TWO FOR ONE, TWICE THE FUN
Blackboard Jungle celebrates 17th rock reunion weekend at Viper Room
HOLLYWOOD — Let the good times roll in Los Angeles, as almost-famous Blackboard Jungle celebrated its 17th annual rock and roll reunion weekend in grand style.
Stretched for the first time to two nights of rock at the famed Viper Room on Sunset Strip, Blackboard Jungle capped the festivities with a stirring performance Saturday, June 1 before a near-capacity crowd of mostly old groupies, MILFs and in some cases both.
One night earlier, ex-local legends Swingin’ Thing teamed with headliner Jetboy — who actually had a real record deal and an MTV video — to get things off to a roaring start.
The other big weekend standout was a fully reunited Fizzy Bangers — remember ‘Hot Dog on a Stick”? — who came in tight and well-rehearsed and nearly stole the whole weekend.
“It was awesome seeing all the familiar faces,” Fizzy Bangers singer Brian Damage said, “As soon as we started playing, it seemed like no time at all had passed since back in the day”.
These twin events weren’t just about the musicians but more so about old acquaintances.
Two Babies and a Babe = Kit Ashley and Tweety Boyd of Big Bang Babies with Janet Dominick.
“It was such a special time full of so much magic,” said Kit Ashley, the singer from Big Bang Babies who now performs under his real name Charlie Overbey. “I have a bond with friends from my 20’s that I don’t share with most friends from my 30’s, 40’s and now I’m a year into my 50’s — which is craz –, so to show up to this reunion and see my brother Chris Penketh from even before Big Bang Babies and Swingin Thing doing their thing, that’s amazing. Getting to hang out with Janet Dominick & BBB bassist Tweety Boyd in the same room again? Priceless!”
On Saturday, Stars From Mars performed more than 30 years since their glammed-up hey day in the 1980s on the very same environs of Sunset Boulevard.
Among the others who performed was ex-Glamour Punks star singer Mandi now going by Old Man Crawford. Just like always, he had all the pretty girls cheering for him.
All Is Useless, featuring Queeny Blast Pop guitarist Lil’ Dee and his former God Zoo bandmate Alley, performed on Friday along with Leather Duchess.
Gerry Gittelson can be reached at gerryg123@hotmail.com
Kenny Price of Blackboard Jungle live at Viper Room on the Sunset Strip
Girls just wanna have fun at the Viper Room in West Hollywood
Chad Stewart of Faster Pussycat with friend
More girls, more fun at Viper Room
