Everclear coming to The Ranch
Grammy-nominated rock band coming to Fort Myers April 26
A major rock band is coming to Southwest Florida after coming off a 2025 that saw them celebrate the 30th anniversary of an album that went platinum.
Everclear, known for songs such as “Santa Monica,” “Father Of Mine,” “I Will Buy You A New Life,” and countless others, will perform at The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon on April 26.
The Grammy-nominated band that was formed in the Pacific Northwest in the early ’90s recently marked three decades of its major-label debut album “Sparkle And Fade,” and are touring this year including a stop in Southwest Florida next weekend.
While the band has seen it all over its long tenure in the music scene, and have played in Fort Myers on various occasions, this will be the first time they will perform at The Ranch.
Art Alexakis, who is Everclear’s founder/lead singer/guitarist/songwriter, spoke with The Breeze and said the band is “stoked” to perform in Fort Myers.
“We’re stoked to play the venue and stoked to be on this tour,” he said. “We’re excited to come back to the Fort Myers area.”
Since forming in Portland in 1991, Everclear has enjoyed a lengthy career by any measure, spanning 11 studio releases, including four that have been certified gold or platinum, selling over six million records, and achieving 12 Top 40 hit singles on Mainstream Rock, Alternative and Adult Top 40 radio.
Following a tour that promoted the anniversary of “Sparkle And Fade,” including a remastered version of the album, Alexakis said new projects are in the works.
“We’re working on a new record,” he said. “I’ve been writing a lot. We recorded nine different tracks last week.
“It’s sounding great. We’re getting ready for next year and the 30th anniversary of “Afterglow.” And this year we have a special tour coming up… it’s going to be very fan-centric. It’s a tour we’ve never done anything like before. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Alexakis said 2026 has already treated him much better than last year, as his home was greatly impacted by the California wildfires, namely in the Altadena area.
“It burned down most of my property,” he said. “This year, the house is back and better than it was before. Just loving life and loving being home, and loving having the work to go out and do.”
Alexakis said he’s someone that likes to live in the moment. While the 30th anniversary tour was being played out across stages throughout the globe, and the band enjoyed some deep cuts they don’t normally play, it’s all about being present in the now and looking to take steps forward.
“I take pride in (our success),” Alexakis said. “We’ve been together for 35 years, and bands that have been together that long go through changes. Each version of the band may sound a little different, but it sounds like Everclear. It’s my voice, it’s my songs, it’s my guitar playing. I really don’t dwell and think about, ‘wow, we’ve come all this way.’ I don’t think like that. I think, ‘I’m where I’m at now, that’s what I’m doing.'”
When it comes to the new project, Alexakis said, “I tell stories. I’m inspired to write and affected by what’s going on now in our world, and it’s pretty intense. I think that’s definitely coming into a lot of the stories. The music is a lot of big guitars — a little darker than normal musically, but it’s still a lot of pop, power-pop, a lot of fast songs. I feel really strong about the melodies. I just think it’s going to be exciting.”
In 2023, Everclear released its first official live album, “Live At The Whisky A Go Go,” showcasing the band’s acclaimed and energetic live performance. The 17-track collection features the live recording of the Los Angeles performance, showcasing the hits and hidden treasures throughout the band’s extraordinary catalog as well as two new bonus studio tracks: “Sing Away”, a powerful single addressing teen suicide, and their 2022 politically-charged single “Year Of The Tiger”.
“I think it came out phenomenal,” Alexakis said. “This is straight from the show. I think it’s really indicative of if you want to hear what we’re going to sound like live, I think it’s a good way to see if you’re going to like it or not. If you like rock and roll and a good, tight band, we’re that.”
Alexakis has a long history in the music scene even beyond Everclear, but one thing is for sure — he still loves what he does.
“I love making the music. I love playing the music,” he said. “The travel, for a guy who is 64 with MS, that’s hard. That kicks your ass a little bit. But other than that, I love my guys and my crew. I love the people I work with. My family is doing well and everyone is happy. I’m blessed, man.”
For more information on Everclear, visit everclearmusic.com.
For tickets to the show, visit theranchfortmyers.com.
The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon is at 2158 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers.