How about a game of spotting the original members out of ‘80s bands? Plenty of the bigger package ‘80s shows take place all around, such as at the Greek Theatre and the Microsoft Theatre. Taken generally, they’re tons of fun as long as you don’t take any aspect too seriously. However, this one that was held at the House of Blues may test your patience.
As an aside, LA’s ska vets the Untouchables pretty much got off sounding simply superb on Friday, even though they only have one remaining original member — frontman Jerry Allen. This may not sound fair, but if the only remaining original member happens to be the singer, you can get away with a lot.
They did the hits, including “Twist N Shake”, “I Spy for the FBI,” and “Free Yourself”, and managed to sound spot on despite Allen facing a few issues with the microphone. This same statement does not hold where it concerns When in Rome II though.
When in Rome’s story is pretty silly. They’re an English new wave band comprising Michael Floreale, Andrew Mann, and Clive Farrington. Their big hit was named “The Promise” – which later came to be included on Napoleon Dynamite. Things went downhill after that, with all the members trying to have their own name the same as the band’s. Farrington and Mann market themselves as When in Rome UK, and when playing in the States, as “Farrington + Mann”. Floreale, meanwhile, has gathered a new lineup, and that crew is the one which played at the House of Blues.
Frontman Tony Fennell has been in a subsequent version of Ultravox (following Midge Ure), as well as rhythm guitar for the hair metal outfit Enuff Z’Nuff. In all fairness, he did bring his own bit of rock swagger to some of the songs, such as “Haunted”. Plus, it was interesting listening to him run through “All Stood Still” by Ultravox, with Enuff Z’Nuff, given that most fans have already heard Midge Ure singing it last week at the Ace Hotel. What did sound wrong though, was “The Promise”. Farrington + Mann are known to occasionally play it at other ‘80s concerts, but they do it right.
Bow Wow Wow’s is pretty much a similar story. Original singer Annabella Lwin goes on tour as “Annabella’s Bow Wow Wow”. However, this version has only bassist Leigh Gorman as someone from the classic band. Singers don’t stick on long enough to be hailed by the fan masses, and the current one happens to be jazz singer Dame Madelyn, who by all accounts is a decent performer. That said, Madelyn can’t quite manage the zaniness this job requires, such as the coos, and shrieks and whoops that are a Bow Wow Wow characteristic. Still, you have “I Want Candy.”
Gene Loves Jezebel’s story is both troubling and well-known. Twins Jay and Michael Aston are still at odds, with each trying to head their own take on the band. This one was Michael’s, based in the US, despite Jay’s GLJ recently having been in town for Cruel World Fest. Most fans think of the latter as the genuine band.
This band was still fun at House of Blues, maybe even achieving the status of the best that evening. Michael pranced and preened on stage a lot like Marc Bolan, and even brought out his daughter and friends to celebrate her birthday by singing “Gorgeous” with him. The most epic highlight was “Desire.”
