S.L.R. Magazine

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THE 4TH EPIC 10 FEST—A SUMMER SHOWCASE BY DAVID VANDYKE, JUNE 21, 2025 AT UNIVERSAL BAR AND GRILL, BY DON MARCELO

It is not always about the musicians on the bill that make a showcase great. Sometimes it’s also about the promoter of the showcase who brings together all the different types of bands to perform on a single night where the promoter meticulously looks at different bands and puts together a great showcase. Meet David…

andyj76
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It is not always about the musicians on the bill that make a showcase great. Sometimes it’s also about the promoter of the showcase who brings together all the different types of bands to perform on a single night where the promoter meticulously looks at different bands and puts together a great showcase. Meet David VanDyke. David is a music promoter, a photographer, an entrepreneur, an artist, a former musician in a band, and a lover of music and bands. He has been showcasing local up and coming LA bands (and some from other States and Countries) for the past 5 years at Universal Bar and Grill where he has been one of the resident promoters of the venue.

Written by Don Marcelo

David brings us tons of experience in the music industry from being in a band himself to promoting and running his business and helping out musicians get to the next level of where they need to be.

I first met him a couple of years ago and have become friends with him since he is a colleague in the music photography industry. As a promoter, his no-nonsense style of promoting artists makes him a true professional in the music industry. He wants all his bands to succeed in their pursuit of their passion. But he also wants to make sure that the bands and artists keep everything professional and follow his basic rules and principles and boundaries when it comes to playing for his showcases. After all it’s a collaboration between the artists and the promoter that will make it or break it for both.

David is also a photographer and a videographer who gives his images to all his artists he showcases as a gift to help out all the musicians and artists promote themselves for all their social media needs. He truly believes in helping out these up and coming artists because he knows exactly where they are coming from since he was once part of several different bands from the past. He is truly one magnanimous promoter who cares about his artists.

David’s résumé include the following bands he’s been in when he was active in music as a performer and musician with various bands from the past:

  • The Fiends (The original Fiends of The South Bay ’99) – Drummer
  • The Secular Saints – Drummer
  • 12 Under – Drummer and Guitarist and writer of songs
  • Superman’s Wheelchair – Dummer and Guitarist

I asked David a few questions in regards to him becoming a music promoter.

Q1 – S.L.R. MAGAZINE/DON MARCELO:

HI David. Thank you for taking the time to talk to me and S.L.R. MAGAZINE. What made you become a music promoter?

A1 – DAVID VANDYKE:

I started wanting to promote bands because as a musician I have a good ear in music. I see all these amazing bands and most of them needed more venues to play in. It’s a win win. Bands get a venue to rock at and I get to take more and more photos of those bands. Helps document their journey.

Q2 – S.L.R. MAGAZINE/DON MARCELO:

That’s totally rad, David. What a great way to give back to the musicians you work and collaborate with. When exactly was your first showcase?

A2 – DAVID VANDYKE:

My first showcase was at Universal Bar and Grill in November of 2021. Was a Reggae/ska show.

Q3 – S.L.R. MAGAZINE/DON MARCELO:

Oh cool. A Reggae/Ska Show. That must have been very fun. So with all the years of showcasing music, what was the most memorable and meaningful showcase you’ve ever presented?

A3 – DAVID VANDYKE:

The most memorable and meaningful showcases are my birthday shows in August at the Universal Bar and Grill.  Surrounded by music, musicians, friends and family all with a huge love of music. Just like me.

Q4 – S.L.R. MAGAZINE/DON MARCELO:

That’s right. It’s August and that means your birthday is coming up and you will have another birthday showcase coming up on August 16, 2025 called THE EPIC 10 BIRTHDAY BASH. I can’t wait to be there to celebrate your day with you. So last question of the night, what’s the future going to be like for your business?

A4 – DAVID VANDYKE:

The future for my business is the dream of opening my own music store/venue with an in store publication and Music festivals.

FINAL NOTE – S.L.R. MAGAZINE/DON MARCELO:

That is totally great David. I’m looking forward to the future of your dreams and your goals. I’ll see you around the photo pit and I’m looking forward to your EPIC 10 BIRTHDAY BASH on August 16, 2025 at Universal Bar and Grill. 

