[kj] HOB

[TB]

"folk devil" wrote:

Has anyone been to the HOB lately?
What is the security like? I am hearing things said like 'it's tougher than 
LAX' and things :[
I was at El Rey the other night and the security was awful. Grabbing peoples 
wrists, or even grabbing cameras out of their hands, to stop them taking 
pics..so I guess we're all going to have to be WAY within those stupid 
perimeter lines they draw...

++++++++++

I've been there many times and I was just at the Hollywood HoB about a month 
ago catching Kings X and Extreme (surprisingly good show, especially from 
Kings X, btw).  To be honest, I really *do not* like that place.  Yes, 
security can be pretty strict and harsh and there are a few genuine dicks 
who regularly work the place.  The do a fairly thorough pat-down search at 
the door (and the line moves *very* slowly) although they don't use metal 
detectors.  They allow cel phones and Blackberry/iPhone type devices but not 
regular cameras, even digital ones so you want to sneak one in, 
be.........sneaky.

They discourage moshing and will bodily haul any overly aggressive, rowdy 
people up front right out the door.  Another negative is they always seem to 
really max out the PA sound to the point it distorts to a painful, sonic 
mush, something which in the case of bands I've seen there in the past like 
Ministry (and likely KJ) would lead me to recommend bringing earplugs. 
Probably the thing that bugs me most about the place, is the show the same 4 
or 5 promo videos usually for whoever is playing there soon on a screen 
hanging in front of the stage.  Pray no country bands are playing there soon 
because you'll have those band's names and songs burned into your brains 
before KJ comes on.

On the positive side, anywhere on the reasonably small floor somewhat in the 
middle is great to watch the band as long as you're over about 5'8".  The 
place holds about 1,300 people and they have plenty of bars to serve 
overpriced drinks and beer.  If you drive, I highly recommend parking in the 
lot across the street on Sunset Blvd from the HoB next to the shuttered 
Sunset Marquee hotel.  They don't "stack park" cars so you don't get boxed 
in, it's a short 1 block walk and it's usually priced about $10.  DO NOT 
park in the HoB parking lot as it's all valet and it will take you forever 
to get your car after the show ends.

T.B.