Times are tough on the Sunset Strip, with veteran live-music venues like The Roxy, Rainbow, and Whiskey struggling to stave off a fate like the Knitting Factory’s, which closed last month. After striking planned performances through December and shuttering on Sunday, The Key Club swears this is merely a temporary closure for remodeling while bringing a new partner on board.
Key Club president Keith Pressman tells The L.A. Times today that, “As far as everyone is concerned we’re dead and buried, but this is just a temporary thing.” He doesn’t reveal details to the changes taking place, but his peers are struggling to make a profit amid a serious drop-off in area attendance since the heydays of The Doors, Motley Crue, Janes Addiction, and recent, in-demand Metal Skool.
The troubles that these clubs are experiencing has traditional nightlife leaders looking in an unpredictable place–the once under-the-radar streets of Silver Lake and Echo Park. The Roxy’s Nic Adler, quoted as saying this year’s business has been “worse than you can imagine,” thinks Sunset mega-clubs have a lot to learn from their shaggier counterparts. “Their community really participates…our community in West Hollywood moved out.” Let’s hope Jann Wenner reads this.
Trouble on the Strip? Key Club closes, hopes to reopen soon [L.A. Times]
