About The Commute
The Commute was an indie rock band from Los Angeles, active during the early 2000s and built on the kind of friendship, timing, and garage-practice chemistry that defined so many bands of that era.
The band featured Jeff Fuentes on vocals and guitar, Matt Vasquez on guitar, Corey Kelsey on bass, and Christina Corona on drums. What started as a group of friends making noise together became something louder, stronger, and more meaningful: songs, shows, inside jokes, late nights, long drives, and a shared love of making people move.
Matt and Jeff had known each other since their elementary school years, and after years of friendship and musical ideas, they set out to start a band. Corey joined on bass in 2004, and from the first practice, the sound began to take shape. The final piece came when Christina joined on drums, bringing the rhythm and energy that helped turn the project into The Commute.
The name came naturally. Between Los Angeles traffic, different hometowns, long drives to practice, and the constant movement that came with being in a band, “The Commute” became more than a name. It became part of the band’s identity.
Musically, The Commute lived somewhere between indie rock, garage energy, post-punk mood, and classic melody. Their sound pulled from influences like The Beatles, The Strokes, Interpol, The Doors, punk rock, and Joy Division, while still carrying the loose, playful personality of four friends trying to bottle up a moment and turn it into a song.
During their run, The Commute played across Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire, releasing songs including “Calm Blue Light,” that became part of a small but unforgettable chapter in the local early-2000s indie scene.
Twenty years later, this site is a tribute to that time. It is a place for the songs, photos, videos, memories, flyers, stories, and people who were part of The Commute from 2004 to 2008.
Whether you saw the band live, found an old demo, knew someone in the crowd, or are discovering the music years later, welcome back.
Meet The Band
Jeff Fuentes
Guitar / Vocals
Matt Vasquez
Guitar
Corey Kelsey
Bass
Christina Corona
Drums
Live Show Archive
Date
Venue
.
7/19/08
The Wire – Upland, CA
5/11/08
Spaceland – Los Angeles, CA
4/24/08
Charlie O’s – Los Angeles, CA
with The Radio Sweetheart and The Ghost Lullaby.
4/18/08
The Wire – Upland, CA
with Stepsonday and Science Fiction Theater.
10/24/07
Mr. T’s Bowl – Highland Park, CA
6/23/07
The Plush Cafe – Fullerton, CA
5/30/07
Tangier Lounge – Los Angeles, CA
2/3/07
The Wire – Upland, CA
1/10/07
Tangier Lounge – Los Angeles, CA
12/10/06
Safari Sam’s – Hollywood, CA
with Seve vs Evan and Uberband.
12/9/06
The Wire – Upland, CA
10/10/06
Knitting Factory – Los Angeles, CA
with The Skies of America.
10/6/06
Demo Listen – KXLU 88.9 FM Los Angeles
Not a live show, but on live radio! Thank you, KXLU 88.9 FM.
9/16/06
The Wire – Upland, CA
with …fire!, The Trade, The Red Eyes, and The Anix.
9/6/06
Zen Sushi – Los Angeles, CA
6/26/06
The Brown Derby – Los Angeles, CA
6/10/06
Mark’s Backyard – Whittier, CA
6/7/06
Zen Sushi – Los Angeles, CA
with Black Current and Yo Tokyo.
3/4/06
Matt’s Backyard – Ontario, CA
9/25/05
Showcase Theater – Corona, CA
Battle of the Bands – sponsored by Best Buy.
9/24/05
Matt’s Backyard – Ontario, CA