World Wide Spies have a more than memorable performance at Hollywood's Viper Room - By N.L. Belardes

World Wide Spies appeared at Hollywood's Viper Room...

The road to Hollywood from Bakersfield isn’t short. But it isn’t terribly long, either. It’s possible to make the trip in one evening and back—as long as you’re willing to lose a little sleep.


World Wide Spies at the Viper Room, Hollywood

The CD release party of Los Angeles band World Wide Spies was well worth the trip and any loss of sleep. Their new album, Images of Black & White admirably tears from the same vein as the Killers. No they’re not a Day-Glo throwback band. They’re rock, Killers meets U2 actually, with a lead singer named JFK whose British origins still leave him with a heavy accent and a heavy dose of pride.

I showed up with Matildakay and chingpea, a little trouble brewing from me by wearing a French military jacket. I wanted to see how lead man JFK would react. He showed up wearing a big Brit flag belt buckle—a proud man of his own East Anglian culture. He gave hugs, quite a chuckle and mustered a jester-like bow after seeing the jacket.

After all, the French and the English do have to share a continent.


JFK and his belt buckle

The Viper Room itself? Tough rocker at the front door, rules and regulations, especially regarding photography. I followed some of the rules. Hey that’s pretty good for me.


chingpea is a blur outside the Viper Room front door

The upstairs room is small, unattractive, with a high-set stage and a killer sound system. There is a bar along the back wall and two short rows of red booths along the side walls. Little “Reserved” signs adorned the tables.

Right before the show I did take a call from a reader of the Paperback Writer blog who admitted leaving the “Norma is a kiss ass” comment recently. We had a good laugh, but I was told to go outside to talk on the phone by Viper Room staff. No biggie. I met up with the band and their manager, Steve who had himself quite the British style of beard.


Band manager, Steve and his dashing beard.

The show itself?

Memorable. Triumphant. Booming and fast rock and roll from a group who knows how to put on a big entertaining show. How can you describe a show as awesome as their CD, and all Indie, DIY? It’s masterful. JFK took charge. JAX has great back-up vocals as does guitarist, IZIK who can shred ala The Edge. And don't forget Steve-O, in the back, pounding out the rhythms... Now read the interview.

Here’s a photo essay of the rest:

This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on Tuesday, March 13, 2007. You can leave your response.