Astra Heights

It was an exciting night at Key Club last Wednesday. At 6:30 a red carpet lay on the Sunset sidewalk welcoming supporters and members of the David Lynch Foundation to the fundraising event that would include both musical performances and a silent auction. By around 8:30 the club was jam packed with people sporting David Lynch Foundation shirts, placing bids on clothing articles and artwork (including the featured painting of David Lynch himself), and sipping drinks. Astra Heights was the first band to take the stage, loosening up the club with some Texas grown pop-rock. The following act was 8mm whose lead singer charmed the room with a silky voice and equally smooth moves.

The music then took a strong turn toward screamo glam rock. Bangkok Five’s lead singer was not short of energy or sweat, and did not hesitate to pour the contents of a water bottle onto his head before lunging forward to stare down audience members with his own lined eyes. Gods and Monsters was an equally electrifying jolt of hard rock with another lead singer who did not rest for a moment. Notable from the beginning was an apparent fashion statement— in addition to form-fitting black pants and a vest, half his rear end was exposed, and he did not seem to mind.

It was nearing midnight by the time headlining band, Nico Vega began their set. The club was still packed, now more prominently with regular Key Club goers. The crowd moved toward the stage as singer Aja came out in bare feet and a sweeping black cloak. She would soon abandon this garment to reveal a suit of black spandex. Although she began smiling sweetly along with a low sultry voice, before the end of the first song she had transformed into a wild animal, riling up the crowd with demonic screams and engaging the other band members in her playful antics.

The night was lively and full. If audience turnout and appreciation is any indicator of the success of the benefit concert, the David Lynch Foundation should be pleased. To find out more about the fabulous David Lynch Foundation which promotes the practice of nonreligious transcendental meditation as a part of youth school curriculum, check out the website.