Image created by Golden Amplifier (Monica Ritchie)
A Young Punk Dynamo
Sometime last year, a friend told me, “You won’t believe the voice of this 14-year-old I’m producing.” Naturally, I expected to hear some raw talent, but what I got completely floored me. Sammie Augusto hit me like a power chord. The passion, the grit, the soul in her voice weren’t just impressive for her age; it was powerful, period. I found myself asking, “how is this kid singing with so much intensity and wisdom beyond her years?” It made me think back to what I was doing at 14, and man… I wish I had focused on something as cool as being in a punk band. Sammie isn’t just dabbling in music — she’s living it.
I’ve been lucky enough to catch her live a few times now, and each appearance has been unforgettable. Watching her go from a giggling teen off-stage to a full-blown punk powerhouse onstage in a matter of minutes is something else. The switch flips, and suddenly she’s leading the room like she was born to do this. It’s out of this world.
Sammie Augusto is a name rapidly gaining traction in the punk scene. Raised in San Diego, she stands out not just for her raw musical talent but for her fierce stage presence and her ability to front two distinct bands: Flailing Idiot and The Cherry Bombs. While some artists are chasing fame, Sammie is building a reputation through unapologetic performances and uncompromising punk ethos.
Image created by Golden Amplifier (Monica Ritchie)
Early Life and Musical Origins
Sammie grew up immersed in punk from day one. Her parents regularly brought her to shows around San Diego, and her father plays in the local punk band Dead on the Wire. At just six years old, she watched him perform live—and that was the moment it all clicked. The energy, the crowd, the music—it sparked something in her.
By age eight, she was already fronting her first band, Wasted Years, a metal group covering Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Slayer. Those early years helped her build confidence onstage and sharpen her skills as a vocalist and performer. Sammie’s connection to punk has always been personal, shaped by community, family, and a DIY spirit.
Flailing Idiot
Formed in 2020, Flailing Idiot is a pop punk trio born out of North County San Diego’s DIY scene. The band features Sammie Augusto on guitar and vocals, Miya Schultheis on bass, and Lillee Gillee on drums. In early 2025, the band reunited its original lineup by welcoming Lillee back into the fold, reinforcing their chemistry and solidifying their core sound.
Flailing Idiot’s sound blends the rawness of classic punk with a sharp pop sensibility. Their fan-favorite, “Is It Just Me,” released in 2024, has become their most popular track to date, earning them a loyal following. Other standout songs include “Queen of Hearts,” “Murder Kitty,” and their most recent single, “Insomnia,” which dropped in January 2025.
Known for their chaotic, high-energy shows, Flailing Idiot has performed at more than 50 fairs, festivals, and venues across Southern California. They’ve shared stages with acts like Jax and Punk staples Bad Cop Bad Cop, and are slated to open for The Dickies later this year. Whether in a packed venue or at a local all-ages show, the band delivers a performance that captures the urgency, humor, and heart of modern punk.
Illustration: “F is for Flailing Idiot” by @hecreative, from My Very First Women in Punk ABC Book.
The Cherry Bombs – A Melodic Counterpart
In 2023, Sammie Augusto formed The Cherry Bombs alongside her close friends Bella Novak and Evelyn Boren. The project gave Sammie a creative outlet to explore a more melodic, pop-punk sound while keeping her punk roots intact.
Unlike the raw energy of Flailing Idiot, The Cherry Bombs lean into catchy riffs, theatrical stage presence, and anthems about youth, identity, and rebellion. Their most recent release, “20/20 Vision,” showcases this evolution — blending melody and grit with a rebellious charm that still hits hard live.
Their performances are just as intense, but with a different flair — Sammie brings a playful, engaging persona to the stage that reflects the band’s glam-punk spirit and tight-knit friendship.
Photo: @cherrybombsofficial / Instagram
Creative Duality and Vision
Sammie’s ability to balance two distinct musical projects — Flailing Idiot and The Cherry Bombs — speaks to her versatility and creative vision. With Flailing Idiot, she channels raw emotion, tackling political unrest and personal grit with fast, unapologetic energy. In contrast, The Cherry Bombs allows her to explore a more melodic and theatrical side of punk, blending vulnerability, rebellion, and catchy, glam-infused hooks. This duality showcases Sammie’s growth as both a songwriter and a performer. Few artists can dominate a chaotic pit one night and deliver a glam-punk anthem the next — Sammie does both with ease, staying true to her craft in each project.
Her philosophy toward life and music is simple: “Live Like Jamo.” This mantra, inspired by her late uncle, embodies living fully and doing what you love. For Sammie, that’s music, and she brings that energy to everything she does, whether she’s rocking out with Flailing Idiot or bringing theatrical flair with The Cherry Bombs. Sammie’s journey is about more than just the moment — it’s about perseverance. Her advice to young women wanting to break into punk? “Just do it! Pick up an instrument and practice every day! You will only get better.” It’s this drive that has brought Sammie to where she is today, and it’s clear she’s just getting started.
Looking ahead, Sammie has big plans. Flailing Idiot is gearing up for shows at Doll Hut in Anaheim on April 12th and Harvard and Stone in LA on April 19th. Fans are eagerly awaiting what’s next, as Sammie’s creative spark continues to push boundaries. She has big aspirations: touring with her bands, stepping into Broadway, and releasing a book she’s been working on for years. There’s no limit to where she’s headed.
If you’re new to Sammie’s music, check out “My Love”, a solo track she wrote at just 11 years old. It’s the perfect introduction to her undeniable talent and the passion she’s been pouring into her music from the start. Ultimately, Sammie’s mission is clear: she wants fans to leave her shows feeling alive and wanting more. Whether it’s a high-energy punk anthem with Flailing Idiot or a melodic, anthemic moment with The Cherry Bombs, her goal is the same — to make you feel something, to make you feel everything.
Image created by Golden Amplifier (Monica Ritchie)
Punk Isn’t Dead— It’s Just Getting Louder
Sammie Augusto isn’t here to play it safe. With the maturity and grit of a seasoned performer, she’s carving her path through raw talent and unapologetic authenticity. Whether leading the charge with Flailing Idiot or belting anthems with The Cherry Bombs, she refuses to blend in. At just 14, Sammie is already showing the world that age doesn’t define artistry— drive, passion, and fearlessness do! It’s a rare thing to witness someone so young yet so fully committed to their craft. With every performance, she leaves a mark. As one fan put it: ‘You don’t just watch Sammie Augusto—you survive her set.’ She’s proving that the future of punk is in more than capable hands. I can’t wait to see where she takes this.
