Echo & the Bunnymen, Violent Femmes a mixed bag in Costa Mesa

Ian McCulloch was bathed in moody light during the Echo & the Bunnymen set. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A fan of the Violent Femmes and Hunter S. Thompson dances with his companion. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Brian Ritchie is the lead bassist for the Violent Femmes. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A Violent Femmes fan dances with her companion. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A Femmes fan checks her iPad. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Echo & the Bunnymen’s concert featured moody lighting. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Echo & the Bunnymen’s keyboardist plays during the concert. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Echo & the Bunnymen perform at the Pacific Amphitheatre. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Echo & the Bunnymen play their opening number. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Brian Ritchie plays his bass guitar during Saturday’s concert. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Violent Femmes percussionists play during Saturday’s set. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Violent Femmes’ horn section is called “The Horns of a Dilemma.” The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Violent Femmes’ Gordon Gano plays the banjo. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Gordon Gano of the Violent Femmes sings a song. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Echo & the Bunnymen lead singer Ian MuCulloch sings a classic song for the crowd. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Violent Femmes perform their opening set. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Violent Femmes perform as the opening act on Saturday The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Two Femmes fans dance during the show, The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Violent Femmes fans take a selfie during the show. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Femmes fans lift their cell phones and beers. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
It was sing-along time for this Femmes fan: “I take one, one, one ’cause you left me. And two, two, two for my family. And three, three, three for my heartache.” The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A fan records the Violent Femmes show on her smart phone. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A fan records the Violent Femmes show on her smart phone. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Gordon Gano is the lead singer and guitarist for the Violent Femmes. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Gordon Gano and the Violent Femmes play a set at the Pacific Amphitheatre. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Brian Ritchie plays bass for the Violent Femmes. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Gordon Gano is the lead singer for the Violent Femmes. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Echo & the Bunnymen fan Tye Ancheta. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Echo & the Bunnymen fan Shardea Washington. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Echo & the Bunnymen fan Tracey Terrian The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Echo & the Bunnymen fan Daniel Terrian. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Echo & the Bunnymen fan Analea Devarona. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Echo & the Bunnymen fan Olivia Fuentes. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Echo & the Bunnymen fan Lexi Murray. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bunnymen fan Gabriela Ancheta. The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Echo & the Bunnymen fan David Kline The Violent Femmes and Echo & the Bunnymen were playing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 29, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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The contrasts between bands at a crowded Pacific Amphitheatre on Saturday were like night and day.

On one side was Violent Femmes’ eccentric take on folk/jazz/blues/rock, with Gordon Gano’s demented-yet-humorous vocals. Then there was Echo & the Bunnymen’s mysterious post-punk and neo-psychedelia alongside singer Ian McCulloch’s serious, brooding delivery. One act played in full view (Femmes); the other preferred being obscured in shadows and didn’t allow their images onscreen (Bunnymen).

Both enjoyed their biggest success during the 1980s, were KROQ/106.7 FM regulars, split for a brief period, then reformed again.

Earlier this month, Violent Femmes put out “2 Mics and the Truth,” an excellent live album recorded as the Milwaukee-bred group visited various places to promote the 2016 studio album “We Can Do Anything.” Echo & the Bunnymen released “Meteorites” in 2014, and the Liverpool musicians continue to lure new, younger fans, thanks to their classic catalog being used in various films and TV shows, including “Stranger Things” and “13 Reasons Why” on Netflix.

In Costa Mesa, Echo & the Bunnymen opened its erratic 65-minute, 15-song set with “Going Up,” the lead-off track from its debut LP (1980’s “Crocodiles”). Oddly, that tune was truncated and the band switched to “Rescue,” with co-founder Will Sergeant’s clarion call guitar sounding as glorious as ever.

McCulloch struggled vocally and was merely adequate throughout the performance. Still, the exceptional backing musicians (particularly the rhythm section) more than compensated. The fast maelstrom of “Do It Clean” was thrilling and McCulloch added his usual song snippets (Nat King Cole, James Brown). A majestic “Seven Seas” gave way to the slinky “Bedbugs & Ballyhoo” while the frontman puffed on a cigarette. Sergeant’s amazing guitar effects elevated the ominous “Over the Wall.”

Stripping things down, “Nothing Lasts Forever” (Top 10 UK single in 1997 featuring Liam Gallagher) was unfortunately ignored by the crowd until McCulloch transitioned into Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.” Later, the dramatic orchestral grandeur of “The Killing Moon” went down a storm.

For the encores, a fierce “Villier’s Terrace” segued into the Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues” and some David Bowie. Finally, the band concluded with the peaceful sway of “Ocean Rain.” Overall, a mixed bag.

Violent Femmes was making its first appearance here since the venue reopened for concerts in ’03. Gano, fellow founding member/bassist Brian Ritchie and percussionist John Sparrow delivered a thoroughly enjoyable 75-minute, 20-song set.

During “Waiting for a Bus,” Gano questioned whether they were actually playing the blues as Blaise Garza blasted a huge contrabass saxophone (Ritchie said it was stolen from a film soundtrack studio). Then the guys delved into polka for the manic new “I Could Be Anything.”

Ritchie introduced signature song “Blister in the Sun” by saying it was “classic alternative, a term I only recently became aware of.” The energy level went up several notches, and what followed was even stronger: “Kiss Off,” the rollicking call-and-response sing-along “American Music,” a jaunty “I Held Her in My Arms” (featuring more impressive sax work by Garza), the xylophone-accented “Gone Daddy Gone,” “Jesus Walking on the Water” (with Gano on violin),” the sprightly hoedown vibe of “Prove My Love” and finally, “Add it Up,” during which you could feel the excitement.

Echo & the Bunnymen, Violent Femmes

Where: Pacific Amphitheatre, Costa Mesa

When: July 29

Echo & the Bunnymen, Violent Femmes a mixed bag in Costa Mesa

Echo & the Bunnymen, Violent Femmes

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