She Wants Revenge in Pomona
CONCERT REVIEW
She Wants Revenge sure knows how to create the right mood.
The Los Angeles band makes dark, seductive and seedy music inspired by The Cure, Depeche Mode and film noir soundtracks. I'd imagine their music is popular in strip clubs and the Red Light District in Amsterdam.
Over the past couple years, She Wants Revenge toured nonstop, playing everything from small clubs to Coachella and the Greek Theatre (where it headlined off the strength of KROQ hit “Tear You Apart”). Surprisingly, the self-titled 2006 debut only sold around 300,000 copies. With any luck, strong new disc “This is Forever” will push it to gold status.
During a sold out gig at the Glass House last Friday, singer/guitarist Justin Warfield and multi-instrumentalist Adam “12” Bravin (augmented by two tour musicians) performed under shadowy lighting. The set opened set with eerie instrumental “First, Love,” the first of several “Forever” selections.
Warfield - frizzy hair covered by a stocking cap – didn't sing in a low monotone like on the CDs. “Written in Blood” proved scary while “Broken Promises for Broken Hearts” was highly danceable. Several young fans did wild herky jerky moves in the back of the floor area. One even exclaimed “let's give it up for rock 'n' roll!”
A vigorous “Tear You Apart” was dispatched early. The crowd went wild and formed a mini slam pit. Bravin played guitar, bass and keyboards at various points in the concert. Warfield gestured to the bleak lyrics.
“The Glass House has always been a special place for us. There's no place we'd rather start a tour,” said Warfield. Standouts included “Red Flags and Long Nights” with its spooky Bauhaus vibe and the quick-paced “Replacement,” driven by a New Order sonic bed.
Some technical difficulties prompted Warfield to attempt an a capella version of “She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not.” He did an admirable job, but was obviously uncomfortable, stopping halfway through to admit “this is too weird.”
Funny, I thought that was the whole point of the show. She Wants Revenge still managed to impress in Pomona.