Corbin Bowl

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: 10/24/25

There’s always so much music being released these days it’s hard to keep up with it all at times. Luckily, you all have me to sort through it all and deliver the good stuff! As always, this batch of bands and albums is quite the eclectic one. This New Music Friday has all sorts of rock, metal, hardcore, electronic, and indie. Do check out all these bands and if they are playing near you, go see them and support your scene! At the end of the day there is no scene if there are no people there! Enjoy these picks and remember to always, Listen Eclectically! – Brian

01) The Anti-Groupies- Pretty Vicious:
The Anti-Groupies are the real deal! I’ve been a fan for quite a bit now and it’s been a blast to watch their growth not just as a live band but as songwriters. Their debut album, Pretty Vicious, is out now and it’s a righteous slab of rock. It’s got the attitude and charisma of the 90’s, a fun playfulness that has a late 70’s early 80’s glam/punk rock vibe a la Blondie and Joan Jett and a style that is bombastic. The Anti-Groupies are one of those bands that will kick you in the teeth when you see them. The fun aspect of seeing this band is there along with the feeling of wanting to mosh. Give Pretty Vicious a spin!! And on November 15 come out to The Cobalt Presents show at Bar10 at Corbin Bowl and see The Anti-Groupies live for the Highwire Daze Magazine 35th Anniversary Show!


02) Au Jus- Very Well, Then:
I find myself at times being quite intrigued with what the kids are doing musically these days. It’s been fun to watch a new generation of kids get into the things I grew up on. Sometimes there are a few bands that can capture a certain artsy essence of that time. With that in mind, let me introduce you to Au Jus and their album, Very Well, Then. This album is very much in the 90’s alternative vein with that introspective touch to it. It’s got a sort of The Smashing Pumpkins vibe mixed with Blind Melon. So it’s sort of whimsical and spacey with some sprinkles of psychedelia and shoegaze. Give Very Well, Then a spin and see where it takes you! You can catch Au Jus live Saturday October 25 at The Cobalt Presents Show at Hotel Ziggy!!


03) The Barbarians Of California- Pseudo Intellectuals Are Hating On My Band (Pure Power):
Ever since I heard The Barbarians Of California I’ve been hooked. It’s been great to hear Aaron Bruno back in the hardcore realm of things. I grew up in the same area as Aaron and watching his old band Insurgence along with a slew of others like Counterveil, Homemade and others was a blast. So it’s been really fun and a bit nostalgic to have this band around. The Barbarians released a new song recently that also features Keith Buckley of Many Eyes/ex Every Time I Die. This is just one of those really fun sing along hardcore songs. It’s infectious! That’s the word I was trying to come up with. Enjoy this one!!


04) God Alone- The Beep Test:
I love when I get sent things that I have zero about and I just put it on and then it’s game on! That’s what happened when I checked out Cork, Ireland’s, God Alone and their album, The Beep Test. It’s this crazy amalgamation of math rock, hardcore, punk, electronics and dance. I know, what? But seriously it all works quite well. The experimental nature of the album leaves you really wanting to delve into it more and more. There is so much to unpack in a glorious way, like opening presents on your birthday. I don’t want to say too much of it will give away the fun. Just put this album on and dance your feet off!


05) Jet Black Iris- How Sweet Is The Taste Of Your Infection?:
A while back a band hit me up about playing a show with The Cobalt Presents. As I always do, I checked out the band and could definitely hear something I liked. So I booked them and DAMN! Jet Black Iris really captured my attention. Firstly, the sound of the band is chock full of things I love. There’s the 90’s quiet/loud vibe but more so in the Failure way, then you add in a really cool Post-Punk element a la Joy Division as well as Interpol (mainly their first 2 albums), and then a punk vibe that sits in that metallic/melodic spot. Put all that together and you really do have one hell of a sound and Jet Black Iris definitely takes flight! Their debut album, How Sweet Is The Taste Of Your Infection?, is ten songs of pure passion poured out onto tape (well the computer these days). Jet Black Iris has fast become one of my favorite new bands. Come see them live Saturday October 25 at The Cobalt Presents Show at Hotel Ziggy!!


