Magnolia Park, poptropicaslutz!, TX2, at The Teragram Ballroom – Live Review

Magnolia Park, poptropicaslutz!, TX2, The Teragram Ballroom, October 12, 2023

Magnolia Park and poptropicaslutz! (pictured above) are two bands now signed to the iconic Epitaph Records, and they have both been making quite an impression with all types of music fans.  Currently on the road together trekking across the United States, one of their local stops was at the opulent Teragram Ballroom deep in the heart of Downtown LA.  Also, along for the ride were TX2 and 408, both providing support sets.

TX2

TX2

Unfortunately, I missed all of 408’s set and a good deal of TX2’s performance, but plan to catch up with both bands in future.  I have seen TX2 before in San Francisco, and I need to say that they are one of the most compelling new bands on the national scene today.  Vocalist Evan is extremely passionate about his performance, channeling icons such as Iggy Pop and Axl Rose while delivering his very powerful message and wickedly wonderful personality in the music.

Also on board is lead guitarist Cam Rostami – also in Superblood – who absolutely kicks ass with his dynamic axe showmanship.  Songs such as I Would Hate Me Too, Randy McNally (No Love Like Christian Hate), and Degrade Me will live on in punk rock infamy, and they are earth shattering when performed live.

poptropicaslutz!

poptropicaslutz! had quite a bit to celebrate on this magical night at The Teragram Ballroom.  Their debut album Face For The Radio was just hours away from a worldwide release, and poptropicaslutz! would be performing quite a few songs in anticipation of this event!  Opening with the super infectious Falling Apart In Halftime and then swaying into the breezy pop punk meanderings of Upside Down, poptropicaslutz! instantly won over the crowd big time!   Dual vocalists Nick Crawford and Christian Cicilia exude a ton of charisma and star appeal, bringing each and every song to ultra vivid life.  What Would You Do to Get Ahead(line)? was then performed, with it’s very saucy “you can look but don’t touch” lyrical content.

“Lover, you look so pretty with your gun,” the band crooned with fiendish glee on the striking Where The Wind Blows, a song about “robbing a bank with the love of your life.”  And the super cool tunes kept on arriving from the Teragram Ballroom stage, weaving a vibrant sense of intrigue while making you want to dance it up!  Such a fun set with songs that will jangle away in your head for ages, Poptropicaslutz! are destined to become your next favorite auditory addiction!

Magnolia Park

Magnolia Park

Magnolia Park meshes so many genre categories together, coming up with a brilliantly captivating live show.  With an imaginative amalgamation of pop punk, nu-metal, hip-hop, funk, and emo, Magnolia Park dares to be different, and they are winning over music fans in nothing short of an epic way.  Also, on the verge of releasing a brand-new recording entitled Halloween Mixtape II through Epitaph Records, Magnolia Park previewed songs from the upcoming release as well as quite a few fans favorites from their debut Baku’s Revenge endeavor.  Opening with the gloriously liberating refrains of Misfits, Magnolia Park proceeded to enrapture their Los Angeles fans with selection such as Do Or Die, Breathing, Unholy Heart, Animal, and beyond.

Each and every member of Magnolia Park deliver the rockin’ goods tenfold, including the participation of Joshua Roberts on vocals, Tristan Torres and Freddie Criales on guitars, Joe Horsham on drums, and Vincent Ernst keyboards.  One glorious highlight of the set was when the band invited Evan of TX2 on the stage and performed the highly charged Life In The USA from the forthcoming Halloween Mixtape 2 release.  And for a massively well-deserved encore, Magnolia Park presenting their audience with shimmering renditions of Feel Something and Sick Of It All.   Epitaph Records has always been on the cutting edge when it comes to presenting new bands, and Magnolia Park and poptropicaslutz! are labelmates not to be missed!

(Review by Ken Morton – Photos by Vivian Ortega of So Finch Photography)

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