LOS ANGELES, CA- On the evening of February 8, 2025, I navigated some unfamiliar-to-me streets of Los Angeles to The Den Studios, an intimate performance space which on this evening was spotlighting emerging talent. The night’s lineup featured four acts: Scratchcard Inc, Devon Thompson, 12 Gauge Trixie, and the headliners, Speed of Light. The prospect of experiencing both familiar and new sounds in such a setting was something that always gets my juices running.
Inside The Den, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. I saw a handful of familiar concert-going faces and that’s always a good sign, and I got myself settled to shoot and enjoy the show.
Opening the evening was Scratch Card Ink, a youthful trio channeling the restless energy of late ’90s alternative rock with an emo-tinged sincerity that felt refreshingly raw. From the first distorted chord, it was clear they weren’t just another fledgling band stumbling through a local gig—they had a natural ease on stage that suggested bigger ambitions. While their presence online is virtually nonexistent—no streaming releases, no deep-dive bios—it was precisely that element of mystery that made their performance feel like a discovery in real time. In an era where bands meticulously curate their digital footprint before even playing a show, Scratch Card Ink seemed to thrive on the opposite approach: letting their music exist solely in the moment.
Their set was brief, expectedly so for a new act, but they made every minute count. The lead vocalist delivered each lyric with a sense of urgency, his voice cutting through the mix with an unpolished, but impassioned, grit. The tight interplay between the bassist and drummer grounded the songs in a driving rhythm, giving their performance a solid backbone. They covered Blur’s “Song 2,” a song that has been overplayed in lesser hands but here, felt like a genuine tribute rather than an easy crowd-pleaser. It was a shot of adrenaline that gave the room a moment of visceral joy.
Scratch Card Ink may still be an enigma offstage, but in that brief time under the lights, they made a compelling argument that they’re worth keeping an eye on. If and when they decide to record, it’ll be interesting to see if they can capture the same raw electricity that made their live set so effective.
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Devon Thompson is the kind of artist who doesn’t just perform—she commands. From the second she steps on a stage, there’s an undeniable shift in the room’s energy. Her voice cuts through the venue’s dim haze like a blade. There’s a distinct power in her delivery, a blend of sultry blues swagger and hard-edged rock grit, conjuring the kind of controlled chaos that makes legends. It’s the sound of an artist who knows exactly who she is and isn’t afraid to make sure you do too.
I first stumbled upon Thompson at a *We Found New Music* showcase on Sunset Boulevard, and even in that setting, I knew she had something different—something unshakable. Seeing her perform again, that initial impression was only amplified. Her music is steeped in a dark, moody atmosphere, but there’s an underlying fire that constantly threatens to burn it all down. She sings like she’s lived through something, every note delivered with an almost cinematic intensity. It’s no surprise she’s been turning heads in the industry. Just recently, she emerged victorious in a “Battle of the Bands” competition, earning a coveted spot on the main stage at this year’s BeachLife Festival in Redondo Beach. That win didn’t feel like a fluke—it felt like an inevitability.
This night at The Den was no different. As the set unfolded, she leaned into her bluesy, rock-heavy sensibilities, her guitar work cutting through the mix with just the right amount of distortion and menace. Her voice slithered through the verses before exploding into searing choruses, captivating in a way that felt effortless. Between songs, she carried herself with an unforced charisma, engaging the audience without a hint of pretense.
The set ended too soon, but that’s the mark of a great performer—you leave wanting more. As I walked out into the Los Angeles night, her voice still rang in my ears. Devon Thompson isn’t just a name to watch—she’s already here, and it won’t be long before the rest of the world catches up.
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The penultimate act of the evening was 12 Gauge Trixie, a San Diego-based quintet that has been injecting a fresh dose of adrenaline into the local rock scene since their formation in early 2023. Comprising vocalist Violet, guitarists Mia and Art, bassist Paloma, and drummer Blake, this ensemble has rapidly gained a reputation for their high-octane performances and unapologetic embrace of 80s glam metal aesthetics. Their onstage presence is a deliberate nod to the Sunset Strip’s heyday, with flamboyant attitude and electrifying stage antics that captivate and energize the audience.
From the moment they launched into their set, it was evident that 12 Gauge Trixie is not merely reviving a bygone era but reimagining it with a contemporary twist. Their music seamlessly blends the melodic hooks and soaring guitar solos characteristic of bands like Mötley Crüe and Guns N’ Roses with modern sensibilities, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and refreshingly current. The dual guitar work of Mia and Art provided a rich, layered texture, while Paloma’s basslines and Blake’s drumming laid a solid rhythmic foundation that kept the momentum driving forward.
As their set drew to a close, it was clear that 12 Gauge Trixie is more than just a throwback act; they are a band with a distinct identity and a clear vision for their place in the modern rock landscape. Their ability to pay homage to their influences while forging their own path sets them apart, and their trajectory suggests a promising future. For those yearning for the raw, unfiltered spirit of rock ‘n’ roll, 12 Gauge Trixie delivers with both style and substance.
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As the clock edged closer to midnight, the anticipation inside The Den Studios reached a fever pitch. The crowd eagerly awaited the headlining act, Speed of Light—a sibling trio hailing from Santa Monica, California. Comprising Cameron on guitar, Tyler on drums, and Riley on lead vocals and bass, these young musicians have been electrifying the Southern California music scene since 2016. Their journey from teenage prodigies to seasoned performers has been nothing short of remarkable, and having followed them since their early days, it’s been a thrill to watch them refine their craft and continue to level up.
Their music—a potent fusion of punk, hard rock, and metal—hit the audience with unrelenting force. Speed of Light has always leaned into their influences while crafting something uniquely their own, blending breakneck riffs, ferocious drumming, and searing vocal lines into an attack that demands attention. Cameron’s guitar work was both intricate and aggressive, tearing through the venue with razor-sharp precision. Tyler’s drumming has only grown more intense over the years, providing a relentless backbone that powered each track forward with an explosive, almost chaotic energy. Meanwhile, Riley, now noticeably taller than when I first met her years ago (she’s now taller than me!!!), commanded the stage with authority, her bass lines thick and punchy, her vocals balancing grit and melody in a way that pulled the audience deeper into their world.
The setlist was a testament to their evolution—an undeniable display of how much they’ve grown as songwriters and performers. Fan-favorite “Seance” ignited the crowd, but it wasn’t just the older material that hit hard—new songs from their forthcoming album showed an even deeper level of complexity and ambition. From start to finish, heads were banging, and feet were stomping, as the trio tore through their set like seasoned road warriors. Speed of Light has always been an electrifying live act, but on this particular night, it felt like something more. This was a band fully in control of their power, standing on the precipice of something bigger.
Catching up with the siblings after the show, it was clear that they’ve never been more focused. Under new management, they’ve been in an intense creative period, writing hundreds of songs over the past year—an almost obsessive work ethic that’s been driving them toward their next big move. Right now, they’re deep in the recording, mixing, and mastering process for their next album, a project that promises to push their sound into new and even heavier territory.
As I left the venue, my ears still ringing and my adrenaline still surging, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had just witnessed something special—something brewing beneath the surface that’s about to explode. If you’re looking for the next generation of rock that doesn’t just pay homage to the past but builds upon it with unrelenting fire … based on what I witnessed on this evening… I think we found some acts that fit that profile.
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LIVE CLIPS
Speed of Light Shines at The Den Studios Alongside Rising Rock Talent
