Report from Tiki Oasis

The last chapter of 2014’s beat-novel party “Tiki Oasis” continues the theme with pop artists the Loons, Love Revisited (with Johnny Echols), and “Dirty Water” legends the Standells.

The Loons are gearing up for the release of their new album, and on the strength of the new material played tonight, it’ll exceed any expectations, the standout track being “My Desolation.”

Other set highlights included a former band mate of bassist Anja Stax from London, flown in from Australia for a guest spot and a brace of covers from the Damned and the Pretty Things.

Love main man Arthur Lee is no longer with us, at least not physically, but his long-time backing band with original Love guitarist Johnny Echols sees his spirit is still flying high.

Performing an impeccable set of Love songs, many from the classic Forever Changes album, a further treat was given when Michael Stuart-Ware (Love drummer, circa 1966–1968) joined them for a trio of songs.

Headliners the Standells feature just one original member, Larry Tamblyn, although bassist John Fleckenstein was in an early Standells line-up and an even earlier line-up of Love and bridges the bands. Sadly departed original singer/drummer Dick Dodd is dearly missed by the band and their audience.

With many songs from their “new” album and a Seeds cover, the set wasn’t aimed to please but seemed to hit the spot with those present.

An evening of flashbacks, go-go dancers, echos from Sunset Strip, DJs too hip for squaresville, and groovy cocktails, baby, this is a party that has been going for decades and not likely to end any time soon. Dig that!