Band Of The Week

NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT: THE OWLING- INTRAVENOUS FLOW

Late last year, I introduced you all to the band The Owling. Their debut album, You Don’t Bow, You Will Learn” hit me out of nowhere and was a perfect end note to the year. Now, Kal Michael (guitar/vocals) and Art Quanstrom (drums), have kept their creative flow going and have released a new EP titled, Intravenous Flow.

Intravenous Flow is quite the perfect title for this release. Clocking in at just about twenty five minutes, the way this EP plays out really feels more like an album. The title track, “Intravenous Flow” starts things off and truly does have quite the flow. The delicate nature of the guitar creates a warm texture against the ambient cymbals and drums, while the vocals float on top. In a way there’s a post punk tinge to go along with the doom riffs and thunder drums. “Hollowed” is quite possibly my favorite song by The Owling. There’s a really cool almost Neurosis vibe to this song and it’s one of those really great slow burn songs. And then comes the cover song you didn’t know you needed, Ozzy Osbourne’s “Mama I’m Coming Home.” I quite enjoy this version. The way it pays homage to the original but, sways more into Sabbath territory is treat. Closing out this record is an acoustic version of “Intravenous Flow,” And what I said prior still stands, this one truly is THE delicate one.

I haven’t had the chance to see The Owling live yet but, I sure will soon. These songs live are going to be huge! The Owling aren’t just the a typical doom/insert other genre here band. When you listen you hear substance and depth. Something that is truly missing from so much rock music these days. Take your time with this record and really listen.

The Owling Online HERE

BY: Brian Lacy

The Owling- Intravenous Flow:

The Owling- You Don’t Bow You Will Learn:

BAND OF THE WEEK: MADAM BOMBS

About 5 years ago, I came across a very young band that caught my attention. At the time this young band played mostly covers with one or two originals but, you could tell there was more to these youngsters. Their live show at the time was what really struck me watching these kids play with such passion. Allow me to introduce you to the Madam Bombs!

Madam Bombs are a three piece rock band that mixes punk, garage rock, and tinges of metal and alternative. The influences and inspiration for these ladies is endless and it shines through their songs. Their fearless energy permeates through each member of the band. Songs like “Get Me Out,” “Girl With A Fuse” and “Melt” are a few of my favorites. There’s depth and substance within their songs and a catchiness that is infectious.

Guitarist/Vocalist Claire FitzGerald, has really come into her own. Her confidence as a singer is strong and her guitar playing is oh so sweet. Drummer/vocalist Samara Ellis, plays with power and passion and hits those drums with thunder. Their song “Spiral” really shows what a skilled drummer she is. Bassist/vocalist Jaden Cordova, ties it all together with the low end in a way that hits the right rhythm balance. All three share vocals and in unison sounds lively and fun.

Madam Bombs are one of the most fun young bands out there. Their progression over the last few years is astounding. Personally I can’t wait to hear what’s next. The sound of the future is in the youth of today and the Madam Bombs are one of those bands that will have you on your feet rooting for them! In fact, come see Madam Bombs on Saturday April 18 at The Cobalt Presents / Audioeclectica Show at Corbin Bowl! You will be sad if you miss it!

By: Brian Lacy

Madam Bombs Online:

https://www.madambombs.com/

Madam Bombs Music:

Girl With A Fuse EP:

Spiral:

Get Me Out:

Compliment:

BAND OF THE WEEK: AYVA

Last year while booking a show for a Cobalt Presents event, I came across a young artist that really caught my attention. When she and her band played that night, I knew this was more than just a young kid playing music. This was the real deal and there was so much more to it. Let me introduce you to AYVA. At only 17 years old, Ayva is ready to kick down the doors and rock your socks off. Armed with her PRS guitar and a deceptive voice, the moment Ayva starts rocking you can feel it. The songs are one hundred percent original and all hers. You know the saying big things come in small packages? Well that’s Ayva for sure! Mixing hard rock, alternative, punk and a bit of 70’s glam (a la T Rex or Iggy Pop solo), you get a heavy melodic sound with vocals that hit emotional cue inside as you listen. Her debut album, The Monster, is one hell of a record. Like I said, Ayva is only 17 and to write the songs she has it just shows the passion and dedication to the craft. At a time when the EP has become a standard for young bands, Ayva’s debut album is 12 songs of really great modern melodic hard rock. It’s funny, kids these days have quite the keen sense for music people like myself grew up on, and Ayva really picks great inspiration to guide her. Her latest single “Tearing Apart” is a slab of alternative rock with a heavy edge. I’m quite excited to see and hear what the future hold for Ayva. You can see Ayva Live at The Cobalt Presents/Audioeclectica’s March Showcase at Hotel Ziggy (Hollywood) on Saturday March 28th! Enjoy!

