Glitter Trash: Detroit Lives On with Strong Punk Performance at The Viper Room

Glitter Trash photo by Donna Balancia
Glitter Trash by Donna Balancia

Superbees and The Crazy Squeeze Rip

By DONNA BALANCIA

Glitter Trash may be the new kids in town, but that doesn’t keep the Detroit band from rippin it up on the Sunset Strip.

It was a wild night at The Viper Room as Glitter Trash featuring the ever so controversial front woman Jenna Talia put on a show for the ages. Anyone who didn’t know about Glitter Trash before sure knows about them now.

Jenna Talia of Glitter Trash gets in your face at The Viper Room - Photo © 2017 Donna Balancia
Jenna Talia of Glitter Trash gets in your face at The Viper Room – Photo © 2017 Donna Balancia

From Motor City to LA

Jenna is a veritable virago of power, strength, anger and sexuality — she is a big presence on the stage and no doubt was always a big personality even when she was a he.

Jenna said the scene in Detroit is open to punk as, after all, it is the birthplace of the genre, but things have changed with attitude and so has Jenna.

Glitter Trash: Loren Molinare, Becky Wreck and Chuch Dauda - Photo © 2017 Donna Balancia
Glitter Trash wants YOU to not be a ‘Kid Rock Idiot’ – Photo © 2017 Donna Balancia

Punk Lives On

Glitter Trash has a big reputation as one of the best punk bands around in Motor City and Jenna and the crew certainly shook things up at The Viper Room. She worked with a band that had some of the best around in guitarist Loren Molinare from The DoGs, drummer Becky Wreck and bassist Chuch Dauda.

“Glitter Trash is trying to breath new life into the revered Detroit protopunk sound and bring the Detroit heritage of high energy music and physical stage show back into prominence,” Jenna said. “Cutting open my chest, ripping my heart out and dropping it — still beating — onstage is how I perform.”

Loren Molinare of The DoGs sat in with Glitter Trash - Photo © 2017 Donna Balancia
Loren Molinare of The DoGs sat in with Glitter Trash – Photo © 2017 Donna Balancia

Glitter Trash Says ‘Wake Up’

“It’s emotional, raw, physical and can make the audience squirm,” she said. “If they do, then they’re witnessing an art form to help them grow as human beings, challenging their ideas on what music, life, live stage performance, and Rock ‘N Roll is supposed to be.”

“We’re here to wake people up,” Jenna said. “We’ve never had dummies following our band. Punk crowds are some of the most cerebral audiences out there. They ask questions and want to know why instead of blindly following the masses. There aren’t any Kid Rock idiots in our audience.”

The set list for Glitter Trash: “Basquiat,” “Wreckage,” “Something To Believe In,” “Detroit Bender,” “Crucify Me,” “Only You,” “Material Damage,” “18-Wheel Murder Machine,” and “Pop Star.”

Johnny Witmer of The Crazy Squeeze is a local legend - Photo © 2017 Donna Balancia
Johnny Witmer of The Crazy Squeeze is a local legend – Photo © 2017 Donna Balancia

The Crazy Squeeze

But Glitter Trash was not alone in a night of Rock n Roll all-stars with Crazy Squeeze and Superbees.

The local favorites bring the crowds and it was a crowded house at The Viper Room. Crazy Squeeze has a new album out called Savior of the Streets and it’s a fun, upbeat purely rock n roll venture. Check out The Crazy Squeeze at their Facebook page.

The Crazy Squeeze has a new album, 'Savior of the Streets' - Photo © 2017 Donna Balancia
The Crazy Squeeze has a new album, ‘Savior of the Streets’ – Photo © 2017 Donna Balancia

The Crazy Squeeze setlist had all the favorites and some new ones: “Let’s Go Down,” “Gimme A Kiss,” “Outta My Head,” “Be Your Dryver,” “Savior Of The Streets,” “Boys Are Gonna Be Here Soon,” “Blind Truth,” “She’s A Runner,” “To The Lonely Ones,” “Twisted Little Secrets,” “Nasty” and “Crazy Squeeze.”

Super Bees bring it to The Viper Room - Photo © 2017 Donna Balancia
Super Bees bring it to The Viper Room – Photo © 2017 Donna Balancia

The Superbees

The Superbees do a nice job and they’re generous to boot, having booked The Viper Room gig on this special night. The band is comprised of frontman Dave James, Tom Hernandez on drums, Adam Levine on Bass and Scott Carlson on guitar. Their impressive rock chops keep the audience going and it’s good to hear original music that keeps the faith.

Their set list included “Bad News,” “Glue Sniffer,” and crowd favorite “Girl from Kansas City.”

The band Sly-Fi was also on hand to keep the night rocking out.

Allison Ayala contributed to this report

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCFuCFrpiqQ&feature=player_embedded

Video by Allison Ayala