There’s a saying: “if you don’t have classic rock or ‘80s music in your playlist, then you don’t have a playlist.”
This is the case for so many music lovers. We often think about the magic and mystique of the songs that paved the way for bands today. That is a recipe for greatness; that’s why when we hear there is an ‘80s show with legends, we gather up the village and go!
This happened last week at the House of Blues Anaheim. It was dubbed as a birthday celebration for Dale Bozzio of Missing Persons, but honestly, we celebrated a lot more.
As I walked into the House of Blues, everyone could tell the atmosphere would be festive. Concertgoers were dressed in their favorite outfits from back in the day. Some had Missing Persons swag, Bow Wow Wow, Dramarama, Naked Eyes, Stacey Q, while others wore everything from Smiths, The Cure and yes, even Madonna made an appearance.
This night, we all celebrated with the aforementioned sonic heroes of the ’80s, Bow Wow Wow, Pete Byrnes of Naked Eyes, Dramarama, Stacey Q and of course, Dale Bozzio and Missing Persons.
The near-capacity crowd was ready to take in the sights and sounds of their favorite bands. As the PA music dimmed, along with the lights, the crowd roared as Annabella L’win took the stage.
Immediately, she took charge of the crowd and powered though with “W.O.R.K.,” then “Louis Quatorze,” before taking a very short break as she welcomed the crowd – and boy was the crowd so very happy to see her. Annabella smiled and said, “You may know this one.” Then they went into “Baby, Oh No!”
The thing you gotta love about the HOB is that sound system, because that song sounded amazing.
Before the crowd could take a breath, Annabella took us through more great songs, “Roustabout,” “Quiver,” and the crowd erupted to “Do You Wanna Hold Me.”
And as the crowd wanted more, Bow Wow Wow delivered with their signature song, “I Want Candy.”
After a very short intermission, the crowd was ready for Pete Byrne’s of Naked Eyes. The English rocker took to the stage and went straight to it, opening with “(What) In the Name of Love” and “Voices in My Head.”
Byrne thanked everyone for coming out and was clearly happy to be there, “Piccadilly,” was next before he lit up the house with “Promises, Promises.”
As the crowd drowned itself in its own roar, they deafened themselves again Byrnes delivered “(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me.”
Next up was Jersey’s favorite sons, Dramarama.
As the band took the stage, they opened with “Scenario.” Lead singer, John Easdale came out wearing his traditional black hat, black overcoat, and his very cool red Chuck Taylors.
Easdale was on fire. He followed-up with “Prayer,” “I’ve Got Spies,” and their big hit “Haven’t Got a Clue,” which included the first mass chorus of the night from the band’s devoted fans.
As everyone had their phones out with video recorders on, Easdale lost the coat and went into “Work for Food,” before electrifying the House of Blues with a cover of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World.” Sure, that was a cover, but Young himself would have given that rendition a thumbs up it was that good.
Then, before the deafening sound could subside, off Dramarama went into their uber-hit, “Anything, Anything.”
Up next was ‘80s icon, Stacey Q. With her electric band behind her, she came out strong to “Insecurity,” then “Music Out of Bounds.”
There was an electricity throughout the venue as the beat took over, and Stacey danced across the stage from left to right and the crowd was engaged, they screamed out to “We Connect,” then “Dancing Nowhere.”
As everyone was settled and at the point of the show where they could take a breath, the drumbeat from Rob Juarez was pulsating throughout the venue as the crowd lost its mind to her colossal hit, “Two of Hearts.”
The song seemed to last just seconds, because it ended way too soon for the crowd of adoring fans, and just like that the set was over. Being the class act they are, Stacey Q and the band got together at the front of the stage and took a bow.
The thing that was much appreciated by all was how quickly the crew was able to set the stage, and the headliner was ready to deliver. As the curtain lifted and the lights dimmed, out came the icon. With the swagger than defines her, out came Dale Bozzio; and she launched us back in time with “Mental Hopscotch!”
It was clear to all, the incomparable Ms. B was in the house!
Immediately that familiar base line reverberated through the House of Blues, with Karl D’Amico on guitar, and Prescott Niles on bass. Fred Bensi was on keys and drummer Andy Sanesi was slappin’ the skins.
The crowd lost its mind as they segued into “Noticeable One,” then they lost their shit to “Words.” It was surreal as literally everyone sang along to “What are words for, when no one listens anymore!”
As the crowd got louder, Missing Persons met them with equal heat as they provided another larger-than-life moment as Bozzio & Company pumped out Doors cover of “Hello, I Love You.”
If that wasn’t enough to drive the crowd crazy, Bozzio followed up with “I Love Boys,” “It Ain’t None of Your Business,” before blowing the roof off the House of Blues to “Destination Unknown.” With birthday wishes to Bozzio being on everyone mind, the night couldn’t end more appropriately enough as Missing Persons closed with “Walking in L.A.”
No disrespect to classic rock, but this night… new wave ‘80s reigned supreme.
The beat continues. The next ‘80s extravaganza takes place August 24th at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. Check out Lost ‘80s Live – it’s another stellar lineup ready to electrify you! The show will be hosted by everyone’s favorite dj, Richard Blade.
