Rock Candy

The Galaxy Concert Theatre was virtually smoke-free, except for a rebel bassist who insisted on being a bad boy. He lit up, stuck the burning cigarette between his guitar strings and smiled wickedly.

But that wasn’t the only sign of youthful rebellion on a recent Friday night at the Santa Ana club. Bow Wow Wow was the headliner, and the packed crowd came ready to take their licks from the punk band that first began sneering and rocking in the early ‘80s.

Irene Montoya of Fountain Valley was gearing up to relive her childhood--at least the high school years. Accompanied by her sister, Debra Montoya, the 30-ish Irene was decked out in leopard-print shawl jacket, leopard-print blouse and . . . well, prowl attire.

“I love Bow Wow Wow, the tribal sound. I love ‘80s music--Duran Duran, Sex Pistols, Culture Clash. They were all the spark plugs for alternative music,” she said.

Debra tossed in another name: Adam Ant. Then Charlotte’s Bionic Blimp finished its set--after rebelliously pushing the limits, timewise--and made way for the headliner, but not before tossing edible necklaces into the crowd.

That little tribal act revved it up for Bow Wow Wow’s lead singer, Annabella Lwin, who soon dove into the band’s signature hit, “I Want Candy.”