The Cave Live offers music for all ages

In a Yuba City building that saw performers including the likes of Chuck Berry in the 1950s, a louder, different sound with thundering guitars and raspy vocals is coming from area youth.

The Cave Live, an all-ages music venue, recently opened its Yuba City location at the corner of Bridge and Second streets after relocating from Sacramento. Founder Michael Flanagan started his idea small, hosting concerts in his garage, but wanted to grow and have a legitimate place for the performances.

Flanagan worked with record companies in Southern California when he was still younger than 21 and would often get free tickets to shows. Upon moving to the Yuba-Sutter area last year, Flanagan saw a need for youths here – just like he was years ago – to have a place to go to stay out of trouble.

"I noticed there was a large gap because all there is to do in this town, if you’re not 21, is to go bowling, go to movies or be a mall rat. There's just not much to do," Flanagan said.

More than 200 people attended the venue's grand opening concert on Feb. 15, where they listened to multiple local bands, including local hardcore pop-punk band Lost in Lights.

VIEW A SLIDESHOW FROM THE FEB. 15 CONCERT

"It brings the music scene up," said Lost in Lights drummer Dakota Martin about having a hometown spot to play at consistently. He added that people in the local music scene are very loyal to coming out and supporting the local acts.

Kevin Kennedy, vocalist for the newly formed hardcore group Crossface, agreed that there is a demand for local music, citing the loud and large crowd.

"The music scene is real tight here," Kennedy said.

With no real stage, the musicians stood toe-to-toe with their screaming fans. Often a band's vocalist would share his mic with fans while guitarists wailed on the necks of their instruments.

"You just need to be a part of it if you want to keep it going," said Steve Barboza, vocalist for hardcore group Anthem.

Barboza said he has been a part of the Yuba-Sutter music scene for the past nine years, saying that it was music that "saved his life."

He said he had tried to kill himself multiple times as a young teenager and was spending time with the wrong crowd. Music is what kept him off the streets.

Through his music, he hopes to be able to reach out to people who find themselves experiencing what he did when he was younger.

"Find something that keeps you moving. It's easy to feel depressed and down when you aren't doing anything," Barboza said.

Flanagan's hope for the venue – where he hopes to book groups in genres from metal to rap to country – is for it to be a positive influence and inspire kids with music. He encourages parents to come and see what the venue is like.

"We're hoping to have large artists as well as your neighbor," Flanagan said.