Wave bye-bye

Last call at the Waikiki landmark could see historic headliners drop by

Who will be the last one on stage at the Wave Waikiki? That is the question as club veterans count down the days to the Wave's finale this weekend.

When the club closes at 4 a.m. Sunday, the final entry will be posted on a list of local, national and international talent that began with The Squids in 1980 -- and which includes Grace Jones, Fleetwood Zoo with Stevie Nicks and the Blue Hearts.

Wave Waikiki final events Event No 1: "Planet of the Drums 2006" On stage: 9 p.m. Friday Admission: $15 (presale $12 at www.groovetickets.com); minimum age 18 Call: 591-3500 or www.double-o-spot.com. Event No. 2: "Wave Waikiki's Last Ride!!!" On stage: 8 p.m. Saturday Admission: $20; minimum age 21. Call: 941-0424 or www.wavewakiki.com

The Wave is Honolulu's oldest free-standing nightclub operating under original ownership at its original location, making this weekend's closure a part of Waikiki history.

Closing-night entertainment will be by two of the club's top-drawing bands -- Pimpbot and Missing Dave -- and old-time Wavers can anticipate "the final reunion" of Oriental Love Ring, an alt-rock headliner band from the late-1980s that featured Peter Bond, of Hat Makes the Man and Spiny Norman fame, and Beano Shots of the Squids.

Also appearing will be G-Dog, Gary-O, SubZero, DJ K.S.M., BTF, Racer X, Jrama, Swurv and DMFD.

The night before, veteran nightclub DJ and events promoter G-Spot, working with Honolulu Streetwear, presents "Planet of the Drums 2006," a celebration of drum-n-bass featuring London-based DJ Shy FX.

The all-night event on Friday will also include the return of Dieselboy, and sets by AK1200, Dara and MC J-Messinian. It will also be the last chance for adults under 21 to party at the Wave; minimum age for admittance is 18.

G-Spot and "Planet of the Drums 2006" got in just under the wire. Several shows that were scheduled to play the Wave in early June were left without a venue when the new owners of the property informed club owner Jack Law that they wanted the club to shut down in May rather than mid-June.

Most of the Wave's 30 employees will be unemployed when the doors close Sunday morning, but Law and the Wave ohana are planning to go out proud.

In view of the historical significance of the Wave's final night, Law plans to set up a video booth, so closing-nighters will be able to record on camera their favorite memories of the Wave.

Given the number of Hawaii musicians who have played the Wave, any number of special guests may -- repeat, may -- stop by and sit in with Pimpbot, Missing Dave and OLR.

Sonya Mendez of Sonya & the Revolucion attended the Wave's 25th Anniversary party in November, and several members of Hat Makes the Man and the Squids are still around. Things will really come full circle if Shots and some of the other ex-Squids -- Kit Ebi and Rubella Shotz, to name two -- are among the performers for the final song, whatever it may be, Sunday morning.