The Psychedelic Furs, X, The Fixx concert review: Costa Mesa, Calif.

photo: Miguel Vasconcellos/OC Fair

“These are crazy days, aren’t they? You need to clear an empty space inside your head,” said Cy Curnin of The Fixx, before performing the haunting 1983 hit “Saved by Zero” at a packed Pacific Amphitheatre on Thursday.

It was good advice. Watching this strong triple bill of 1970s and ‘80s alternative rock provided an opportunity to temporarily forget politics - at least until X played “The New World” and Psychedelic Furs delved into “President Gas.”

The Psychedelic Furs recently had a high-profile slot at Robert Smith’s Meltdown Festival in London. The British post-punk band, which like X, formed in 1977, is working on its first new studio album since ’91.

In Costa Mesa, the six-piece group emerged to a David Bowie instrumental and launched the solid 65-minute set with a frenzied “Dumb Waiters.” Sandpaper-voiced front man Richard Butler spat the lyrics out rapid-fire style as Mars Williams went wild on saxophone.

A gracious Butler, 62, frequently worked both sides of the stage with ease, shook fans’ hands and did theatrical gestures as he sang, often with arms outstretched. On “Highwire Days,” Butler pretended to walk off balance (his voice was decent; I’ve seen past gigs where it was cringeworthy).

Deep album cuts received a polite crowd reaction. Once the Psych Furs arrived at old KROQ fave “The Ghost in You” and Amanda Kramer played the luxurious opening keyboard intro, fans cheered loudly. The same was true for the majestic uplift of 1987 hit “Heartbreak Beat.” Fast, barbed-wire rocker “Mr. Jones” and a dreamy “Love My Way” were standouts (the latter gained newfound attention last year after being featured in the Oscar-winning drama “Call Me By Your Name”).

Many concertgoers streamed out early. They missed two popular Psych Furs classics: the romantic New Wave of “Heaven” and jaunty signature rave up “Pretty in Pink,” an energetic closer.

“It’s nice to be back in Orange County; we have a lot of friends here,” said X co-lead singer Exene Cervenka, clad in a black leather jacket. A large segment of the audience was obviously here to see X and the influential SoCal punk band didn’t disappoint.

The tight 55-minute set started with a rollicking “Beyond and Back.” Although Billy Zoom played electric guitar while seated (as opposed to standing in the trademark legs spread stance before battling cancer in recent years), his blazing licks were still amazing. 

Singer/bassist John Doe and Exene’s vocal interplay proved fiery as ever, especially during “In This House That I Call Home,” the tribal “Hungry Wolf” and always hard-hitting “Los Angeles” (which drove fans wild). The 1982 cover of Jerry Lee Lewis popularized “Breathless” was exhilarating.

Easing up on the intensity, Craig Packham of The Palominos joined on acoustic guitar for the more laid-back “Dancing with Tears in My Eyes.” Then he switched to drums as D.J. Bonebrake played vibraphone and Zoom did sax during “Come Back to Me.” That configuration continued for the jazzy feel of “I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts”; Doe and Exene’s spoken vocal interplay added to the tension. X closed with their feisty take on The Doors’ “Soul Kitchen.”

The Fixx is doing its most successful album, “Reach the Beach,” on a headlining tour (which arrives at The Coach House on Sunday). The Brits also have two new studio albums (one of originals; another one, cover material) ready for release in the future.

Curnin solicited plenty of singalong action during an impressive Pac Amp set filled with Eighties rock radio hits such as ominous opener “Red Skies,” the dense, slinky groove of “Deeper and Deeper” and “Stand or Fall.” Guitarist Jamie West Oram excelled on the chugging “One Things Leads to Another.” An extended “Secret Separation” saw Curnin insert a bit of “Better Be Good to Me” (a nod to his bandmate’s studio work with Tina Turner) to finish the too-brief, half hour performance.

My review originally appeared in the OC Register.