19 Nov
“The Smell” Ain’t No Edison…
Thank god I have not gone to this place… it will be interesting to see how long it lasts when the ImaginAsian Theater opens right next door, and LAPD parks their 600 cars across the street. It must have tons of code violations and other problems that will shut it down.
It’s too bad the guy running this place doesn’t clean it up, bring it up to code and conduct the club in a responsible manner. It clearly has no permits; the fire department would never allow just the one entrance/exit to this long, narrow and dark space.
Teenagers (usually the majority of attendees) need places to go, but this is not a healthy place for them. It’s full of second-hand smoke; drugs are bought, sold and used openly; and it’s just an unhealthy atmosphere for them in general.
I love punk rock. It deserves better than this.
Joe
November 19th, 2007 at 10:32 pmThe punk rock scene ain’t what it used to be… the Ramones and Sex Pistols rule,
The Smell sounds cool as an underground music scene, but young kids having a venue where they can openly do crack, meth, etc is not my idea of fun (damn, I’m getting OLD!) Hell, I hate tobacco too now so I’d probably would get sick with the smell.
I just found the comments about the place interesting as I had no idea it was that kind of place, and some of the posters had no idea about the neighborhood.
I definitely have to go there ONCE at least to say I’ve been before it becomes history.
November 20th, 2007 at 4:43 amdon’t know if they still program the monthly literary events at the smell, but i checked it out a while ago (2 years? has it really been that long?). you’re absolutely right about checking it out before it becomes history, i just don’t see it as any place i’d like to hang out at when there are so many other venues in downtown los angeles.
have you checked out the cocaine on 2nd?
November 21st, 2007 at 11:00 amNo coke anymore for me Celia- my nose is still fried from my 6 month bender when I was 22…
I used to go to concerts when I was 13 or so, but not to “night clubs”. Downtown is kind of wierd as there are not too many teenagers that LIVE here. Maybe yuppies have a newborn in a stroller. There are NO teenagers in my building (could you imagine how to live in a loft with a teenager?)
It is so much different downtown from my last 20 years at Hermosa Beach where almost all my friends had teenage kids. But the parents would never let their kids go to a place like “The Smell”.
This is one difference in downtown that I like and dislike at same time. I have to delve into this further soon as I have such a love/hate with downtown due to the demographics.
November 21st, 2007 at 12:26 pmThere is no smoking at the Smell. Outside yes there is smoking, but inside no smoking. Did not see any widespread drug use. They have vegan treats that you can buy. I’ve been there for bands and for the literary events. Certain bands may attract that, but it’s definitely not a “drug” scene place.
It’s nice because it is a place that kids can see good music, not popola overproduced stuff.
I loved the Smell as a kid. I still like the Smell. It’s one of the last real parts of Downtown LA still left. It will be a sad day when that place closes.
Also the bar next door, it’s completely harmless. I got drinks there with my friends several times. It’s not scary, it’s just not filled with yuppies. I mean I guess that might be scary if you’re from “can’t go to a bar that the LA Weekly didn’t review first” land, but not dangerous scary.
Browne
November 22nd, 2007 at 6:28 pmWhy is it called “The Smeell”?
November 22nd, 2007 at 9:44 pm