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Oct 07, 2010 By Laura Studarus Photography by Laura Studarus Web Exclusive

The show clocked in a scant 45 minutes, but anyone present at Neon Indian’s Henry Fonda gig on Friday night would be the first to admit that the band had rightfully chosen quality over quantity. (Although it is important to note that Neon Indian’s debut Psychic Chasms clocks in at well under a half-hour. So one could also—rightly—defend the band’s top-notch ability to stretch out what they’ve got.)

Far from its origins as a laptop project, mastermind Alan Palomo’s dreamy, surprisingly danceable vision is fleshed out live with the help of a four-piece band—including guitarist Ronald Gierhart, who for the majority of the set played a LED-screen incrusted guitar that reflected the lava-lamp style backdrop.

I admit—when it comes to the flavor of my synths—having a preference for 1980s-mope over 1970s glam. Sorry, 1970s—MGMT, in all their drugged-out glory, has left me cold for almost the entire ‘70s. Regardless, Neon Indian’s seemingly endless supply of sounds plucked from circa the Carter administration (Including beats seemingly hacked from first-generation video games and a vibraphone (!)) left me mulling that position. Well, mulling and flailing, as the two-thirds full theater made for an excellent dance floor.

I still probably won’t take acid with you, but hearing the layers of Psychic Chasms explored live made me long for a score of long-lost deadbeat summers. Then again, it could have just been regret that this was Neon Indian’s last Los Angeles show before the release of their next album. (www.myspace.com/neonindian)