A few historical 80s Metal spots! - September 2004

Looking at this shot, you'd think I'm an idiot. Why would I take a picture of a parking lot? Well, this is Tower Records on Sunset. Axl Rose worked here as a night manager. Mick Sweda from Bulletboys also worked here. This is a historical parking lot. It was the scene of a fight challenge between Axl Rose and Vince Neil.

This is the Roxy. LOADS of bands played here back in the day. There was a line to get in, but once you get inside, you have to wonder why... the place is TINY, and too hazy to see much. It does have a cool layout though, with the stage at such an angle that it's almost impossible to have a bad space... Behind it lies the infamous Rainbow Bar & Grill. To be honest, I wasn't impressed. But for history's sake, all fans of 80s metal MUST stop by when they're in town. It's supposed to be a good place to see all of the washed-up has-beens that I still really dig, even though I don't think anyone special was eating there at the same time as me.

Go read "The Dirt". You know, that sleazy-tell all biography of Motley Crue's early days. When you get to the parts about the band's shared apartment, with the wild parties, the trash piled up, and Nikki practicing that trick where he lit himself on fire... the building on the right is it. The building on the left was the apartment that Guns N Roses shared. Why did they live here?

This is the Whiskey-A Go-Go. If you've never heard of this place, you need to exit my page now. Among others, this club also had an integral role in launching the career of Motley Crue. It was also just a block away from the band's crash pad pictured above...