Rendezvous With Hell

The large letters spell out “Rendezvous Cocktails” above the entrance to the Rendezvous Room, one of Ventura’s oldest watering holes and, lately, happening rock ‘n’ roll venue.

“Hey look, they already have our name up there,” said the lead singer of Cocktails From Hell, doing a drive-by prior to the Saturday night gig. Cecil B. DeMille--yup it’s his grandson--will front the band, with, if not exactly a cast of thousands, at least Eric Eisenberg and Bill McLain on guitars, Werner Schott on bass and Jesse Benanati on drums.

The Cocktails, a Santa Barbara band, has been around in one form or another since 1985 when DeMille came up with the name and got a gig before he had a band. Shortly thereafter, Eisenberg joined and the band has gone through 18 other members in the ensuing years. McLain is the next senior member, having survived the band for about four years.

“We know our own songs now by name, and almost all of the parts,” said Eisenberg.

“We know at least some of our songs by name,” said McLain. “We don’t know what’s going to happen. That’s why some people like us--the unexpected nature of it all and whether or not we can finish a song. Of course, we still have to teach Eric the set every two weeks.”

“Those kids these days . . .” is about all Eisenberg had to say about the Santa Barbara music scene. “Maybe we should get an 11-year-old drummer that’s still in the fourth grade and set him up in front of the band. Then we’ll fit in.”

The Cocktails have a past that could scare bikers. This is a band that consistently drinks itself out of the window of opportunity, amassing legendary bar tabs. There have been fights on stage and off, and once they broke 200 glasses at a bar that paid them not to come back the next evening. While not exactly model citizens these days, Cocktails From Hell may be approaching Cocktails From Heck.

“I remember we had a $275 bar tab, but I forgot where it was,” said Eisenberg. “Before, there was as much going on with the band as there was with the music--now, it’s the music. We definitely remember our past, but we don’t want it to preclude our future. We even go back once in awhile, but we don’t want to live there.”

Three out of five band members showed up for a recent photo shoot for The Times, and DeMille appreciates the change: “The band is better now and not so whacked out.”

Members recorded a seven-song tape of rocking two-guitar blues in 1994, then released it on a limited number of CDs last year. Their most famous song, which gets some airplay on local radio, is “Girlfriend.” The lyrics are as subtle as a shot of vodka. “Originally that song was meant to irritate,” said McLain, “but then we got tired of it ourselves.”

The band has played once so far this year, but is about to accelerate to a breakneck pace with this gig plus another one next month at Roy in Santa Barbara.

“We’re pacing ourselves for the long haul,” said McLain.

In any case, the band should fit right in at the Rendezvous, where they will be making their fourth Ventura appearance. The people who go to the Metro Nite Club to see the Boogie Knights are probably not going to be Cocktails fans, according to Eisenberg.

“Our targeted market group has three or more tattoos, although everyone in the band is unmarked. We appeal especially to the young bikers who haven’t figured out where they’re at yet, but the old bikers like us too because we’re like Steppenwolf, except without the girlie organ. We’re also a stripper-friendly band.”

The Rendezvous Room is located at 298 E. Main St., at Palm Street, or straight across from chili-dog heaven at the Top Hat. On Sunday afternoon at 4, Harmonica Shorty (he’ll be the short guy with the harmonica) will do the rockin’ blues thing. This show and the 9 p.m. Cocktails performance are the ever-affordable free.

“That just makes us want to give people their money’s worth,” said McLain.

*

Cheap Date: It’ll cost five more bucks than the Rendezvous shows, but Cafe Voltaire will feature rock legend Chris Hillman & Friends at a 7:30 p.m. Wednesday gig. Hillman, who now lives in Ojai, was a founding member of the Byrds and made lots of fans and cash with the Flying Burrito Brothers and the Desert Rose Band. Cafe Voltaire is just a beer-can-toss away from the Rendezvous at 34 N. Palm Street. Call them at 641-1743 to find out more.