Sandy West Memorial Tribute Concert
The Knitting Factory
Sat, Dec 9 8:00 pm

When the Runaways first built a bridge between glitter rock and punk in Hollywood in the mid-’70s, the prevailing wisdom among most male critics was that the all-girl band couldn’t play their instruments. The reality was that the Runaways were excellent musicians, especially hard-hitting drummer Sandy West. As recounted in the recent Runaways documentary Edgeplay — which described her tribulations after the band broke up, including a dangerous stint as a limb-breaking debt enforcer — West was particularly heartbroken that the enormously influential band never reunited and received proper credit. Sadly, it took West’s death from lung cancer in October to inspire former rivals Cherie Currie and Joan Jett to bury the hatchet and sing a duet on “Cherry Bomb” at the latter’s gig at the Fonda in November. Tonight Currie performs a rare all-Runaways set, backed by Sweet Justice, along with appearances from a veritable legion of performers — male and female — who were directly inspired by the Runaways, ranging from latter-day Runaways clones the Donnas to still-thriving popsters the Bangles, as well as hardcore punks Adolescents and parodists White Flag, among many others. Let’s hope one of these worthies cranks out West’s signature show-stopper, the aptly titled “Wild Thing.” (Falling James)

Also The Sandy West Band, Michael Des Barres’ Freelove Foundation, Carmine & Vinnie Appice; Dead Kennedys drummer DH Peligro, joined by Duane Peters & Corey Parks; Bay City Roller Ian Mitchell, many others, 8:30 p.m.; $12. In the bar: Nightlife featuring The World Famous Beat Junkies, 10 p.m. In the lounge: In:Aviate, Forever in Fall, 6:30 p.m