LAist: WeHo Councilman Proposes to Shut Down House of Blues

aaway

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:29:22 -0800

"...the establishment continues to host events and promote the venue to groups which disrespect the community and the business." That sentence practically reeks of 'code'. I'm willing to bet that these shows (and, therefore, claims)involve certain segments of the L.A. areas diverse population that, otherwise, have little presence in West Hitlerwood. The July 7th show referenced in the article is an example. I attended that performance by a rap artist. I'll take issue with the "200 people in front of the club getting into fights" claim - there were 400/450 patrons at most in attendance. I had to wait for a period to receive my vehicle from valet - didn't see any fights. The assertion that half of the patronage was 'rioting' in the street is ludicrous. I'm sure there's a more constructive way of vetting the issue if HoB is somehow being a bad neighbor.

jayson1418

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:09:16 -0800

Ahhh Hollyhood. I bet 90% of that fighting happens after the brunch. I mean who would skip church anyway. Rock and Roll is the devil's candy; it's the call of his siren song that just makes people so damn angry.

RamonDestroys

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:36:37 -0800

MFF0RD8, I was at there also... right by where Greg - the lead singer - threw the chair. Security was roughing up a fan and he threw the chair at the douchebag security guard.

MFF0RD8

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:53:50 -0800

"August 5, 2008 - Man had chair thrown at him in establishment." i was there...Dillinger Escape Plan opening for Cavalera Conspiracy. It was the lead "singer" of DEP who turned the venue into his playground jumping on top of everything and throwing the VIP chairs into the pit. was cool to witness in a theatrical way, wouldn't have been so cool if the chair was flying at me.

Ali Miller

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:50:36 -0800

Nothing says rock n' roll like revoking a liquor license. What is this, the Glass House?

90039

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:46:02 -0800

hmm..maybe its not the venue...but the people. change promoters.. i'd like to see the list of actual events that all of these incidents are associated with...then go from there. how many people have fought after sunday gospel brunch or when there is a blues show ?

Elise Thompson

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:37:18 -0800

It's sad, because HOB is one of the few venues for real alternative music - meaning obscure punk, blues and art-rock. But there have been a few times where I left early "to avoid the riot" I felt was impending. The shows are over-crowded with insifficient security. The only security I see is them yanking people physically out the door. There doesn't seem to be a middle-ground. In the photo pit, upstairs, and backstage I feel extremely secure. But the pit just gets way out of control. Installation of seating, less ticket sales, or somehow breaking up the large ballroom floor to discourage the huge pits of fury might calm crowds. Also, the slow valet and bad parking situation encourages excited, drunk patrons to congregate in the parking lot for at least a half-hour after the show. I have seen trouble break out there - sometimes aimed at the valet service. I think there are a lot of problems inherent in this HOB design, but there are also solutions.

grendel20

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:32:28 -0800

Do they serve alcohol? Perhaps it'd be more apt to revoke that license, then if things don't recuperate, revoke the business license as well.