New Christmas tradition: Buy tree before all the ones on the lot have turned to mulch. Second new tradition: See Brian Setzer’s annual holiday show and revel in ensuing joyful spirit.
What an awesome way to usher in the holidays. Last night’s Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas show at the House of Blues would have annihilated anyone’s Scrooge. In holiday plaid jacket and cheery green vest, Setzer made lights twinkle and bells jingle. (He may even have had rosy cheeks.)
Yes, it was a little weird singing “White Christmas” and “Jingle Bells” along with hundreds of other people in a concert hall that hosts bands like Unwritten Law and Bad Religion. So? We weren’t the only ones who dug Setzer’s Christmas-color guitars, the red-and-green-outfitted 16-piece orchestra and two backup “Vixens” in fur-trimmed emerald velvet dresses. Christmas, people.
Did we mention the shower of fake snow? Or the Santa tossing candy from his gift sack?
Setzer didn’t totally cheese out, though. His trademark blond pompadour was in full coif, his tatts peered out from his rolled-up sleeves and his bass player’s ruby-red upright was emblazoned with flames. He even threw in some Stray Cats sweetness and “Jump, Jive An’ Wail” amid tunes from his latest, “Dig That Crazy Christmas.”
HOB was packed, too. Beefy guys in Chargers jerseys stood alongside Gwen-coiffed rockabilly girls in leopard print, while average moms, dads and grandparents dotted the crowd’s outskirts.
A very rock ‘n’ roller Christmas it was — and all set to a backdrop of a cartoon Setzer Santa at the wheel of a true “lead sled” befitting the ‘68 Comeback singer.
With: www.signonsandiego.com
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