The Negotiators: Rockin' Youngsters Are the Real Deal

Rock’s newest generation proved their worth on the Sunset Strip this weekend, performing before an audience of close to 300 people at the Whisky a Go Go.

The Negotiators, featuring 8-year-old Colin Love on bass, 7-year-old Elliot Korzen on drums and his 9-year-old brother Oliver Korzen on guitar and lead vocals, is one of the youngest acts to ever grace the stage of one of West Hollywood’s most iconic venues.

Styled, excited and ready to rock, the boys kicked off their set Saturday with “All These Things That I've Done” by the Killers. “Bullet With Butterfly Wings” by the Smashing Pumpkins followed, both featuring Oliver on lead vocals, then Foster the People's "Pumped Up Kicks."

Without revealing the name of the next song, Oliver announced that his brother Elliot would be singing. Following the tune, Oliver giggled, returned to the mic, and said, “In case you didn’t know what that song was, it was called 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams.' ”

Elliot grabbed his drumsticks and counted off the start of the band's next number, “All Star” by Smash Mouth. Shortly into the song, the Negotiators experienced their first onstage blooper as Colin broke a string on his bass. Following in the footsteps of true rock 'n' roll professionals, Oliver manned the vocals while Colin’s guitar tech prepared his backup bass.

The crowd cheered as Colin returned to the stage, armed with a new bass, and ready to finish off the song. Colin then redeemed himself, singing an energetic rock version of Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger,” giving Oliver a ripping guitar solo and instructing the band to “break it down” at the bridge.

The Negotiators paused occasionally between songs to throw personalized guitar picks to lucky audience members and interact with the crowd. In addition to impressive guitar solos, catchy bass lines and groove-worthy drumbeats, the boys had their stage moves down.

If they were nervous, they didn’t show it. Colin strutted around the stage as he strummed away on bass, Oliver bobbed his head along to monstrous guitar riffs and Elliot beamed as he whaled away on his drums.

The boys wrapped up their set with covers of “Sometime Around Midnight” and “Brainstew” by Green Day. Oliver thanked everyone for coming to the show, while Colin thanked his guitar teacher and brought the crowd to laughter by saying “Sorry, ladies. He’s married.”

Following the final song, Elliot tossed his drumsticks into the crowd. The trio huddled for a bow, and walked off stage bearing the biggest smiles their faces could hold.

“I was nervous in the beginning, because we were the first band,” said Colin. Oliver chimed in. “It was scary when his bass broke, because I had to play the whole song by myself,” he said.

Elliot told Patch that the Negotiators are definitely planning on playing more shows and, according to Colin, they are working on solidifying a gig at the Universal outside stage.

Playing at the Whisky a Go Go was not only a dream for the members of the Negotiators, but a special treat for their parents as well.

Roger Love, father of Colin, said that his son was singing before he was speaking. “He started there and just kept going," he said. "His sister Madison Love is a singer-songwriter. Maybe Colin just figured that everyone in the family did that." Love said he wants the boys to make music for as long as it is fun for them.

The parents of the Negotiators could not have been more proud of the boys’ performance. Brad Korzen and Kelly Wearstler, parents of Elliot and Oliver, called the evening one of their greatest moments as parents.

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