Symbol Six, Daybreak Ends, Centox, Agenda 21, Take 48, Underground Alliance
Cobalt Cafe, Canoga Park, CA
Friday, August 24, 2012
Time: 7:00 PM

Back somewhere around 1997 or 1998 I lived in Canoga Park, within a block or two of the Cobalt Café. When my future wife was at night school studying to be a surgical tech, I would wander up the street to the Cobalt. Every night had a different theme, one night would be poetry night, another would be open mike night for would be musicians and on those rare occasions there would be an art exhibit going on. I spent many nights with a cup of coffee in my hand wandering or most times sitting in the place. It was a good place to zone out. They often times had a cover fee, but for whatever reason I was never charged.

Anyway, when I heard that this show was going to happen in my neck of the woods (SFV, loco), I figured I had to go. So, thirteen years later Uncle Mike returns to Canoga Park.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see all the bands. Three quarters of the way there I get a text message saying the promoters cancelled the guest list for everybody, press, roadies, the band’s wives and girlfriends everybody. Then backpedaled and said if the band brings in sixty paid audience members they could have a guest list. Whatever, I’m almost there, if I pay, I pay.

I hang out in the parking lot for a bit. Symbol Six gets me in with the band, yay!

I watch Centox’s set. Not bad. Crowd is pretty sparse. None of the earlier bands are staying to support the other bands.

After Centox I slipped out to the pub next door, Scotland Yard, for a Diet Coke, yep, I’m a hard drinker like that. Hung out with Taz Rudd, and we bumped into Hudley Flipside and her husband John. Invited them next door for the show, and drank a bit more.

The last band of the night was the mighty . . . Symbol Six! As I’ve stated in the past (I’ve never seen a band more times than I have these guys), when you see Symbol Six there is always the feeling that this is the show. Whether they are headlining, or opening, they are the band of the night.

Symbol Six played classic tracks and some of their new stuff:

Never Gonna Make It (Fantastic song!)
Creepin’
Outta My Way
Viva
Generation-Damnation
Madness
Sticks N’ Stones
Spit It Out
Dirtyland
Dog Days
13 Whaos
The Hideout (Weirdos cover)

Again, due to lack of promoter promotion the crowd was sparse, but Hudley and her husband Dancing John were there rocking, and the rest of us were making a bunch of noise. Good set. After their set I left.

If you have a chance to see any of these bands, go. You won’t have a chance to sit down, nor will you want to.

All in all, a great show. The PA was good, clear view of the bands, and I had fun.

LAST ONE TO DIE is officially out, order at: https://www.createspace.com/3669330.