While waiting in line for the brain surgeons at the Highline Ballroom in NYC last night to figure out the guest list for the Pretenders show, a guy in front of me turned and said ‘Well, maybe you can get into Madison Square Garden instead?’ I asked him ‘For what? He replied ‘Madonna’s there tonight, Isn’t that ironic?’ I didn’t get the irony. Anyway, as he was watching all the color drain from my face I said ‘No thank you. Madonna’s never been on my radar and I hate going there anyway.’ Chrissie Hynde and her band the Pretenders however, have never left my radar regardless of the trendies who may come and go. Chrissie, original Pretenders’ drummer Martin Chambers, and three new band dudes played to a packed house and featured songs from their new album, Break Up The Concrete, released yesterday October 7th.

New numbers like ‘Boots of Chinese Plastic’ ‘Don’t Cut You Hair'’ and the title track rocked as hard as classic Pretenders’ hits performed like ‘Talk of the Town’, ‘Time the Avenger'’ and ‘The Wait’. Before tearing the shit out of the latter Chrissie said ‘There’s been a lot of talk about the Punk era lately. Fuck the punk era’ and ripped into chords that let you know she’s the real deal who’s lived it and still abides by it’s stripped down, DIY credo. After the gig ended everyone exiting was going on about how great the show was and how cool Chrissie is and how hot she still looks. I whole heartedly agree. See kids, you dont need to do a headstand, spread your legs and have 15 lame dancers behind you to put on a great show. You just need to write great songs, play guitar, look cool and be the best white pop singer since Dusty Springfield. While the entire world economy may be going to the dogs, at least we’e still got Iggy & The Stooges and Chrissie Hynde to remind us how to stay cool. And anyone who disagrees with me can, to quote Chrissie, ‘Fuck Off!’

-Michael Levine