Simply going off the fact that I am ridiculously tired, my feet are a little sore, my ears are ringing, and I’m slightly hungover - all signs point to SUCCESS for the First Annual Sunset Strip Music Fest.
This has been the weekend of all weekends for all involved - and all the hard work seemed to pay off. The Strip was busier than ever - the clubs were packed - fans were lined up - and everyone seemed ready for a little Rock N Roll. We were able to attend so many epic round tables and presentations reliving history of the Strip over the course of the last few days, and seeing it all come together this weekend was a clear testament that we’re doing something right. Our main man Erik Voake was snapping pics the whole weekend - so stay tuned. Cheers to all the new friends we’ve made…thanks to all the bands who went out on a limb so support us an the Festival…special props to the brains behind the operation (and an extra extra pat for our Nic)…can’t wait to get started for next year!
We’ve all been working so hard in preparation of the SSMF, that it’s easy to lose sight of what it’s REALLY all about. A true celebration! It’s almost impossible for most of us to remember a time before the legendary Sunset Strip existed, but last night we were able to honor the masterminds behind the place we call “home.” The event at the House of Blues was nothing short of amazing. So many legends in the house, wanting to pay respects and tell their one of a kind stories. Cheech and Chong were a highlight, Slash is always entertaining, and the beautiful Michelle Phillips were all very gracious in their intros. The event was hosted by our (always) favorite MC, Mark McGrath. We’ll always be thankful for what Lou Adler, Mario Maglieri, and Elmer Valentine have created for us all - now lets party!
Here’s a few pics so far, credit Erik Voake - more to come!
On the heals of the SSMF music fest where we know people will be driving in from all over the land…and just for everyone’s future reference…we’re debunking all those crazy parking rumors to make your night extra enjoyable and affordable. We’re all working folks, and no one respects your hard earned dollar more than yours truly. Check out the latest tidbit from LAist.
“If you ever see $20, it sticks in your head forever. It’s pretty unacceptable,” said Roxy Theatre owner, Nic Adler. “No one is going to get back into the car and park again, it becomes a one destination trip to West Hollywood, then you go home or somewhere else in the city.”
But it doesn’t have to be that way, as Adler points out. The classic Western edge of the Sunset Strip, where the Roxy, Viper Room, Whiskey A Go Go, Key Club and Rainbow Room all reside, parking rates are much lower than the side of the strip where the House of Blues’ area on a weekend night. That is, if you go to the right place.
An LAist survey of six parking lots found that prices vary with a $15 difference, even with lots owned by the same owners and ones that neighbor each other. The best weekend price is $5 at 9000 Sunset Blvd, directly across the street the Roxy Theatre. The highest prices are $20 behind the Citibank Building at 9059 Sunset Blvd. and valet parking at the Key Club.
Two parking lots at 9026 and 9040 Sunset Blvd. that are owned by the same company and only physically split by a building differed in price by $3 with prices at $7 and $10, respectively.
At the Roxy Theatre, parking is $7. “We’re not the cheapest, but it is valet,” Adler noted while encouraging people to take advantage of the cheap $5 parking across the street.
We’ve shown our HOT HOT HEAT love on this blog several times - they’re an office fav and we’re counting down the days ’til they rock the stage. Now, in true Roxy fashion - we wanted to combine our love for the band and our new love for contests and create something spectacular. We love the fan interaction, the ability to show someone a really great experience, and all the submissions! If you are a fan of the band (like us) you know that there are a few things that are SOO very distinct - and now in a classic battle of AFROS vs SUITS - you have the chance to rock the signature look of the band in photobooth (digital camera, poloroid, etc) form. Send us your best shots and give the band a true - run - for - their - style - money. Extra props if you rock the suit and the fro, but only one is required. The show is next week, so the deadline will be Wednesday June 24 at 5:00pm. Click HERE to enter! The Grand Prize Prize:
A Pair of tickets to the show
$50 Roxy Bucks to get your drink on (or some food)
Some sweet shwag including -2 copies of the deluxe version of the new cd/dvd - and a super sweet 11×17 poster
Meet and Greet and Soundcheck passes
8 Runner Ups:
Meet and Greet and Soundcheck passes for you and a friend
(Sorry, had too.) Our boys in Shuvel rocked the house Friday night. Ryan, Carlos and Issac you rock! Thanks guys and thanks to all the other bands as well. Death Pilot, Plastik and Maleva. Great to see a bunch of old friends and make some new ones.
Over the last couple weeks we have been spoiled by Dim Mak and Company. A MSTRKRFT video shoot with with Nore, LA Riots, Felix Cartal, Lazaro Casanova and Steve Aoki. Couple days later Aoki Played The Elements of Life Benefit. Then Crystal Castles came in and basically took over the club. Every email, comment and phone call we received over the last week was about them. So many that we were forced to add a Friday Midnight performance. Both shows were completely sold out. We can’t wait to have them back. It felt as we are starting to witness a change in the music scene and we love it. Check out some of the vids and pics the captured the fun over the last month.
