As we come upon our third year of compiling City Scenes articles here at Indie-Music.com,
this month's spotlight has been refocused on our very first city to be profiled
- the City of Angels, a.k.a. LaLaLand, or Los Angeles. And there's good reason
to come back to it now, when so many landmark venues are shutting their doors
across the country. Los Angeles, for all its tendencies toward glitzy, glamorous,
and celebrity-inspired hoopla, has a firm foothold in the past. The list of
legendary local venues is staggering; while other cities struggle to cope with
club closings, the variety and staying power of LA's time-tested venues just
keeps growing. The LA music scene is built upon the backs of independent musicians
doing their best to shake up the biz. Hands down, there is no other scene in
the United States that compares when it comes to inspiring songwriters to dream
big. From rock to pop to rap and hip-hop, LA has tons of flavor; all you have
to do as a music fan is to decide what your tastebuds are in the mood for on
any given night. There's always a rockin' show in the City of Angels.
Compiled By Heidi Drockelman
Web resources for those who like to plan:
Just the facts… did you know?
- LA is the largest city in the state of California by population and the
second most populous city in the United States. It is not the capital of California,
however, that's Sacramento.
- The city and its immediate vicinity lead the world in producing popular
entertainment - such as motion picture, television, and recorded music - which
forms the base of Los Angeles' international fame and global status. I think
you all knew that already.
- Los Angeles was founded in 1781 by Spanish governor Felipe de Neve as El
Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula (The Village
of Our Lady, the Queen of the Angels of Porciuncula). It became a part of
Mexico in 1821 following independence from Spain and then a part of the United
States in 1848 at the conclusion of the Mexican-American War.
- Los Angeles has over 80 stage theaters and 300 museums, more than any U.S.
city.
- The Hollywood sign originally spelled out "Hollywoodland" and
was an advertisement for a real estate company.
- The world's first indoor shopping mall was the "Crossroads of the World"
located on Sunset Boulevard.
- Over one billion feet of film is shot annually in LA.
- The Hollywood Bowl is the world's largest outdoor amphitheater.
Los Angeles Skyline
This place rules! Best place to watch/play a gig:
Troubadour (9081 Santa Monica Blvd., http://www.troubadour.com/)
- Since opening in 1957, the legendary Troubadour club in West Hollywood has
helped launch some of contemporary music's most talented performers. Greats
such as Elton John, James Taylor, and Tom Waits performed there early in their
careers, and it continues to be a destination for cutting-edge acts from around
the world.
The Roxy (9009 W. Sunset Blvd., http://www.theroxyonsunset.com/)
- Fans and performers alike will readily tell the tales of their most memorable
Roxy experiences. Such is the influence of one of the country’s most legendary
and influential music venues. From the Roxy’s 1973 opener featuring Neil Young,
to Bruce Springsteen’s now-classic 1975 performances, the history of The Roxy
Theatre is paved with icons, whether it was Guns N’ Roses’ pre-stardom shows,
Miles Davis, Jane’s Addiction, Pearl Jam, or others. Three decades on, the club
is also a popular performance site for other entertainment, including stage
productions, comedy shows, and performance art.
Rainbow Bar & Grill (9015 W. Sunset Blvd., http://www.rainbowbarandgrill.com/)
- Also know as The Rainbow Room, this club has been around since 1972, but first
attained legendary status in the 80's, when acts like Van Halen and Lita Ford
graced its stage. The former site of the Villa Nova restaurant, where Marilyn
Monroe had her first date with future husband Joe DiMaggio in 1953, the Rainbow
now attracts rock, metal, and 80's acts.
Whisky A Go Go (8901 W. Sunset Blvd., http://www.whiskyagogo.com/)
- First opened along the Sunset Strip in 1964, the Whisky has seen more than
its fair share of musical royalty spring to stardom from its small stage - it
remains THE place to play for burgeoning young talent. Simply legendary.
