BUZZ CLUBS
They have Bono’s heart
The Cat Club on the Sunset Strip is teaming up with One, the celebrity-laden organization dedicated to fighting AIDS and poverty globally. On Jan. 25, rockers will be heading to the club’s All-Star Jam night, led by owner Slim Jim Phantom, to support One’s efforts. “We’re not asking for money, we’re only asking for e-mail addresses,” Phantom says. “We’re just trying to get the word out on an organization which helps millions.” Yeah, but will Bono -- a big One supporter -- be in the house? You never know.... And speaking of the Cat Club, the Diffs guitarist Elvis can be found DJing there late nights on Mondays beginning Jan. 22.... And speaking of Elvis, he just recorded solo work with Sean Wheeler from Throw Rag and the rhythm section of Queens of the Stone Age.... New Yorkers keep taking a keen interest in L.A. The latest, Celese Fierro and Erica Cohen -- who own STK, One Little West 12th and Tenjun in New York City -- are renovating the old Barfly space on the Strip. Look for One Sunset to open there in late February.
Brit-pop Bang! grows up so fast
After ushering in Hollywood’s Brit-pop revolution, Bang! is celebrating its seventh anniversary Saturday at the Ruby in Hollywood. The luscious dance club, which gives an 18-and-older crowd a steady diet of indie, electro, northern soul and new wave, is truly a team effort. The pairing of Cafe Bleu’s Piper Ferguson and Shalyce Benfell with Club Make-Up’s Joseph Brooks and Jason Lavitt resulted in one of the longest-running youth clubs of its kind. The fact that there’s no end in sight makes it really special. Among the celeb guests who’ve hit the dance floor over the years are Rodney Bingenheimer, and members of Hot Hot Heat, Interpol, AFI, Ladytron, the Strokes, Rancid and the Adored.... The Thought gallery next-door to the Burgundy Room has invited artist Natalia Fabia to debut her wares beginning Tuesday. Fabia’s sexy burlesque paintings chronicle the erotic side of nightlife, among other delicacies.... Table 8 is set to reopen on Jan. 18 after a major renovation. The popular Melrose hangout, owned by Meridian Entertainment (Rokbar/L’Scorpion), brought in mixologist Ryan Magarian to create a new cocktail menu.
NOFX crowd knows its music
Rock stars hit the House of Blues on the Strip this week for NOFX’s tripleheader. On Tuesday night, the second of three nights in row, such luminaries as Bad Religion’s Brett Gurewitz, AFI, Strungout and Rise Against were seen rocking out to the NoCal band’s classic, “Punk In Drublic.” ... Hinano Cafe soundman Ken Beckenstein brings his duo to the Venice Beach nightclub on Saturday for more gut-wrenching covers and original songs. His full band Good Cop Bad Cop plays at Brennan’s Pub on Feb. 24 in Marina del Rey.... Veteran Silver Lake scenester Steve Moramarco of Abe Lincoln Story fame celebrates his 40th birthday at Mr. T’s Bowl in Highland Park on Friday night, with a free show by his band, Josh Haden and the London Broil.... On Sunday, cast members of “Laguna Beach” kick off the new season with a hoedown at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney. Mickey’s on the list.
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-- Heidi Siegmund Cuda