Whisky A Go Go

06/01/11

Forgotten Faces at whisky , aug 13th - 7:30

by forgotten3

Thanks for all the great reviews, my band www.forgottenfaces in playing their aug 13th. it will be my first time there, looking foward to it. we are a Las vegas Band going out there. Pass the word around cause we are original and great. Looking foward to rocking the stage where great bands have played. I will have a review of the whisky after our show. thanks and come out!

10/07/10

the best heavy metal band

by shay27shay

ok listen up all you head bangers and heavy metal fans. there is a new band in town called "SPELLCASTER" they are out of portland and headed to the whiskey. this is your chance to hear some really good rock and roll! they have pure talent and i think they are going to set the stage on fire! i think you will all agree!!!! the drummer has the beat that will take this band to the top!!!!! check them out on heavy artillery web site or myspace and listen to what is going to take the music world into something that is not yet discovered!!!!! you will not want nothing more from them because they give you it all!!!! so dont miss out on "SPELLCASTER"

08/03/10

What happened to all the great bands?

by luckytohavebeenthere

I was lucky enough to be part of the Whisky Booking office from the punk late 70's thru 1983. I consider this time to be the last great period of music on the Strip. Sure there have been a few other times when a great band or two came of age there, but the true sense of what the Whisky can be hasn't been seen since. What happened? During the second wave of the British invasion, record companies, which small clubs like the Whisky, Roxy, Starwood, Gazarri's, etc. relied upon to financially support their new touring acts with ticket purchases, signed way too many new acts. As many new bands records failed to sell, tour support dried up. Up to that point the Whisky always paid its bands. A decision was made by Mario, Elmer & Lou to close down for a short time in September of 82 with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and the Plimsouls opening being the last bands to take the stage.. The intent was to reopen in a few months as a (makes me sick) Dance Club. Elmer, up to that time was responsible for the booking of both the Roxy and Whisky. Our office upstairs was disbanded a short time after. I went to work at the Roxy office for several more months. When the Whisky started to book bands again, it initiated the pay to play policy. That was it for me. New bands didn't stand a chance unless they coughed up $500 up front, in exchange for 100 ticket they had to sell themselves to family and friends, or just plain eat the cost. Sad. Hope that explains a little of what happened, and why the Whisky will never be the same. Althought, I hate to say it, the Whisky is still there because these decisions were made. I consider myself lucky to have been there, at that time. Miss you Elmer.

• Pros: rock & roll history
• Cons: Pay to Play Killed the Strip

06/08/10

Good But Partially Bad?

by A6rawrCAT

I went to see my favorite band play at the whisky and I must say it was amazing. Of course they take extra precautions and ask you for your knife (all other weapons, etc.). People come here of all ages. The sound quality is also very amazing!!!

The security isn't very friendly though, they just kind of push the fans and people out of the way and walk through sometimes.

I love the Whisky A Go Go, but what happened to great, amazing bands playing there? Reading up on its history, it would usually just be awesome Rock N Roll bookings (Motley Crue, Van Halen, The Misfits, and The Runaways!) Now, its just another washed-up rapper who wants a CD release party or just another suck "band" (as they call themselves).

I say... There are so many real, talented bands that would love to play here, and most aren't even discovered yet. Whoever has taken over the bookings should be fired, and they should hire someone else worthy to actually work at The Whisky A Go Go.

• Pros: Excellent place to go to your favorite bands concert
• Cons: Booking from month to month is horrid.

06/17/08

Liked it a few years ago, but what the hell happened??

by aliota112

What the hell happened? The bands aren't good, security treats folks like animals with searches for knives and guns, it draws hip-hop hoods with "bling" who try to sell CD's (and get violent if you don't buy), and the bookers are real exclusive now. I've played this place a bunch of times, but they seem oblivious to acts who have been performers in the past who are now "outsiders" to their clique. Come on; this is not a popular place. This hasn't been for well over 30 years, and it won't be anytime soon. VERY DISAPPOINTING GIVEN IT'S HISTORY AND MY OWN AT THE VENUE. Whomever has taken over the bookings and their crew should be dismissed immediately, because their version of running a successful venue is not offering shows to the groups who have a history at the club under previous management. They "scout" pay-to-play bands on myspace, with no real success. Too bad; it was very cool, being a repeat performer between the years 2003-2007. Never again, I guess. One thing: watch out, bands; they've gone up on the ticket buying prices, which means you're not getting a good deal at all unless you have a fan base of 50 or up, which is not the case for most groups, I've found (especially during the week). Play somewhere else. Your fans will appreciate it more. I mean, they won't book a show with you (or at least they wouldn't in my case) that takes place in any kind of time that would allow for a reasonable marketing effort. The booker wanted to book me for one week later, even though I asked for a date a bit further in the future so I could market it (like all the other dates I played there under Gina). The person (Matt) pretty much blew me off in the old "Hollywood" manner. If you call them on June 1, they will offer you a show on June 7, and for most people, that kind of prep time is impossible. If you call in June and are seeking a July or August date (very reasonable for working people), you will be treated like a second class citizen, as I was by Matt.

• Pros: Soundman was pro, soundsystem was ok, club was better a few years ago. Gena was a better booker.
• Cons: Used to be good, but it's almost "dive-like" now, aura of violence inside and out, very inconsiderate booking agents with attitude. Whisky has lost whatever it had.