When listening to the radio nowadays, one might wonder what happened to raw emotion, fun, and heaviness in rock music. Street Play, a local band from Venice, shows that they still exist. With their blend of stimulating riffs, seductive vocals, and compelling lyrics, Street Play has gained a following in the West LA area due to their energetic live shows and jam sessions all over town.

The band consists of Ashla “Razz” on bass and backup vocals, Jenna Reynoza on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Vicente Valdebenito on lead guitar and Jake Pavlica on drums. Street play started when Razz and Reynoza started jamming in August 2015 at Razz’s house in Venice and not long after decided to form a band. Soon after, Jessye Alfaro, their first drummer joined, and then Valdebenito followed a few months later. In summer 2016, Alfaro left for college and was replaced by Pavlica who has been with the band ever since.

Musically, they are inspired by Nirvana’s first album “Bleach,” Bikini Kill, The Cramps, and such classics as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. They also listen to local, less-known bands such as Cherry Glazerr.
Street Play has played many venues with their favorites being the California Institute of the Abnormal Arts, Amplify and Whiskey a Go Go, all located in Hollywood.

Their songs’ topics range from heartbreak to horror films; and from angry songs about school to love letters to Los Angeles. Essentially, they will put anything they feel a connection to in their work and those subjects can live on through their perspective in the songs.

Their EP “Do Me No Good” is on Spotify and Bandcamp. They have an upcoming show Saturday, April 29 at the Vortex DTLA (2341 E. Olympic Blvd.) at 7 p.m. with fellow local band Silent Partner. It is called “Abbey’s Road” and will be a benefit for three-year-old cancer patient Abbey McClellan. You can pay the $10 donation at the door or at Eventbrite online.