Knitting Factory (7021 Hollywood Blvd., http://www.knittingfactory.com/)
- While this sleeker LA incarnation will probably never rival the NYC original,
"the Knit" remains a bicoastal institution for fans of cutting-edge music and
inspired, sometimes surprising booking. A much-needed LA home for hard-to-pigeonhole
national and local acts.
14 Below (1348 14th St., Santa Monica, http://www.14below.com/)
- Live music pumps through the place seven days a week, and everyone from solo
folk artists to Rolling Stones cover bands can be found inside. The crowd here
is mixed and casual, but there's always plenty of familiar faces. So if you're
looking for some quality tunes without the hefty cover, stop on by this Santa
Monica staple. This is the casual spot to hang out with LA's up-and-coming local
rockers
The Hotel Cafe (1623 1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd., http://www.hotelcafe.com/)
- There have been few venues in LA in recent years that have generated the kind
of buzz and loyalty that The Hotel Cafe currently enjoys. This is an establishment
for musicians made cozy by musicians. There's a lotta love in the room when
you go on stage, hang out in the audience and you are guaranteed to be treated
to a great show every time you step into the room. You want to play here, and
you want to go hear your favorite local artists here. It's the mutual musical
appreciation capital of LaLaLand.
The Viper Room (8852 W. Sunset Blvd., http://www.viperroom.com/)
- Since its stellar opening in 1993, the world-famous Viper Room has hosted
the likes of Johnny Cash, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Stone Temple Pilots,
Bruce Springsteen, Oasis, Counting Crows, Lenny Kravits, Pearl Jam, Iggy Pop,
Porno For Pyros, Sandra Bernhardt, Sheryl Crow, Dennis Rodman, and Hunter S.
Thompson, as well as an array of other internationally-established artists and
cult favorites of America's underground. The history of LA's music scene, as
well as that of pop culture and music in general, is being made nightly at the
Viper Room.
El Rey Theatre (5515 Wilshire Blvd., http://www.theelrey.com/)
- What's most attractive about the El Rey is its intimate musical atmosphere,
creating acoustics that could make even the Material Girl sound like an operatic
diva. An all-ages venue that delivers a great crowd every night.
Spaceland (1623 1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd., http://www.clubspaceland.com/)
- For over a decade Spaceland has been the rest-stop of choice when acts like
Sonic Youth, Pavement, Ben Harper, and Beck stroll through town. The venue's
modest capacity (it holds only about 250) ensures an intimate experience, and
on any given night you're liable to catch either a well-known band you've been
dying to see or an act you've never heard of that blows your socks off. Located
in Silverlake, the club lacks the pretentiousness of some of the city's more
chichi venues, substituting with a grungy atmosphere that includes reasonably
priced booze and burgers.
The Echo (1822 W. Sunset Blvd., http://www.attheecho.com/)
- The setting is the kind that keeps 90210 minions on the west side of La Brea
while attracting a consistent display of area locals who like to live true urban
life by day and by night. The Echo adds a gritty city taste to weekly nightlife
through its concentration on quality acts rather than concentrating on flashy
bar atmospheres and Hollywood decor.
Alex's Bar (2913 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, http://www.alexsbar.com/)
- Think shiny '50s upholstery, red walls, velvet paintings, velvet couches,
two pool tables, air hockey, strong drinks, and concrete floors with fast rolling
chairs. Fun Fact: "Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny" was filmed at Alex's Bar.
Silverlake Lounge (2906 W. Sunset Blvd., http://www.foldsilverlake.com/)
- Located in Silverlake - LA's closest approximation to NYC's Greenwich Village
- the lounge offers typical dive bar highlights and raw, underground music on
weekday evenings. Showcasing a bevy of forward-thinking musicians and their
anything-but-trendy bands, the bar attracts a crowd that mixes LA's underground
chic with low-key, professional artists - people who are intent on steering
clear of the Sunset Strip. The club typically attracts a gay, Latin crowd, and
it's not unusual to see a number of stylish drag queens. After all is said and
done, the Silverlake Lounge is urban realism in its finest hour.
