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South Pasadenans may know Michael Gavlak as a crazy, orange and black boa-clad “DUDE” at 4th of July parades and a dedicated Dad about town. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to many, he’s been rocking out and rocking out hard with his band, Gavlak, since 2011. While working as a reality TV editor on a job involving some punk and metal musicians, Gavlak found himself chatting with a couple of editors about music. Come to find out, they were bandmates who had just lost their lead singer. After hearing that Gavlak had been the lead singer of a band 25 years earlier, “they auditioned me in the bathroom at work! In short order I was the front man and they picked my last name as the band name…dead serious…it wasn’t me!”
He finally got a second chance to write original music with Gavlak and they now boast 11 original songs with Michael writing all the lyrics. Self described as very hard rock/rap/punk, “this will be our second show at The Rose and they’ve invited us to come back in September,” says Gavlak, “our guitar player toured with the Beastie Boys and our drummer on our recordings is Beastie Boys drummer, Fredo Ortiz.”
Gavlak ended up in South Pasadena when he decided to pursue his dream of working in the television industry and was looking for a place to raise a family. He says they fell in love with South Pas on sight and moved here in September of 2005. Calling South Pas ‘heaven on earth’ Gavlak says, “where else in the world can you find it’s inexplicably preserved small-town character, neighborhoods that actually maintain neighborliness, ten minutes from one of the biggest cities in the world? Perhaps there are others, but for me, finding this place was truly a “Eureka!” moment.”
Gavlak says he is impressed by the high quality people who populate our great city, marveling, “not only are these people supremely skilled in their professions, but they are genuinely accepting and caring toward me and my family. As a result, South Pasadena has become not just a shorter commute to work, but a home where I hope my roots will go deep. I’ve made lifelong friends and I can’t think of a better place for my three children to grow into who they were meant to be.”
As for the band Michael says, “it’s been a long process as we all work day jobs and have families, but momentum seems to be picking up. We’ll see what happens. In the meantime, we are having a helluva time just rocking hard for our friends and fans.”
Gavlak and SlikTwist are opening for Metalachi at The Rose in Pasadena August 25, 2017
Doors open at 6pm Music starts at 7pm $24 | $28 | $34 + applicable fees. If you purchase a ticket at a table, you are required to purchase dinner. Minimum spend is $25 per person. You must arrive by 7pm.
Under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult. www.roseconcerts.com
