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The Smell
Category: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Music Venues [Edit]
247 S Main StLos Angeles, CA 90012
Neighborhood: Downtown
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Dive-y
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
108 reviews for The Smell
108 reviews in English
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Review from Jake M.
Los Angeles, CA
12/23/2011
I can't go here anymore. I'm too old. Great venue to see great bands. If you've never been to the Smell, do even pretend to know what is relevant in music.
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Review from D C.
Los Angeles, CA
10/19/2011
It was my first time here.
Sweaty and stuffy, the place sure lives up to it's name.
Both toilets were clogged.
It should be called the litter box, because that is exactly what it smelled like. -
Review from Whitney M.
Santa Ana, CA
10/19/2011
Went here a few months ago with some friends
pretty fun when the people get crazy with the music and it gets really stuffy inside
Only has one bathroom and its dirty and old but the art is pretty cool
The alley has a bunch of creepy perverted Mexicans who hit on you and trampy prostitutes hanging around
Can't smoke and drink which is lame :'
Other than that its chill.....and ghetto -
Review from Mckinzi S.
Santa Monica, CA
9/1/2011
The smell, ahhh
Ive spent a few years going to the smell.
When i first started going to was so F***ing cool, a good place to see music and just hangout with friends and other cool people.
Now, I have a different view on it. Only SOME nights are fun and nice to be at, other nighs...t Oh me oh my, it is completely empty or full of really pretentious people who think they are cool for being there, they smoke cigs outside leaning on the wall/fence while music is playing inside, now its a place where people want to be seen rather then enjoy the music. The Smell used to be a little more of a secret and now its trashed with people who are looking for the underground music scene just too be part of it rather then to discover the new music.
But don't get me wrong you might find yourself there on a night that is good fun, but only sometimes... -
Review from alan s.
Los Angeles, CA
10/31/2011
Appropriately, It smells, and has cutesy art school graffiti everywhere. this place is full of chances: At this place there's many a chance to see experimental music. No chance for alcohol, here's a chance to have it smuggled in your water bottle. Also, and key: a chance to see some preteens macking sic sweet musak with their love machines. I think the owner by chance might just be a really nice guy who loves kids that play the flute. Its a wonderland you can buy soda and skittles and rub up against creepy looking dark eyed adults in the shadows or bump boney elbows on the spot-lit dance floor with fresh young ones.
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Review from nicci c.
Los Angeles, CA
8/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
"Meh. I've experienced better." just about sums it up.
came here a few nights ago to see a friend's friend play. we all decided that the "smell" was of artificial-blueberry farts in a rollerskating rink. the crowd is young and it gets really REALLY hot in the back. -
Review from Cristina T.
Chino Hills, CA
7/13/2011
This is the only dark alley you'll ever see me walking through lol. I came here to see Vex Ruffin from Stones Throw perform. Hell to the yeah, what a great night spent at The Smell...
How RAW can this place get? This place is bricked all around with no air flowing through. The seats are used and abused, I could literally rip out all the stuffing if I wanted to. And the restrooms?! Oh my god the restrooms... it's a freaking photoshoot waiting to happen, it's like the holocaust in there.
I had to walk out a few times to get some air. I felt like I was breathing everyone's breath... but i'm totally down for the vibe here!!! Too raw, good experience, awesome bands. To the open minded people - enjoy! -
Review from FoodFight.TV ..
Seattle, WA
Not for everyone.
It's hot, smelly, and has no air conditioning...but I love it! -
Review from Kenny W.
South Pasadena, CA
3/25/2011
I give The Smell 3 stars just for the fact that it's in a gritty alleyway & you can catch some pretty good bands here.
I've seen Babyland & Japanther and the Japanther show was probably the second time I've....felt...old...(???). Yes, I agree with another Yelper that if you are over the age of 25 (I'm thirty-mmmmmm) you will definitely feel.......old. But it's all about no age, right? When this hipster hip-hop chick (Samiya???) started "spittin'" rhymes, I actually had a flashback of standing in the cypher in my VCU days.
Some of these kids were probably dropped off at the venue while mom & dad boozed it up at Pete's. Like I said, it's all about the no age.
The sound quality is not the greatest & at times you may get a whiff of BIT - butt & pit - but by the end of the night, you will have discovered your new favorite band.
