Binges at the Viper Room pics

I used to go to shows on the Sunset Strip all the time in the late '80s and early '90s. At the Roxy, there was the Jesus & Mary Chain, Butthole Surfers, Johnny Thunders, Redd Kross, Shonen Knife, Drive Like Jehu, Pizzicato Five... At the Whisky it was Ramones, Sonic Youth, Descendents, My Bloody Valentine... Not so many reasons to go there these days, except for maybe The Binges who play the Viper Room now and then. Above, shredding guitarist Mayuko Okai and kick-ass singer Dylan Squatcho


The venue is actually a perfect place to see the hometown group, with lots of booze and rocker chicks galore (I use that term with the utmost of respect). The stage is high but not too high, the size is small but not too small, and the volume is loud. I think this is the most crowded show I've seen the band at so far--but not nearly as energetic as the crowd at the GR show.


Original drum pounder Travis Smith returned to the lineup for this show, making for smooth sailing. Ripper on the bass Tsuzumi Okai told me that the gig was a showcase for Atlantic Records, which would be a cool fit for the band. The same label as Led Zeppelin and Rush? Perfect. Better watch that Metallica T-shirt, though...


The set was great, with some tweaks (slightly more backup vocals by the sisters?) and new songs (hear them on the band's MySpace page). What was already one of L.A.'s most awesome bands keeps working it.


Get in the pit, buy the merch, support the band.