Taz

Taz was a prominent fixture of the Southern California hard rock and glam scene during the mid-to-late 1980s. Formed in Orange County in 1983 as Maniac Thrust before rebranding in 1985, the group consisted of Kent Kleven, Ethan Gladstone, Chris Roy, and a rotating cast of drummers including Kenny Pierce and Joey Carallo.

They occupied a unique cultural space, bridging the gap between the polished pop-metal of the Sunset Strip and the more aggressive hard rock emerging from the OC suburbs. Despite being a top-tier draw in legendary venues across Hollywood, San Francisco, and Las Vegas, their recorded output remained relatively scarce during their prime, with the 'Cold Shoulder' EP notably seeing its primary release in Japan. Their sound is characterized by Gladstone's technical guitar work and Kleven's high-energy vocal delivery. Historically, they represent the 'lost' tier of 80s rock - bands with immense local influence and technical skill that helped define a regional aesthetic without achieving the global commercial breakthrough of their peers.