Jet Lag Fuel at Universal Bar & Grill – Live Review

Jet Lag Fuel, Universal Bar & Grill, North Hollywood, CA., April 19, 2025

Dave from Entertainment Photographer Plus always promotes the best local shows at the Universal Bar & Grill, and on April 19^th, the event was Epic 10 – a super ambitious collection of bands featuring favorites such as Kutie, JNX, Mote It Be, Ruby Layne and The Wicked Divine, The Kidd Electric, and more.

I had just completed an early afternoon chat with drummer extraordinaire Nolan Richards and was about to leave the venue to interview Visions of Atlantis and Seraina Telli at The Whisky. Highwire Daze photographer Denise Johnson was casually reading off the schedule for Epic 10 – and the first band up would be Jet Lag Fuel – who I was very interested in trying to see sometime soon. Well, that day had arrived, because I had some time to spare before taking off into the wilds of the Sunset Strip.

Jet Lag Fuel is heavily influenced by all things ‘90’s, and whether it’s their dynamic original tunes or imaginative covers, this L.A. based collective delivers the grunge rock goods tenfold. Opening their set with their just released single Feeder, Jet Lag Fuel instantly captivated the early arrivals with the brilliantly memorable song. The band would then unleash another original entitled Nothing Left To Undo (their other single available on Spotify), followed by an absolutely explosive cover of the iconic Lit classic My Own Worst Enemy.

Jacob Dendy absolutely radiates in this genre, doing both the lead vocals and lead guitar work, channeling the 90’s grunge hard rock heroes while displaying his own unique presence and driven energy throughout the set. Filip Ilic also contributes amazing guitar work, coloring in the songs with a vibrantly rhythmic flair. And what a thrilling rhythm section Jet Lag Fuel possesses, the sonic intensity being presented by Carlos Ritchie on bass and Daniel Brown on drums.

Selections such as Can’t Wait and Slowfade definitely contributed to the very fact that Jet Lag Fuel know how to convey their own brand of grunge infused rock for this modern age. And closing out the set would be an almost required cover from the patron saints of grunge Nirvana – and the choice would be Aneurysm, with Jet Lag Fuel unleashing the deep cut with a thrilling sense of conviction.

What an unexpected surprise to catch this band live at last. You can bet Highwire Daze will be covering a whole lot more Jet Lag Fuel in future days! I wish I were able to see the rest of the bands, because there was a quite a lineup on yet another unforgettable event at the Universal Bar & Grill. Those who need a good fix of local talent only need to attend a show presented by Entertainment Photographer Plus!

(Review by Ken Morton – Photos by Denise Johnson)

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