The scene is a little "ehhh" to me due to the emo teen angst & overly-hipsterized peeps that were attending. People started dancing in the circle during Japanther & some other band that had a rock-a-billy punk sound. I was digging the energy of this one kid who danced like he had an epileptic seizure - he was feeling it for sure!
If you are over 25, knock down a few drinks to forget about your age. -
Review from Scott H.
Bellflower, CA
1/6/2011
This place is awesome!
Why only 1 star? Because I'm lying. It sucks. -
Review from Lucky M.
Santa Monica, CA
12/12/2010
The way you should listen to music. Let it ride.
Plus for fun check out the homeless security guy. I watched him mace himself in the face. -
Review from Jenn L.
Pacific Palisades, CA
10/7/2010
Haven't been to Coachella and want the experience without the hassle of traveling to Indio? Come here for a concert, close your eyes and imagine being surrounding by mountains instead of concrete walls. And, hey, you won't drop as much coin on your admission.
Bring earplugs (unless you are hellbent on losing your hearing). Admission is cheap. There's a reason for that: no alcoholic bevvies are served here and atmosphere is bare bones. Solution - hit up a nearby bar before heading inside. Juice/water/soda is available as well as some snackies.
Dress as if it's 100 degree weather because you are gonna get warm. It is majorly hot inside once the bands get going. There are some well worn couches in the foyer but, the performance area is standing room only (wear comfy shoes chickies, the floor is cement).
If you like assigned seating and full bar availability when you see musical acts, this place is clearly not for you, but if you want to see indie bands and can survive without ventilation for an hour long set, venture down the alley to this concrete wonderland. FYI: all ages and cash only. -
Review from Jeremy E.
Los Angeles, CA
4/24/2011
I've had mixed results with going to the smell. Sometimes its been good, but the brick walls distort the sound and make it overwhelmingly loud.
"Need more vocals." "Can you turn it up some?" Most bands want it louder, which just further exasperates the situation. Too prove my point, they sell earplugs at the door. Come on, they know you need them here. No other venues I've been to offer earplugs.
I do like the feel of the place though. It's very, we are what we are, take it or leave it. -
Review from jessica f.
Los Angeles, CA
11/4/2010
An excerpt of a show review I wrote for school:
"To start, this venue is extremely hidden. As a matter of fact, the entrance is through the back alley behind a few local bars around the corner from Skid Row. By first impression one would think it looked rather sketchy, but the immediate vibe as you enter the doors changes your mind. The walls are covered with posters, canvases, lyrics, and scribbled signatures of ex-teenage-romances. Upon arrival, you can expect to find randomly placed and strangely comfortable chairs, a disc jockey, an alluring bookshelf full of unorganized literature, a vegan snack bar, and tables of band merch where you can also easily meet the bands.
A few things to note: the venue's rather small and is therefore not only sold out but jam-packed. Because of this, the Smell tends to smell. But disregard those minor details and you're setting yourself up for a great night out to an archetypical cultural experience and the most fun you could ever have in a dark alley."Listed in: Soulful
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Review from Renee C.
Los Angeles, CA
10/17/2010
I've heard a lot about this place before I came to America and LA.
So I went here the second night I moved to LA. I love the fact that its only 4 minutes' walk from my apartment.
This place is really hard to find!!!!! It's in an alley...
And they never post the show time on their website so I had to check the bands website to see.. and the problem was all the bands posted that their show time was around 8.. and when I got there... this place hasn't even opened yet.. But the security of other places told me it wont open until 10.
And when I came here again at 10:30.. they were open and the first band was already playing...
Despite the confusing part, I like this place. And people there are very nice. And they have brilliant artists playing there which is the most amazing thing!
Anyway, I had fun and will definitely come here often. -
Review from David A.
Monrovia, CA
3/10/2011 1 photo
I can't tell you anything much different from the other reviewers. You know the basics - it's cheap, it's in an alley, it gets rather stuffy, and you can buy earplugs, water, and vegan cupcakes on any given night. The entire building is tagged and the chairs are donated from dead cars. I was once told (rumor) that the building that houses the Smell was once owned by Andy Warhol. I wouldn't be surprised. Stranger things have been true.
