DJ's

Sound Systems

Music  *  DJ's  *   Productions

All Sizes

All Occasions

...

"People were really into it," says Dave Hewitt, who books talent at Pelican's. "They were yelling and signing like they were at the Forum or something."

But he's hardly surprised. The regular Pelican's crowd has already demonstrated a willingness to look back. The club's regular Thursday night re-creation of the disco era via the Boogie Knights band is already one of the week's busiest nights. Hewitt who also has plans to bring in a band that plays nothing but KROQ-FM (106.7) style '80s pop later this month.

...

So reflecting on older music, Hewitt suggests, is an alternative for those unable to identify with some newer forms of pop, whether it is the roar of grunge rock or the seething aggression of gansta rap.

...

Hewitt says he chose the five acts for his "Rock Tribute Month" series out of a large growing field of tribute bands of varying quality.

...

At Pelican's, says Hewitt, "The first criteria is that you've got to sound exactly like these bands. Any variation and you get shot down."

"They've got to take on the persona of whatever band they are doing. That's half the show. With Kiss it's the fireballs and the whole thing. Without that, it would be like an Elvis impersonator who didn't dress like Elvis."

...

As for the Atomic Punks, "We could do it for a couple years, or even longer ... But it's not a career." But Zukowsky or Sheer Heart Attack says it doesn't necessarily have to end. "We can't all do original music," he says. "That's a real tough thing, and takes a lot of dedication. But, we have so much fun doing this I don't care."

TONY RIVETTI / For The Times

Ralph Saenz, left, and Bart Walsh have the right equipment
- David Lee Roth hair and a guitar - to play Van Halen.

Bass player John Billings performs with the Atomic Punks
at a tribute show that drew 300.