Thanks to the guys at Club Soda Media, Darren Kim and Erik Voake for the pics.
The best thing about Team Roxy is that we all have veryyyyy different musical tastes. At any given moment, you have someone rocking out to C-Mon and Kypski, maybe the new Phantom Planet record, or some old school Dolly Parton. But I am guilty for playing Marc Broussard on a daily basis. Needless to say, I’m pretty excited about having him back on our stage. Its been a few years, and while he has a few more albums under his belt - he still has the classic, New Orleans, jazz-y feel that we’ve all loved for years! We know the presale sold out, so we would encourage you to get them thru the Roxy box office (310 278 9457)- asap! The show is on Thursday August 28, tickets are $20.50 in advance and $22.00 day of show - see you there!
Fresh off of Camp Freddy, Mark McGrath looked like he didn’t get enough of The Roxy. Sugar Ray got up and played two of their biggest hits for the surprised party goers at On The Rox, Fly and Every Morning. So much fun and totally unexpected. Thats why we love what we do, you will never know what will happen. Thanks to Murphy, Rodney, Stan and Mark. Always great to see you guys.
Our wonderful month of Mayhem with Camp Freddy has really set a high standard for future residency’s to come. And we’re pretty sure the Hybrid machine that is Travis Barker live on drums and DJ AM spinning the night away…is pretty much perfection. We’re happy to have them on the last Wednesday of JUNE, JULY, AND AUGUST. That’s June 25, July 30, and August 27 for all of you without your handy ical. So come join us - tickets can be found on ticketmaster by clicking here and as always 310 278 9457 to call us directly for tickets.
This month will be hard to beat. With so many legendary artists gracing The Roxy stage, it was very hard to find just 10. Camp Freddy had by far the most added to the group, mostly do to having 5 shows this month and a lot of amazing trigger happy photographers. Russell Brand also had many to choose from but i felt this one had special meaning because our own sound guy lee was in the mix. My personal favorite picture, not just because it’s so awesome, but that the Foxboro Hot Tubs was my favorite show in a long time. Again a huge thank you for all who added your pictures to The Roxy Theatre Group on flickr. We now have over 2500 photos and 120 members in just over a month. Keep it coming, Click click!
The month of Camp Freddy Mayhem has become this Rock N Roll machine that has been the talk of the town! It’s taken over like no one could have ever imagined. It started off great as we were so excited to be able to hold one of our Roxy contests to find the lucky openers - which allowed local bands to actually warm up the stage for Freddy. What a great opportunity. And now, we’ve had FIVE sold out shows - countless special guests - and killer set lists. Over the past 4 weeks, we’ve seen Tommy Lee, Terry Nunn, Chester of Linkin Park, Brandon Boyd of Incubus, Chino of the Deftones, Jerry Cantrell, Lemmy Kilmister, B-Real and Sen Dog, Tiffany, Metal Skool, Cory from Slipknot/Stone Sour, Tom Morrello as well as our house favorite Mark McGrath - to name a few! On top of the Sex Pistols Paul Cook, Glen Matlock and Steve Jones and GnR legends Duff and Slash! Insanity. We hate to rub it in, because the Freddy Finale tonight is of course sold out - but for the lucky, this show will take the cake! Every Thursday the chaos starts early - so make sure you stay tuned as Nic and I twitter the day away. We’ll keep you updated as always, on all the nitty gritty secrets. Thanks to all the guests and the guys - as well as the fans who have made the Roxy their nightlife staple for the month. We hope to see you all soon.
Check out this out from the daily blog PLAY at the LA Weekly…
BIGGIE SMALLS SHUTS DOWN SUNSET BOULEVARD
Ah, if only. But shooting has commenced in LA for Notorious, the Biggie Smalls biopic slated to be released in 2009. Earlier today, the crew was working on the Sunset Strip near the Roxy, where a key scene occurs. It was kind of surreal cruising down Sunset in West Hollywood and seeing, during a break, actor Jamal Woolard (a.k.a. Gravy) casually strolling down the street in his full Biggie Smalls get-up.
To read more of RANDALL ROBERT’s post on Biggie Smalls click here.
When someone like Bryan Adams says “special guests,” you know it’s going to be huge. Because, he’s THAT cool. Aside from his amazing show on the Sunset Strip last night (3 encores!) - he played ALL the hits. Summer of ‘69 acoustic? Yes please. Cuts Like A Knife? Run To You? Heat of the Night? Check, Check and Check. The room was packed - it was rocking THEN out comes his special guests. BONNIE RAITT and KEITH URBAN!!! Words cannot explain what took place on the Roxy stage, check out this vid for a little taste! Now tell us, what was your favorite part?
Thanks to our new friend, Kate The Russian, for the awesome video. And our house photographer Erik Voake for the great pic!
