It’s a pretty fabulous week here at The Roxy as we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the club! Through the years, we’ve opened our doors to the ordinary and the extraordinary. From legendary tours from Springsteen to the Jonas Brothers - comedy runs from Cheech and Chong to Russell Brand - and stage productions from Rocky Horror Picture Show to Hedwig and the Angry Inch - we’ve seen it all! Theirs to many bands and artists, crew members, team mates, and wise ones to thank - but know that we are so thankful for all the wonderful people who have graced our stage both in front and behind the curtain over the years. We all have so many epic stories and tales and are working hard everyday to create more memories. Feel free to talk about your favorite show, most amazing experience, or re-count those nights that you can’t - quite - remember - we are proud to admit, we have plenty of those too! Here’s to another 35!
Special thanks to Lina Lecaro of the LA Weekly for recapping the fabulous night with Cheech and Chong. Always happy to have her in the house!
CHEECH AND CHONGIN IT
We waited 25 years, what’s another hour? The not-so-secret Cheech and Chong reunion show at The Roxy last Thursday night was set to start at 8 p.m. sharp — but of course nothing is ever sharp in stoner time, and thanks to the crazy-long line outside, it was more like 9 when the guys finally sparked up the preview performance of their new “Light Up America” tour. Open to anyone who brought a print-out showing C&C in their top-friends list on MySpace (it was sponsored by the networking site), this show also had historic subtext, venue wise. Not only is the Roxy stage an old haunt, its owner Lou Adler discovered the duo and produced many of their films. Like many 30-somethings, we first heard the early work of the weed-loving funny men when we were kiddies, though it was forbidden by the folks. We discovered them as we got older though, and huffing ’n’ puffing with the classics — Up In Smoke, Nice Dreams — became a ritual. Judging from the enthusiastic youths in the crowd Thursday, this obviously continues to be a rite of passage. The crowd of people who filed in toting their DVDs and LPs were also about 80 percent Latino (Nightranger’s part of this percentile) and the barrio faves that blasted as we entered (War, Santana, Ritchie Valens, oldies) solidified the cultural significance of the pair’s success. Though Tommy’s not Mexican, Cheech and Chong have always been a source of Chicano pride (some sober types might say detrimentally so). The duo’s vaudeville skit-style presentation definitely had its share of Mexi references, including renditions of rib-tickling ditties “Mexican-Americans (Beaners)” and “Born in East L.A.”
After a bubbly opening monologue from Tommy’s wife Shelby Chong — who described what it was like when the cops stormed her home and busted her spouse for selling bongs (“They never found the weed in the freezer!” Hah!) — the duo came onstage to hollering, screams and even front-row fans doing the wave. They opened up with the classic car scene from Smoke and proceeded to cavort through bits like “Let’s Make a Dope Deal” and “The Big Sniff,” which saw the 62-year-old Marin and 70-year-old Chong play doggies, walking on all fours, smelling each other’s butts and, yes, humping. The pair’s chemistry remains potent, as does the musical prowess of each. Both comics offered melodious instrumental moments to the hedonistic high jinks, and though smokin’ and sexin’ were the main themes, there was some political commentary too. No shocker: The guys are pro-Obama, anti-McCain/Bush, and their experiences over the years seem to have made ’em anything but apathetic stoners. Still, sucking the hell out of another stereotype continues to be the crux of their comedy. When explaining why they broke up in the first place, Chong told the crowd (of Cheech), “We got rich — and you can’t make a rich Mexican do anything.” Cheech and Chong (who, by the way, recently outed Arnold Schwarzenegger as a former pothead … he in turn admitted to TMZ he did inhale!) will be back in L.A. for two shows at the Gibson Amphitheater on December 6. Wonder if the Governator will check out his old buds?
The pioneers of a cultural revolution…and here we are - 25 years later still rocking! Tons of fans in line, hoping to be part of the epic show tonight here at The Roxy. Generations of fans!
