Dave Davies Puts Own Twist on Kinks Songs

In the heyday of the Kinks, guitarist Dave Davies seemed to be the band’s barely contained, hard-rocking id, cast against his brother Ray’s pop-philosopher super-ego. The old id was fully unleashed Monday at LunaPark, where Davies turned up for a rare club gig as leader of his own band. With a mischievous grin that never faded and guitar firmly in hand, the younger Davies was a happily crazed master showman, blasting through R&B; standards, some new songs and, of course, a variety of Kinks klassics.

Backed by an exceptionally solid quartet, Davies made the most of his chance to sing lead. His distinctively high-pitched, about-to-pop vocal approach added appropriate grit and drama to tunes such as “Milk Cow Blues” and “Death of a Clown.” And his skills as a guitarist are undiminished. His spare, bluesy approach to solos made every note count sweetly, and when he careened into fast-fingered exclamations, it was a garage-rock epiphany.

The set proved to be a great opportunity to hear some wonderful Kinks tunes long left out of the band’s concerts. Instead of pawing at “Lola” one more time, Davies aced versions of “Get Back in Line,” “Strangers” and “Susannah’s Still Alive.” Of course there’s good reason some favorites are favorites, and Davies wasn’t about to deny his crowd its fun--the show ended with satisfyingly frenzied charges at “All Day and All of the Night,” “You Really Got Me” and “David Watts.”

* Dave Davies plays next Wednesday at the Galaxy Theatre, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, 8 p.m. $16.50. (714) 957-0600. He joins the Smithereens on May 1 at the House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 11 p.m. $20. (213) 650-1451; also May 2 at Club Caprice, 1700 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, 8 p.m. $18.50. (310) 316-1700.