Below are some captured moments of David VanDyke aka @entertainmentphotographyplus2 of Instagram as well as some bands I was fortunate enough to photograph for his showcase called “THE 4TH EPIC 10 FEST”. 

FOLLOW @entertainmentphotographyplus2 on instagram for more musical showcases as well as all the bands in the photo gallery. And if you are in a band and in the LA area, send David an email on how you can be part of one of his musical showcases at Universal Bar and Grill. theelysian@yahoo.com

PHOTO GALLERY:

000_DAVID VANDYKE – THE PROMOTER @entertainmentphotographyplus2

A man with tattoos is holding a camera, preparing to take photos at a music event. The setting is a dimly lit stage with equipment scattered around.
A photographer capturing a moment at a live music event, showcasing intricate tattoos on their arm and displaying a camera with a band on its screen.
A man with tattoos, wearing a black shirt and a baseball cap, leans casually against a fence, appearing relaxed against a bright background.
Black and white portrait of a man with tattoos, wearing a cap and a black t-shirt, leaning against a fence with a confident expression.
David VanDyke, a music promoter, is leaning against a fence while talking, wearing a black t-shirt and a baseball cap, with a light background.
Black and white portrait of a man with a beard and tattoos, casually leaning against a fence, wearing a cap and a black shirt.
A music promoter captures a live performance with a camera, focused on the stage in a vibrant atmosphere.

001_BLACK SHEEP – @blacksheepbandla

A passionate female singer performing on stage, holding a microphone and expressing excitement, dressed in a black top and sparkly gloves, with a lively atmosphere in the background.
A female singer passionately performing on stage with a microphone, wearing a black top and skirt, surrounded by musicians playing instruments.
A vocalist passionately performing on stage while kneeling, surrounded by band members playing guitar and bass.
A lively band performing on stage with colorful lighting, featuring a female lead singer, two guitarists, and a bassist, set against a backdrop of red curtains.
A rock band performing on stage with colorful lights, featuring a vocalist in a punk-inspired outfit, a guitarist wearing sunglasses, and two additional musicians playing instruments.
Live performance of a band on stage, featuring four musicians. The lead singer is center stage holding a microphone, while a guitarist on the left plays an electric guitar. A second guitarist stands on the right and a drummer is visible in the background. The venue has bright stage lights and a red curtain backdrop.
A live music performance featuring a band with a guitarist, a vocalist, and a drummer, illuminated by colorful stage lights.

002_RUBY AND THE THORNS – @rubyandthethorns

A smartphone captures a live music performance on stage, with colorful lights blurred in the background, highlighting the musicians and singer in action.
A young band performing on stage, with a female vocalist in front and musicians playing guitar, bass, and drums in the background. The stage is illuminated with colorful lights and a red curtain backdrop.
A young band performs on stage in front of a red curtain, with colorful lights above. The vocalist, a young woman, sings into a microphone while keyboard, guitar, and bass players accompany her.
A band performing on stage with colorful lights in the background. The female vocalist is singing passionately while surrounded by musicians playing guitar, bass, and keyboards.
A young female singer passionately performing on stage with a microphone in hand, illuminated by colorful stage lights.
A young band performing on stage with a female vocalist and instrumentalists, featuring colorful stage lights and a red curtain backdrop.
A young band performing on stage with colorful stage lights, featuring a female vocalist and male musicians on guitar, drums, and keyboard.
Two young musicians performing on stage; one is playing the bass guitar and the other is playing a keyboard. They are focused on their instruments with a backdrop of amplifiers.

