Lex Bauman and The Untamed Hearts, The Wendolls at Hotel Ziggy – Live Review
Lex Bauman and The Untamed Hearts
Lex Bauman and The Untamed Hearts, The Wendolls, Hotel Ziggy, West Hollywood, CA, October 9, 2026
The Wendolls and Lex Bauman and The Untamed Hearts teamed up for a mini West Coast tour, including a stop at Hotel Ziggy on the Sunset Strip.
Two up-and-coming bands from opposite ends of the country proved they know exactly how to make things happen, as both delivered absolutely epic sets on a Friday night. Drawing a healthy crowd eager for an evening of great music, the bands proceeded to rock the venue to its very core.
Lex Bauman
Lex Bauman and The Untamed Hearts
First up was Lex Bauman and The Untamed Hearts, based out of Columbus, Ohio, and ready to bring their brand of Midwest rock to the City of Angels. Opening with the anthemic refrains of When We Were Young and then charging into what should be hit singles such as My Best Friend’s Girlfriend and Rock N Roll Heart, Lex and his band quickly captured the audience’s undivided attention.
In addition to being a super charismatic vocalist, Lex knows how to absolutely shred on guitar, delivering vibrant and impressive solos throughout the night. Jackson Daw on drums was amazing as always, fun and intense while laying down the beat like a total pro. New bassist Tristan Woodruff supplied a powerful low end that punctuated the songs with both power and conviction.
Along with the band’s memorable original material, Lex and company delivered rousing covers of Thin Lizzy’s Jailbreak and Cheap Trick’s Surrender, breathing gloriously youthful energy into these beloved classics. The bangers kept coming, including the outstanding Taylor Swift, which showcases just how clever and resourceful Lex is as a songwriter. What a talent. Here’s hoping we can all rock out to more live performances from Lex Bauman and The Untamed Hearts in the Southland very soon.
The Wendolls
The Wendolls
The Wendolls are incredible and will absolutely hard rock your world. Never mind that their amazing singer and guitarist Mariana Perez just turned 16, or that much of the band’s membership still looks high school-aged. The Wendolls perform with a sheer intensity that would make even the most seasoned musicians and rock critics take notice.
Mixing well-chosen covers with compelling original material, there was truly something for everyone. From the opening refrains of a lively rendition of Pat Benatar’s Heartbreaker and into their own song Why and beyond, The Wendolls immediately captured the attention of the packed Hotel Ziggy crowd and delivered the goods tenfold.
The Wendolls
Mariana possesses an impressive amount of stage presence and star quality, channeling rock greats such as Lzzy Hale and Ann Wilson while maintaining her own originality and adventurous spirit. Hunter Loffredo is one of the most talented young drummers I’ve seen in ages, commanding the massive beats with a monstrous yet calculated sense of energy and intrigue. Gavin Lee, a new addition to the band, contributed imaginative and profound lead guitar work, weaving plenty of magic and flair into the proceedings. Bassist Tommy Obregon, another recent addition, unleashed a pulsating low end that reverberated throughout the venue.
One of their original songs, Ridicule, is absolutely riveting and should leave a major impact once it is officially released as a single. Meanwhile, closing renditions of Heart’s Barracuda and Black Sabbath’s Paranoid demonstrated the band’s ability to tackle legendary songs with precision, confidence, and flair.
In Conclusion
The Wendolls
Both Lex Bauman and The Untamed Hearts and The Wendolls left Hotel Ziggy with plenty of new fans and a strong reminder that the future of rock and roll is in very capable hands. While each band brings its own distinct style and personality to the stage, both share a passion, authenticity, and relentless energy that made this evening unforgettable. Fans who caught this show witnessed two young acts on the rise, and judging by the response inside the venue, their journeys are only just beginning. Be sure to catch The Wendolls when they appear at the Highwire Daze 36th Anniversary Show at Bar 10 inside Corbin Bowl on November 21st, presented in conjunction with The Cobalt Presents and Audioeclectica.
(Review by Ken Morton – Photos by Karyn Burleigh of Rock Edge Photography)
