When Rob Zombie tells you to do something…

…you effin listen!

Rob Zombie – “(Go To) California”



The Arbz are jettin’ to California for some rockin’ times in LA, San Diego, and in between. Hit us back up in about a week to hear about our new adventures! Also, if you have any travel suggestions or ideas for The Arbz, shoot us an email at withinrockingdistance@gmail.com : )

Rock Stop #7: Worcester Palladium

One of the best venues in Massachusetts to check out rock and metal acts has got to be the Worcester Palladium. Located in Worcester, they boast a continuous schedule of rockage (yeah, it’s a word!) from lesser known / local acts to mainstream radio rockers to death metalers. Whatever your poison, they are sure to have an antidote.

The venue itself is a decent size and it’s hard to find a terrible spot (unless you’re short and behind a tall dude). There’s a large floor area for all you head bangers and moshers while graduated “levels” work their way up to the back of the club. Additionally, there is upstairs balcony seating for those who want to sit, though it depends on the show. Sound wise, The Palladium is damn near deafening if you are bouncing around the floor. Even from the back, you’ll get a great sound experience. Only once, a couple years ago at a Sevendust show, was the sound quality subpar. Pretty good for a venue that has at least one show a week.

Another great thing about the Palladium is their dedication to all that rocks by hosting The New England Metal and Hardcore Festival every year! This past April marked the 12th year of the show! It is a fabulous event for any rocker with so many different bands to check out.

Drinker? They gotcha covered with a bar upstairs and several in the main downstairs area. Beers are fairly reasonable with most priced at about $5 and mixed drinks and shots are just a few dollars more. (Think the pricing is outrageous? HAH! This is damn near giving them away compared to other venues in the area.) For those of you with munchies, a small concession stand is typically available. In my experience, the hot dogs are pretty decent and they also offer pizza, chips, and various kinds of candy as well.

The Palladium is also a stone’s throw away from the DCU Center. Only negative of this arrangement? Parking will be far more scarce if there are shows going on at both locations. Speaking of parking, there are large lots located in the front and behind the venue so finding a space isn’t much of a hassle and neither is leaving after a show. Typically, the cost seems to vary from event to event but you count on around 10 to 20 bucks. But this is standard for most people by now, am I right?

This is one of my absolute favorite venues to see shows at. The location, the set-up, the events schedule – these can be hard to find elsewhere. And, best of all, this is the place where The Arbz reconnected at a Rob Zombie show after losing touch after graduation. The Palladium is a must stop and rock!

The Palladium is located at 261 Main St Worcester, MA 01608.

Rock Stop #6 - Cabo Wabo Cantina - Las Vegas, NV

Mas tequila! That's what Sammy Hagar says, so you better take his advice at his Mexican influenced Cabo Wabo Cantina located in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort. With a patio facing all the action on the Vegas Strip and ample seating inside, the Cantina is a great place to grab a margarita (or two...or three!).



It was a bit chilly when The Arbz visited, so we chose to sit inside and take in the action of the live cover band (Fridays and Saturdays showcase live bands, while there is karaoke on Sundays. Tequila + Karaoke = good times!). Our waiter was awesome - unfortunately, neither of us can remember his name, but he reminded us of Matthew Lillard, so that's what we decided to call him. Cabo Wabo has a fun, inviting atmosphere - it's casual and comfortable, which is just the way Sammy Hagar would want it. If you prefer to rock out and just chill instead of grab drinks in a sweaty, crowded club, Cabo Wabo is a great option. Now, let's move on to what really matters at Cabo Wabo Cantina - the drinks!


There's a great variety of Cabo Wabo specialty cocktails, including the Waborita and Cactus Pear Margarita. I first tried the Waborita, which is Cabo Wabo Blanco Tequila (Sammy's tequila), Cointreau, Grand Marnier and fresh lime juice. It was very tasty, but I have slight allergies to some fruit juices, so the fresh lime juice was not the best addition for me. We also tried the Cactus Pear Margarita (shown below), which was a better fit for me. The mix of Cabo Wabo Blanco Tequila, Triple Sec, Fresh Cactus Pear Puree, Monin Desert Pear Syrup and fresh lemon and lime juices made it a super sweet concoction.


Naturally, we got delicious dishes to go with our intense margaritas - the three taco plate for both of us. The menu includes a great variety of  Mexican and Tex-Mex inspired dishes that go well with the several specialty cocktails and beers. Don't feel like you're missing out on the fun if you can't stop by Cabo Wabo at night - there is a great Mariachi Brunch on Sundays from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Nothing says Vegas like a brunch that goes past normal lunch hours!

Cabo Wabo is not just a place for adults who want to have a few drinks and rock out. The daytime atmosphere is friendly enough for families to enjoy a meal and watch the sights on the Strip. Though I would recommend leaving the kiddies at home once the night festivities begin. With that much tequila around, there are bound to be quite a few R rated moments! Don't forget, you can always stop by the Cabo Wabo locations in Cabo San Lucas and Lake Tahoe if you're not Vegas bound. Regardless, it's a definite stop for any rock fan!



Cabo Wabo Cantina is located at 3663 Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas, NV. 89109