By: Brian Lacy

Ayva- Tearing Apart:

Ayva- The Monster:

AYVA ONLINE:

https://ayvamusicofficial.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ayvamusicofficial

https://www.facebook.com/ayvamusicofficial

BAND OF THE WEEK: SAPIENT SCAR

Melodic heavy music is one of my favorite things to listen to. There is something about having heavy music and with vocals that you can hear and feel. That feeling you get listening to a band that has all the right parts is quite warming. That being said let me introduce you to the band of the week, Sapient Scar. This Los Angeles based five piece band is unapologetically coming for you. While they might not be reinventing the wheel here, Sapient Scar is pure raw energy mixed with an aggressive yet melodic sound. Fronted by VK Lynne (Vita Nova, stOrk, The Spider Accomplice), whose powerhouse vocals announce their arrival, Sapient Scar brings together an impressive lineup: Founder David Ruiz (Edge of Paradise) on guitar, John Chominsky (Edge of Paradise, SYNN, Final Gravity) on drums, Allie Kay (The Violent Hour, Jason Charles Miller (exGodhead), Herway to Hell) on guitar, and Brendan Flavin holding down the low end on bass. The sum of these parts has released two songs “Weak Is The Weapon” and “Pay Forever” both are hooky, heavy and hit that melodic aspect oh so well. I’m very much looking forward to what else is to come from Sapient Scar. You can also see them live at The Cobalt Presents/Audioeclectica show at Hotel Ziggy in Hollywood on Saturday February 28th! See you there and enjoy Sapient Scar!

By: Brian Lacy

Weak Is The Weapon:

Pay Forever:

SAPIENT SCAR ONLINE:

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YouTube

Instagram

BAND OF THE WEEK: HELD.

Held. are here and they are not about to loosen their grip! This new band on the scene that has caught my attention and I’m quite excited to share this with you all. Held. is made up of Douglas Robinson (vocals/guitars) who you know from The Sleeping and formerly of Night Verses, Sal Mignaro (bass) from The Sleeping and Josh Eppard (drums) of Coheed and Cambria. The band’s debut album “GREY” is headed for a May 15th release through MNRK Heavy. Their debut single/video for “New You Anthem” is as infectious as it is direct. The melodic nature balances quite well with the post-hardcore approach throughout. I have to say too its very cool to hear Douglas’s vocals like this again. I really enjoyed the Night Verses albums he was on and was disappointed when he left the band. But that was then and Held. is Now! Another fun and cool thing about “New You Anthem” it features My Chemical Romance’s Frank Iero on vocals as well. Frank adds another layer to this already great song. The voices of Douglas and Frank compliment each other very well. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how damn good Sal and Josh are as a rhythm section. I already knew Josh was a great drummer but, this just proves he’s damn good! Mark your calendars for May 15th and the release of Held.’s debut album, Grey!

Held.- New You Anthem:

HELD ONLINE:

▲ VINYL/MUSIC/MERCH + PRE-ORDER: https://held.ffm.to/grey

▲ Subscribe on YouTube:    / @held.sounds  

▲ Follow Held. Instagram:   / heldsounds  

By: Brian Lacy

BAND OF THE WEEK: COUNTERWAVES

As a rabid music fan, I’m always intrigued by bands that mix genres. Sometimes the end result makes for quite the musical fusion. One band that I’ve had my ears and eyes on for a minute is, Counterwaves. Counterwaves is a two piece rock band from Southern California that mixes 90’s alternative/grunge with shoegaze. So in a way I suppose you could call them alternagaze or grungegaze? I do like alternagaze so I’m gonna go with that. Counterwaves music has a sense of optimism and positivity throughout which makes the more cinematic moments really shine through. I’m quite looking forward to what else Counterwaves is working on as I’ve been really enjoying the 4 songs released so far. Be sure to catch Counterwaves when they play The Cobalt Presents/Audioeclectica show on Saturday February 07, 2026 at Bar10 At Corbin Bowl!

