The Cobalt Cafe

New Release: Cowboy Destroy- Keeps The Candy Tight

Cowboy Destroy is a band I’ve liked for quite a while now. They have this really cool garage rock meets indie rock that gives a great rockin vibe. I’ve had the pleasure of booking Cowboy Destroy a few times for Cobalt shows and they deliver not just rockin good tunes but a great show as well. There is a recklessness to their live show and their songs emit a volume that would indeed have your neighbors knocking on the garage door to turn down. As 2025 gets started, Cowboy Destroy have a new jam out called “Keeps The Candy Tight.” This song has a cool lo-fi garage sound with a great psych rock edge. Do yourself a favor and check out this song and come see Cowboy Destroy live THIS SATURDAY at the Audioeclectica and The Cobalt Presents show at Hotel Ziggy in Hollywood!

Cowboy Destroy- Keeps The Candy Tight:

SHOW PREVIEW: AUDIOECLECTICA’S 2024 BIRTHDAY BASH at HOTEL ZIGGY

This week I will be celebrating my birthday. I’m not much for big celebrations anymore but, I do love a good rock show! So with that in mind, come out Saturday Night on May 4th (Yes, May The Fourth Be With You), to Hotel Ziggy on Sunset Blvd and join in the fun of celebrating my birthday with 5 hand picked bands by yours truly. This eclectic lineup will be a rocking good time! Be sure to be there. Doors open at 7:30 pm. Tickets are only $10 and the show is ALL AGES!!!

Bands Playing:

Roving: This band is rad. They are a superb alternative rock band with space rock and shoegaze tendencies. Their first full length album, Spindrift arrives soon. The album was produced and recorded by Alex Estrada (Iress, Touche Amore, etc). I’ve been keeping an eye on this band for a bit and am stoked to have them ignite the night and get the rock a rollin!

The Anti-Groupies: These ladies are one of the best up and coming bands in all of So Cal. They have the right attitude and kick ass songs to back it all up. Their live show is one that you keep wanting to watch not just cause they are awesome players but, the way they command an audiences attention is quite compelling. Their latest single/video “Read The Room” is chock full of attitude, killer riffs and a catchiness that keeps you coming back. The Anti-Groupies are currently working on their debut album, to be released later this year.

Band Of The Week: The Anti-Groupies

Centershift: The homies/family. Been with these gents since day one and they are only getting better. The new album that Centershift is working on shows more than just the evolution of the band. There were no boundaries as to where their songwriting went and the new songs they will be playing live will definitely up the ante for the evening. Be on the lookout for the next Centershift single and album to come out soon!



Futurelust: I’m still loving this band. Ever since I booked them a couple months back, I’ve wanted to have them back and what a perfect night to do so! Futurelust is a rock band through and through with a 70’s edge mixed with 90’s alternative rock and even a bit of a post-punk/pseudo goth tinge. I look forward to what’s to come with this band. Futurelust is a great live band that emits an energy that is quite compelling.

Band Of The Week: Futurelust

The Cursed Machine: This wild and fun band brings a ton of energy to the stage. I’ve been wanting to book them on a night that has a great party vibe and what a perfect night. The Cursed Machine has a bit of a garage rock meets punk rock style that fits their personalities so well.

New Release: Speed Of Light- Teeth

I’m really stoked on this. One of the best up and coming bands in Southern California, Speed Of Light, have released a brand new song entitled, “Teeth” and it packs one hell of a rocking punch. Having had the pleasure of booking them many times over the past couple years for The Cobalt Presents shows, we’ve been able to watch and see how far this band has come and it’s quite awesome to see it all evolve into this. The band is formed by brothers and sister Cameron (guitar/vocals, Tyler (drums/vocals and Riley (vocals/bass) and as a three piece, they are one hell of a force. Their live shows are full of raw energy and at times quite volatile in a really fun way. One of my favorite things about Speed Of Light is that they are original and genuine. There’s no fluff or backing tracks or any of the modern played out crap to what they do. It’s pure and real and a bit dangerous just as rock music should be. Their new single “Teeth” cuts like a sharp razor and rocks with the best of them. Speed Of Light will be on tour with Bad Religion starting September 27th through October 29th. I highly recommend you getting to the show early to check them out if you are going to the show! Congratulations to Riley, Tyler and Cameron on a fantastic new song and for what the future holds! Go out there and kill!!!


Speed Of Light- Teeth:

Speed Of Light Online:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/speedofligh...

