Under Culture Plays Freddy’s Bar- Back to Where it All Began, Post Pandemic

The anticipation was bubbling in the backroom at Freddy’s Bar on Friday night.  Not only amongst the audience, but also the band members.  August 20th marked the first time that Under Culture would perform live since prior to March, 2020, the month the lights went down due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  It was especially poignant that Under Culture was performing at Freddy’s, as this venue was the site of Under Culture’s debut show as a band over six years ago.  “Are you ready,” Jon Popin whispered to the band, and then 3...2…1, the lights went up as a raucous display of overdriven stringed instruments and pounding skins and cymbals rang out.  The loudness was accompanied by the battle cry that has gone out so many times in the past and which once again permeated through the room- “Let’s Have Some Fun!”  With that, all of the rust and uncertainty and waiting melted away into a thunderous act of victory and defiance over a global pandemic as Under Culture seared through an eleven song set. 

The post-pandemic version of the band featured several line up changes.  Joining longtime band members Jon Popin and Wendell Ypil on guitars/keyboard and Andres Marin on drums, was Yoshiki Yamada on bass and Brenden Sanchez on lead vocals.  Yoshiki Yamada joined the band in 2019, and has helped to keep a tight fist around the pocket ever since, while Brenden Sanchez began powering lead vocals for the band in the same year.  Both Yoshiki and Brenden shined in their debuts.  Brenden brought wit and clever repartee to his interaction with the Under Culture fans, while also packing a charisma filled sound into the songs.  Yoshiki, who has recorded with the band in years past, made the most of his on-stage initiation, with his incredible bass attack and impossible to believe sense of timing.  The two newbies meshed well with the mainstays, as Andres ripped through each song on drums with a ferocity and aggression that reverberated off of every wall.  Jon and Wendell traded guitar stabs, licks and riffs all night with incredible force, with Wendell achieving amazing tones on both guitars and keyboards. 

When it was over, the boys of Under Culture knew they had captured something special, as they looked forward to their next show in September. It was a night of new beginnings and anticipation toward the future! Onward, Upward, Under Culture!