Sadly, tonight marked the final Spy Club bash. However, as promised, the promoters went out with a bang.
Space Mtn opened up the night with a fairly lengthy set that sounded like a slightly wicked version of Hope Sandoval joined forces with Blonde Redhead. Not only does singer Dina Waxman have an incredible voice, but she has played with the Lemonheads, Emma Peel and Bedroom Walls, plus she was wearing twenty-eye Docs, which everyone should know are the all-around best dancing shoes in existence. Guitarist/Keyboardist Chris Jacks has worked with the Dust Brothers. That said, these musicians are pros and it really showed onstage.
The Tender Box has played Spy Club virtually every week of the club's six week run and tonight was by far the band's best set. They opened with "The Score," which reminds me of the Cure's "Never Enough," although Annie seems to disagree with me on that one. From the opening note of that song, The Tender Box blazed through twenty minutes or so of material bursting with rock swagger. It was like waiting for an explosion, knowing that this band has grown so tight and energetic that they have to become the next big thing. It's inevitable. The Tender Box is touring the West next month, so if you aren't in Los Angeles, check the band's page and make sure you attend a show.
After the bands, I met Matt from Violaine at the bar. He told me that next month's party will feature two bands he highly recommends, including Love Like Fire, a San Francisco group that he described as "like Lush, but with a cleaner sound." I also noticed on the club's webpage that the next party is a My Bloody Valentine event and, really, shouldn't everyone have a MBV shirt? I don't and already I know I want one to match the Slowdive shirt from last week's party.