06) Motherless- Do You Feel Safe?:
More often than not, I’m usually in a heavy music mood. Depending on my mood depends on the level of heavy. The other day I wanted something that was HARD! So I went through my list of things to check out and put on the album Do You Feel Safe? by Motherless. After listening the eight song album, I knew I found what I was looking for and I put it on again. Punishing! That’s what this album is. It’s Metal, its got Hardcore sprinkled all over as well as dashes of Black Metal, Sludge and Doom! Motherless features members of The Atlas Moth (if you haven’t heard their album Coma Noir, you really should) and Without Waves. This album is quite intense and like I said, punishing (in the best way possible)!


07) Puscifer- Self Evident:
I’ll admit, I haven’t been the biggest fan of Puscifer. There are songs I do like a lot but, for some reason it jus wasn’t connecting with me. Then a few months ago, I sat down to do some other work and put all the Puscifer albums on and found myself enjoying it a lot more than before. So when the news came out the other day that after five years, come February 6, 2026 via Alchemy Recordings, we will get a new Puscifer album called, Normal Isn’t. This new album is supposed to align more with the Post-Punk/Goth side of the bands collective influences. The first single “Self Evident” is just that, it’s dipped and swirled in post-punk. I’m sure Beavis and Butthead would be happy with one of the lyrics too!


08) Trace Amount Featuring Fatboi Sharif- Seeing God On The L Train:
Over the past few years, I’ve been interested in where all the electronic music is going. There are so many sub-genres to it now that it almost seems made up. There are certain ones though that I’ve taken a liking too. The apocalyptic/atmospheric soundscapes with what seems like post-industrial beats has caught my ear. One artist that I’ve really enjoyed that does this style is Trace Amount (aka Brandon Gallagher). I got to see Trace Amount a few years ago open for Greg Puciato’s solo tour and Brandon’s set was one of those that set a tone sort of foreshadowed the craziness of the night. This new track though is pretty rad in that the sparce sound accompanied by the vocal deliver of Fatboi Sharif makes this a trippy song!

BEST OF 2025…SO FAR

We are coming up to the halfway point of 2025 and I thought now would be a good time to do a Best Of 2025… So Far. In here you’ll find what I think are the best albums released so far as well as the best concerts I’ve seen all year!

Best Albums Of 2025… So Far: ALBUMS!!!!

01) Idle Heirs- Life Is Violence
This album is my absolute favorite of the year so far and I don’t think anything is going to over take it unless Nine Inch Nails puts out their new album this year. I love this album and everything it entails. The sheer rawness and atmospheric nature of it all as well as the devastating nature of it and how real it all comes to life.




02) Linkin Park- From Zero (Deluxe Edition)
From Zero is already a great album. It’s not the best thing this band has ever done (Meteora and A Thousand Suns take that prize) but, this album is phenomenal. And I’m being absolutely serious. When it came out towards the end of 2024 it left a lasting impression on me and now with the 3 additional songs added, it just takes it to a whole other level. It’s criminal how good this album is!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qr6-55oCrM&list=PLlqZM4covn1HF92FlF7W5nUI_Ixh2m3Rk

03) Guiltless- Teeth To Sky
This album is another that is still in rotation and I keep finding more and more to love about this record. As I mentioned in my album of the week feature, having a band play music like this but, flipping the script and making it optimistic instead of straight doom and gloom, really puts this album up high.



04) Spiritbox- Tsunami Sea
I’ve quite enjoyed this album. It’s a really well put together album with some really killer songs on it. It’s a really solid second album as well that is quite cohesive. I just recently went to see Spiritbox live and they are a really good live band and these songs definitely go harder than on album as one would expect. It’s going to be interesting to see and hear where they go next.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mfdx_C0pR6XdVKoGGoXHVRdQlvEVtjw0c