Photo Credit: Our lovely Chloe Cassens
Today’s the day! We will be allowing people to line up starting at 12 NOON today - so please bring yourself, and a printout of Cheech and Chong in your top friends. Doors will open at 7:00pm and all members of your party must be present in line (i.e. no save-sies)! It’s going to be a night for the books…see you in a few hours!
Cheech and Chong are reunited and ready to bring the laughs! You’ve already waited 25 years for the reunion and now we’re bringing them to you LIVE next week! Myspace Comedy Presents Cheech and Chong in the ultimate homecoming performance! It’s been years since they’ve been on our stage…and having them back is truly exciting! It really doesn’t get much funnier than this..thanks to our pals at MYSPACE COMEDY for bringing us this gem of a show.
Myspace Comedy Press Release:
Moving to Vancouver, British Columbia as a political refugee, Cheech Marin met Tommy Chong who owned a topless club. Cheech worked there for nine months, combining music and improvisational comedy. Eventually, Cheech and Chong teamed up and moved back to Los Angeles. They performed their stand-up/music act at clubs all over Los Angeles until they were discovered at the Troubadour by music industry magnate Lou Adler. “The rest,” Cheech says, “is history…” And now, history continues to be written - the duo teams up again after a 25 year hiatus - as they embark on their “Light Up America and Canada” Tour.
Perez took the time to chat with our good friend about his upcoming stint as host of this years Video Music Awards. Thanks Russell for the Roxy shout out! Make sure you tune into the VMA’s this SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2008 on MTV and watch him in action!
It’s already super cool that our homie Russell Brand is tagged as the host of this years Video Music Awards (check out his live comedy show here this Sunday!) - his residency couldn’t have been more fun, and he was such a cool guy to have around! Now, our OTHER killer residency o’ the summer (which concludes tonight!) TRV$DJ-AM is this year’s house band of the VMA’s. Add those, with a couple nominations for our Shwayze boys - and you’ve got quite the night.
Check out this snippet from the LA TIMES
The duo — a kind of beat-driven version of the revolving-door rock collective Camp Freddy that already has hosted such high-profile guest stars as Paul Wall and Warren G — will perform its third of three sold-out shows at West Hollywood’s Roxy Theatre tonight before going on to serve as house band for the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7.
So, it might not be the most appropriate of Father’s day gifts - but Russell’s comedy show is something not to be missed. Its the grand finale, and after a solid 6 week, sold out run - we’re sure our favorite Brit will take it out with a bang. We know he’s been the subject of a hefty about of press since the run began, check out the latest one written by Chris Lee and latimes.com
Clad head to toe in skin-tight Johnny Cash black, Russell Brand mounted the stage at Hollywood’s venerable rock venue the Roxy Theatre on a recent Sunday looking every inch the louche, preening British rock star of archetype. His haystack of “Edward Scissorhands”-esque hair: impressively vertical. His winkle-picker boots: pointy and sharp. Brand’s shirt was unbuttoned nearly to his waist, revealing a cluster of silver Gypsy medallions as he looked up to face the capacity crowd.
Then he started talking. Because Brand — who ends a six-week “residence” of sold-out Roxy dates Sunday night (several were added “due to overwhelming demand,” according to the venue website) — had come to rock the house with jokes, not music.
And for all you folks that tuned in to see Russell on Leno on Tuesday, we don’t have rats. Ghosts? Questionable. Rats? Negative.
Rumor has it, their are still a few tickets left for the LAST two Russell Brand comedy shows. We know you might think we’re joking…as shows kept getting added - but we happen to know Russell is heading back over the pond to work on a few more movies so this is in fact your last chance to see his comedy show! Don’t be lame - come see it. How funny was Forgetting Sarah Marshall?? Click here for tickets!
So, we cheated. We didn’t exactly know it was Russell’s birthday….but Heko and I were surprised when two HUGE birthday pinatas were delivered and it led us to google. So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. He’s one funny dude, and we’ve loved having him here for the past month - cheers to two more shows!
Love
Team Roxy
Russell reading birthday wishes from the fans
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!