003_MASCARA  – @mascara.bandofficial

A female drummer performing on stage, focused on her playing, with a microphone nearby and a red curtain in the background.
A young female drummer performing on stage, wearing a camo t-shirt and black shorts, with a determined expression, against a backdrop of red curtains.
A female guitarist performing on stage with colored lights in the background, showcasing a vibrant live music atmosphere.
A female guitarist playing an electric guitar on stage during a live performance with another female bassist and a drummer in the background, illuminated by stage lights.
Two young female musicians performing on stage, one playing an electric guitar and the other on bass, with drums in the background and vibrant green lights illuminating the scene.
A young female guitarist performing on stage, wearing a camouflage tank top, focused on playing her gold electric guitar, with a drum set visible in the background.
A female musician passionately performing on stage with a bass guitar, wearing glasses and a stylish outfit.
A guitarist performs on stage, wearing a sleeveless top and camouflage pants, passionately playing an electric guitar under stage lights.
A female drummer energetically playing the drums at a live music event, with vibrant stage lighting and a curtain backdrop.
A drummer performing on stage in a black and white photo, wearing a camo shirt, surrounded by drum equipment.
A young female musician playing a black bass guitar and singing into a microphone on stage, with a drummer in the background and colorful stage lights illuminating the scene.
A drummer passionately playing on stage, expressing energy and enthusiasm amidst a vibrant red backdrop.
A musician playing the bass guitar and singing on stage, illuminated by colorful stage lights.
A guitarist performing on stage, wearing a tank top and camouflage pants, with a focused expression while playing an electric guitar in black and white.
A young female bassist performing on stage with a microphone stand, wearing glasses and a casual outfit, with colorful stage lights illuminating the scene.
A female musician playing a black bass guitar while singing on stage, illuminated by colorful stage lights, with a red curtain backdrop.

004_HALFWAY TO NEPTUNE – @halfwaytoneptune

A band performing on stage with vibrant lights and a red curtain backdrop, featuring a guitarist, a female lead singer, and a bass player.
A drummer energetically playing at a live music event, wearing a black tank top with a skull design, captured against a backdrop of red velvet curtains.
A live band performing on stage with vibrant green lighting, featuring two female guitarists and a male guitarist, while the drummer is visible in the background.
A young musician focused on playing an electric guitar during a performance, displaying a moment of concentration and emotion on stage.
A drummer performing energetically on stage, wearing a black tank top with a skull design, surrounded by drum equipment and red curtains in the background.
A musician playing bass guitar on stage, wearing a striped shirt and focused on their performance.
A female bassist performing on stage, wearing a striped shirt and denim shorts, with shoulder-length hair and a focused expression.
A young band performing on stage, with a female lead singer playing a red guitar, flanked by two other musicians, one on guitar and one on bass, while a drummer is visible in the background.
A young female musician performing on stage with a red guitar, singing into a microphone, illuminated by stage lights, with a drummer visible in the background.
A live performance featuring a female vocalist playing electric guitar, flanked by two guitarists and a drummer in the background. The venue is illuminated with bright stage lights, with a red curtain as the backdrop.
A live band performing on stage, featuring a female vocalist with long blonde hair and a red electric guitar, accompanied by musicians on guitar and bass, and a drummer in the background.

005_THE DEFFADES – @thedeffades

A female band performing live on stage, with one member playing guitar and singing, another on bass guitar, and a drummer in the background. The stage is illuminated with colorful lights and a red curtain backdrop.
A live music performance featuring three female musicians on stage. One guitarist in the foreground plays an electric guitar, while another musician on bass and a drummer are positioned behind her. The stage is illuminated with colorful lights, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
A female drummer performing on stage with a microphone in front of her, wearing an oversized shirt and holding a drumstick. The image is in black and white, capturing the energy of a live music performance.
A female drummer passionately performing on stage, wearing a red shirt and a choker, with vibrant red lighting in the background.
A woman and a man smiling while showcasing their matching shirts featuring the band name 'The Deffades'.
A black and white image of a female drummer passionately playing her drum set on stage, with her hair flying in motion and a energetic expression on her face.
A musician performing on stage with a microphone and bass guitar, illuminated by colorful stage lights.
A musician performing on stage with a guitar, illuminated by colorful stage lights, showcasing a vibrant live music atmosphere.
A female bassist performing on stage with a focused expression, dressed in a graphic t-shirt and shorts, surrounded by stage lights and a drum set in the background.
A female musician performing on stage, holding a guitar with a polka dot design, under green stage lights.
A female musician performing on stage, holding a guitar and singing into a microphone, with colorful stage lighting in the background.
A female musician passionately playing an electric guitar on stage with her hair flowing, under colorful stage lights.
A female drummer performing passionately in a live music setting, holding drumsticks and singing into a microphone, with a red velvet backdrop.
A close-up shot of a clear box with the name 'The Deffades' printed on it, placed on a stage with musicians performing in the background. The vibrant lighting creates a dynamic atmosphere.
A female musician passionately performing on stage, playing an electric bass guitar under colorful stage lights.
A female musician playing the bass guitar on stage under bright stage lights, focused on her performance.
A female musician playing a bass guitar on stage with vibrant green lights illuminating the background.
A female guitarist performing on stage under colorful lights with a microphone stand nearby.
A female guitarist performing on stage with a polka-dotted electric guitar, illuminated by colorful stage lights.

