CLUB SCENE : Hot Coffee, Rumor at Cool Spot
The possibility that a major recording act will drop in unannounced is a definite perk of club-going in Los Angeles. Last Saturday, a rumor that R.E.M. would show up to play a set was sweeping Eagles Coffee Pub and Newsstand in North Hollywood. The band never materialized, but most in the crowd hung on to the end.
THE BUZZ: Everyone had heard the rumor that the band would be the last performers of the night, and speculation was running wild. One variation was that Slush, the scheduled headliners, was really a--wink, wink--pseudonym for the Georgia-based, Grammy-winning band. Another was that Slush was being bumped off the lineup. “We didn’t know what to think when we heard the rumor,” said Derek Davis, 22, who came from Fullerton hoping for a chance to see the group. “If it comes true, there couldn’t be anything better.” Alas, until the very last note of Slush’s set, the crowd’s hopes were still high.
THE SCENE: Eagles is a coffeehouse that thinks it’s a nightclub, without the plastic smiles and “bar” attitude. It’s divided into two sections with separate entrances, the coffeehouse and the newsstand. The coffeehouse is strictly nonsmoking and serves java, pastries and sandwiches and offers patrons virtually any board game to play at their tables. In addition to selling magazines, cigarettes and candy, the newsstand also houses the stage, where a handful of bands play on weekends, usually to standing-room-only crowds. The sidewalk tends to get the overflow, with tables, chairs and a couch provided for street-side conversation.
THE CROWD: The people are all ages, with most around 25, and men outnumber the women slightly. Dress is very casual, from grunge to jeans and shirts. Most are regulars who enjoy the friendly atmosphere and rave about the employees. “The people here aren’t pretentious, trendy wanna-bes,” said Crystal D’Angora, 14, of North Hollywood.
THE MUSIC: For the most part, the bands who did show up were good, if a bit rough around the edges. Saturday featured Quetzal, a Latin alternative rock band; Grand Prix, another alternative quartet, and Lisa Flores, a Latin folk singer. Tracey and the Hindenberg, two guys with guitars, were first on stage with satirical lyrics like, “It was only his proof of insurance, but it looked like a pistol to me.” Slush, an aggressive alternative band, played to an appreciative house.
THE GOOD: The people come to hang out, drink coffee, listen to music, play games and talk. “I’ve only lived here for four months. . . . This is the only (place) that you can find cool conversation,” said Johnny Whiddon, 19, who came, stayed and got a job.
THE BAD: No alcohol, which most agreed was not a bad thing, but was sorely missed among others. “It’s sad but true--some people won’t come here because they can’t drink,” said Victoria Lotspeich, 23, of North Hollywood.
THE WORD: “We’ll be handing out aspirin now,” said Peters, Slush’s singer, after an earsplitting set. “We’re sponsored by Tylenol.”
Eagles Coffee Pub and Newsstand, 5231 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturdays. (818) 760-4212.