Paper Tiger Riot
A rising teen rock band from Kailua Music School’s Icon Academy, building momentum through original music, major live opportunities, and a breakout year that reached far beyond Hawaiʻi.
Paper Tiger Riot, the rising teen rock band from Kailua Music School’s Icon Academy program, has had a breakout year packed with major milestones.
The band released their debut single and music video, collaborated with Grammy-nominated Hawaiian music legend Henry Kapono, and opened for punk rock favorites The Venomous Pinks.
Their momentum continued with a feature on a Times Square billboard in New York City alongside fellow Kailua Music School labelmates, marking a major moment for Hawaiʻi’s next generation of young artists.
To cap off an unforgettable year, alternative rock icons Wheatus — best known for “Teenage Dirtbag” — were spotted wearing Paper Tiger Riot T-shirts while on tour, further cementing the band’s growing buzz beyond the islands.
Just For
Funnzies
Paper Tiger Riot’s debut single introduced the band’s original sound and set the tone for a year defined by recording, release, collaboration, and increasingly ambitious live performances.
Just For Funnzies
The band’s first official music video, presented here as a primary press and booking asset.
Momentum, not hype.
A concise record of the moments that have moved Paper Tiger Riot from student band to emerging artist project.
Built in front of an audience.
A key part of Paper Tiger Riot’s growth has been access to real performance environments. Blue Note Hawaiʻi represents the kind of stage experience that turns rehearsal-room confidence into professional presence.
Seen on the walls. Heard on the stage.
Paper Tiger Riot projected onto the museum wall during their Capitol Modern appearance — another marker of how quickly the band’s profile has grown.
Kailua Music School
Icon Academy
Paper Tiger Riot is part of Kailua Music School’s Icon Academy — a band-development program centered on collaboration, songwriting, recording, live performance, mentorship, and real-world artist experience.
The outcome is bigger than weekly lessons. Students learn how to function as artists: writing together, recording original material, releasing music, preparing for shows, and performing in professional environments.
Paper Tiger Riot
For booking opportunities, press requests, media assets, or information about the Kailua Music School Icon Academy program, contact Kailua Music School.