BEYOND THE NOTES
Photo by Colin Zhu
Throughout this year’s busy Halloweekend, costumed students prowled Westwood, all searching for a reprieve from the horrors of homework and midterms. Luckily for them, Cherry Pop Records’ “Scary Pop II” house show was there to deliver.
The cobwebs and caution tape around the stage and backyard of Sigma Pi made the scene for the UCLA student-run record label’s second Halloween show, which promised to be bigger than the first. As the clock struck 9:00 p.m. on November 2, the strobe lights lit up the venue and its crowd of approximately 260 students. All were eagerly awaiting the upcoming all-star lineup of Los Angeles rock bands: Stoned Ape Theory, Velvet Starlings, Acolyte, and Cherry Pop’s newest signees – Lady Vengeance. For the next two hours, each band was slated to perform breakneck sets showcasing their unique styles.
Stoned Ape Theory opened the show, with a thunderous set that immediately electrified the crowd. Beginning with a hilariously screechy rendition of “Toccata and Fugue in D minor” before launching into a breakneck lively cover of “Monster Mash,” the band had the audience moving in a flash. Their set, which was filled with hard rock covers of classic songs, proved to be a perfect start to the night and set the tone for performances to come.
Lady Vengeance followed, taking the stage to resounding cheers. The punk-rock band kicked off with their original song “Punching Bag,” a high-energy rocker that commanded attention. The energy of the crowd was palpable and only grew as they segued into a cover of “The Jetset Life Is Gonna Kill You” by My Chemical Romance. The opening beats from drummer Ollie Mangulabnan brought shouts of excitement that quickly escalated into the crowd’s first mosh pit of the night.
Lead singer Colette Basset further energized the crowd with playful banter, commenting on costumes and celebrating the bassist of Cas Knight. “Now who wants a romantic moment?” she teased before diving into their original Halloween-themed song—a special performance for the first and only time: “Dracula Shot Up the Car Park.”
In a conversation after the show, Colette revealed that Lady Vengeance’s rhythm guitarist Christian Savage had missed the show due to an emergency. Diego, a friend of the band, stepped in on short notice.
Colette said, "Literally, yesterday [Diego] came over, and we were like, 'We have to teach you all the songs.'"
Despite the quick preparation, he blended seamlessly with the band. “We pulled it off, and it went amazing. I’m so happy and so grateful,” Colette shared, reflecting on the experience.
Cherry Pop’s A&R Manager Lilianna Gracia shared the same sentiment, “It was exciting to both sign Lady Vengeance on and have them play our first show of the year. “I cannot wait to see where these bands go in the future, and where we are able to take Lady Vengeance this year.”
Shortly after Lady Vengeance’s set, Acolyte took the stage. While similarly loud and sharp, the Long Beach based band brought a distinct 90s post-punk and blues that washed over the crowd. With electrifying organ hits and raw guitar screeches, each band member exuded a contagious, hair-raising, and almost uncontainable energy. Lead singer Christian Gisborne’s dynamic Jim Morrison-like charisma and volume captivated the audience and left a lasting impression. Velvet Starlings’ electrifying finale fittingly brought the show to a close, with a crowd just as exhilarated as when the night began.
With an electrifying lineup and unforgettable performances, Cherry Pop Records captured the spirit of Halloween and the raw energy of rock—once again proving why it stands at the heart of UCLA’s music scene.
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