Counterwaves Online: https://www.instagram.com/counterwavesla/

Top Of The World:

Blurry Faces:

If Only:

Second Skin:

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: THE OWLING- YOU DON’T BOW YOU WILL LEARN

I love albums that you can put on and let them just take you on a ride. Then there is that feeling you get when that right chord, melody or rhythm strikes. Also, it’s really refreshing to hear a band make an actual “album” and not just a collection of songs! Let me introduce you to, The Owling! This two piece Los Angeles based band is fast becoming a favorite of mine. Their sound is the perfect mix of 90’s Rock, Doom and Sludge with a very cinematic/poetic approach. The Owling’s debut album, You Don’t Bow You Will Learn, is a of righteous slab of riffs, and driving rhythms with vocals that soar. Think about driving down an open desert highway at sunset or sunrise with the windows down and this album blasting. Are you there yet? That’s exactly how this album feels. With each listen you find a different song to be your favorite. One other aspect about You Don’t Bow You Will Learn that I really enjoy is the use of space/ambience. When you listen, at certain moments, it’s almost like the fog machine is on and you get lost in the epic nature of the song. I very much look forward to what 2026 will bring for The Owling! Check out this band and be sure to buy a copy of their debut album and see them live! Also, quick shout out to Dean Karr for his badassery of great photo’s of the band and album cover. Talk about nailing an essence in a photo!

The Owling- You Don’t Bow You Will Learn:

BAND OF THE WEEK: MINOR STRUT
2025

For the last few years as a part of The Cobalt Presents and putting on shows around the Los Angeles area, I have come across a lot of bands. There are a few that have really left a lasting impression on me. It’s pretty awesome to have booked a band almost 5 years ago and be able to watch them become an absolute powerhouse of a band. With that in mind I’d like to present the band of the week, Minor Strut.

The band formed in 2014 and have been a consistent presence throughout the LA scene since. Over time, the band has worked hard to develop their sound and style and have really grown into great musicians and performers. Their alternative rock sound has roots in the 90’s and early 00’s sound via bands like Paramore, Radiohead, Incubus, Muse and more. I’d even throw the Pixies in that batch. Coryn Cahill (vocals), Ethan Nguyen (guitar), Marquis Miranda (bass), Aiden Kunhardt (drums), and Dylan Warner (rythm guitar) have become a young band to watch out for! Keep your eyes and ears open for what’s to come

Gotta Tell You:

https://youtu.be/wFwm8DG9xwE?si=oFL03-LcWAMZjk1m

OK 01:

https://youtu.be/ZYr3jkAyylo?si=2Ev2bAAmLWmsk8ft

Bodysnatchers (Radiohead Cover):

https://youtu.be/-aihUwrJIyM?si=E_yzTkC4-yvgVqNg

MINOR STRUT ONLINE:

http://www.minorstrut.com

https://instagram.com/minorstrut

BAND OF THE WEEK: LVX

A few days ago I heard a song that really intrigued me. I must have listened to it at least a dozen times. The song is quite a cinematic one with bits of industrial, post-punk/goth vibes and a heavy side that pulsates throughout in a myriad of of ways. The band is called LVX and the song is called “Writhe.” LVX is the brainchild of Justin Hanson and Garrett Smith. Justin was the drummer of the LA based band Lesser Key, who if you haven’t heard, check it out! “Writhe” also features guitar work by Paul D’Amour, formerly of Tool as well as Lesser Key. The title of the song is quite fitting as the whole thing unfolds. I’m very interested in what else is to come from LVX. Keep your ears and eyes open for LVX as 2026 comes!

LVX- WRITHE:

Written By: Brian Lacy

BAND OF THE WEEK: XCOMM

Part of the fun of doing Audioeclectica as well as putting together shows with The Cobalt Presents (aka The Cobalt Cafe), is finding a ton of younger bands to showcase their music. For the past few years I’ve been a part of putting together some pretty amazing shows featuring young bands. One band in particular that we’ve had the pleasure of working with has released their debut single from their upcoming debut album, and that band is called XCOMM. It’s really great to hear young kids that get and understand the music they are playing.

XCOMM is a hardcore punk band that evokes pure raw emotion into their songs and performance. Their upcoming album was produced by the legendary Ross Robinson. “Reasons” is the first single from their record and it’s a righteous slab of hardcore that harks back to the golden era of it in the 80’s. The video for “Reasons” was also directed by one of my favorite video directors/photographers, Dean Karr. XCOMM might be kids but, if they keep this going, they are going to grow up quick and become a force to be reckoned with. I’m looking forward to what’s to come!

XCOMM- Reasons:

XCOMM ONLINE:

https://www.instagram.com/xcommpunx

By: Brian Lacy