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@speedoflightb...

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/speedoflight…

Home – https://speedoflightband.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3cNtv...

BY: Brian Lacy

Live Review: Will Haven at Knitting Factory NoHo

There are some bands that have a certain aura about them that when they play live. It’s almost as though there is a cosmic shift that delivers an amount of energy that permeates through each person on stage and then into the audience. One such band that has this is the mighty Will Haven. Their most recent tour stop in Los Angeles (well technically North Hollywood) was a prime example of this aura taking over and infecting the crowd.

Opening the night was Arc Angles. If you haven’t heard Arc Angles, you should fix that. This three piece is a band that is explosive, creative and methodical in what they do. Not only did they set the tone for the evening, they sure made it a hard act to follow with their high energy set that showcased songs from their debut album Apocalisp and their most recent EP, Daisy. Having seen Arc Angles a few times and written about them a bunch, it’s been a pleasure to see how they keep pushing themselves to evolve and write songs that are both catchy yet slap you in the face.

Next up was Stronger Than Machines. These guys are one hell of a force to be reckoned with. If Arc Angles set the tone, Stronger Than Machines then raised the bar even more. Their metal-core style fit perfectly for the evening. Another band with a ton of energy that flowed right into the audience. One of the things I really like most about this band is their want to play hard and deliver a show that not only is true to them but also really gets the audience involved. Having a bit of a melodic tinge to their songs shows the dynamic range that they are capable of and they are only just getting started.

Right in the middle was Curse. These guys brought the rock to the night and in a way gave a bit of breathing room of all the heaviness happening. Their set was fun and energetic. Armed with catchy hooks and melodic touches, Curse was definitely not cursed this evening.

Before Will Haven was the Venice legends, Cycotic Youth. They brought a punk rock energy to the night that opened up the pit a bit and started to get the frenzy going. Rocking songs from their first album in many years, Cycotic Youth tore through song after song, and even had a little time for some stories about the early days of the band. They brought the audience to a level that was hungry for Will Haven, which was quite perfect.

Now, Will Haven took things to a whole other level of heavy. Celebrating their now 20 year old classic album, Carpe Diem, Will Haven ripped and tore North Hollywood a new one with their no holds barred performance. That aura I was speaking about at the beginning of this review was all over the stage and then filtered to the audience. With each song, the crowd got more and more into the show. Will Haven kept delivering killer riffs, rhythms and vocals that could be felt throughout the whole building. I’ll never forget hearing Carpe Diem for the first time. It’s one of those albums that when you hear it, it immediately inspires you to want to go make heavy music. Will Haven are one of the best to do this style of heavy music. So much so that when you hear a band imitate it, it makes you want to just go listen to Will Haven. After they ran through Carpe with brilliance, it was time for a couple new songs from their exquisite new album, VII. These new songs and album are one of the best of 2023. Here’s a crazy thought too, Carpe Diem was released 20 years ago and it left a mark on heavy music, and now 20 years after that, Will Haven has delivered another classic album with VII that will and should influence another generation of bands. What a great set Will Haven put on. One of those that I will definitely remember for many years to come.

One last note about the night, this was a pleasure to help put on and curate. Working with The Cobalt Presents (aka The Cobalt Cafe) and The Radford Media Group on putting shows together has been a blast. I highly urge you to come check out what we have coming up. We have been putting shows on for the past 2 years and it’s only getting better!

ARC ANGLES LIVE:

STRONGER THAN MACHINES LIVE:
WILL HAVEN LIVE:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CwmVH7eo3NA/?hl=en

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.

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SHOW TONIGHT at THE FEDERAL NoHo

Tonight at The Federal (UPSTAIRS) in North Hollywood, The Cobalt Presents in association with Audioeclectica and The Radford Media Group bring you an eclectic night of alternative and rock bands. The doors open at 7pm followed by Bantamweight, Jordi, Darkroads, The Baby Goats and Crime Spree In Candyland. Tickets are $20 at the door and it’s ALL AGES! Full Bar and Kitchen available as well!

