Walter Lure at Echoplex
This past Sunday, Part-time Punks hosted a tribute to Johnny Thunders with one of his own bandmates from The Heartbreakers’ original lineup, Walter Lure. Celebrating the infamous Thunders’ birthday, the Echoplex played host to three knock out punk acts: Walture Lure, The Gears and Dirty Eyes.
The night started off with the Dirty Eyes, playing songs that were heavily influenced from Thunders’ songwriting. Lead singer, Donny Rox, was something to see with his flamboyant presence and tongue-in-cheek humor. Dirty Eyes brought non-stop energy and revved the night up with an awesome performance.
The Gears, an underrated and influential punk band that got its throttle during the rise of the early L.A. punk scene, showed up with some of their own classics paying tribute to the late-and-great Thunders. Lead singer Axxel G. Reese, jumped off the stage and got into crowd, moshing, and singing in people’s faces. He was a force to be reckoned with and kept the energy in the room blistering hot.
As the headlining set, Walter Lure was on stage, in the flesh. This was a punk rock dream. Lure, one of the original Heartbreakers was backed by Dirty Eyes (which was probably a dream for them as well). They covered all the classics that Thunders wrote, including the famed (and final Thunders song) “Born to Lose.” Guitar player Teddy Toomuch of Dirty Eyes was fantastic at emulating Thunders’ sound and style. The highlight of the night was a surprise guest appearance from Clem Burke, drummer from Blondie and a veteran punk. Together, they covered an all-time favorite, “Chinese Rocks” (with Burke on drums).
Photography: William Gormley
Dirty Eyes at Echoplex
Walter Lure at Echoplex
Walter Lure at Echople
Walter Lure with Dirty Eyes at Echoplex
The Gears at Echoplex
The Gears at Echoplex
Dirty Eyes at Echoplex
Dirty Eyes at Echoplex
Dirty Eyes at Echoplex
