Mourning the Loss of a Good Friend, Rallying to the Aid of Another

Tell you what, there’s nothing like a bit of pain to bring this scene together.

After mourning the recent death of Betty Blowtorch’s Bianca Halstead, Hollywood’s rock community was dealt another blow: Carrie Hamilton, a dear friend of the L.A. scene, died of cancer.

The first time I met Hamilton, she was strolling down Ventura Boulevard with Danny Nordahl from Motochrist. I recall thinking she was possibly the coolest woman I’d ever encountered.... An important benefit is taking place Saturday at Mr. T’s Bowl in Highland Park for a member of the L.A. punk scene, Maddog, the drummer for the Leaving Trains and the Controllers. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis recently, and such artists as the Humpers, Mike Watt, the Rotters and others are scheduled to perform to raise money for her rising medical costs. That’s so righteous....

In happy news, took my folks to my favorite Persian restaurant, The Spot in Encino, and found Johnny from Johnny and His Band still crooning the night away. Me and mum did the twist to timeless classics by Neil Diamond, Kris Kristofferson and Tom Jones. ‘Twas lovely.

I’m sooooo jealous of Gate/Lounge/A.D. diva Cheryl Rixon-Davis. Not only did Queen’s Freddy Mercury give the former Penthouse Pet of the Year one of his leopard coats--which she still wears!--but her cell phone plays Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child o’ Mine.” That so rocks.

Heard Star Shoes’ new bimonthly Friday night scene, Funky Sole, is off the hook. The promotion, which takes place on the second and fourth Fridays of each month, was started by the folks behind Gabah’s successful Thursday night club, the Root Down. Rooty tooty.... We’re thrilled to announce that as of this week, scene author Clynt Catalyst took a No. 1 slot at Amazon.com. His sexy thriller “Cottonmouth Kisses” reached the top slot of the Amazon’s Gay & Lesbian book chart.

Fans of Vandal/attorney/matador Joe Escalante can check out his bullfighting talents in early June in Tecate, Mexico. We’ll keep you posted.

It’s gonna be hot in Old Town Pasadena tonight, as the White Trash Debutantes and Snap-Her wreak havoc at the Old Town Pub on Fair Oaks Avenue. Hot dawg! .... Speaking of Pasadena, had dinner with nightclub veteran Kevin Lyman at Gordon Biersch in Old Town. As we were leaving, we got caught in a WB party whirlwind. Alas, there wasn’t a Gilmore Girl in site.

Handsome club owner Paul DeVitt of Star Shoes tells me the bar has a new Thursday night indie rock scene, with DJ Otefsu....Chatted up my good friend Bruce Haring, whose DIY Convention kicks off on Feb. 9 at the Wyndham Bel Age Hotel in West Hollywood. This year’s keynote speaker is Smithereens singer/songwriter/guitarist Pat DiNizio, who’s now a programmer for XM satellite radio.... Speaking of DIY (do it yourself), Bad Religion kicks off three nights of fun and frolic with tonight’s Whisky show. The legendary punk band plays the Roxy manana and the Key Club on Saturday. The new album, “Process of Belief,” is so good, I signed up for all three shows.

We hear the Sunday Social, now in its sixth year at Louis XIII in Hollywood, is in fighting form.... Wow. The Knitting Factory in Hollywood has all these great shows coming up but isn’t allowed to advertise them. Good thing there’s Club Buzz. Look for Macy Gray next Wednesday, Feb. 6 and Feb. 20. And Guttermouth is scheduled for Feb. 1. Rock on yo.... Multi-tasking fashion hottie Christina Carey can be found deejaying at the Room in Hollywood when she’s not running her store, Blest Boutique. If Christina’s there, you can bet there’s a scene. And you didn’t hear this from me, but Highlands’ partner Kenny Griswold just leased a 35,000-square-foot spot in the heart of Hollywood.

And the beat goes on....

Heidi Siegmund Cuda