Cypress College student, Isac Partida, along with the rest of his band Cedar Boulevard are making an impression on the Orange County music scene with four last shows in Southern California before heading to Ontario, Canada.
This post-hardcore/punk/metal band seeds its roots in Perth, Australia before the addition of two Orange County natives. Bass guitarist Kris Ahlquist, 23, and guitarist Luke Sharp, 23, started the band back in Perth, Australia when their songs were just ideas and the thought of a band was just a passion. When the two moved to Toronto, Canada in 2013, they found the perfect fit for a drummer in David Mari, 22.
While the original Cedar Boulevard recorded their first EP in 2014, it wasn’t until earlier this year when the band was in California did they find another guitarist Chris “CJ” Marin, 20, and a lead vocalist Isac Partida, 20 that made the band whole.
Isac Partida said of the band’s shows, “every gig is just a haze because the minute I step on stage, it’s just myself and the band doing what we love together!”
So where does the name Cedar Boulevard come from? “That’s a story we’re keeping to ourselves for now.” said the band.
Instrumentally, Cedar Boulevard draws a big inspiration from bands such as Avenged Sevenfold, Metallica, Green Day, and more rock bands such as these. Outside of the rock scene, there are a variety of different artists that inspire the band from classical all the way through pop and hip hop.
Cedar Boulevard performing live.
Partida said of what people should expect when seeing Cedar Boulevard perform live, “every show we play, we want people to do nothing but talk about how awesome we were or how great the music was.”
“These last few gigs are going to rock because we won’t let it be any other way.” Said Partida of the upcoming shows in Southern California.
Cedar Boulevard is currently finishing up their Southern California tour with three dates left. The first date is May 17th at 5 p.m. at Characters in Pomona for guests 21 years and older for $8 a ticket. The remaining two shows are on May 21st at 7 p.m. at Dipiazzas in North Long Beach for guests of all ages for $8 a ticket in advance and $12 at the door and on May 22nd at 7 p.m. at Blacklight District Lounge in Long Beach, a 21 year and older event for $5 a ticket.
After these last dates in Southern California, Cedar Boulevard will be performing in Ontario, Canada. “I seriously count the seconds until we leave for Canada. I’ve always wanted to go on tour with a band and just really live like a musician!” Said Partida.
For more information on Cedar Boulevard and their upcoming show dates visit there website at www.cedarboulevard.com or their facebook page at www.facebook.com/cedarboulevard.
