The Cab

 

Las Vegas has proven to be a surprisingly fertile ground for musical talent, with its indie and alternative scenes thriving alongside the city’s more famous mainstream acts. Beyond the bands previously discussed, another notable act from the Vegas scene is The Cab, a pop-rock band that formed in 2004 and contributed to the city’s growing reputation as a hub for diverse music. Known for their catchy melodies and emo-pop sensibilities, The Cab carved out a space in the mid-2000s music landscape, performing at venues like the Beauty Bar and gaining national recognition. Below is a six-paragraph exploration of The Cab’s story, their rise, and their place in Las Vegas’ vibrant music culture, written for your blog readers.

The Cab, a pop-rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2004 when high school friends Alexander DeLeon (vocals), Cash Colligan (bass), Alex Marshall (guitar), Ian Crawford (guitar), and Alex Johnson (drums) began jamming together, inspired by the emo and pop-punk wave sweeping the nation. Their early days were spent playing local gigs at venues like the Beauty Bar, a Fremont East staple known for hosting indie acts. The band’s polished yet heartfelt sound, blending influences from Fall Out Boy to Maroon 5, quickly built a loyal following, amplified by MySpace promotion in the platform’s heyday. By 2007, their buzz led to a deal with Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen, a label run by Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz, marking their transition from Vegas locals to national contenders.

Their debut album, Whisper War (2008), was a breakout, peaking at number 67 on the Billboard 200 and featuring the hit single “I’ll Run,” which showcased DeLeon’s smooth vocals and the band’s knack for infectious hooks. Produced by Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, the album captured the youthful energy of the late-2000s pop-rock scene, with tracks like “Bounce” and “One of THOSE Nights” (featuring Wentz and Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco) gaining radio play. Alternative Press named them “The Band You Need to Know 2008,” and their performances at the Beauty Bar and other Vegas venues like The Bunkhouse solidified their local hero status before they hit the road on Warped Tour and tours with bands like The Hush Sound.

The Cab’s follow-up, Symphony Soldier (2011), marked a bolder, more experimental phase, with DeLeon taking greater creative control after lineup changes saw Crawford and Marshall depart. Recorded independently after parting with Decaydance, the album featured lush production and introspective lyrics, with singles like “Bad” and “La La” earning praise for their pop sophistication. Though it didn’t chart as high, the album’s ambition resonated with fans, and the band’s live shows—known for DeLeon’s charismatic stage presence—remained a draw. They returned to Vegas for gigs at venues like the Hard Rock’s Vinyl, connecting with their roots while touring with acts like Maroon 5 and Simple Plan.

Lineup shifts continued to challenge the band, with Colligan and Johnson exiting by 2014, leaving DeLeon as the sole original member. The Cab released the Lock Me Up EP in 2014, featuring the fan-favorite “Lock Me Up,” but soon entered a hiatus as DeLeon pursued solo work under the moniker Bohnes, exploring a darker, electronic sound. Despite the break, The Cab’s influence lingered in Vegas, where their early Beauty Bar shows had helped inspire the 2012 indie wave alongside acts like Restless Suns and Bear With Me. Their music, blending pop-rock with emo vulnerability, captured the zeitgeist of a generation and remains a nostalgic touchstone for fans.

The band’s legacy in Las Vegas is tied to their role in proving the city could produce nationally recognized acts beyond The Killers or Imagine Dragons. The Cab performed at festivals like Neon Reverb, where their pop-rock energy complemented the event’s diverse lineups of hip-hop and punk acts. Their success, driven by early gigs at the Beauty Bar’s intimate stage, helped elevate Fremont East as a cultural hub, inspiring later bands like SECOS to champion local talent. With over a million monthly Spotify listeners for tracks like “Angel With a Shotgun,” The Cab’s music continues to resonate, even as DeLeon focuses on solo projects.

As of 2025, The Cab remains on hiatus, with no confirmed reunion plans, though DeLeon has hinted at potential new music on social media. Their Beauty Bar performances, part of the venue’s storied history before its closure in June 2025, are remembered as electric moments in Vegas’ indie scene. For fans hoping to relive the band’s sound, tracks from Whisper War and Symphony Soldier are available on streaming platforms, and DeLeon’s Bohnes project offers a glimpse of his evolving artistry. The Cab’s journey—from Vegas dive bars to national tours—underscores the city’s ability to nurture talent that blends local grit with universal appeal, cementing their place in Las Vegas’ musical legacy.