05) Coheed And Cambria- Vaxis III: The Father Of Make Believe
Coheed is back!!! Not that they went away, I mean it more in that after the past two albums which felt kind of long and more of a collection of songs, they are back with an “album” that really kicks ass. If you are a fan of albums such as In Keeping Secrets and Good Apollo Part IV, then you’ll really dig this one. It’s a really good album that has a great flow to it. And there also feels like a renewed sense of the band on this one too as the performances really are kicked up a few notches!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSckI-66MsI&list=OLAK5uy_kYxvSUMUzqSpw6MFitvmIBeXjFosoWKzI

06) Youth Code- Yours, With Malice
I’ve been a Youth Code fan for quite some time so, when it came time for this record to arrive, I was pretty stoked and it’s a banger! Though only an EP, Yours, With Malice doesn’t lose a beat with the punishing and menacing beats pulsating along with vocals that reflect the trying times and harsh reality of it all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soBBf9p6ihs&list=PLH22-xSMERQqIMClz-_xiQWZZ9yx0Kx1K

07) Tonguecutter- Minnow
When I first heard Tonguecutter’s Minnow, I thought I was in a time machine back to 1993 in a great way. This band and album have been a really cool surprise to hear in 2025. They make music that I’ve always loved and give it a bump in energy. Really look forward to more from Tonguecutter. They are one of those bands if the right people hear it will really resonate!



08) Black Map- Hex
I’ve been a fan since the first single dropped and Black Map keeps getting better! Hex is one hell of an album. It’s short, concise and very direct in its approach. Throughout the 9 songs and 32 minutes, you are taken on a ride of great riffs and rhythms along with soaring melodic vocals. I keep finding myself listening to this album as whole more so than picking songs. Give this one a good spin!!

09) SOM- Let The Light In
I remember seeing SOM open for Holy Fawn a couple years back and I was hooked from that point. Their new album, Let The Light In, is a tremendous album that really expands upon their already epic nature. I find myself listening to this a lot when I need something a bit more calming or relaxing as their post-metal sound reaches new heights.

10) Machinekit- Goddamn Vanity
This LA techno-punk band is awesome! The new album, Goddamn Vanity, strikes quite hard. It’s abrasive and quite powerful. The way this album gut punches you is superb. The aggressive nature of this album is harks back to late 80’s Ministry and Broken era Nine Inch Nails. Also, their live show is one of the most fun and energetic shows you can see!

BEST CONCERTS OF 2025… SO FAR:

01) Poison The Well, Glassjaw, Better Lovers at Hollywood Palladium
02) Snot at SoHo Santa Barabara
03) Helmet and Slomosa at The Regent Theater
04) Jerry Cantrell and Filter at Ventura Theater
05) Danzig and Down at Forum
06) Meshuggah, Cannibal Corpse & Carcass at Forum
07) Deftones at Forum
08) Spiritbox at Hollywood Palladium
09) Kerry King at Fonda Theater
10) All Cobalt/Audioeclectica shows!

SHOWS: The Cobalt Presents at Corbin Bowl: 2/25/23

THIS SATURDAY AT CORBIN BOWL IN TARZANA (SAN FERNANDO VALLEY), THE COBALT PRESENTS IS PUTTING ON A REALLY FUN ROCK SHOW! YOU SHOULD BE THERE! IT’S ONLY $10 AT THE DOOR AND IT’S ALL AGES. THE LINEUP FEATURES THE BANDS BELOW! CHECK THEM OUT AND COME OUT TO THE SHOW!

01) ARC ANGLES: This band is one of the very first bands I ever wrote about on Audioeclectica. Once upon a time they were called And We Are Them and now they have evolved into Arc Angles. Seriously, this band is badass. It’s got a little bit of everything I love from a plethora of genres from post-hardcore, alternative rock, noise/math rock and then some. As a three piece band, these guys pack one hell of a punch. Their new EP, Daisy, is impactful not just as a piece of music but, lyrically as well. It’s one of the first things I listened to in 2023 and it’s still in rotation constantly! Be sure to check this band out!


02) This Is A Train Wreck– “To The Sky Above” and “My Heart Is Trying To Kill Me.” This Is A Train Wreck is a really fun band. They put on a solid good show while at the same time know how to have a fun time. These two songs of theirs are recently released and will be a part of their upcoming EP to be released in April/May. In a time where things are so serious, it’s great to have a band like This Is A Train Wreck to come in and just bring a good time with what they do. Come see why I recommend them!

