The Maui Sugar Mill Saloon is one of my favorite places to catch music in Los Angeles, and last night there was a bill of fantastic high-energy rock and punk music featuring Slamdinistas, The Crazy Squeeze and Electric Children.
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| Electric Children |
The music started at 9:17 p.m. with Electric Children, who opened with a short, moody number that went straight into "Reptilian Royalty," a song with a great driving force. That was followed by "Blood Red River," which featured some powerful, cool drumming. Someone in the audience called out "
Happy birthday, Chanell." She thanked him. And the next song, "Scene Of The Crime," was dedicated to Cassie Jalilie, who died several days ago. She was the drummer for Glam Skanks and The Venomous Pinks. A photo of Cassie was attached the one of the amps, with electric candles placed in front of it, in honor of the punk drummer. And speaking of drummers, the drummer for Electric Children delivered a kick-ass drum solo, having dispensed with his T-shirt, the heat of his playing keeping him warm enough, for sure. "Was It Worth It" was dedicated to Stephen Reed, who was in the audience and who plays on the band's new album. One of my favorites was "Triste Journee," a cool number with something of a late 1960s vibe. That was followed by another of the set's highlights, "Elizabeth La Fey Will Have Her Revenge On Echo Park," a totally fun number. During that song, Eddie ran off the stage and through the audience, and then back, leading Chanell to comment, "
Well, he didn't knock over my drink when he jumped back on stage." They wrapped up the set with "Judgment Day," and then a quick "Happy Birthday To You" to several people who were celebrating birthdays.
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| The Crazy Squeeze |
The Crazy Squeeze was up next, taking the stage at 10:14 p.m. Johnny said, "
Ladies and gentlemen, we are The Crazy Squeeze," the band immediately ripped into the first song of the set, "All Lies." "
This is the smallest stage we've played on since before Covid," Johnny told the crowd. That's one of the things I love about this venue, its intimacy. The band is right there, and so you are right with the music. There isn't any separation, really. Frankie then sang lead on "The Boys Are Gonna Be Here Soon," a delicious rock and roll number. "Gimme A Kiss" came on fast and hard. Another highlight for me was "Sexual Activity Girls," which was a whole lot of fun. "
All the men are crazy/They never leave you alone." I love that backing vocal part, a sort of return to earlier days of rock and roll. That was followed by "Let's Go, Let's Go," an exciting, driving tune. Oh yes! After "Blind Truth," Johnny joked, "
Not bad for two practices." He then said, "
This is dedicated to all the lonely ones out there," and the band played "To The Lonely Ones." And "Nasty" was dedicated to Gabriel Johns, of Slamdinistas. That song featured some great stuff on bass. They wrapped up the set with "I Need A Witness," and someone in the audience shouted out, "
Happy birthday, Johnny!"
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| Slamdinistas |
It was 11:13 p.m. when Slamdinistas kicked off the final set of the night with "Time Flies By." It does indeed! And this night of great rock music was flying by all too quickly. But when the music is hitting us right, when the music is shaping and driving reality, we are able to live in the moment, live in the present. "
Good to be back at the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon, because this is where we belong," Gabriel said after that first song, and as an introduction to "Where I Belong," the lead track to the band's 2025 album
Wild & Restless. A delicious rock song, and that was followed by that album's title track, which also follows it on the album. Though first there was a quick sound adjustment. "
How much do we love Nubs?" Gabriel said, and Loren added, "
Nubs is the glue." For people like me who love music, the sound at any venue is obviously of great importance. Poor sound quality kept me from frequenting places like Silverlake Lounge (though I heard that place recently got a new sound system). So Nubs is as appreciated by those in the audience as by those on stage. "Cut Me Some Slack" was particularly good last night. I love how this band does not hold back at all. That was followed by "Sick Of It All," the band just totally rocking. This is one of my favorites, and it feels so right during these twisted times. "
This goes out to all you troublemakers," Gabriel said in introducing "Little Troublemaker." During that song, Gabriel ran out into the audience. That was followed by "Rock 'N' Roll Clown," and it was after that song that Gabriel introduced the band. He especially called out Bob Kiah, the bass player and the group's newest member. You probably know him from his work in The Ape Hangers. Well, he delivered some fantastic work last night, and his energy was tremendous. The band then went into "Latch Key Kids," with Loren encouraging dancing, and Gabriel again coming out into the audience. After that song, Loren mentioned that with the way things are going, there are going to be a lot more latch key kids. "Brand New Day" followed, and the band wrapped up the set with "Oh Yeah," having the entire audience under its spell. In fact, the audience demanded more from the band, and we ended up treated to two encores. The first was a cover of "All For The Love Of Rock 'N' Roll." The second was "I'm Okay," which was fanastic. The show ended a little after midnight.
Maui Sugar Mill Saloon is located at 18389 Ventura Blvd. in Tarzana, California.
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