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Web exclusive: Beta Male, Hello Tokyo, DJ Rusty

 

Beta Male, Hello Tokyo, DJ Rusty
Spin Nightclub
May 3

Indianapolis’s good-time band Beta Male and hot New York group Hello Tokyo shared the bill last Saturday night at Spin. DJ Rusty Redenbacher (of the Mudkids) set the tone for the evening by skillfully mixing classic ’80s tunes by the likes of INXS, Tears for Fears and Devo. The only things missing from this totally awesome flashback were “Frankie Says Relax” T-shirts, cans of New Coke and my hair.

But seriously folks … Despite a few gremlins in the house PA system, both bands delivered powerful performances.

Beyond the Spandex and glam rock stage antics, Beta Male is a rock and roll tour de force. Led by the pulsating drumming and lyrical stylings of P. David Hazel, the boys and girls of Beta Male continually wowed the crowd, dipping into their ever-growing repertoire of original material, tantalizing the audience with their sexy swagger.

Passionately backed by Vess Ruhtenburg (guitar) and Tyler Bowman (bass), Hazel and company raucously ripped through versions of soon-to-be instant classics like, “Mirror Ball,” “Make Haste” and fan favorite “Husband’s Girlfriend.”

Hello Tokyo, on tour to promote their new CD, “Sell the Stars,” sauntered on stage, with drink in hand — ready to party! Fresh off their appearance at the 500 Festival, the Big Apple power-pop band, fronted by fiery siren Kat Sugar Plum, rocked the Spin audience with relentless energy and a barrage of power cords, echoing guitar riffs and an ass-kicking backbeat.