Vixen Invades Crawford’s Haunt

The Scene: Party for the release of the all-woman, hard rock/heavy metal group Vixen’s second album, “Rev It Up,” at what was Joan Crawford’s Brentwood estate from 1929 to 1959.

Who Was There: Among the 700 guests in the back yard (yes, it was that big) were a heavy-metal who’s who that included members of Winger, Bad English, Stryper, Mr. Big, Kik Tracee, XYZ, Warrant, Ratt, Faster Pussycat and The Cult. Also on hand were Capitol/EMI CEO Joe Smith, EMI president Sal Licata and hundreds of the backbone of rock ‘n’ roll types--road managers, sound technicians, stock clerks from Tower Records.

The Buzz: The next person who does the “no more wire hangers” routine from “Mommie Dearest” wears one home.

Chow: Charcoal grills were set on the back lawn for cooking chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs. There were also a number of bars with a daunting selection of liquor. “When you’ve got an album called ‘Rev It Up,’ ” said bass player Share Pedersen, “you’ve got to have lots of booze at the party.”

Sign of the Times: All four women in Vixen carry stun guns.

Dress Mode: As one of the rare female hard-rock bands, Vixen members wear a variation on the standard black-leather rocker outfit. “We buy some things at Trashy Lingerie,” said Pedersen. “I don’t think the guys do that.”

Architectural Note: The bathtubs Crawford had removed because she regarded sitting in bath water unsanitary have been replaced. The present owners also had the mansion exorcised by a minister from the Healing Light Church. Fans can rest assured the ghost was not Crawford herself. The ghosts of a caretaker and a dog eluded the exorcist, however, and are still in the house, the owners said.

Quoted: “If Ozzy Osbourne can wear eyeliner, women can play guitar,” said Michael Des Barres.

Glitches: For most of the evening, guests were restricted to using the one bathroom in the pool house. This was not the sort of crowd that looks kindly on long waits.

Triumphs: Whoever came up with the idea of recycling Hollywood legend by linking Joan Crawford and a heavy-metal band has secured a place in the hype hall of fame.