“My Heat Is Trying To Kill Me”

“To The Sky Above”

03) War Tomorrow: Last month at The Cobalt Presents show at Corbin Bowl, we had this group of teenagers come in and play and they absolutely rocked the place. So much so that we had to have them back again. These kids played with an intensity and passion that I would dare a lot of bands to show up and play with. Their style of punk/metal/rock makes for one hell of a sonic explosion. As I mentioned about War Tomorrow before, they have the songs and show that the Cobalt was built on. Look forward to seeing them more!

War Tomorrow- Waste Of Space EP:

04) Loather: Last year I heard about Loather and after first listen, I was in. It’s a mix of metal, hardcore, djent and a dash of punk. They are back with a new lineup that looks to take the heavy even further than before. There’s something to be said about a band injecting fresh blood into its veins and Loather are definitely a fine example of what can happen with the right ingridients!




05) Bone Maggot: Bone Maggot is one of those bands that sounds as loud and heavy as their name. Mixing different genres of metal (groove, death, grind, thrash, etc), Bone Maggot delivers a brutal approach to the heavy. It’s going to be quite fun to watch this band throw down the heavy at Corbin!


06) Hologram Empire: These youngsters have taken their love of 90’s and early 00’s rock and put together a band that is fun and a bit nostalgic. It’s enjoyable and quite nice to have a band fall in love with a genre/style and work to evolve within that sound. They are kicking off the night at Corbin Bowl and it will sure be a fun one!

Live Review: Cobalt Night at Corbin Bowl 1/20/23

Growing up in Southern California, especially in the surrounding Los Angeles area, there has always been venues with storied histories. For example the famous Sunset Strip and The Whisky A Go-Go, Roxy, Viper Room and Rainbow. There was also a venue in the San Fernando Valley that had a very storied history as well. So many bands that you love today got their start, honed their craft and rocked the stage at the famous Cobalt Cafe. For years The Cobalt Cafe would become a sort of right of passage when being in a band no matter how big or small. It was an all ages venue that put on shows every night and provided a place for everyone to enjoy live music no matter the genre. However in, 2014 the Cobalt closed due but, in July of 2021 the Cobalt returned in a new fashion and a reignited fire to give up and coming bands a place to play. The Cobalt Presents now does shows on a constant basis around the LA area (Corbin Bowl, Hotel Ziggy, The Last Call, The Whisky A Go Go, Transplants Brewing and more) bringing in great bands and putting on superb shows.

The other night was no exception as The Cobalt kicked off 2023 with one hell of a bang at Corbin Bowl. The night was eclectic and featured varied bands from ska/punk, punk, skate punk, doom metal, thrash metal, and pop punk. The whole night and band after band was exceptional. The flow of the styles of the bands made it even more fun as the energy level kept rising with each band that took the stage. The place was packed and the familiar faces from back in the days of the old Cobalt were there as well, making it all come full circle.

Pages: 1 2

Live Review: The Cobalt Cafe 31st Anniversary
The Cobalt Cafe 30th Anniversary Part II | The Federal NoHo, North Hollywood, CA | September 11, 2021

If you are like me and grew up in Southern California, there is a good chance you might have stopped by the legendary Cobalt Cafe at some point to see a show. For those of you that don’t know, The Cobalt Cafe was a little club in the San Fernando Valley and was around for over 20 years. It was an all ages venue and it was a staple in the area not just for bands to get a placeto play but many of your favorites over the years got their start on that stage like Incubus, Hoobastank, Jimmy Eat World, A.F.I., Linkin Park and Avenged Sevenfold to name a few. The Cobalt is back in a whole new way and bringing the fun vibes from back in the day to today!