If you want to experience... then come to this venue. I'm not going to tell you what to come here expecting to experience. Simply attend with an open mind and open heart willing to experience. -
Review from Mot C.
Venice, CA
5/2/2010
Great place. I have been here countless times. No booze so you have to go up the street. Cool folks run this place and it is a known staple. First come first served. Good sound and always a cool crowd. Been here 60
+ times. Have fun! -
Review from Loka L.
Orange, CA
8/21/2011
This place was waaaaaaay cooler when I came here in high school around 2005/6. they used to let you drink in the alley, but they've cracked down seriously. the new owner/manager or whatever is a dick. He fucks up the sound for bands on purpose and absolutely refused to turn up the mic on my friends band. He kept telling them to turn down. are you kidding me? Noise levels in a downtown warehouse not surrounded by any residences should be the last of his worries. Especially at a venue notorious for booking loud energetic bands. He's always snooping around making sure people are following the rules. Especially with all the young people who volunteer there it feels like I'm at an awkward kids bday party that my mom made me go to and I'm constantly being watched by the kids protective father.
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Review from Katie E.
Brea, CA
7/19/2010
They get amazing artists, I'll give them that. But nothing can stop that wave of disappointment that overcomes me when I find the only LA show certain artists are stopping at in their tour is here. I mean, generally, it's a nice place once you're inside, as long as it's during the winter.
The context of the place is just.. all wrong. It's in an alley. I've had bums try to purchase me outside of The Smell. I've been threatened with a gun on the street outside of The Smell. And pretty much everyone who isn't attending the show (and maybe some who are), smell like piss. God. This place stinks. It's horrible.
Their bathrooms are badass, not gonna lie.
Good shows, but the temperature inside is horrible. And it's kinda lame to hear the fiesta constantly going on in the (Mexican bar? Restaurant?) next door.
Hey, it's cheap though. Good bands, cheap shows. Just. Damn. Understandable, because I'd actually like to get paid to come here sometimes, and I've definitely missed out on seeing some pretty awesome bands because they played here and I didn't want to bother, but eh. Sometimes, I get over it. -
Review from Bryan R.
Long Beach, CA
8/26/2008 11 photos
Ah man, weird review for me.
Up to about 4 years or so ago I would've given it 10 stars! Street parking WAS shady (our car got broken into 4 out of the first 5 times i went here, then i learned it's worth it to give the bums a couple bucks to watch your car for you). It really DID smell (the maggots lined the back alleyway about an inch thick and you'd always come home with human feces on your shoes). You could drink, see all your friends, not have to worry about adults or lights or anything that resembles civilization interfering with your punk utopia. I used to get a ride up from Orange County every few weeks to see some new awesome touring band.
Then Dystopia played to a crowd much too big for the Smell. Riot cops swarmed the place, police helicopters everywhere, cops closing the streets down and using their cars as giant battering rams to push all the punks onto the streets of downtown. I didn't get into the show, and yeah, I was pissed as hell at the time! But looking back on things, it was probably just as exciting outside as it was inside.
I came here a couple weeks ago and it's a whole different ballgame. Streetlights lined the streets. You had to pay an actual attendant for parking. Girls were walking around in dresses and heels! And what scared me the most was the candlelit sidewalk dining going on at the restaurant across the street!! I would've NEVER predicted ANY of that from the Skid Row Smell I once knew and loved.
And it's not just the area that's changing, but the Smell has changed a lot as well. Pretty strict No Alcohol policy. I don't think they really book any punk/crust/hardcore bands anymore. There's a definite Smell scene comprised of bands like No Age and Mika Miko - and it seems like those two bands (or members of those bands) play every single show. It's still kind of fun and it's a great little scene they got there, it's just not really my thing anymore. Still a much better place to see a band than any other legal venue in Southern California though, but that's not saying much. -
Review from Joseph W.
Los Angeles, CA
11/15/2008
This place makes me feel old, but not necessarily in a bad way. Some bars, clubs, and venues make me feel old in that I want to suck the youth out of the people around me. The Smell makes me fondly remember my youth, going to basement shows and trying to flirt with awkward girls with messy hair and second-hand shirts, and listening to music that was as exciting as it was incomprehensible.
