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Words & Images by: L Paul Mann
Ron Asheton Tribute :: 01.13.10 :: The Roxy Theatre :: Los Angeles, CA
 Ron Asheton (press photo) |
One year after his death, this special show in L.A. was a fitting tribute to the Stooges' Ron Asheton.
Organized by his 18-year-old niece, Leanna Asheton - whose father is the original Stooges drummer, Scott Asheton - the tribute was a chaotic, low-key showcase of some great new bands, as well as a chameleon jam comprised of a bevy of veteran rock stars. Formed in 1967, the innovative Stooges are widely regarded as helping give birth to punk music. Lead singer Iggy Pop, who may have invented stage diving, became an American pop icon largely due to his antics with the Stooges. The proceeds from the door were donated to the Los Angeles Welfare Trust Fund because of Ron Asheton's fondness for cats and dogs. The Roxy Theatre on Sunset Strip was perhaps the perfect venue for a tribute to the irreverent Ron Asheton. In the nearly four decades since it opened in 1973, little has changed at the dusty little theatre. The same dingy black curtains open to reveal the well-worn stage. The same dark, dimly lit interior enveloped the crowd, dressed mostly in black garb, an identical scene that has played out over and over since the infamous venue first opened.
The event started out relatively orderly, with great young talent being announced and showcased. Hand picked by Leanna, presumably for their strong edgy sounds akin to the Stooges, there were some great new acts flexing their retro roots. Opening band Billy Boy On Poison played gutsy bluesy rock, belying their youthful appearance. Singer Davis Le Duke led the band in a full rock and roll assault of the Stooges' classic "Search and Destroy."
The Entrance Band followed with a more modern but no less intense set of music. Sounding like a cross between The Smashing Pumpkins and My Bloody Valentine, the newfangled trio created a wall of powerful, jam trance rock. Lead singer and guitarist Guy Blakeslee, who plays his guitar upside down and left handed, said, "This is all for Ron."
 The Entrance Band |
The Southern rock influenced Night Horse played the next set. This Los Angeles-based band sounds a bit like Band of Horses, but with a more traditional Southern blues-rock backbone like The Allman Brothers. The five-piece tore through a short set of hard rocking songs. Lead singer Sam James Velde was joined by Billy Boy's Davis Le Duke for a blues drenched duet at the end of their set. Velde dedicated the night not only to Asheton, but also to contemporary alt-punk rocker Jay Reatard, who had just died that day.
At this point, in a true punk spirit that Ron Asheton would have probably enjoyed, chaos and confusion prevailed. As the special lineup of rock legends began to congregate onstage, gone were the introductions, leaving the crowd to guess who was actually moving in and out of the ever-changing lineup. Much of the super jam session was led by legendary punk bassist Mike Watt, best known as the founding member of The Minutemen and fIREHOSE. Watt joined the reformed Stooges in 2003. The other most prolific player of the evening was longtime Stooges collaborator Steve Mackay (sax, keys). A revolving mix of drum superstars included Scott Asheton, Jane's Addiction's Stephen Perkins, and Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith.
A parade of singers took the stage to belt out classic Stooges numbers. Mike Jtone of Circus Boy performed in classic Stooges fashion, singing in a trance-like rage. Stage diving, writhing on the floor and kicking instruments about the stage, he raised the ire of Mackay after knocking over his keyboards. Steve Baise, another legendary New York punk bassist, actually played this first barrage of music until he stage dived into the press photographers. Jesse Hughes (Eagles of Death Metal) also played bass before Mike Watt took over.
 Mike Watt |
The guitarists were also mixing it up. Scott Thurston quietly took the stage about the same time as Mike Watt. He replaced another former Stooges guitarist, James Williamson. Thurston, who was the Stooges' keyboardist from 1973 until their initial break up in 1977, is perhaps best known as the current guitar player for Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. As Watt began his portion of the jam, he cheekily asked the crowd, "Does anybody know 'I Wanna Be Your Dog?'" When an unidentified member of the audience raised his hand, Watt offered him the microphone and the would-be-singer scrambled onstage to perform an impressive rendition of the song with the super group jamming behind him. Then, Watt took over singing duties on other Stooges classics like "1969" and "I Feel Alright."
The super jam was followed by the headliner, the Saint Louis-based Living Things. Reminiscent of early Romantics, this hard rocking band has a clean, polished sound that might be destined for the top of the music charts. Led by lead singer Lillian Berlin and his brothers Eve (bass) and Bosh (drums), along with Cory Becker on guitar, this band has been charting music since their 2005 debut, Ahead of the Lions. Looking and sounding every bit like a classic cutting edge rock band, Living Things may be on the brink of mass exposure. The band is slated to appear as the legendary Ramones in the upcoming motion picture The Runaways. The film, scheduled to premiere January 24 at the Sundance Film Festival, is based on the story of the '70s all-girl band of the same name that launched the careers of Joan Jett and Lita Ford. The band played a frenetic set laced with Stooges songs at the Roxy.
After most of the crowd had departed, there was one final late night set led by an Iggy Pop impersonator, with Scott Asheton back on drums for more Stooges classics.
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