP[18]The Long Road Society, Mapache Records (rerelease)First release
In The Store2023LP, CDr[19]Speakeasy Studios SF

References

  1. ^ "Meet Tony Molina: Bay Area Hardcore Veteran Unfurls Decadent Guitar Pop". SPIN. 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2026-04-07.
  2. ^ "Dissed and Dismissed". Slumberland Records. 2014. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  3. ^ "Tony Molina drops 'Six Tracks E.P.' on Matador". The Bay Bridged. 2013-10-09. Archived from the original on April 24, 2015. Retrieved 2026-04-07.
  4. ^ "Tony Molina, “Embarrassing Times”". Thrillhouse Records. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  5. ^ Zoladz, Lindsay. "Tony Molina: Dissed and Dismissed". Pitchfork. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
  6. ^ "Tony Molina: Kill the Lights". Paste Magazine. 2018. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  7. ^ "Tony Molina's New Album Is a Low-Key Ripper, Like the Man Himself". Vice. 2018. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  8. ^ Breihan, Tom (2018). "Tony Molina 'Kill The Lights' Review: A Quick Fix Of Starry-Eyed Beauty". Stereogum. Retrieved 2026-04-07.
  9. ^ "Chatting with the Softies About Their New Tony Molina Collaboration". Chickfactor. 2023. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  10. ^ "Tony Molina + Sarah Rose Janko Announce Debut The Lost Days Album". Stereogum. 2023. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  11. ^
  12. ^ "Tony Molina — Embarrassing Times". Discogs. Retrieved May 22, 2026.>
  13. ^ Zoladz, Lindsay (March 25, 2014). "Tony Molina, Dissed and Dismissed". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  14. ^ Breihan, Tom (July 24, 2018). "Album of the Week: Tony Molina Kill the Lights". Stereogum. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  15. ^ Berman, Stuart (July 24, 2019). "Tony Molina, Songs from San Mateo County". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  16. ^ "Hooky Folk-Pop, Straight from the Source: Tony Molina’s On This Day Lands Nov. 14". The Fire Note. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  17. ^ "On This Day". Bandcamp. November 14, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  18. ^ "The Lost Days––Lost Demos". Discogs. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  19. ^ "The Lost Days––In the Store". Discogs. Retrieved 2026-05-16.