Everyone here is nice, in a way that makes one rethink a blanket statement maligning young Angeleno hipsters. It's cheap, and while it's plastered with Brooklyn-art and emo t-shirt drawings, it's not bad to look at. It's definitely like going to a basement show in New Jersey more than a seedy underground club like many people probably think it is, which I think is a pretty great thing having grown up on basement shows.
I came to see my best friend's brother's band Skeletons who were actually pretty fucking great, had my bottle of water, and went on my way in search of the one thing I didn't enjoy in my youth: alcohol.
I have no idea when I'll be here again, but I'm really glad to know it's there. -
Review from Min T.
Los Angeles, CA
6/5/2008
I saw I Hate You When You're Pregnant here.
http://www.myspace.com...
Ah yes, they don't call it "the Smell" for nothing.
As a music venue, it's pretty neat. But the smell. Read that as SMELL. Smelly. Read that as S-M-E-L-L-Y
You could do a smelly night by going here for a show, then hitting up Bar 107 which is probably almost as smelly as the Smell.
And the ex added to the smell courtesy of Ethiopian food earlier in the night. Apparently lentils disagreed with him. I'm sorry, it was him.
There, now you know. -
Review from Lauren B.
Los Angeles, CA
12/4/2009
Whoever does the booking for this venue deserves a 1000 high fives for a job well done. They are consistently bringing in amazing music featuring both well known and up-and-coming acts. You really can go there on a night when you have no idea who is playing and be sure that you will see something either fantastic or at the very least interesting.
Yes, it does smell like the inside of a porta potty and the temperature can rise to oven-like temperatures during the more crowded shows, but I kind of think that adds to the experience. You become more then just an single observer of a show...you become part of a unified giant, sweaty organism (ok, that sounds gross, but it's also kind of true).
NOTE that they DO NOT serve alcohol here. So either pack a flask or hit Bar 107 before you go in! They do sell some food as well as cold and hot drinks (ya, serving hot drinks in a hot venue was kind of a weird choice...but I once drank some English tea there while watching a punk show and it was actually quite delightful). -
Review from daniel m.
San Francisco, CA
12/17/2006
How has no one reviewed this place yet?!?! Great small venue in the middle of downtown Los Angeles. Scary to park your car but it's great seeing so many smiling faces inside (or outside smoking)! They've had some amazing bands play here over the years. It seems that in the last few years they've had quite a scene develop here which is really interesting. I don't always feel like I personally "get it" but It's cool seeing what kids are doing now and then. I always feel like the same 5-10 kids are always playing a show here which is a little weird...but people really seem to enjoy it.
It's so great a DIY venue like this exists in Los Angeles, especially one with so much great history. Jim, the owner is an amazing person and it's incredible that he's done so much for the Los Angeles music scene. It is so much more satisfying to see a show here as opposed to the Echo or anywhere else in the LA area. -
Review from Nicole P.
Claremont, CA
1/29/2008
Yes, 5 stars, I love Jim Smith, I love the Smell and I have amazing memories of playing here, meeting people here, hanging out at the tranny bar, puking in the alley. Ah, makes me feel a little nostalgic. And old. My favorite Smell memory was when Daniel pulled a machete out of his pants and simultaneously farted. But he made it up to me by presenting me with a "diamond necklace and earring combo". The scene changes over the years, but is largely overrun by the young'uns. Its awesome and I hope that shitty Drakkar smellin' gentrified yuppie bar doesn't run it out of town. If so, I'll be the chick in flicking pennies at the dudes in polyester flame shirts from the second story parking lot.
By the way, there is a second bathroom, so you can bring your rich sister and her friends so they don't have to bitch about the bathroom situation. But don't bring your flogging molly east coast cousin who will get drunk and try to be witty about bringing in his Tall Can. Shit won't fly. -
Review from J N.
Oakland, CA
3/9/2008
Finally went to The Smell last night after meaning to go for the last 10 years. It was great! Last night's smell was pretty tame: about 8 parts vegan chili and rice, 1 part BO, and 1 part angst.
It was one of those nights where I was really into judging bands based on their charisma and stage presence, and as usual The Oh Sees came out near the top with Mae Shi the absolute winner for the night. I'm no good at describing music so I won't, but I definitely recommend these bands for their live shows.
