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from:
Entertainment Today
February 7
POPTOPIA: SHOW #1
JAN 31 ALLIGATOR LOUNGE
The "opening night"
of this year's Poptopia festival featured mammoth lines outside
the venue for the duration of the show and endless hours of non-stop
fun inside. The Julies were given the esteemed honor of kicking
things off, and the new-look, slimmed-down trio served up a platter
of songs about everything from mystery dates and kitty killers
to road kill. Particularly enjoyable was "Surfer Duane,"
a wonderful slab of surf/pop echoing 1982 era KROQ. Within minutes,
the Alligator Lounge was overstuffed with enthusiastic patrons,
living up to its reputation as "the armpit of L.A. rock
clubs" with its lack of ventilation.
Next, but not least, was The
Last. Their electrifying mix of '60s garage/punk made them the
evening's best. Brothers Mike and Joe Nolte have carried The
Last through 20 years and various incarnations; their status
among L.A. bands is legendary. They covered all the bases, from
1979's "Bombing of London" to the anthemic "Time
Is Gone" from their latest LP Gin & Innuendos. And
for those of you keeping score: the omnipresent Robbie Rist made
Poptopia appearance #1 as The Last's hyperactive drummer
an indication that this year's Festival, like 1996, would secretly
be referred to as "Robtopia."
. . .
Poptopia organizer and Martin
Luther Lennon leader Tony Perkins was giddy with glee over the
evening's success, which manifested itself in his band's rip-roaring,
'70's power pop set with punk overtones or should that
be Undertones? Adam Marsland of Cockeyed Ghost chipped in, with
Rist making his third cameo of the evening. An unusual amount
of on-stage horseplay (probably heat-induced) resulted in Perkins'
bass malfunctioning, and in a heroic scene reminiscent of a Mentos
ad, Missy from the Last offered hers selflessly.
Enthusiastic fans, near perfect performances, showstopping shenanigans
and a final act of caring generosity made night #1 of Poptopia
'97 an undeniable success.
—Jim Freek
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