About last night: Putting the LA in Klaxons

In a city like Los Angeles, there's something particularly special about having a hot concert venue within walking distance. Which is why I'm always eager to catch a show at the El Rey , which is smack in the middle of my ’hood. So when the Rey hosts one of my favorite new bands like the Klaxons, it’s party time around Blipster HQ.

Stopping at the Rite-Aid up the block from the venue, I was enjoying a Monster energy drink and a bag of trail mix when I noticed a posse of skinny-legged boys and pretty girls coming up the street. As they got closer, I soon realized it was the Klaxons and their sizable entourage. Since the band’s New York-based publicist Alexandra was kind enough to put me on the list and in town for the show, I decided to introduce myself. I sidled up to Klaxons guitarist Jamie Reynolds to ask him which female was Alex. He eyed me suspiciously before pointing her out: “The blonde one.”

The statuesque blonde leading the pack was indeed my PR friend. We exchanged pleasantries and she took the dudes inside to get ready to play.

Inside, Portland band Fist Fite was finishing up their opening set. A feisty girl singer/keyboard player led the interestingly discordant no-wave trio. She told jokes about dolphins and t-shirts. I guess they’re friends with the Klaxons and tour Europe with them occasionally.

As the Klaxons 10 p.m. show time rolled around, the sold out El Rey was at full boil. The evening’s fashion statement was stripes. They were so predominant you’d have thought someone sent out a memo. Enough that Metromix style goddess Caroline Ryder set off to take some pictures.

The band took the stage and launched straight into “The Bouncer” and “Atlantis to Interzone” back to back, which of course had the kids down front pogoing like mad. Keyboard player and anti-“nu-raver” James Righton was sporting a very cool Justice t-shirt that I totally want.

Between songs, they kept going on about how much they love Los Angeles. Towards the end of the show Reynolds announced that the band would be moving to L.A. to record their next album. As they bid farewell for the night, he promised that the Klaxons would be playing another show in town in September, so if you missed them last night, fret not. They'll be back sooner than you think. Let’s just hope all of the sunshine and pretty girls don’t dilute their rough and tumble sound. Stay hard, Klaxons!