The Highwire Daze 35th Anniversary Show at The Corbin Bowl – Live Review

The Highwire Daze 35th Anniversary Show, Bar 10 at the Corbin Bowl, Tarzana, CA – November 15, 2025

The Highwire Daze 35th Anniversary Show unfolded on a typically rainy night at Bar 10 inside the Corbin Bowl in Tarzana, CA. While the weather was a bit treacherous, it did nothing to dampen the spirit of the evening. The Daze delivered a rock and roll celebration featuring six of the most exciting rising acts from the Los Angeles and Orange County scenes.

Curated by Editor Ken Morton and hosted by The Cobalt Presents and Audioeclectica, the showcase embodied the diversity and sheer talent that Highwire Daze has championed since its founding in 1990. The lineup included powerhouse sets from The Anti Groupies, Madam Bombs, Tomorrow’s Anthem, The Drained, Birdhouse, and Implicit Bias.

Implicit Bias

Opening the night was Implicit Bias, a young punk/thrash outfit that wasted no time igniting the room. Featuring former members of Seaside Screams, the band tore through a short yet ferocious set. Frontman Julian Crawford commanded the stage with raw charisma, unleashing screamed vocals with fevered intensity. Bodhi Younger shredded guitar riffs into the stratosphere, while Adrien Cruz Jones drove the rhythm with precision behind the kit.

Newest member Sammy Wetzel added a thunderous low-end on bass, rounding out the band’s explosive sound. Imagine Minor Threat colliding with Exodus, and you’ll only begin to grasp the future of punk-infused metal that Implicit Bias is forging. Here’s hoping studio recordings arrive soon.

Implicit Bias on Instagram

The Drained

Next up was The Drained, who faced unexpected circumstances when their drummer had to bow out due to a family emergency caused by the storm. Undeterred, the band embraced the mantra “the show must go on” and delivered a rare acoustic set that proved unforgettable. Founder Brianna “B.B.” Sherrodd has been a joy to watch evolve as an artist over the past few years, and with the release of Songs in the Mirror, her music now reaches a wider audience.

In the stripped-down setting, selections from the EP and beyond resonated with remarkable power. BB’s vocals and guitar work drew the audience in, leaving a lasting impression. Joining her was Troy Prine (aka Troy Story), whose imaginative playing added rich textures to the songs. The Drained acoustic felt like the perfect soundtrack for a rainy night, and anticipation is high for a full-band performance in the new year.

The Drained on Instagram

Birdhouse

Birdhouse brought an indie-alternative flair to the evening, presenting imaginative, cinematic soundscapes that captivated the crowd. After a summer of memorable backyard shows, it was thrilling to see the band translate their artistry into a rock club setting. Performing tracks from their newly released self-titled album, Birdhouse enveloped Bar 10 in exhilarating sonic tapestries.

From the infectious pop sparkle of Paper Crane to the introspective finale Bag of Bones, the band conjured nostalgic reveries in the tradition of Radiohead and The Velvet Underground. Their set was both dreamy and dynamic, leaving fans eager to see where Birdhouse’s sonic adventures take flight in 2026 and beyond. Featuring the superb performances of Cillian Leddy on vocals and guitar, Wiley Alden on bass, and Oliver Janns on drums!

Birdhouse on Instagram

Madam Bombs

With Madam Bombs, the girl-power portion of the night truly detonated — and what an explosive set this trio delivered at The Corbin Bowl. Having followed them over the years, it’s inspiring to see how they’ve evolved into a sonic force poised to take on the world. Leaning toward the Go-Go’s/L7 side of the spectrum, Madam Bombs showcased tracks from their newly released Girl With a Fuse EP.

Each member radiates superstar potential, rocking their instruments with confidence and charisma. The lineup features the immense talents of Claire Fitzgerald on guitar and vocals, Jaden Cordova on bass and vocals, and Samara Ellis on drums and vocals. Their songs deserve to be blasting across radio stations worldwide — someone send them straight to legendary DJ Rodney Bingenheimer! Fun, fiery, and unforgettable, Madam Bombs’ live shows are not to be missed.

Madam Bombs on Instagram

The Anti Groupies

The Anti Groupies have carved out a formidable reputation in the Los Angeles music scene and beyond. Blending the swagger of Guns N’ Roses with the ferocity of Halestorm, yet forging a sound uniquely their own, the band is both inspirational and unapologetically subversive. Performing selections from their newly unveiled Pretty Vicious opus, The Anti Groupies unleashed a set that electrified the senses and sparked the imagination. From Cigarette Slut to Read the Room and beyond, the band delivered hard-rocking intensity at full throttle. Watching their journey toward the big leagues has been a thrill, and their passion is palpable in every performance.

The powerhouse lineup includes Cassidy Fleeman on vocals and rhythm guitar, Isabella Broersma on lead guitar, Sydney Moore on bass, and Kyla Foster on drums. The Anti Groupies leave a lasting impact, devastating every venue they play — a band you absolutely must experience live.

The Anti-Groupies on Instagram

Tomorrow’s Anthem

Tomorrow’s Anthem was the one band on the bill I had yet to see live, and they did not disappoint. This Inland Empire quartet — Sam, Jiya, Shannon, and Teagen — formed through childhood music lessons and bonded by a shared passion for raw expression. Over the past seven years, they’ve crafted a sound that is both dynamic and defiant.

Their three singles — Lose Yourself, Faces of You, and Wrong — showcase a band ready for hit status, while their imaginative take on covers like Heartbreaker proves their ability to breathe new life into timeless classics. Tomorrow’s Anthem closed the night with a stunning performance that left the audience eager for more from this thrilling band on the rise.

Tomorrow’s Anthem on Instagram

In Conclusion

A heartfelt thank you to each and every band for making our 35th Anniversary Show such a dream lineup. Your talent, passion, and dedication to the music scene mean the world to us. It was an honor to collaborate with Dave Polito and The Cobalt Presents on this milestone event — the history between the Cobalt Café and Highwire Daze made the night even more special, especially with the support of Audioeclectica.

Special thanks to our Associate Editor and Senior Photographer Jack Lue for capturing unforgettable images from this and countless other shows — this journey with Jack has been one I’ll treasure for a lifetime. Gratitude also goes to Assistant Editor/Photographer Denise Johnson and Photographer/Contributor Karyn Burleigh for your incredible work and unwavering support.  Stay tuned. as we’ll have Highwire Daze 35th photo galleries from Jack, Denise, and Karyn posted on the site throughout the next few weeks.

Here’s to the next chapter of Highwire Daze adventures in the months and years ahead. As David Bowie once said: “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.”

(Review by Ken Morton – Photos by Jack Lue)

The Cobalt Presents on Instagram
Audioeclectica on Instagram