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Alain Whyte Returns: "Red Lightning" Strikes L.A.!
On 30th April 2005, Jennie Wilmoth, editor of the Alzine "No One Can Hold A Candle To You" went to see Red Lightning
play in LA. Here's her review, which first appeared in the second issue of her zine.
The anticipation for this show was almost too much to bear! My friend Sus purchased our tickets the very day this gig
was announced on the Morrissey-solo website. I was ecstatic; Alain had a new band and more important this meant he was able
to be back on stage where a musician as talented as Al should be!
On the way to the venue, I saw a flower shop starting to close and asked the woman running it if she would be so kind
as to sell me some roses. Out of the kindness of her heart, she told me that even though she was closing she would help me.
I picked out several pink roses (to match the colour of my hair) and she wrapped them for me. I gave her a $20.00 bill and
told her to keep the change as I was in a hurry, and for the fact that she had helped me when she didn't have to!
By now I had butterflies in my stomach as I clutched the fragrant bouquet. We picked up my other friend Jen and proceeded
to Zen Sushi, where we parked and walked a short way with another friend and saw the small red and black building with the
words "Zen Sushi" in neon reflecting back on us. We met up with another friend and saw the many other fans going
in. It was crowded, but the line went quickly. Up the stairs we went and my eyes met a small room with a stage and a bar.
The equipment was all set up and waiting to be played. My friends and I got some sodas and sat down at a wee table in the
back. I bought a t-shirt and with a shaking hand took the 100 flyers, advertising the next issue I had made of my fanzine,
and asked if I could place them on the table for fans to take with them. Happily, I was told it was fine and set them down.
With a lump in my throat I thanked the lady and went back to sit down with my friends. I kept looking at the roses hoping
that I would get to hand them to Alain after the show, a fanzine secured around the stems with a pink ribbon, just in case
he hadn't received a copy.
There was no opening act so when ten o'clock rolled around we were all ready for the band to hit the stage. At this point
things became a bit surreal for me, so please keep that in mind as I write this.
Then the moment of truth! The band came out from a small side room and Alain picked up his beautiful Gretsch guitar and
mentions something about the sound check not going very well and that there would be a lot of feedback. "Fine by me!",
I thought as I stood and watched. I must mention at this point that Alain looks very well and seems thrilled to be on stage.
I sensed he was a bit nervous, but not for long!
Then the band then start up with a song called 'Sign Up' which as near as I can tell in my stunned state was about the
draft and the daftness of the war in Iraq. I was happy to hear this song, as very soon my own dear husband will be going back
to sea duty and shall be in that area sooner than you could ever want a loved one to be. Then,the band played the second song
"Hard Times" and after that I was thrilled as the band went into the song "Baby I'm Strange" (a Motivator's)
tune. I knew all the words by heart and sang aloud, something I had never felt comfortable doing in front of other people
before, especially strangers. Oddly enough, I didn't feel like I was among strangers, I was among Al fans, so I wasn't afraid.
The next songs "Principle Friend", "Something Out of Nothing", and "Change My World", were all
fast rocking songs. Songs you could really nod your head and tap your feet to. I didn't know any of the words as these songs
were new, but it almost didn't matter as I could feel what the songs were about.
After that, Al sang a song with the title "Reborn". I found the title of this song ironic as when, seeing Alain
first come on stage, that is exactly how he looked, reborn! The next song was called "Final Curtain", and then to
the delight of the crowd, the band went into the song "The Edges Are No Longer Parallel", everyone was singing along
and I couldn't help but have a tear in my eye as I have read before that this was Alain's favourite Morrissey song to play
live. Everyone was ecstatic! The band went on to play "Dream A Wish Away", "Crushed", and "Baby Come
Back", which were all new songs. The next song the band played was "I Miss You", another Motivators tune, and
my favourite at that! This is when my knees were weak and I could not hold back my tears anymore. I sang the words with tears
streaming down my face, my body drenched in sweat. To say the moment was beautiful would be such a huge understatement, in
fact, almost an insult! For as long as I remain on this planet that moment will always be etched in my mind! That song has
so much personal meaning to me and on top of that, whenever I would think of Al not being in Morrissey's band, that song would
always come to my mind.
After that, Red Lightning played the song "Two of Us" another new one and then left the stage. The crowd cheered
as loud as they could, myself included! After a small eternity, the band came back out for an encore and played a song called
"L.A. Crash Landing," and then once again put their instruments down and left. We all started to shout "Al-ain,
Al-ain, Al-ain", in a football chant, and when the crowd crescendoed in unison, Alain and Co. came out for one last song.
It was at this moment that it struck me that Alain would not be hanging out with the crowd after the show.... I'm not really
sure how I knew, instinct, maybe? So, I went back to the table where some of my friends were sitting, grabbed the roses and
tried to get through the crowd. To my astonishment, the crowd gently pushed me forward to where I am only one row of people
away. I gently tossed the bouquet by Alain's guitar peddles and to my relief they landed safely. After the song, Alain picked
up the flowers and held them up and said "Thank you." I don't know if he knew at the time who had tossed them, but
just hearing that "thank you" was enough. Also, I would like to mention that the bassist, John, asked if "WhyteGrrrl"
was out in the audience. I raised my hands and Sus pointed at me while I shouted "that's me"! I was shocked at hearing
my nickname spoken on stage as I am sure you would be as well!
A few girls rushed the stage, and got their pictures taken and then it was the end of Red Lightning's performance for
the night and they left. Alain never did come back out. The other members of the band however, did come back and they packed
up the equipment and then John walked around and got asked to sign a few autographs. I was too stunned to move, and by the
time I had the courage to ask all the band members weren't around anymore. I just sat and re-ran the whole concert in my mind.
I had pictures, my friend Jen had the set list, and most important we had all seen that Alain and John and Milo were all fantastic
musicians with wonderful new songs. I will wear my Red Lightning shirt and badge with pride and anticipation as I and others
wait for the word on the album release and tour dates. I plan on being at as many Red Lightning gigs as possible, and I really
hope I will see all of you readers there! I promise you, you will not be disappointed in the least! Alain, what ever your
reason for being gone, we are glad you are back, we missed you!
by Jennifer Wilmoth aka Whytegrrrl
http://www.alainmatters.com/
http://prettypettythieves.com/
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