There likely were several reasons why the members of early-'90s L.A. heroes, Mary's Danish, decided to get back together for this one-off gig Monday night at the House of Blues, but the usual motivations -- such as a new album or even a record contract -- were definitely not part of the equation.

There likely were several reasons why the members of early-’90s L.A. heroes, Mary’s Danish, decided to get back together for this one-off gig Monday night at the House of Blues, but the usual motivations — such as a new album or even a record contract — were definitely not part of the equation.

The near-sell-out perf — part of the ongoing L.A. Music Week spotlighting the city’s musical diversity — was a welcome return for the talented coed band, which was just one of many deserving local groups chewed up and spit out by the music industry in the last few years. In fact, the wheels for this show were put into motion by a weekly newspaper article in March which retold the band’s bewildering history as part of a bigger examination of the sad overall state of the industry.

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Playing here to a rousing reception and with all six original members together for the first time in more than six years (plus stand-by utility man Michael Babera), this reheated Danish was full of energetic flavor and nearly as good as back in the day, but the perf also was a reminder of why the band’s music wasn’t more successful in the first place.

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The group’s eclectic funk-rock approach, which includes two dueling and polar opposite female vocalists, was brought to life by the House of Blues’ kind sound system and was no doubt further propelled by the apparently unexpected hero’s welcome accorded the reunited musicians by the happy fans.

Show, comprising mostly songs from MD’s three albums, was highlighted by snappy local radio favorites “Don’t Crash the Car Tonight” and “Julie’s Blanket” (a trib to singer Julie Ritter). It also included a couple songs from Battery Acid — the little-known Mary’s Danish spin-off that featured singer Gretchen Seager and her husband, guitarist Louis Gutierrez — as well as a medley of “Foxy Lady” and “Dazed and Confused,” and even one (“Bed”) from Ritter’s just-issued and self-released solo album.

As the 90-minute show (partly composed of a set-list voted on by fans at Ritter’s Web site) progressed, however, the band’s shortcomings became more and more apparent. These shortcomings include the feeling that many of the songs simply go nowhere and completely indecipherable vocals. Also, a new song or two would have been nice.

Mary’s Danish may have gotten a raw deal from the corporate world, but they did accomplish more than most bands do, and, as was made clear by the members’ on-stage camaraderie, the music can be its own reward.

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Mary’s Danish

House of Blues; 1,000 capacity; $12.50

  • Production: Presented inhouse. Reviewed June 28, 1999.
  • Cast: Band: Julie Ritter, Gretchen Seager, David King, Chris Wagner, Louis Gutierrez, James Bradley Jr., Michael Barbera.

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