The 31st Anniversary was a two day event that featured bands from The Cobalt’s past as well as up and coming new bands as well as a couple new bands featuring members that have played at The Cobalt in its heyday. Night one took place at Corbin Bowl and featured the bands Speed Of Light, The Moon Rocks, The Scuba Kids, and Angelo Moore aka Dr. Madd Vibe of Fishbone. Kicking off the night was up and comers Speed Of Light. This three piece band made up of siblings are ferocious and killer. Not only did they get the energy and crowd going, their set reminded me of being back at The Cobalt and discovering a great new band for the first time. Their hard charging punk rock energy definitely set the tone and made everyone in the venue look up and pay attention. Be on the look out for this band! Next up was Dr. Madd Vibe and his saxophone and introspective poetry. Listening to Angelo speak was very interesting. When you consider where the world is at today and you hear the words he was saying, you could definitely take something away from what was said and apply it to society today. Following that was The Scuba Kids. Their infectous ska/punk set was an absolute blast to watch. This was also the bands first show in over 6 years and it’s like they never lost a beat. I will admit I’m not much of a ska guy but, I do love a good ska show as fun as their set was. The Scuba Kids were one of the bands from back in the old school Cobalt days and they really made it a fun step back in time. Closing out the night was The Moon Rocks. Just like Speed Of Light, be on the look out for this band when they are playing shows. Not only do they rock but they absolutely kill! There’s a real sense of urgency and passion in the songs and performances of the three members of The Moon Rocks. They are one of the best bands in the Los Angeles area and it shows! What a great first night to kick things off!

Night two was just as fun if not more than night one. Just like on night one, this night was filled with bands from the past and present of The Cobalt featuring the reunion of Lava Diva, Centershift, Seven 40 Seven, Madam Bombs and Powder Pink and Sweet. The Federal in North Hollywood was on fire as every band that played brought the goods and slayed! First up for the night was dream pop/shoegaze band Powder Pink and Sweet. Their charming set got the night started off tremendously. Their songs have a very awesome 90’s alternative vibe mixed with a bit of an 80’s goth tinge a la Siouxie and The Banshees or The Cure. Next up was the explosive and electric Madam Bombs. These girls absolutely kick ass. Playing as a three piece this evening they took no prisoners and left the audience in awe. Their set was mixed with originals (which are killer) and covers that they have made their own including a cover of The Rolling Stone’s “Paint It Black,” which is now the only way I can listen to that song now. As I mentioned above about Speed Of Light and The Moon Rocks, Madam Bombs need to be on your radar as well!! Following the Madam Bombs is no easy task but, fellow Cobalt alumni Seven 40 Seven brought their rock to the stage and did just that rocked it! If you are looking for a really fun and good time rock band to see, Seven 40 Seven is that band for you. It was a pleasure to watch these guys love what they do on stage and it shows. Next up was a quick set by Dr. Madd Vibe and he delivered an inquisitive set as he set the table for Centershift to take the stage. My homies in Centershift just released their new single and video for their song “My Own World.” Check it out when you get a moment! It’s worth noting that Centershift singer/guitarist Jasan Radford (formerly of Onesidezero/Abloom) is also a Cobalt alum as he was instrumental in starting one of the first open mic nights at The Cobalt. Playing songs from their upcoming debut album, Centershift’s brand of melodic rock mixed with a bit of a post hardcore vibe makes for one hell of a fun set. Closing out the night was Lava Diva. If you don’t know, Lava Diva was a trio from about 1992 to 2002. The band is/was made up of Dawn Frinta on guitar/vocals, Johnny-G (Gianna Sabella) on bass and on drums/percussion was Greg Bernath. It’s been a minute since the three of them have been on stage together and it’s like they never left. Without missing a beat they tore threw their set as though it was back in the bands heyday, complete with the crowd not leaving and demanding one more song at the end.

What a great celebration for The Cobalt Cafe and its legacy. As I mentioned, The Cobalt is back in a whole new way. Instead of having a set venue, Cobalt nights are coming to venues all across Southern California. Every person that attended these shows left with a smile on their face and some new Cobalt memories. Bringing together the new and older generations at shows like this is truly awesome. It’s a bit like passing the torch to the new school in a total good way. Do yourself a favor and check out all the bands that played and make a point to come out to the next Cobalt show (Friday February 4th at Corbin Bowl)!!!