Final flashback
By Carl Kozlowski 08/19/2010
Whether you were into New Wave or Whitney Houston, “Miami Vice” or “Revenge of the Nerds,” you probably remember the 1980s as one of the flashiest decades in American pop culture history. Three decades later, millions still love the movies from that era, from “Ghostbusters” and “Top Gun” to the John Hughes teen-movie pantheon. But most of all it’s the music that has survived — at least as a funny memory.
Friday night, Pasadena Entertainment closes out its debut season of summer rock and pop shows — the Summer Soundzz concert series — with perhaps the most popular ’80s cover band in the country, The Spazmatics.
Thousands of area music fans saw them play last summer at the Pasadena Weekly’s 25th anniversary party, and now they’re back again playing the courtyard in front of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
“The Spazmatics are the ultimate ’80s experience,” said Pasadena Entertainment producer Andre C. Vener. “They are one of the most fun bands around and always put on a fantastic show. We are ending the Summer Soundzz 2010 concert series with a bang.”
While The Spazmatics know how to rock out, they also inject a great deal of comedy into their energetic shows. The band members pretend to be four über-nerds named Geoffrey, Cecil, Bjorn and Al who gradually become so cool by the end of the night that the girl of their dreams winds up dancing onstage with them.
Along the way, they run through dozens of ’80s classics, including tunes by Rick Springfield, Billy Idol, Big Country, Duran Duran, Culture Club, INXS, Wham! and the GoGos. After a night of dancing to these guys, they’ll have their revenge as well: making you think they’re the coolest group on earth.
The Spazmatics perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the outdoor plaza of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $30 for table seats and $250 for a private table for 10. Call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or visit coolpasadena.com or ticketmaster.com (enter offer code PW for $10 off) or the Pasadena Civic Auditorium Box Office after noon on Friday.
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