The Derby hearing its swan songs this weekend
Kevin Bronson on
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[Since I can’t be everywhere at once, I cajoled Friend of Buzz Bands Brian O’Neal into reporting on what was one of the final rock shows at the Derby.]
By Brian O’Neal
This weekend, the last notes of live music will ring from the stage of the Derby, the legendary room known for its connections to the ecosystem of local musicians.” The Los Feliz club – Michael’s for 25 years before it became the Derby – had its real glory in nourishing the syncopated sounds and dance steps of the swing scene.
Buzz Bands didn’t recruit me to review the funeral procession for the boogie-woogie, the Lady Hop or the Jitterbug.” I was there to check out Thursday’s alternative rock lineup.” ” The neighborhood joint’s near-final night featured the acoustic, electro love expressions of Happy Niceweather, a magic heart parader whose shadow puppetry and images of light-hearted voodoo is set to ambitious, high-concept sounds. Singer-songwriter Drew Broadrick opened with a piano set that included tracks from, “The Dickens,” an independent release.
Kim D and the Killer Bees invaded the risers for the next set. And Downbound Train closed the night. But, the standout set came from Ragsy and singer Kelly Barnes, who worked up a galvanizing crescendo on “Money,” wailing with a heartfelt intensity, “It’s hard to be fair … hold out for the money, if you can.”
The songs came from Ragsy’s just released “Broken Bridge” 12-inch LP. Perhaps it was appropriate that Ragsy played songs from “Broken Bridge,” which appears to be symbolic of the bleeding rift between the landowner and business owner of the famed Derby.
No word on whether the current property owner will find a new tenant or if history will be razed to put up a retail outlet or a grocery store, as was proposed a couple of years ago when the landmark got a reprieve. But it is no surprise that the club’s real estate may have finally caught up with
itself.
I will miss the place. Despite the dust encrusted walls, peeling ceilings and tattered floor, the joint has great karma, so let’s hope they find a way to keep the music alive.” The club’s final live shows and a special swing night will be this weekend.
So the Derby is closing for-sure? I didn’t realized that had been finalized, expected to see it on Curbed or LAist.
This is the story of L.A. Landmarks are razed to put up a Starbucks, Pinkberry and Panda Express. I hope they at least preserve the structure with the domed ceiling. And yes, a lot of music has stuck to those walls.
Panda Express. Yummy!