White Stripes Tower Over Fans

Tower Records on Sunset Blvd. reopened Wednesday night thanks to its new owners: the White Stripes.

As part of the band’s week long celebration of its 10th anniversary and new album “Icky Thump,” the Stripes rented out LA’s former vinyl sacred cow, renaming it “Icky Thump Records,” for a fans-only show.

Barking like a southern preacher before 200 fans, Jack White cried, “Welcome to the grand opening of our record store. We specialize in the sale of tangible records.  You know what those are. Can I get an ‘Amen,’ for records you can hold in your hand? Can I get an ‘Amen’ for non-disposable music?”

With its low ceilings and lack of a.c., the former Tower flagship store accentuated the Stripes’ garage stylings and caused Jack to sweat profusely.  However, keeping the mob’s mind off the lack of cool air during the show were the pill box cigarette girls donned in satin candy-stripe dresses and handing out peppermint sticks and ice cream.

There to jump-start the Stripes’ set was none other than Jack Black, whose wry introduction, “I’m the other Jack. Not the color,” immediately triggered the crowd for the band’s onslaught of fresh tracks “A Martyr for My Love to You” and “You Don’t Know What Love Is."

Finishing out the gig, Jack White exclaimed, “It’s a big honor to play here.  This place is a big institution for this town and we don’t take it for granted.” (A. D’Alessandro)