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KUCR presents Mix-n-Mingle at Back to the Grind in Downtown Riverside on Thursday, February 9, 2023 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Bring your own T-Shirt for free screen-printing of the KUCR design. (Ink will be yellow). MUSIC by KUCR DJs! All ages! Free!

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Written by Josh Kreeger of Blitzkreeg Rock on KUCR

We waited in anticipation for the opening band, Transviolet, which matched the tone of the emo side of Mother Mother, the headliner band. Once they came out to the stage, the crowd roared! I felt part of the ensemble. The lights flooded over then into the crowd in a way where the crowd and the stage felt in sync. We even had a personal heart to heart when in between a song, the lead singer, Sarah McTaggart, told us of her time at the same concert, watching her favorite band and telling herself that one day she would play here at the Hollywood Palladium! The drummer was an previous usher too. The sound varied between indie pop and metal pop, with the crowd getting a good mix of bobbing and slow dancing for thirty minutes.

Following a brief fifteen minute break, Vundabar stopped setting up and started playing. I only say it like this, because they were on stage making sure everything was set up correctly. I supposed to myself that they must have had issues in the past with their specific set up. They looked like a typical indie band in their twenties, disregarding the drummer’s mullet, by which I mean average clothing and average builds. Yet we would soon be surprised with their sporadic antics that stole the show! Vundabar paused during song (worn/wander) twice, as still as a wax statue. More of those can be found down sunset boulevard. Brandon Hagen, Vundabar’s lead singer, would even “whoop” and wanted the crowd to match him. Fun, catchy songs that were also a little insane. A unique band!

Naturally, the headliner arrived with no need of introduction. The fog machine’s rolled and Mother Mother wasted no time to get into their first big song! I lost my spot near the front to go to the bathroom and refresh with a lime Liquid Death, but was able to see them quite fine from the side with little shoving required. Ryan Guldemond was wearing a clashing Misfits shirt with a almost sparkling puffed up jacket. Fitting for a crowd of either teenagers or late millennials! The other two singers and both having their individual keyboards flanking Ryan, Molly and Jasmin, reminded me of the B-52s in their style, vocal range, and presence. This Goth Rap group were engaging, abrasive, and charismatic! A crowd pleaser and a cinematic light show. I cannot wait to see what this band will all have in store for the future.