Formed in London in 1987, Lush were one of the more interesting bands that happened to fall under the Brit-pop umbrella if for no other reason than timing and geography. The chill, shoegaze vibes and Miki Berenyi's unique delivery made for an intoxicating combination.
They split in '96 when drummer Chris Acland tragically died and, but for a brief reformation in 2015, that was it. But Berenyi didn't stop. Just a few years ago, she formed the band Piroshka with her partner and former Moose member KJ "Moose" McKillop.
At the Fonda Theatre in L.A. on Wednesday, May 29, part of her first U.S. tour in many years, Berenyi rolled back the years and played a lot of Lush, some Piroshka, and some her Trio's newer material.
Piroshka's "VO" and "Everlastingly Yours" sounded wonderful alongside Lush gems such as the opening "Stray," and the brilliant "Light From a Dead Star." Moose, who couldn't make the tour because, according to Berenyi, " he won't fly," was there in spirit when the band performed Moose's "Suzanne." Lush's "Baby Talk" closed what was a triumphant set.
Earlier, former Cure drummer Lol Tolhurst and former Siouxsie & the Banshees drummer Budgie performed a set that was as intriguing as it was beautiful. Sitting somewhere between post-punk, industrial and art-rock, the tribal patterns blended with samples was a trip.
The only nod to their pasts was a version of the Cure's "A Forest," drastically different from the original but no less emotional. It's somewhat ironic that the opening band featured two drummer, while Berenyi's Trio had none. But still, both were superb.