The Troubador, 9081 Santa Monica Blvd.
For the gearheads (and those who stole their equipment on the road):
McCabe's Guitar Shop (3101 W. Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, http://www.mccabes.com/)
- McCabe's is a musical instrument store in Santa Monica, opened in 1958. They
specialize in acoustic and folk instruments: guitars, banjos, mandolins, dulcimers
(both hammered and plucked), fiddles, psaltries, bouzoukis, sitars, ouds, ethnic
percussion... you get the idea. Also electrics and amps. The largest selection
of stringed things to make music with in California.
Santa Monica Music Center (1901 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, http://www.santamonicamusic.com/)
- Music has been taught at Santa Monica Music Center since 1939. The business
has grown with the community over the years, providing the music students in
the local and surrounding schools, and professional musicians, with quality
instruments and instruction for 60 years
Westwood Music (1627 Westwood Blvd., http://www.westwoodmusic.com/)
- Since the ‘60’s, Westwood Music and its owner, Fred Walecki, have been at
the center of rock and roll legend-making. The stories abound - like the time
the Stones went to see Sonny and Brownie at the Ash Grove, driven by Fred in
his mom’s station wagon. Or when Bernie Leadon promised to stand good for a
Westwood Music charge account for his new band, which had come up with the questionable
name of "The Eagles."
West LA Music (11345 Santa Monica Blvd., http://www.westlamusic.com/)
- For over 30 years, West L.A. Music has supplied equipment for feature films,
television shows, and hit records. West LA Music was 'there' when rock history
was being made, supplying equipment to top musicians around the world. From
onstage at the California Jam in the 70's, to the digital multimedia 90's, they've
helped the best players... play their best.
Hey DJ! Spin this! Record Stores for the hardcore:
Amoeba Music Hollywood (6400 W. Sunset Blvd., http://www.amoeba.com/)
- In November 2001 Amoeba Music opened its biggest store yet, on Sunset Boulevard
in downtown Hollywood. Occupying an entire city block, this store houses the
biggest, broadest, most diverse collection of music and movies ever seen on
under one roof. Altogether, two shopping floors and a Jazz room boast millions
of titles on CD, DVD, and vinyl, new and used, and stock changes as fast as
customers bring in their old collections. They've been warmly welcomed by L.A.'s
musical community, and the affection is mutual!
House of Records (3328 W. Pico Blvd., http://www.houseofrecords.com/)
- House of Records is Los Angeles' oldest independent record store, dating back
to 1952. The shop sells primarily used music, with a large selection of vinyl
and a decent CD section as well. On vinyl, you'll find a whole bunch of rock,
pop, jazz, and electronic music in various conditions. On any given day, expect
to see about twelve copies of Abbey Road, some in pristine shape and
others barely playable. The staff is refreshingly unpretentious and always willing
to help or point you in the right direction.
Rockaway Records (2395 Glendale Blvd., http://www.rockaway.com/)
- The last couple of years has seen Silverlake's Rockaway Records become a graveyard
for promotional CDs. Just a stone's throw from Burbank, many record label execs
can be found dumping their unwanted copy of the new one-hit wonder at Rockaway.
The store generally pays a kind 25 cents a pop. But people don't come here for
cheap used CDs. Rockaway has built itself on selling highly coveted collectibles
- everything from Beatles dolls from the '60s to old Grateful Dead posters.
Record Surplus (11609 W. Pico Blvd., http://www.recordsurplusla.com/)
- West Los Angeles' Record Surplus is considered by many to be the epitome of
the used record shop. The shop is dimly lit, with several aisles devoted to
used vinyl, CDs, and cassettes. You won't find anything new, but the selection
of used stock is pretty thorough and always updated. You are probably more likely
to be impressed by the vinyl selection, where you'll find great rarities of
rock, jazz, and funk at fair prices. While the staff is pretty serious about
their status as record collectors, they can be sufficiently helpful if you pester
them enough. Cool music paraphernalia and used instruments are sold upstairs.
