POP MUSIC REVIEW : Once They Put It in Drive, Go-Go’s Get Back on a Roll

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Reclaiming the concert stage after a nearly 10-year absence (discounting a 1990 mini-tour), the Go-Go’s kicked off a tour on Sunday at the Coach House that hits the Wiltern Theatre on Dec. 1 and 2.

In the early ‘80s, the Los Angeles quintet first proved that an all-female rock band could be successful--topping the charts with their dolled-up garage rock. They then proved they were also equal to their male counterparts in substance abuse, infighting and other band-wrecking skills that led the Go-Go’s to disband in 1985.

Now they’re back to prove that females, too, can cash in on their legacies.

For the first several songs, though, singer Belinda Carlisle neither connected with the lyrics nor particularly landed on the right notes. There was scarcely more musical precision from her band mates--guitarist Jane Wiedlin, bassist Kathy Valentine, drummer Gina Schock and ex-Bangle Vicki Peterson on lead guitar (subbing for a pregnant Charlotte Caffey).

But those shortcomings either vanished or ceased to matter by the seventh song, the effervescent power pop of “This Town.” From that point to the conclusion 14 songs later with “Let’s Have a Party,” the Go-Go’s made a persuasive, celebratory case for their curious mix of punky drive and bittersweet pop confection.

The group says they are planning a true reunion this time, which seems promising considering that new songs held up alongside old favorites.