White Light Motorcade/PG13 Badguy @ Hoopla's -- Northampton Blvd., Va. Beach, VA (6/10/03)

The just-below-R raters from parts Nawfuck and Vaaa Beeech were met with horror at their set's opening credits, as a young woman bloodied herself from shards of a bottled Bud. Thirteen minutes later, PG unleashed a black cat that had been tied up in a "Kidnapper Van." The feline meowed like Mike Watt (Minutemen) and Biscuit Turner (Big Boys) during its "bring the punk, bring the Caribbean" scratching. A shark attack at the pool table turned up "Wet" when Jaws bit into an old Ventures album and Fugazi's 13 Songs. Finally, Fishbone had forgotten their horns but didn't waste any time serving up breezy ska and drinks like Issac on "The Love Boat" to more than one "Barfly." Kudos, Badguy, for connecting disparate characters while directing your half of the double feature.

NYC's White Light Motorcade have the look of stars in the making. Their screen test did not disappoint. Borrowing the method acting from wannabe Brits like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Dandy Warhols, WLM stuck to the script throughout their sitcom-length performance. "My Way" utilized Gary Glitter/Joan Jett-esque "Oh yeahs!" that were fondling to the ear. "All Gone Again" swirled like a lost Oasis B-side. "It's
Happening" revealed the band's punkier side with crunchy guitars and screaming vocals. Aficionados of lost sirens Manic Street Preachers and The Jesus And Mary Chain would've enjoyed WLM's after-dinner theatre. jOhn A. (Siskel) and I (Ebert) gave it matching hitchhiker signals.