006_DESTRUCTIVA – @destructiva_

A band performing live on stage, featuring a female vocalist in a polka dot dress and male musicians with instruments, illuminated by colorful stage lights.
A live music performance featuring a band on stage, with a female singer wearing a polka dot dress, playing a microphone, while the other band members play guitar and drums. Colorful stage lights illuminate the scene.
A live band performing on stage, featuring a male guitarist singing into a microphone, a female vocalist in a polka dot dress, and other band members playing instruments, set against a backdrop of colorful stage lights.

007_SIERRA LEVESQUE – @sierralevesquemusic

A female musician performing on stage with an electric guitar, surrounded by musical instruments and amplifiers, in a black and white setting.
A musician passionately performing on stage with a microphone, wearing a stylish black outfit, in a dimly lit venue with bright stage lights.
A female musician passionately performing on stage with a guitar, wearing a stylish black outfit, under colorful stage lights.
A female guitarist passionately performing on stage with a microphone in front of a backdrop of red curtains and illuminated spotlights, surrounded by musical instruments.
A female guitarist passionately performing on stage, with her hair flowing and colorful stage lights in the background.
A musician performing on stage, singing into a microphone while playing an electric guitar, with stage lights and a black curtain in the background.
A musician performing on stage, playing a guitar and singing into a microphone, with stage lights illuminating the scene.
A female guitarist performing passionately on stage, dressed in a black outfit, with colored lights shining in the background.
A female musician performing live on stage with a guitar, speaking into a microphone, surrounded by colorful stage lights.
A female musician performing on stage with an acoustic guitar, singing into a microphone, illuminated by colorful stage lights.
A female musician passionately performing on stage with a guitar, illuminated by colorful stage lights.
A singer performing on stage with an acoustic guitar, illuminated by spotlighting against a backdrop of a red curtain and colorful stage lights.
A female musician passionately performing with an electric guitar on stage, exuding energy and excitement.
A female guitarist performing on stage, singing into a microphone with vibrant stage lights illuminating her. Her hair flows as she engages with the audience, showcasing her passion for music.
A female guitarist performing passionately on stage with dynamic hair movement, wearing a black outfit and surrounded by colorful stage lights.

008_LEILA ADDAMS – @leilaaddamsmusic

A rock band performing live on stage, featuring a female vocalist in the foreground, a guitarist on the left, a drummer in the back, and a bassist on the right. The backdrop is a rich, red curtain, creating an energetic atmosphere.
A band performing on stage with a female vocalist singing into a microphone, flanked by guitarists playing electric guitars and a drummer visible in the background.
A live music performance featuring a female singer passionately singing on stage, accompanied by two guitarists and a drummer in a dimly lit venue.
Female singer performing on stage, holding a microphone, with colorful lights in the background.
A close-up of a female singer performing passionately on stage, microphone in hand, with vibrant lighting in the background.
A female singer performing on stage, passionately holding a microphone, with vibrant stage lights in the background.
A live music performance featuring a rock band with a female vocalist, guitarists, and a drummer, set against a backdrop of red curtains and stage lights.
A band performing live on stage, with a female vocalist passionately singing into a microphone while the guitarists play electric guitars. The drummer is visible in the background, with a curtain backdrop and colorful stage lights illuminating the scene.
A live band performance on stage with a female vocalist singing passionately, accompanied by guitarists and a drummer. The atmosphere is vibrant with colorful stage lights.

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