The Rezillos – The Stitches – Gestapo Khazi – at The Echo – Los Angeles, CA

The Rezillos made their way down to Los Angeles to play a highly anticipated show at The Echo. After hearing and reading how crazy and fun the last 4 New York shows were, you could pretty much guess that the show was going to go off. With a line-up including Gestapo Khazi, The Stitches, and The Rezillos, there's no way you could just stand still and not dance.Before doors were even open, the line to enter The Echo was already very long. There were some people, including myself, that were afraid not very many people were going to show up given that it was a Sunday night, but thankfully we were wrong.

Best described as if Wire, The Middle Class, and Dead Kennedys mixed together, Gestapo Khazi opened the show. Since they last played an unforgettable show with The Zounds, Gestapo Khazi fans were ready to hear a short but sweet set. About 2/3rds into the set, the drummer took a gnarly dive into the crowd. It looked like he landed pretty hard, but after a few seconds he sot right back up, got on stage and finished the rest of their set.

LA/OC Punk band The Stitches were next. Their edgy 77' style power pop ALWAYS make the crowd go crazy. They were very energetic, and the singer showed off his crazy dance moves for each and every song. Honestly, The Stitches have to be one of the best opening bands out there. No matter who they play with, their crowd never shows them a dull moment. The whole floor was packed and moving. Every few minutes the people would be dancing, then go straight into a pogo dance pit, but regardless of how anyone was dancing, everyone was having a good time.

8 years ago in Southern California, The Rezillos played a packed and memorable show at the Showcase Theater, so it was an honor to have them back. Around midnight, The Rezillos made their grand entrance, causing everyone to scream and cheer. For a lot of people there, they're one of those bands that we thought we would never see live, so there were a lot of first timers. Main singers Fay Fife and Eugene Reynolds were extremely entertaining all night, and a few of the band members played their whole set in sun glasses, making them kind of mysterious.  The whole crowd new all of the words to classics such as "Top of the Pops", "Flying Saucer Attack", and majority of their 1978 "Cant Stand The Rezillos" album.

It was cool to see "Punks" of all types to go out of their comfort zone and actually dance instead of stand like a tough guy (or girl) or stay in the pit all night. Lot's of dancing, sweating, and heavy breathing as going down and it seemed as if people got more energetic every time they played another song. Fay was especially fun to watch that evening. She came out in a bright green vinyl dress with fishnets and she stood out. Her fun dance moves, interesting hand gestures, facial expressions, and overall appearance were just amazing. After about 45 minutes of playing, they said goodbye and left the stage.

   Enjoy the video overview of The Rezillos show that you missed



For a second people thought they weren't coming back out, but they did. They played a few last songs and ended with the famous cover of "Somebody's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight". The hour long set was just too short, but people happily and sweatily left the venue, satisfied they they got to see a band that has a big part to do with the new wave Punk era. Hopefully this isn't the last time The Rezillos are in Southern California for a performance -come back soon!
Songs performed were: Out of This World - Flying Saucer Attack - Getting Me Down - Cold Wars - Tomorrow - Mystery Action - So Deep - It Gets Me - Tormentor - Destination Venus - Top of the Pops - Good Sculptures - River Deep, Mountain High - I Can't Stand My Baby - Somebody's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked in Tonight

This show was brought to you by the folks over at Part Time Punks which is a total DIY type outfit that have put on some of the best shows here in Los Angeles and The Rezillos show is more evidence of that. Stay tuned to their website so that you can be on the ground floor of the shows they put on: www.parttimepunks.com

 

                             More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Corrina P.-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

Go HERE to see all the latest show reviews

 

Send your comments to the editor HERE