Brawner makes a Crucial move

So Key Club talent buyer Damian Brawner’s got a brand-new bag. Drawing on his punk and soul roots, Brawner launched Crucial Management, a firm that’s home to such acts as Fishbone, the Toledo Show, 2 Cents and Common Sense. You can check out Crucial at its kickoff party at the Whisky tonight, when all these acts and more light up the famed Sunset Strip nightclub. And Crucial, which also includes partners Kevin Michaels and John Johnstone, is also lending its support for tomorrow’s “Surfers for Autism” benefit at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. Such top surf dogs as Sunny Garcia and Kelly Slater will be on hand, as well as all the aforementioned Crucial acts.

Spider weaving at new Avalon

Seems all of Clubland’s getting in while the getting’s good at Avalon, the new club at the former Palace. Although live performances start next week, everyone’s talking about the upcoming Spider Club, its club within a club, which features a separate entrance. L.A.’s hottest promoters are already inking deals to run nights there. Avalon’s marketing director Dave Dean says to look for a sparkin’ electronic night to launch in the main club Oct. 4, with DJ Paul Oakenfold. And Scott Feiwell of the promotions team Jared and Scott says he’s brewing up a hot Friday night at Avalon, which kicks off Oct. 3.

Warming up for a Starr

Teenacide Records band the Shakes will be performing on a grassy knoll outside of the Universal Amphitheatre on Saturday, as a warm-up band for Ringo Starr’s headlining show at the U.A.... And we popped by the Saddle Ranch Chop House at Universal and were blown away by Rock Candy, a most excellent cover band that jams all day on Sundays. From Hendrix to Sublime, these guys know how to work it.... William Shatner’s favorite spot for Indian takeout is the India Cafe in Sherman Oaks, which was recently purchased by East India Grill founder Sumant Pardal. Pardal says he’s gearing up to change the name to Tufaan, which means typhoon in Indian....

Don’t miss the Herbivore Magazine bash at the Parlour Club in WeHo on Sept. 14. Herbivore is a vegan lifestyle mag boasting interviews with punk photographer Glen E. Friedman and singer Ian MacKaye. Look for a cruelty-free fashion show and plenty of vegan food.... Gay Latin rapper Deadlee is gonna rip it up at the Latin Pride Festival in MacArthur Park on Sunday and at Cafe Club Fais-do-do on Sept. 20. His new album, “Assault with a Deadlee Weapon,” hits the streets in October.

Beyond Puma

Puma it-girl Jen Phillips is launching her own public relations and product placement firm called Red Light. Phillips, who helped put Puma back on the map by getting swag to all the right stars, opens the Red Light showroom this week, right behind the Hollywood Athletic Club in the Spanish Bungalows.... Knitting Club promoter-public relations guru Bruce Duff’s new band, Flair, starts a Thursday night residency at Goldfingers tonight....The Dolce dream team, restaurateur Adolfo Sauya and designer Dodd Mitchell, shows off its latest collaboration, Zen Grill & Sake Lounge in Westwood, when it opens to the public Friday.... Freebo and Friends perform odes to dogs at Kulak’s Woodshed on Sept. 12. Guests bring their canines to the NoHo club and bark along to songs about man’s best friend.

Parting is such

sweet disco

Before heading off to the VMAs in New York to host some groovy after-parties, Bolthouse Productions celebrated its last Saturday night at A.D. with a wild disco send-off, including drag queens lip-synching to Diana Ross and Donna Summer. Luv to luv you, baby.

-- Heidi Siegmund Cuda