On New Year’s Eve, Duty Calls to Rock in 1999

Leave it to the Capitol Hill bullies to try to ruin a night Clubland has been waiting for forever. The second-biggest party of the century is just around the corner, and hello? . . . is anyone’s spirit bright? I didn’t think so.

There’s only one way to shake this melancholy folly and that’s to get out there and ring in the New Year with gays, Goths, single parents, Latinos, blacks, artists, cyberheads, musicians and free-thinkers--all the folks who make this a beautiful country to live in.

Now, go forth and do your duty as proper Americans this New Year’s Eve and party like it’s 1999--because it is. Those accepting this mission are in luck--Hollywood runs on last-minute fumes, and you can still crash the following parties.

Rock ‘n’ Roll

If we hadn’t been partying like it’s 1999 all year, the thing to do would be to high-tail it to Las Vegas for Marilyn Manson’s show at the Hard Rock. Although there’s little doubt he’s offering the most flaming ticket to ride into ‘99, those who still want to rock hard without the four-hour drive still have some excellent last-minute options:

Texas Terri, Motochrist and Sexy Christ at the Garage--Silver Lake’s on fire, yet again, with this hot New Year’s Eve triple-header. Often called the female Iggy Pop, this Austin-reared artist gives each performance her all (rarely leaving the stage without literally having given her all) and this year, she’s joined by two of L.A.’s hot rock acts, Motochrist and Sexy Christ--whose lead singer’s day job is exotic dancing at Jumbo’s Clown Room. Firming up to be a good night of sexy, dirty rock ‘n’ roll fun. The Garage, 4519 Santa Monica Blvd., Silver Lake, (323) 662-6802. 21 and over, $19.99 (or $30 for a buffet dinner that includes caviar bruschetta and assorted cheesecake--to keep up with the evening’s theme, no doubt).

Ozomatli at Dragonfly--Here’s where the real revolution’s gonna take place this ano. Ozomatli--the hardest-working collective in show business--has the gift of unchaining one’s booty and mind simultaneously. These multi-ethnic groovalicous noise-makers have had one long, strange year, what with a major label album, a Warped Tour and a Mountain Dew ad, and they’d like to see some local love, OK? Dragonfly, 6510 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, (213) 466-6111. 21 and over, $35 in advance, $40 at door.

Bret Michaels at the Roxy--Bret Michaels wants to rock your world this New Year’s Eve. Along with his solo stuff, the former Poison frontman’s planning to team up with fellow Poison-eer Rikki Rocket to perform music from the band’s ‘80s repertoire. Party on, man. At least these guys can still do their stuff--most of today’s club metal comes from imitation bands, who, let’s face it, play better than the original guys these days. “When I come on stage, I’m totally committed,” says Michaels, whose opening act is Spiders and Snakes. “I’ve seen a lot of bands over the last few years, and I can’t understand why anyone would stare at their shoes, acting mad that anybody showed up.” Roxy, 9009 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 278-9457. All ages, $26.50.

Atomic Punks at the Reseda Country Club--Lordy be, these boys are keeping company with the devil. Just kidding, but this Van Halen cover band does do a fab-o version of “Running With the Devil,” along with all your other favorite hits from the pages of VH’s history. You know those pre-Sammy, pre-whoever-replaced-Sammy, days. Yes, when the Atomic Punks play, you’re taken back to a time when David Lee Roth could make you hot, Valerie Bertinelli was a teen star on “One Day at a Time” and Eddie V was still up for grabs. The Reseda Country Club will rock this New Year’s Eve in fine retro fashion (well, maybe the fashion wasn’t so fine, but the retro part’s a hoot). Truth be told, the New Year’s Eve Ball, hosted by Rock City News, Peavey and Sam Ash, should be a ball, what with the 40-ounce trophy cups adorning each table. (Beware of cheap champagne.) Be sure to be there by 11:30 p.m., when Lemmy from Motorhead steps up to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. Rockandrollllllll. . . . Reseda Country Club, 18415 Sherman Way, Reseda, (323) 461-6600. 18 and over, $20 cover.

Dance, Dance, Dance

Booty Quake at the Sky Bar--Time to crash, kids. Booty Quake--the Viper Room’s resident Friday night funk and disco band--is playing poolside at this lush Mondrian Hotel bar. Give ‘em some credit, this is a huge step up for the boys, who are more used to Holiday Inns in Pacoima. (OK, to be fair, it was a Sheraton in Woodland Hills.) Now listen up: normally one is only guaranteed entry to the Sky Bar by being a hotel guest. But for New Year’s if you have a spare $200, that’ll get you in the door, hors d’oeuvres and access to the open bar. A cheaper option may be bribery--but you didn’t hear that from me. Sky Bar at the Mondrian Hotel, 8440 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (323) 848-6089. 21 and over, call for more info.

1998/1999 at the Variety Arts Center--Brought to you by the same geniuses behind the Halloween Masquerade Ball (which was sold out by 10:30 p.m. so please take note for New Year’s). 1998/1999 is for alterna-loving, glam-thumping, Goth-shaking, booty-quaking, Brit popsters and neo-modsters everywhere. The mighty Joseph Brooks, James Stones and a gang of other arty-party historians have brewed this deejay-driven event with extra sass. Variety Arts Center, 940 S. Broadway, downtown, (323) 934-1330. 18 and over, $25 in advance, call (323) 896-9099 for more info.

Pattie Brooks at Shark Bar--O.G. disco diva Pattie Brooks (made famous by the T.G.I.F. hit “After Dark”) plans to turn it out in four separate sets for the guests of Shark Bar, a West Hollywood hot spot for some of L.A.’s more s’welegant denizens. The place for those who want to ring in the year with a touch of class and a whole lot of soul. Shark Bar, 826 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A., (310) 652-1520. 21 and over, $65 per person (includes four-course dinner, champagne and party favors; $75 includes continental breakfast).

Helter Skelter’s New Year’s Eve 1999 at the Ruby--We’ve been waiting years and years for some ‘80s decadence again, and it’s finally arrived. Just in time, too--it’s been getting pretty stuffy around here. Those in need of some liberal, electro-shock therapy might want to check out Helter Skelter’s fifth New Year’s installment. The promoters behind Helter Skelter, L.A.’s longest-running Gothic club, are bringing together 10 local dance clubs for one night to create one helluva party inferno. We hear Dante’s even on the list. Ruby, 7070 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, (323) 462-7442. 18 and over, $25 cover (open until 4 a.m.).