Monday, July 20, 2009
Word is that the Knitting Factory is closing its Hollywood location for another part of town. We've said since the KF's arrival in 2000 that the Hollywood & Highland location was a mistake and even though it started with such great promise (Sigur Ros, Petra Haden benefit, and that amazing night with Calexico and Neko Case), it became increasingly difficult to regularly draw locals to one of the biggest tourist traps in the entire country. And perhaps due to the costs of running a club in said tourist trap, the KF soon started to move away from its noise punk/indie rock origins, the music that got everyone excited that they were coming to L.A. in the first place. The beginning of the end was probably in 2004 when the institution known for showcasing the best in underground music became host to the debut performance of Ashlee Simpson. Admittedly, we covered that show just to see who she was, and to no surprise, the whole event (it was shot for her MTV reality show) was a bit of an embarrassment. In any case, everyone knows the Knitting Factory brand belongs somewhere downtown, but understandably back in 2000, no one went downtown unless you wanted a divebar or a dimebag. Of course, now we all know that downtown is turning into a haven for hipsters wanting to pretend their living in Greenwich Village so surely the Knit will make the appropriate move. Let's hope they make the right one.
Ok, so... Monday residencies, please. If not, Lucy Walsh, Brandi Shearer, Natalie Warner, and others at the Hotel Cafe.
We're presenting a show on Tuesday down in Long Beach at The Prospector with Two Guns, Summer Darling, Downtown/Union, and Elba. More on that in a sec. Elsewhere, Susan Marshall, Miranda Lee Richards, and others at the Hotel Cafe. The Ditty Bops at the Steve Allen Theatre. Susanna Hoffs & Matthew Sweet at the GRAMMY Museum. And Matt Vasquez, The Parson Red Heads, and others at Spaceland....
Wednesday, listen up to "Morning Becomes Eclectic" for a performance by Lal Meri (featuring Rosey and Carmen Rizzo). David Garza at The Mint. David Ryan Harris continues his residency at the Hotel Cafe. Dita Von Teese gets naked at the Avalon. Rache Goodrich at the Knitting Factory. Mellowdrone and Jesca Hoop open for Elbow at the Wiltern. Voxhaul Broadcast and Union Line at Pershing. Daedelus and Free the Robots at Low End Theory. Delta Mirror, LACO$TE, and others at Silver Factory Studios. Nite Jewel, Twisted Wires, and others at The Cocaine. Manhattan Murder Myster, The Health Club and others at The Bordello. And No Doubt begins some dates at the Gibson...
Thursday, we're presenting a little anniversary show of sorts at Echo Curio with our friends Carla Werner, Phoenix and the Turtle, and The Nocturnes. But there's also Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Eskimohunter at the Hammer. Jesca Hoop returns to the Hotel Cafe. Robert Francis, Rumpsringa, and HAIM at the Roxy. The Pharcyde at the Key Club. Nina Academy and Judgement Day at the Bootleg. NODZZ, Shark Toys, Woah Hunx, and others at Mr. T's. Marvelous Toy, My Imaginary Friends, and others at Hyperion Tavern. Spirit Animal, Tigers Can Bit You, Robotanists, and others at Spaceland. And Wavves, Made in Mexico, PROTECTME, and Showgirls at The Smell.
Full calendar listing here.
Pictured above is Kevin Litrow of the great 60-Watt Kid who played a late night set at Silver Factory Studios on Friday. 60-Watt Kid perform every Monday at Sean Carnage's Mondays at Women this month.
