Pretenders: Loose in LA

By: Erik Swift

January 2004

DVD Features Video: Standard 1.85:1 Color Audio: ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Stereo, DTS Surround Full Length Video of “You Know Who Your Friends Are” Backstage Footage Concert Montage Release date: 9/23/2003 Studio: Red 140 Minutes Tracks Include: Lie To Me Time Message Of  Love My Baby Talk of the Town Who Your Friends Are Time the Avenger Homecoming Up The Neck Rebel Rock The Losing Biker Stand By You Middle Of the Road Mystery Achievement Brass In Pocket

The Pretenders are one of the most underrated bands of the last quarter-century. From their seminal eponymous debut to their eighth and most recent release, 2002’s “Loose Screw,” this band remains an act to see. Having a stellar ability to easily fill two hours with a great cache of music doesn’t hurt, either. Their first DVD, the Eaglevision release “Pretenders: Loose In L.A,” is proof. Featuring more than two dozen songs in 5.1 surround sound and filmed in hi-def, this disc presents Chrissie Hynde and the boys rocking Los Angeles’ tiny Wiltern Theater to its foundation on February 27, 2003.

“Lie To Me” sets the tone early. A harsh, defiant new rocker, its swagger is evident on the very first notes. Once Hynde opens her mouth, the spiteful lyrics come alive and if you are the guy that inspired those words, I hope you’ve gone into the Witness Protection program. Still looking incredibly sexy in a typical outfit of a black t-shirt and jeans, Hynde swaggers across the stage and owns it. That incredible voice shimmers above the pulsing bass of “Time The Avenger” and the single “You Know Who Your Friends Are.”

Founding drummer Martin Chambers pounds away behind her and clearly is having fun. Playing guitar next to Hynde for a decade, Adam Seymour stretches the notes of the Joe Strummer-dedicated “Biker” into a brilliant show of skill, while his sinewy licks make “My City Was Gone” a highlight of a series of jams where the band is just on fire. “Mystery Achievement” is just amazing here, and a venomous “Precious” stops the show. One of the best songs ever written about pure malice, Hynde, Seymour, Chambers, bassist Andy Hobson and keyboardist Zeben Jameson channel the abrasive New Wave classic into the most unholy of grooves. It’s a blast – the kind of song that makes Alanis Morissette or Courtney Love shake their head and ask, “Why can’t I write something this great?”

After you’re done kicking yourself for missing the Pretenders when they stomped through your town, viewing the 20 minutes of bonus material is just not as exhilarating as the performance. Standard concert montage and backstage interviews aside, one thing can be said about this band: they don’t bullshit you. For no-holds barred honest rock and roll, you can’t miss with “Pretenders: Loose In L.A.”

Reviewer’s Opinion: BUY IT!!