Check Out The Bands Below:

Bantamweight:

Jordi:

Darkroads:

The Baby Goats:

@thebabygoatsmusic

Drag you down with me” #thebabygoats #livemusic #losangeles

♬ original sound – The Baby Goats

Crime Spree In Candyland:

Live Review: Audioeclectica’s Birthday Bash

Finding the right words to describe this show has been quite difficult. I could sit with a thesaurus for hours and think of different adjectives and descriptive words but instead I’m just gonna go with the night was FUCKING AWESOME! Everything about it from the venue, the bands, the people in attendance and the overall vibe was something truly memorable. For those that don’t know, in the past year I’ve partnered up with Cobalt Dave from the legendary Cobalt Cafe along with my own partner Jasan Radford from our company RMG to put on live shows again. We started in July 2021 right in the heart of the pandemic and we have been killing it since. This show though, was a true labor of love for me as I handpicked each band to be a part of this night and let me tell you, there was not one ounce of disappointment!

Kicking things off and setting the tone for the night was the mighty Fact Pattern. Their industrial doom style of music created the right attitude for the night and got it all started with one hell of a bang. Performing this night as a two piece the energy radiating off the stage and into the crowd was contagious. Fact Pattern is a band that does the industrial genre justice and beyond. Singer/guitarist Ian Flux and bassist Jack Lowd delivered a sonic pummeling to get the blood pumping for everyone this evening.

Next up was Don’t Panic from Arizona. This alternative rock band just released their stunning new single/video for their song “Time Machine.” Their set was one of those that not only rocked but was visually intriguing with the lights that hit with the beats. Their songs are full of life and vigor. Singer Dylan Rowe has a voice that stands out. Her vocal range is astounding and to have the music that Jeffy, Ryan and Mundo create makes the whole package something tremendous.

Following that was my homies in Centershift. This night was not only my birthday bash but a celebration for them as they just put out their debut EP, A Different Shade. From the moment they stepped on stage, there was no stopping the guys in Centershift from giving their all. It’s been a pleasure to see the progression of this band and on this night, perhaps there was something in the air but, this is exactly how I have heard this band in my head since the inception. Songs like “Dry Well,” “9” and “Kingdoms” were stellar as well as new single “And So.” The new song they brought out for the night kicked some major ass and shows where the band is headed with their writing. Centershift is on their way to making a name for themselves and quick!

Royalty Kult was next up and the delivered their blend of melodic metal. They are one of my favorite up and coming bands in Los Angeles. Since their beginning they have been honing their craft by writing songs that really hit at your heartstrings and delve deep into your feels. Their song “Enjoying The End” with Doc Coyle of Bad Wolves/God Forbid is a banger and the new material they have been working on like the song “Peacemaker” have the hooks that will stick in your head for days. Performance wise, they kept the energy going and delivered just as I knew they would.

Closing out the night was the live debut of Alphamega. I personally couldn’t be more stoked to have them on the show. In the past couple months they have dropped 3 banging singles in “No Longer Broken,” “Annihilator,” and “Pariah” and those 3 songs were definite highlights of their set along with the very first track they ever released “Lords Of The Flies.” Alphamega has a melodic metal sensibility with a bit of a harder edge that is reminiscent of the Swedish Death Metal style of classic In Flames and Soilwork. The stage presence of singer Adam Ryan is commanding but it’s his voice that shines. Guitarist Mike Muenzer adds the perfect tone of distorted and brightness that fits the pocket as drummer Chrissy Warner sends his drums to purgatory with his hard hitting and swing.

All in all, this show was not only memorable for myself but for the scene that we are bringing back. If you were in attendance you could really sense that this was a night that brought many people together and felt like a classic show back in the heyday of live music in Los Angeles. I can’t thank every band enough for being a part of this night. You all killed it! Thank you to everyone that came, bought a ticket, and had a blast! Special thanks to my partners Dave and Jasan. Thank you guys for entrusting me to be a part of this with you and letting me put together a show that rocked! This is only the beginning, stay tuned for more!

PHOTOS COMING SOON!!!

By: Brian Lacy

SHOWS: Audioeclectica’s Birthday Bash

All week I’ve been featuring the bands that are playing TONIGHT, May 6, 2022 at The Federal in North Hollywood, CA! I couldn’t be more stoked on the lineup and how it all came together! We’ve got one hell of a ECLECTIC lineup for you featuring the debut performance of Alphamega, up and comers Royalty Kult, the EP release party for Centershift and their debut release, Don’t Panic from Arizona is coming in to celebrate their new single/video for the song “Time Machine” and Fact Pattern is here to open up a can of whoop ass with their signature industrial doom style! Don’t Miss Out On This Show! Tickets are $20 at the door!!

See you later!

Brian

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)!!!