Stephen K. Peeples -- SCV Music: Command Audio & Lombardi Management

On a recent Monday night, a one-off band comprised of members of three different groups who'd never previously played together jammed for fun, combining rock, funk, punk and hip-hop elements from each of their bands. The lineup included guys from Weedeeter and Mass Murder Machine, plus members of Sore (pictured above), a band who came all the way from Milwaukee to record an album at Command Audio.

After the jam, the players chilled with friends and girlfriends on the parking-lot patio outside the studio.
"What I like about Command Audio and Lombardi Management is their professionalism, and the producer here, Chris Collier," said Joe Andre, Sore guitarist (pictured above right). "He got us to come 2,400 miles from Wisconsin here to record. We left all our family and friends behind. We like Robbie and Linda and Chris because of the trust and professionalism that's here, not in the heart of Hollywood, where everyone seems to want to screw you one way or the other. There are honest, good people up here."

"This is what keeps me going," Lombardi said, overhearing this unsolicited endorsement. "When I'm down, I just come here to the studio and listen to a live band. It can be anyone from someone doing R&B, soul, hip-hop, rock, whatever. The music and the kids never fail to bring me back up."

Rock 'n' roll may not make you crazy and old before your time, after all.

Command Studios and Lombardi Management in Canyon Country celebrate their fourth year in music production, artist development and management tonight by hosting a free outdoor concert including a special performance by national touring band epic hero.

"Summer Celebration" starts later today and runs into the evening, with Minneapolis band epic hero topping the bill and three SCV bands opening -- The Band Formerly Known as Charlie & The Band, AWeekendFlight (acoustic set) and Bringing Down Valentine.

This morning, members of epic hero are slated to plug the show on KHTS AM-1220 here and "The Mark & Brian Show" on KLOS-FM 95.5, accompanied by Robbie Altschuer, Command Audio co-owner.

"This is the beginning of a series of shows we want to have here for all ages, because there are zero other venues for young bands to play," said Linda Lombardi, Altschuer's Command Audio partner and head of the affiliated Lombardi Management Company. "We're going to work with most of the bands here in Santa Clarita and bring some in from outside. We plan to get this started in the next few weeks."

This is good news for the local original rock scene, especially the many SCV-based rock, metal, punk and emo bands -- including AWeekendFlight, Weedeeter, Below the Fold, Dim Tribe, Mass Murder Machine and more -- who rehearse and/or record at Command Audio.

The area's first professionally designed audio facility, the 5.000-square-foot combination rehearsal and recording studio complex opened in 2001 and is neatly tucked away at the north end of Oak Avenue, in a light industrial section of Canyon Country adjacent to the Santa Clara River.

No one complains about the noise there, especially at night.

"We have sessions going almost every night, but Monday and Wednesday nights are the most active," said Altschuer, 24 (pictured at left), also a sound engineer and producer, and son of the late Rick Altschuer, who built and opened the complex in 2000 and 2001, and died of cancer in 2004.

"AWeekendFlight come here two times a week to practice," said Lombardi, who partnered professionally with Rick Altschuer and continues as his son's partner. "They've really made tremendous strides since the first time they came to the studio. A few months ago they won their round at the last battle of the bands at Hard Rock at Universal CityWalk."

Lombardi Management is next door to Command's rehearsal and recording studios. Artists who sign a management deal with the company get rehearsal and session time at the studios. Lombardi reps several of the artists who rock out next door (AWeekendFlight, pictured below left, is independently managed).

The operation provides a one-stop source for music production and development, with full venue-size rooms and stages for rehearsal, showcases and private events, management and possible advancements to major and independent record labels, bookings and performance opportunities, TV and film placements, and more.

From the start, Lombardi and Altschuer have been dedicated to working with area rockers and helping develop community acceptance for the idea of musical showcases as a way to raise funds and give kids a chance to play in front of people. So they frequently co-sponsor and/or provide sound and/or talent for many local benefit concerts and special events.

"We'll donate sound for any local concert anytime that gives bands a place to play and helps raise funds for a good cause," Lombardi said.

Most recently, Command Audio donated sound for the "Summer Meltdown" last Saturday night at the Sports Complex Activities Center, a fundraiser for the "Yes I Can" special education programs at Golden Valley High, Canyon High and Rancho Pico. "We helped them last year and we happy to help again this year," Lombardi said.

The concert featured local heroes Smile Empty Soul, I Hate Kate, fractional and Rue, who've worked hard to build audiences here, but have also started to score at least some notoriety outside the SCV.

Sharing the stage for the marathon six-and-a-half-hour show were popular upstart SCV high school bands Driven (Hart High), AWeekendFlight (Canyon), Benny for Mayor (Saugus) and Mic City Sons (Valencia).

"Summer Meltdown" was co-promoted by Sick of Detention Productions and Higher Level Productions, which also books talent for The Londoner, The Rendezvous and other area venues. Joining Command Audio as event sponsors were the Milken Family Foundation, KROQ-FM, Nostress.com, Ginsing Clothing, Remo, Prohjekt.com, Anthem Boardshop, Wilbur Curtis Beverages and Villar Dental Offices.

Last Friday afternoon and evening, Command hosted a CD release party for a new compilation of tracks by Saugus High-based bands, including Ascension and AWeekendFlight. "There were probably close to 300 people going in and out, some with parents, and we didn't have one problem at all," Lombardi said. "It was a free show -- we didn't charge them to host it."

As of this month, Jennifer Welker, a marketing and business management specialist, is joining forces with Lombardi and Altschuer, and they're rechristening the operation Lombardi Management LLC and Studios. The new team plans upgrades and expansions to Command's recording and rehearsal studios starting this summer.

"Our common denominator is we all love music, and want the kids in Santa Clarita to stay in Santa Clarita," Lombardi said. "There's hope now that maybe we can get our own [CD] distribution and do something for them. Parents should support what their kids want to do. They'd know where their kids are, and could check up on them whenever they need to."

"We don't want any artists to have to leave Santa Clarita because they feel they can't make it in the music industry unless they do," Altschuer added. "There are so many talented bands here. I could hear any one of them that's come here to practice on the radio more easily than the crap that's on the radio right now. Weedeeter, Mass Murder Machine, Dim Tribe, AWeekendFlight, Uriah -- bands like those aren't crap."

"The musicians we have here, the kids out here, are great musicians," Lombardi said. "Chris Collier, the head engineer here and a producer, also plays guitar in Weedeeter. They're not doing cover material. They write their own songs. They're true musicians, and [Command Audio] is where they love to hang out."