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June 10, 2008
Big Changes at Viper Room Start Playing Out
Over the last couple of weeks, the scene at the Viper Room has been changing -- bartenders were let go, one of the bookers is gone, and now the internal publicist and talent buyer announced a seemingly abrupt departure. Former publicist Annie Geyer writes in an e-mail:
As of Friday, June 6, 2008 Melissa Renee Hernandez and I are no longer affiliated with the Viper Room. We appreciate everyone’s support over the last 2+ years and are very proud of the things that we have accomplished for the Los Angeles music scene under the Viper Room roof. We leave the Viper Room with heavy hearts and we will continue our Girl School and Indie 103.1 Check One Two nights very soon at a new venue. Thanks to all the bands, agents, sponsors, and fans for making our nights great.
The Viper Room's fame sits on the shoulders of a troubled past. River Phoenix's death at the club branded it for many, but financial troubles, court documents, an alleged disappearance of a part-owner (during the Johnny Depp era) and new owners all became part of the background drama. Despite all that, the club was a scene, an amazing place to be made possible by a group of dedicated staff that made it home.
Then, earlier this year, Pink Taco owner, Harry Morton, bought the club (he is the son of Peter Morton, co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and his grandfather is Arnold "Arnie" Morton, founder of Morton's Steakhouse Chain. Gossip mongers might better know him as Lindsay Lohan's ex boyfriend). Morton announced plans to expand the Viper Room brand internationally by opening 300-500 seat venues in cities from Tokyo to New York to London. As to the original Sunset Strip club, Morton said he only planned minor changes such as cosmetic touch ups to the building and sound/video improvements. "It's staying what it is. If anything, we're trying to restore it to its heyday," he told Billboard Magazine.
The tone from former employees feels cold, but one person seems upbeat about it. "He is passionate about rock n' roll and The Strip, I was actually impressed" Nic Adler of The Roxy said after an impromptu meeting with Morton at a coffeeshop. "I feel for the employees, I know them all. I hear the way things were handled was sort of cut and dry... But for good or bad, [Morton] wants to come in and create a new scene."
According to a The Viper Room spokesperson, expect to hear formal announcements of new employees and changes prior to the Sunset Strip Music Festival during the last week of June.
Previously:
- There's a Viper in That Pink Taco!
- LA Booker Interview: Melissa Renee Hernandez of The Viper Room
- Go Metro to Rock: Monday's at the Viper Room is Free for Transit Users
- Viper Room, 1994: The River Phoenix Wall
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This kind of info is why I love LAist. I also love that you put Lindsay Lohan in the search tags.
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As sad as it is to hear there are changes afoot for the longtime employees...several made a habit of being rude and difficult to many local & visiting bands who played there. From the front of the house to the sound guys to security, they were notoriously awful, especially when compared to other excellent music venues on the The Strip. Plus, come on, you have to admit the sound in that place is awful, no matter how cool the vibe used to be.
Here's to hoping all the great elements stay intact and some of the less desirable elements get an upgrade.
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I agree 100% with Callie. Place sucked. Straight up. Horrible sound, ass hole door people. Fuck 'em. That indie 103.1 night had no place being west of Vermont anyway.
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glad to hear that the Indie 103 night is moving, i hope it's to the eastside.
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Hahahaha Nic Adler? Because the roxy is like totally hip with the latest and greatest in rock and roll.
(barf)
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not a great venue for music, but at least it was intimate.
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Regardless of what the building becomes-
Death Hags will still point to the sidewalk where
River Phoenix OD'd on persian brown heroin.
well, until Phoenix is as relevant as Sal Mineo who was stabbed down the block.
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i guess change is in the air....cause there are some changes over at the bordello bar downtown LA.
like....firing of employees in an underhanded manner...the idea of bringing a vatel service and red carpet with velevet ropes....not to mention that the bar was a wedding gift from a father to hius daughter..
the sunset strip is dead. has been since the close of tower records.
there needs to be a new "strip" in LA.
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The Sunset Strip Music Festival is one of the first steps in bringing the Strip back. I think the Subway proposal going through West Hollywood could help that, but that's a ways off.
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"Can't we all just get along"(barf)
The city is big enough for both a Westside and an Eastside. No need to hate. True the strip has negelted it self over the last several years but we are well aware of that and are doing our best to bring it back to it legendary status. One show at a time, one show at a time.
Just past:
Kaki King
The Wombats
Maryandi
MSTRKRFT
Adele
Little Dragon
Miss Derringer
Firewater
Gods and Monsters
Bryan Adams w/Bonnie Raitt
Coming up:
Crystal Castles
James Hall
The Almost
Frightened Rabbit
Oxford Collapse
Sunny Day Sets Fire
The 88
Hot Hot Heat
Satisfaction
The Shys
Marc Broussard
Derby
For more check our site:
www.theroxyonsunset.com
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Nic, The Roxy is the only place on the strip that cares who plays their stage. Major Kudos to you and the Roxy. You have great relationships with talented bands local and otherwise. All the other joints on the strip, well Like Axl might say, CAN SUCK IT!
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...And Sugar Ray. You know, it's great that, that last one aside, the Roxy is booking better acts, (at least to us "east siders"), but ultimately it was never the bands that were the problem. No one is begrudging mainstream rock bands their places to play.
It's the overcharging, the guy at the vip section yelling "you're general admission" repeatedly at you when you're just trying to ask a question, the other guy yelling at the girl next to you for her heels being on the exit walkway, and sorry, but yes, the crappy drinks.
That said, it's cool that you seem to be working on this, Nic. I will probably be at the Sunny Day Sets Fire show and I promise not to rant. But in general, you should know, if the atmosphere sucks, the reviews usually suck just as well.