The Catalyst

Is a nightclub/bar/venue in downtown Santa Cruz, CA. I've been there, many times, mainly between 2003-2008. The Catalyst usually meant some kind of event was going down. A few times I went there without the benefit of a live act, and it felt like a completely different place.  Vivid memories are nonexistent... they're understandably blurry. Happy though, I'll say. Smoke-free, unlike other places I followed along to.

My favorite show were Hell's Belles, an all-female AC/DC tribute band. On another night, I also remember seeing an impromptu breakdance battle (?), maybe it was just one guy.

I was reading in Mojo Magazine this article on some epic Neil Young show there called "Rust Bucket". I only missed it by 15 years. Someone like me though was there, experiencing that in a low-key way like everything else in Santa Cruz.