Dry Times Are Tough Times at Country Club That Can’t Seem to Attract Music Industry

Anyone who has been paying attention to the San Fernando Valley club scene is already aware that the once-proud Country Club in Reseda has fallen on difficult times these last two years with the revocation of its liquor license. Where the 910-seat venue once could book a minimum of 15 bands a week, the club now fills its calendar gaps with a variety of special events--from music video shoots to professional wrestling.

But it turns out that even if young rock fans are content to see their favorite acts without the aid of alcohol, some in the music industry are far less tolerant. Despite sellout shows at the club in the past year with Deborah Harry, Social Distortion and others, independent promoter Goldenvoice Productions has found some older cult acts harder to convince.

“The music industry people, that’s what hurts us,” said Paul Tollet, who books rock concerts for Goldenvoice throughout Los Angeles, including the Country Club. “If a place doesn’t have alcohol, it’s hard to get the music industry people to go. Managers want the record company people to come and drink.”

The shows sponsored by Goldenvoice, which are generally aggressive rock along the lines of the upcoming Soul Asylum show Nov. 16, have done much to maintain the Country Club as a consistent rock showplace. Goldenvoice shows attract a generally younger crowd. But since Country Club General Manager Scott Hurowitz began at the venue four years ago, the lack of alcohol has driven away the comedy acts that were once part of its regular lineup. And Hurowitz said it would be near-impossible to find a country music promoter to put on a C&W; show anywhere that didn’t at least offer beer to its customers.

“I can’t disagree with Paul on the type of shows he does,” Hurowitz said. “When they bring in their punk or speed-metal shows, I don’t think the audience needs alcohol, and due to age limits we couldn’t sell it to them anyway. To get the more commercial stuff, the up-and-coming Warrants and L.A. Guns, for that you need to have alcohol or you can’t get them.”

But as the Country Club continues hoping to win back its license, its plight has undoubtedly helped attract growing audiences to other Valley clubs such as FM Station and Sasch, both in North Hollywood. In its heyday, when acts ranging from Chuck Berry to X to King Sunny Ade made the club one of their regular tour stops, the music industry often hired the hall for its own special promotional events, showcasing new bands.

“The building itself is great,” Tollet said. “It’s like a Roxy blown up. It’s really a good rock room. It just doesn’t have liquor; that hurts. It’s fine for some of our shows, but it hurts maybe in getting some of the more mainstream concerts.”

For those shows, Hurowitz lamented, “The kids want to come out and have some drinks and make it a social event as much as seeing a band.”

WINNERS ALL AROUND: Last month’s Pure Rock Search ’90 competition at North Hollywood’s FM Station attracted a crowd of more than 500 hard-rock bands, all aiming for the contest’s top prize and a position among finalists on a live cassette due for release in mid-November. But while local rock outfit Stiletto left with the grand prize of new musical equipment, it was undoubtedly the Children of the Night runaway support group that benefited most from the contest.

Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the organization. At a release party for the upcoming live cassette Nov. 13, Children of the Night is to be presented with a $12,000 check, said Susette Andres, club booking secretary.

It will be part of a celebratory night at FM Station that also will include performances by all 10 of the Pure Rock Search finalists, including second- and third-place winners Asphalt Ballet and Lancia, each playing their song from the cassette.

“The contest was an amazing success,” Andres said. “A lot of people still call and ask if it is still going on. And the people that were the judges all want to come and do it again.”

Among the celebrity judges that participated in the contest were comedian Sam Kinison, guitarist Peter Frampton and members of top-selling bands Guns N’ Roses, Warrant, Jethro Tull and Quiet Riot. And Andres said there already are plans to repeat the contest next summer. “Everything went really well.”

A portion of proceeds from the cassette will again go to Children of the Night.

Pure Rock Search ’90 tape release party, with performances by contest finalists, including Stiletto, Asphalt Ballet, Lancia and others, beginning at 9 p.m. Nov. 13 at FM Station, 11700 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood; admission is $5. For more information, call (818) 769-2220.