At the Haven, Daniel Salgado (on bass), Finneus Santana (on drums), and Kenneth Rutherford (on guitar) of Mustard Grass performs on March 29. Photo by Ryan Gomez. 
At the Haven, the crowd cheers for Mustard Grass to play on March 29. Photo by Allison Chung, Clarion. 
At the Haven, the crowd from the back watch Mustard Grass play on March 29. Photo by Lance Bernard, Clarion. 
At the Haven, attendees sings into the mic with Mustard Grass playing on stage on March 29. Photo by Allison Chung, Clarion.
A crowd of music fans gathered at The Haven in Pomona on March 29, packing the small venue for a night of fast-paced indie rock.
The indie punk band Mustard Grass performs what the group said would be its final show. The band’s lead singer, Citrus College sophomore Zachary Cooper, helped lead a fast and energetic set that kept the crowd moving and cheering throughout the night.
Mustard Grass includes Cooper on lead vocals, Kenneth Rutherford on lead guitar, Daniel Salgado on bass and Finneus Ray Santana on drums. The band estimated it has played at The Haven about 16 times.
The Haven itself has long been part of Pomona’s arts community. Originally opened in 1992, the coffeehouse-style venue helped support emerging artists and musicians before closing in 1997. It was revived in 2021, bringing the space back as a hub for up-and-coming indie bands.
The venue is small, which puts the audience only a few feet from the stage. That closeness makes the shows feel personal, and the crowd feeds off the band’s energy. During the March 29 performance, Mustard Grass kept the room engaged with its fast, punk-style sound and nonstop momentum.
“That’s where you go, you just have a good time at The Haven,” Salgado said.
For new up-and-coming bands, Cooper said that having that sense of effort intertwined with the music and members brings about that fire.
“The utmost important thing,” Cooper said, “the people you’re doing it with have to be your friends.”
He added that success in music often comes down to dedication.
At the Haven, the bassist, Daniel Salgado of Mustard Grass plays and sings to the crowd on March 29. Photo by Allison Chung, Clarion. 
At the Haven, Zachary Cooper, singer of Mustard Grass, crowd surfs away from the stage on March 29. Photo by Ryan Gomez. 
Crowd shuffling out of the Haven after the last band has played on March 29. Photo by Allison Chung, Clarion. 
At the Haven, Zachary Cooper and Daniel Salgado, singer and bassist of Mustard Grass embrace each other after their last song on March 29. Photo by Allison Chung, Clarion.
“Like anything in life, you’ve just got to be consistent about it, doing it every single day,” Salgado said. “You’re going to be great.”
Drummer Finn Ray Santana said the venue is also a great place for fans to meet people and discover new music.
“Go to shows alone,” Santana said. “You go to a show with your friends, you’re going to stay in that bubble. Talk to people, make connections. The best way to do it, just start today.”
The Haven regularly hosts all-ages shows and tickets are usually affordable, making it an easy place for s fans to catch live music. With bands performing often and a welcoming crowd, the venue continues to give new artists a stage and audiences a chance to discover new bands.