Atomic Records (3812 Magnolia Blvd., Burbank) - "Lovable freaks" searching
for any type of music, except showtunes and classical, need look no further
than Atomic Records, a Burbank bastion of used CDs, not-so-new vinyl, and previously
viewed videos. Vintage jazz is a hit with regulars who have been frequenting
the store for nearly half a decade. The store's décor is wryly described by
one employee as "post World War II chic," so know you are coming for the tunes,
not some fancy dancy place that is all style and hurting for substance. Atomic
Records has "some famously bad deals," says the staff member, who follows that
up with the explanation that while the store is not known for bargains, they
are well-regarded for carrying some "hard to get stuff."
Griffith Park Observatory, 2800 E. Observatory Ave.
Must-visit:
Museum of Tolerance (9786 W Pico Blvd., http://www.museumoftolerance.com/)
- Founded in 1993, the Museum of Tolerance at the Simon Wiesenthal Center was
the first of its kind in the world, dedicated to preserving the memory of the
Holocaust as well as promoting human rights and combating racism, anti-Semitism,
and genocide through education and outreach. The museum's Holocaust sections
are extensive and astonishing, including an engrossing tour that includes recreations
of prewar Berlin and the infamous Wannsee Conference (where the "Final Solution"
to exterminate European Jewry was adopted), as well as the Hall of Testimony
where visitors witness the stories and voices of survivors. The Holocaust collection
also includes a number of Anne Frank's original letters, bunks and other artifacts
from various death camps, and prisoners' artwork and textiles.
Griffith Park Observatory (2800 E. Observatory Ave., http://www.griffithobs.org/)
- The triple domed "hood ornament of Los Angeles" is back. After a four-year,
$93 million renovation, Griffith Observatory has re-opened its astronomical
perch on Mt. Hollywood. An LA icon of monumental architectural and scientific
proportions since 1935, the observatory has not only cleaned up its peeling
plaster, but has doubled its size. A new 39,000-square-foot underground space
includes the Gunther Depths of Space exhibit hall and the Leonard Nimoy Horizon
Theater. You can still pose for a photo op with James Dean but his Rebel
Without a Cause statue (for those who don't know, the movie was shot on
this spot) now welcomes you to the entrance of a unique outdoor astronomical
instrument. As you walk through the glass-walled 150-foot-long Gottlieb Transit
Corridor, sunlight and photoelectric sensors illuminate the passage of time
and seasons linking them to sun, moon, and star motions.
Museum of Jurassic Technology (9341 Venice Blvd., Culver City, http://www.mjt.org/)
- One of the great, yet relatively obscure, LA attractions, this is only a "museum"
in the loosest sense of the word. Filled with offbeat relics and strange little
exhibits, the place is what might have happened if Edgar Allen Poe and P.T.
Barnum decided to have a garage sale, but then decided to call it a museum.
Part of the charm of the place is its single-minded vision that the line between
science and nonsense is often blurry, and few words can rightly describe the
place and its surprises. Perhaps the most exciting exhibit involves the science
of micro-miniature art. This highly involved discipline, creating microscopic
art works on tiny objects, is truly fascinating, and is one of many offbeat
exhibits.
Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach, http://www.molaa.com/)
- Known by its acronym MoLAA, the museum is touted as the only institution in
the western US devoted exclusively to contemporary Latin American art. The museum's
mission is to enlighten the public to post-World War II Latin American art via
a solid permanent collection as well as compelling temporary exhibitions and
programs. The permanent collection includes pieces by Mexican artists Rufino
Tamayo (1899-1991), Maximino Javier (b. 1950), and Alfredo Castaneda (b. 1938),
while temporary exhibitions have featured Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, as well
as lesser-known contemporary artists from across Latin America.
Angelenos! If you have a favorite hangout or rants about what's included
(or not), email
us. We'll consider it for our next LA update, letting other touring and
local musicians know about it.
More City Scenes
