Foo Fighters Play Spaceland

The Foo Figthers brought their talents to "Spaceland" in Silver Lake on Tuesday night. This was the fourth stop in a string of club dates that the band's using to promote their new Butch Vig-produced album (due in April). At 4:30 fans were instructed, via the band's website, to head to the Echoplex to pick up tickets for the evening's show. Once there, fans found out the show was actually happening at Spaceland (now known as the Satellite) which was the site of the band's first show ever.

Opening the show, was Dave Grohl's pre-Nirvana band, Scream. They were tight, hardcore (with a little bit of reggae thrown in) and seemed to be having a great time. They repeatedly said they preferred the vibe at Spaceland to the Roxy (where they played the night before). "The Roxy was cool, but more like playing the Staples Center with a bunch of celebrities there. This is more like playing the old Forum or something."

The Foo Fighters took the stage and immediately started playing. They didn't stop until they'd finished their new album in its entirety. Some of the songs rocked very hard and hinted at Grohl's hardcore past while others were the more commercial, melodic type of songs that have made Grohl a very rich dude. They were extremely tight for a band that just got out of the studio and hasn't been touring. The crowd had to be hearing the songs for the first time and was still very responsive.

Grohl saved any verbal interaction with the crowd until after they'd finished the new record. He mentioned that the venue was the site of the Foo Fighters first show ever and said something like: "We played our first show ever here, so this place has a lot of meaning to us. I mean, I think I've been here once since that show." Then he commented how fans had to go to pick up their tickets at the Echoplex and how they hadn't played there "yet" [what's the over/under on that being the site of the next secret show?]. Then came the hits. You forget how many there are. There was even some crowd surfing. It's great to see fans so excited to be at a show - smiles all around. 

On a side note, remember when Foo Fighters campaigned for Alive & Well? Weird. I'm sure glad those days are over...

All photos by: Steven Cervenka

First Bookings For The Satellite Announced

Shadow Shadow Shade Play a Thursday Night Residency in February

The Satellite quietly started selling tickets for the first of its shows today (there's a transition period where Spaceland Productions is still booking a lot of the nights through January and some all the way into March). Check out The Satellite's venue page at Ticketfly for details. Among the notable shows:

12/3 (the first show listed with "The Satellite Presents") - Lower Heaven / Exploding Flowers / Jason Simon
12/9 - The Happy Hollows / Epic Ruins / Computer Jay
12/10 - Deadbolt / Speedbuggy / Groovy Rednecks
12/29 -  Giant Drag
1/15 - Dead Meadow / Speed Buggy / The Carry Ons
Thursdays in February - Shadow Shadow Shade Residency
2/5 - The Muffs

There still seems to be a lot of confusion surrounding the changes over at Spaceland / Satellite (the LA Times posts have been needlessly confusing whereas the Buzz Bands' post was the most informative since Bronson talked to all of the involved parties). I realize most people probably don't care about this, but every time I go out these days, somebody asks me about it.

So here's my attempt at a timeline of the history of Spaceland Productions and 1717 Silver Lake Blvd (if you notice any errors feel free to post in the comments): 

Jeff Wolfram's family owns a bar at 1717 Silver Lake Blvd called "Dreams" (to this day, Dreams still shows up on your credit card receipt when you drink at the bar).  

In 1993, Mitchell Frank approaches the Wolframs to ask if he can start booking events at their bar.

In 1995 Mitchell Frank starts using the name "Spaceland" for nights he books at Dreams. When he forms his music promotion company he calls it "Spaceland Productions."  

Over time, the club at 1717 Silver Lake Blvd. comes to be known as Spaceland (at some point, a transparent sign that says "Spaceland" goes over the "Dreams" sign). Wolfram still owns the bar and your bar reciept still says "Dreams."

Later in the1990's, Frank hands over day to day booking to Liz Garo.

Around 2000, Garo defects to the Knitting Factory Hollywood (RIP) and is replaced by Jennifer Tefft. [For more history check out this LA Weekly article.]

In 2001, Mitchell Frank and Jeff Ellermeyer take over club Nayarit (1.5 miles away from "Club Spaceland") and rename it the Echo, hiring ex-Spaceland booker Liz Garo as the booker. It's almost exactly the same capacity as "Club Spaceland" and the Troubadour.  

From 10/03 - 6/04, Spaceland Productions books the Henry Fonda theater (now the Music Box) until Goldenvoice takes over the venue.  

In 2005 (about the time Goldenvoice replaced Spaceland ) Frank, Garo and Ellermeyer open up the Ex_Plex (now called Echoplex) underneath the Echo. It's about 2.5 times the size of the Echo.

In late 2009 Frank hires Shannon Cornet to replace Jennifer Tefft as booker at "Club Spaceland." Tefft starts booking shows at the Bootleg Theater for the Fold.

In late 2010 Jeff Wolfram parts ways with Spaceland Productions and announces he's hired Jennifer Tefft back as his in-house booker. Since Frank owns the name "Spaceland," Wolfram renames his bar "The Satellite."