Pan Adds More Heat to the Nearby Hot Silver Lake Scene

Despite burgeoning popularity--a death sentence in the Southland--the Silver Lake club scene continues to rock this town better than any other. Clubs such as Spaceland, the Garage and Dragstrip 66 have put the once low-key region on the music map, and the recently resuscitated Pan, in nearby East Hollywood, is only going to make matters, well, better.

Conceived by Spaceland promoter Mitchell Frank and his former partner Nancy Whalen, Pan was a Thursday night precursor to the Silver Lake explosion. After the team split, Frank went on to develop a glorious live music scene at Spaceland while Whalen moved Pan to Pedro’s Bar & Grill for a spell. About six weeks ago, she relocated to the Faultline on Melrose, and Pan has never seen better days.

Possibly the coolest underground scene in L.A., the bimonthly live music club is a product of its environment. By virtue of its new location, an upscale gay leather bar complete with a fetish boutique, Pan collects the most eclectic crowd L.A.’s seen in a while. From the Faultline’s hard-core regulars to Hollywood scenesters on hand to check out the live music, everything goes.

Last week’s performance by Touchcandy, one of Silver Lake’s top underground alternative acts, highlighted this “freedom in clubland” ethos, with frontman David Willis’ erotic performance inspiring a wildly enthusiastic gay and straight audience to become as vital a part of the show as the band.

The Faultline’s layout encourages mingling, with an eye-level stage, pinball machines and a big patio with a separate bar, stage and seating area. The next Pan is scheduled for next Thursday, with a performance by Glue. A special all-day, “theme” Pan titled “Beach Blanket Bimbo” is set for July 27.

* Pan at the Faultline, every other Thursday, 4216 Melrose Ave. 21 and over, cover varies. Pan information line, (213) 662-5683. Faultline, (213) 660-0889.

Club Buzz: On Tuesday, the Opium Den, an increasingly vital live music venue in Hollywood (at the former Gaslight location), is scheduled to host the L.A. debut of 22 Jacks, the new band featuring Wax frontman Joe Sib, opening for New York’s D Generation. . . . Although Saturday Night Fever, the long-running disco club last seen at the Roxbury, recently moved back to the Diamond Club at 7070 Hollywood Blvd., promoter Brent Bolthouse (who also owns the Opium Den) is currently looking for a new location.

* The Opium Den, (213) 466-7800. Saturday Night Fever, (213) 848-9300.