BEYOND THE NOTES
Lady Vengeance: Redefining the Sound of Westwood
January 21, 2025 | Sophia Cortez
In a college town dominated by mellow indie music, Lady Vengeance is turning up the volume—literally. "We need to bring crazy back to Westwood," declared Ollie Mangulabnan, a member of Lady Vengeance, Cherry Pop Records' latest signee. This alternative punk band isn't just making noise; they're making waves, carving out a space for punk in Westwood. A staple at house shows in the Westwood area, Lady Vengeance has been performing for some time. Now, they're ready to take the next step.
Set to release their debut EP in the Summer of 2025, Lady Vengeance promises to deliver a fresh, unrestrained take on alternative punk. Influenced by alternative rock legends like Hole, Nine Inch Nails, and Queens of the Stone Age, the band weaves a gritty soundscape with gothic and classic horror. The result is a sound that feels raw, rough around the edges, and unmistakably authentic. Lead guitarist Kate Ahn describes their approach as unpolished by design. "It's not quite calculated, but I think that's kind of the point of it and kind of the charm of it," she adds. For Lady Vengeance, their identity has been shaped by embracing imperfection and individuality. That identity didn't form overnight, though; it was born from a small, spontaneous idea between two friends.
Composed of five UCLA students, the band's journey began with lead singer Colette Basset and lead guitarist Kate Ahn. The two film students named the band as a nod to the 2006 Korean thriller Lady Vengeance. The pair initially jammed together casually, but their shared passion for music quickly grew into something larger. Over time, the duo brought rhythm guitarist Christian Savage, drummer Ollie Mangulabnan, and bassist Cas Knight into the fold.
From those casual sessions emerged a group that thrives on creativity and chemistry. "I remember Ollie was on the drum set and said, 'Guys… are we like a band?'" recalls Cas, sparking laughter among the group. Despite their growing success, Lady Vengeance still channels the playful energy from their early days, shaped by the band's diverse musical backgrounds.
Colette's classical training in musical theater adds a dynamic and theatrical layer to her performances. "It's a bit of a departure from how I was trained, but it's really fun to figure out how to shift my voice," she explains. Her dramatic stage presence, complete with audience interaction, sets the tone for the band's live shows.
Kate's guitar skills, largely self-taught through late-night YouTube sessions, bring an unpolished authenticity to their sound. Meanwhile, rhythm guitarist Christian Savage describes his foundation as exploratory. "I spent days in my friend's garage making noise and listening to Nirvana," he shares, emphasizing the experimental nature of his playing.
For drummer Ollie Mangulabnan's journey, Lady Vengeance represents a rekindled love for music. After stepping away for three years due to burnout from a competitive arts-focused high school, Ollie credits the band with reigniting his passion. "Being with [Lady Vengeance] is just fun and makes me want to play music again," he says.
Similarly, bassist Cas Knight transitioned from classical flute and marching band percussion to the bass guitar upon arriving in Los Angeles for college. They describe the switch to alternative music as "very freeing," adding that the genre allows for greater experimentation.
Together, the members channel their varied influences into a songwriting process that thrives on collaborative spontaneity. Structured discipline from classical training meets the raw energy of garage experimentation. Or, as Christian puts it: "It's like a patchwork quilt."
The band's experimentation will culminate in their upcoming EP, scheduled to be released in the Summer of 2025 through Cherry Pop Records. It will showcase a classic alternative sound while pushing genre boundaries. The EP will feature tracks that have become staples of their live shows, including a crowd favorite, "Clone Wars." Each track is a snapshot of a band member's influence and personality. "There's a song for each of us," says Cas.
With their bold style and theatrical performances setting them apart in a predominantly indie-driven UCLA music scene, Lady Vengeance leans into their uniqueness. It's integral to the music they make. "[Lady Vengeance] is not [a] chill jazz indie band, we say what we mean and [say] what we [say]," Kate affirmed.
There’s room in Westwood for something louder, rawer, and unapologetically different—and Lady Vengeance’s debut EP promises to be exactly that.
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