Superblood and The Broken Windows at El Cid – Live Review
The Broken Windows
Superblood, The Broken Windows, El Cid, Hollywood, CA., August 17, 2023
El Cid is the place to go to discover new bands – spacious yet intimate, this club has the atmosphere of old time Hollywood while remaining thoroughly modern when it comes to the movers and shakers in the music industry. And if a record label rep were to make their way out to El Cid on this particular Thursday night, they would surely encounter two of the most exciting local bands on the Los Angeles music scene today. Highwire Daze recently did an interview and photo shoot day with both The Broken Windows and Superblood over the past weekend – and now these two bands were sharing the stage at El Cid – presenting quite a night to remember!
The Broken Windows
It was barely 7:00PM – the breakfast hour for live music in Tinseltown – when The Broken Windows exploded on the stage like a sonic boom in the night. Playing their own brand of funk rock and roll with a massive amount of passion and energy, The Broken Windows captivated the early arrivals and sent the room spinning into the stratosphere. Songs such as Ladies Of The Night and Temptress slammed into your senses and were exciting to witness. The band just released a single entitled Empty Bottles, and how vibrantly explosive this one sounded within a live setting. Even their cover choices were sublime, featuring thrilling renditions of Oye Mi Amor by Mana and Dammit by Blink 182.
Vocalist Peter Reyes is a maniac all over the stage, whether he’s singing the persuasive lyrics or ripping away on the keyboards, this is one charismatic front man who delivers the goods tenfold. Equally as impressive is guitarist Allan Farjardo, shredding away the leads like an absolute pro! And what a dynamic rhythm section The Broken Windows possesses, with bassist Johnny Shankel and drummer Ardem Gourdikian delivering shattering performances! It’s this first time I’ve experienced the force of nature known as The Broken Windows – and you can bet I’ll be back for more!
Superblood
Superblood
Superblood took the stage a bit later on in the evening, and presented their own combustible set of pop punk and alternative rock. Created by Cam Rostami, Superblood has really made a name for themselves within the local Los Angeles music scene. Opening the show with a killer one-two punch of should-be hit singles Miserable Wreck (Bad Habits) and How To Survive A Shark Attack, Superblood proceeded to unleash an amazing set! With Evan of TX2 on drums as a co-conspirator, the event raged on, and what an exciting display of talent there was on the El Cid stage!
One of the most compelling moments of the set was when Cam introduced his “dead mom song,” and then proceeded into an emotionally devastating rendition of his single Sicko! For anyone who has lost a family member, Sicko! leaves quite an impact and is one of Superblood’s most thought provoking songs. At the end of the set, Cam jumped off the stage, performing the powerhouse Bruizez directly to the audience.
Not sure when Superblood will be performing again, as Cam is now hitting the road with TX2, doing touring support for the likes of Sleeping With Sirens and then Magnolia Park. Whether it’s with Superblood or playing guitar for TX2, Cam Rostami’s passion for his art and the super rockin’ tunes are not to be missed!
Review by Ken Morton – Photos by Vivian Ortega of So Finch
