Healing Force of the Universe opened up in late 2023 and it only took me a little over a year and a half to make it out there. What's my problem? I'm an unfortunate creature of habit these days, rotating around specific venues / promotors. In Sonic Dreams gave me a necessary push as the promotor was putting on a show at the record store-venue. The venue is located in Pasadena and I would say that most of my visits to the city is driven by a trip to Samy's Camera. Off I went with a good idea of where the venue was located and ended up accidentally driving past Walnut St. Pasadena is the city of one way streets and so I ended up with a couple failed attempts to get one block north. I do have a tendency to drive past spots. The next day, I drove over to a restaurant and instead of turning into the parking lot of the restaurant, I drove past it and turned into the parking lot of an auto service business.
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| Sisters of Black Mountain at Healing Force of the Universe |
When I finally ended up at the venue, I walked in and was greeted with a warm environment that reminded me of the interior designs of The Airliner Bar and The Peppermint Club. There is a minimalist Scandinavian design throughout. I've mentioned in the past my love of classical music so I did appreciate that a nice section was set aside for the music genre. As for the venue part of the multi-use space, there was a couch, a couple seats, and a long bench facing the stage, which had me thinking of Bardot. People also watch from the record aisles or from the sides - a very intimate setting.
My outing to Healing Force of the Universe was a special one as I wanted to catch Sisters of Black Mountain. The last time I caught the band was back in August 2024 (another In Sonic Dreams night, that one at The Fable). Technically, I saw the band in 2025, but only a song or two as I was rushing around taking photos of bands at Happy Sundays Long Beach. The band is the brain child of Cecilia Enriquez -- I first crossed paths with her back in 2016. Per their Spotify bio, the band is inspired by "themes of demon loving, netherworld incantation and resuscitations of Edgar Allan Poe." Those words aren't written lightly as here are some of the band's song titles: "Edgar Allan Poetry" and "Amdusias."
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| Sisters of Black Mountain at Healing Force of the Universe |
The band was dressed in black except the bassist dressed in black and red. He was off in the back, the hidden and silent cult leader. Enriquez shared vocals with two fellow singers and all three wore black devil horns headbands. The stage lights were directed in such a way that the headband shadows danced spookily against the back wall. Were the three dressed in black witches / demons bad or good? Perhaps they were on the side of evil who were casting spells on the audience via their music. The music wonderful went from haunting chants to 60s psychedelic to bedroom pop. Their magical tunes had a mother (was a back-up singer for Eli Tarantula) and daughter clapping in unison.
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| Max Meteor at Healing Force of the Universe |
Opening up the night was solo performer Max Meteor. It was an artistic over-the-top theatrical performance that put the crowd in the right mood. There was a distinct Sci Fi imagery to the set. Max Meteor started off the set wearing a yellow retro tracksuit that reminded one of Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man. Or if one didn't want to go with Sci Fi, there is Uma Thurman in Kill Bill: Volume 1. The tracksuit was taken off to reveal a black dress and ripped black nylons. I think the Sci Fi theme holds as it reminded me of the cyber-punk style in Blade Runner. The onstage dancing had a Pris style. The set included lots of laughter by those in the audience.
Comment of the set: This is one of my wild tracks. By wild, I mean long.
Next comment of the set: If my wig falls off, blame God.
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| Max Meteor at Healing Force of the Universe |
Eli Tarantula (aka Eli Chartkoff) closed out the night with a full band. Back in March, I wrote up a Song Spotlight article. As mentioned in that article, I first came across Chartkoff in 2010 via The Monolators. In regards to The Monolators, it was mentioned that the band will be releasing an album in September.
Comment of the set: There's a guitar pick [left behind by Sisters of Black Mountain] right here. Maybe I'll use it.
Next comment of the set: This one [switching guitars] matches my shoes, but it doesn't stay in tune.
Max Meteor was playing synths for the band and there was an on going search throughout the set for a bag. Someone in the audience had a bag and asked if it was the one. The response, was no. "I'm looking for the bag with all my crap in it." A song or two later, another attempt was made to find the bag. The response from one of the band members was, "Are you still looking for your bag? The show is almost over." What was in the bag? We found out that it was the music notes for each of the songs. Chartkoff responded, "You're doing fine."
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| Eli Tarantula at Healing Force of the Universe |
One of my areas of interest in life is personal finance. I'm watching Youtube videos and reading about it all the time. With that said, the song "One of Those People" caught my attention. It comes from the album Obliteration City. All the songs are "adapted from interviews with various people, some famous, some not." The song is about someone dealing with the financial pain associated with getting a divorce. I live paycheck to paycheck . . . And I'll be one of those people who works 'till they drop dead. The song ended with Chartkoff dropping to hit knees.
No one could top the entertaining performance by Max Meteor, but Chartkoff did try. During "Clang, Clang," he took off running around the record store.
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| Eli Tarantula at Healing Force of the Universe |
Max Meteor setlist: Tear Me Away. Rei of Light. See You, Space Cowgirl. I'll Be Your Shadow. The Killing Moon. XO.
Sisters of the Black Mountain setlist: Spirit Board. Crystal Raven. Amdusias. Edgar Allan Poetry. Lilith. When the Morning Comes. Ghost House-Tambourine.
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| Healing Force of the Universe |
Eli Tarantula setlist: Jam/I'mReal. 99 Cent Store. Where Would I Go. Cats Against Trump. Devil in Minnesota. Fire & Lightning. I Got Nothin'. One of Those People. Clang, Clang. I Bought a Donut.
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