The Afghan Whigs with Har Mar Superstar Live at The Fonda, Los Angeles

Stranger things have happened in Hollywood on a Friday the 13th in October. There were no spirits summoned or a creepy dude in a hockey mask — at least not at The Fonda. Still, Har Mar Superstar was a peculiar site to see. The supporting act for the Afghan Whigs drew the crowd toward the stage with the first notes of “Personal Boy,” the title track off his newest EP. He stood out against his band, and it wasn’t just because he did not wear the same red satin varsity jacket. Maybe it was the unquestionably soulful voice. Or maybe it was that such a voice came from the unassuming man in a white button down and zip up.

What’s more, over the course of his set, Har Mar Superstar peeled off his clothes until he was topless. It’s hard to say if this display of vulnerability matched his voice’s rawness during the slower tunes, but it made sense with his consistent comedic quips. Part way through, he said, “I lived in this neighborhood for eight years and they put in a Shake Shack after I leave.” He even found a way to take the sleaze out of being a salesman: “You guys seem to be in a t-shirt buying mood.”

The crowd was treated to a new song written only days earlier, to which Har Mar Superstar requested the audience refrain from videoing and, furthermore, posting on the internet. Most obliged, but a few bright screens had the audacity to pop up.

 Har Mar Superstar did his job as supporting act for the Afghan Whigs. His crooning, jiving and antics around the stage (including a headstand while singing),  perfectly prepared the crowd for a lively set to come. Even better, the Afghan Whigs put on a different kind of show, though just as entertaining.

The tone of the night shifted to a more intense kind of rock. Guitars were heavy, the music was loud and the punk nod was in full effect, though not always. A special moment in the night, adept for a night like Friday the 13th, came during the band’s performance of “Can Rova,” mashed up with Jeff Buckley’s “Last Goodbye” in honor of late band member Dave Rosser. Singer Greg Duili explained that they set up an amp for Dave every night just in case. He noted Dave as “one of the most beautiful spirits I’ve ever met.” 

The 21-song set featured appearances by Marcy Mays (“My Curse”), Petra Haden (for Teenage Wristband and Har Mar Superstar (for “Demon in Profile”).  Duili was polite, but cheeky: “I kiss all the singers.”

 Even after being summoned for an encore by a stomping and cheering crowd, Duili made it clear the audience was going to have to work: “I’m gonna stand back and let you invite the band back on stage.” The Whigs ripped through “Parked Outside,” “Summer’s Kiss” and “Faded” and dipped away.

Har Mar Superstar Setlist: 

1. Personal Boy
2. Prisoner
3. Anybody’s Game
4. These Arms of Mine (Otis Redding cover)
5. Restless Leg
6. Almond Joy
7. How Did I Get Through the Day
8. Youth Without Love
9. The Power of Love (Huey Lewis and the News cover)
10. We Don’t Sleep
11. Lady, You Shot Me

Afghan Whigs Setlist:

1. Birdland
2. Arabian Heights
3. Matamoros
4. Debonair
5. Light as a Feather
6. My Enemy
7. Oriole
8. Toy Automatic
9. Can Rova/ Last Goodbye (Jeff Buckley cover)
10. My Curse (with Marcy Mays)
11. What Jail is Like
12. Teenage Wristband (The Twilight Singers cover with Petra Haden)
13. Going to Town (Slight Return)
14. Demon in Profile (with Har Mar Superstar)
15. Dear Prudence (The Beatles cover)
16. John the Baptist
17. Somethin’ Hot
18. Into the Floor (with “Boys of Summer” outro)
19. Parked Outside
20. Summer’s Kiss
21. Faded