I have been to numerous amounts of venues in the Los Angeles area. Sometimes I feel like I have been to them all. Yet, I’m still surprised when a show gets announced at a place I have never been to. I was personally invited by our fearless leader at Hunnypot, Hot Tub Johnnie, to come out and see a band that he personally promotes, The Darts. I had not heard of this band before, but if Johnnie talks highly about them, I knew I would be in for a good time. Supporting them on this show was LA based bands Speed of Light and Casa De Brujas. Along with a very special DJ set by Drew Carey. Yes, that Drew Carey. The show was at the Paramount, a venue I also have never been to. As I walked through the doors to a new venue with bands I’ve yet to experience, I knew I was in for a treat of a night as there was already a line forming with fans wearing merch from all the bands ready to rock out.

As the doors opened, and people slowly funneled in Drew Carey sat in the DJ booth spinning jams to warm up the crowd. I have been watching this man on TV since I was a kid, both on his Drew Carey show and the world famous Whose Line. His jams started with some slow grooving classics that sounded like they came from the 50s & 60s. But as the time grew closer for the first band to go on, he picked up the BPM to play some more fast-paced rock songs. Opening the night was a dark wave band Casa De Brujas. Made up of vocalist Jacqueline, guitarist Anita Dreenk, and bassist Kat Chaos. These witchy ladies were there to cast a spell on the Paramount and entice the patrons of the night. There set was tantalizing and featured a bewitching cover of Donovan’s “Season of the Witch.” Casa De Brujas cast a spell on the patrons of the Paramount who were ready for more music.

As we awaited Speed of Light to take the stage next, fans could be seen maneuvering their way to the front of the stage, making sure they were as close to the experience that was about to happen as possible. Seeing this many people jockeying for the front of the stage position normally leads me to believe the band I am about to see has something special to offer. Opening with the song “Release,” I was knocked back by the explosion of in your face dirty rock riffs and the stage presence that the band brings with them. Speed of Light consists of siblings Riley on vocals and bass, Cameron on guitar, and Tyler on drums. Riley’s rasp filled screams on vocals carries the weight of a person who is tired of being shushed their entire life and is ready to let their voice be heard. The tenacity she brings is so raw and focused, it can’t be avoided or shut out. Playing off her brother Cameron, the two are a dynamic duo with their axes, creating their own mosh pit against each other on stage as they play. Tyler brings power to Speed of Light, with his drum strikes always hitting with purpose and precisely placed emphasis. Playing a set which contains songs like “Kill the Vibe,” “Tightrope,” “Pain on a Chain,” “Shuffle,” “Frequency,” “Bleed,” “Feed,” “Chains,” “Change,” “Get Away,” “Teeth,” and ending with “Séance/That Girl.” With the final song, Riley jumped into the crowd to start a mosh pit with the fans, bouncing and bumping around the venue. Speed of Light brought stage presence, fantastic music, and a quality that most major label bands can not bring to a stadium tour. I highly recommend seeking these guys out next time they have a show anywhere.

What would you get if you mixed the vibes of 60’s psychedelic rock, with the ferocity of the Sex Pistols, and the look of Josie and the Pussycats? You would have The Darts! This four piece all female punk quartet is bringing style and panache back to the public. Lead singer and keyboardist Nicole Laurenne is a playful minx, luring fans into her grasp. Dancing and bouncing across the stage, she captivates anyone who happens to lay their eyes on her. Guitarist Dusty Rose rides the reverb of her guitar right into 60s surf rock sounds that transports the crowd out of downtown LA and to the tropical paradise of a beach party. Bassist Christina Madcap and drummer Mary Rose “Beef” Gonzales handle the low end with precision and tac, creating a groove that just boogies.  The Darts aren’t afraid to get up close and personal with their fans, with Nicole leaning over the edge of the stage singing right into fans’ faces. A little boy was also in the crowd close to the stage, and the whole band throughout the show made it a point to interact with him. Truly building a connection with their adoring fans and creating new ones in the process. Playing songs like “My Heart is a Graveyard,” “Snake Oil,” “The Cat’s Meow,” “Bullet,” “Love Tsunami,” “Love You to Death,” “Your Show,” Pour Another,” “Hang Around,” “Shit Show,” “Bring it Back,” “Pour Another,” “Intersex,” and ending with “Breakup Makeup.” With one final playful act Nicole, Dusty, and Christina created a cuddle puddle on top of the keyboard, playing into the male fantasy by drawing the fans into the show one last time.

Walking into the Paramount this night, I had no idea what to expect from this show, but I am so glad I came out. Speed of Light just came off tour as direct support for Bad Religion. These siblings are already on their way to making a name for themselves, and they created a new fan in me. The Darts were candy to both the eyes and the ears. They brought a style of music that isn’t heard in the mainstream too often, but with a modern twist to it. Smaller shows like these never cease to amaze me with the quality of bands that are out there, that have yet to hit the mainstream or big arena’s. Sometimes walking into a venue will introduce you to people and music that needs to be heard by the masses, but you discovered them first.