Aside from the music and vegan chili (and a few other foodstuffs that i didn't really pay attention to), The Smell has a mini library that's good to look through when you're done laughing at the two girls who showed up wearing THE SAME ugly/cute outfit of high-waisted stone-washed jean skirt, tucked-in plaid button-up shirt, and chunky black ankle boots. I got genuinely caught up in a plant encyclopedia until I realized how forced-ironic that looked.
If you can deal with feeling ancient as a 20-something-year-old, go to The Smell. I'll be back sometime soon, though probably not for the international noise conference. -
Review from Elsy B.
Covina, CA
10/29/2008
This is an article I did on the ten year anniversary show. Even though the place has a different feel now as No Age, Mika Miko, and Abe Vigoda blow up and bring in a different crowd it is still one of the few places in Los Angeles that you can see an amazing unknown act, no matter what your age is, for five bucks. Anyhoo without further ado here is my review (see I rhyme too):
The first time I visited the Smell was sometime in 2001 or 2002. Not too many memories from that time are very vivid or interesting, but that night was.
A few of my older friends dragged me along to see some thrash band, DS13. The alley was crowded with kids that had tons of piercings, tattoos, ratty patches and many other attributes that are connected with gutter punks.
I cowered inside to avoid their gazes. As soon as the band started it considerably got hotter, louder and more aggressive with each song.
Things have changed considerably since those days. I've gotten a bit older and the kids less scary. Or perhaps I've gotten more so.
In 2003 the place was renovated and looks different from its early days. Everything from the bands to the art on the walls to the volunteers make the Smell feel like a community and less like a place that was once just a venue in a scary, dark downtown alleyway.
I now have friends that have played there, have artwork up on the wall, plan to volunteer there, want to play there, and on any random night I meet friends of friends who are somehow connected and involved. Even though I wasn't there for the beginning or most of the middle of its 10 years, the Smell will always be a place filled with fond memories. -
Review from Elliott K.
Garden Grove, CA
10/5/2008
Are you a square like me who wants to feel alternative and punk rock? Are you just too busy being a productive member of society to figure out where a good band is playing? Are you such a goody two shoes that you have three of them?
Come to the Smell and you'll automatically feel like you're a member of the subculture, like you always wanted.
I sound like I'm being sarcastic, but look at my stars. I'm not.
It should be noted that both times I've come here I've seen acts that involved a lone man, a microphone and a backing band consisting of a sole stereo. One was a hardcore act and the other was hiphop. So don't expect to be blown away by production value, is all I'm saying. -
Review from Richie C.
National City, CA
12/30/2008
The ever legendary Smell in LA. For a humble San Diegan, this spot offers a mix of The Che Cafe and the house on Voltaire. Experimental, noise, dance, punk, indie and hardcore. I finally saw the epic Portraits of Past this weekend. It was their first time playing LA.
All ages and DIY, it's hard not to like this huge hallway. Besides the shows, there are available, at your co-operative enjoyment: two bathrooms, small vegan cafe serving tea/coffee/cookies/candy, a library, board games, wall seating, and a bike rack wall!!! My 700s were just shy of too big for it, but it fit.
The crowd was really nice. No stupid shit. A business looking man approached my friend and I asking for donation to the local homeless shelter. Even he was nice! He told us the name "The Smell" came from the venue's old neighbor: a fish shop.
The neighborhood is downtown. Lots of buildings close up at night with restaurants and karaoke bars to spare. Oh yeah, I saw a few rats running around, kickin it old school. I wasn't sure whether I felt amused or frightened. -
Review from June B.
Los Angeles, CA
11/25/2007
I like this place...it's in a raunchy back alley downtown LA. Been there once and saw some good bands. But there are 3 downers.
no alcohol served
one unisex bathroom with no lock (yes I've been walked in on while parting in relief ...by guys..twice)
I felt like the oldest person in the room
But other than that...keep hope alive! -
Review from Astro G.
Gardena, CA
4/19/2010
Yes, this place really does smell. I couldn't tell if the guy outside really was a security guard, or just a crackhead who thought he was. But I'm pretty sure he wasn't an actual security guard....
I was in the alley alone, watching our equipment (in an open van) when I hear tons of yelling coming from inside the venue. two drunk guys get kicked out... one of the drunk guys (who was incredibly tall, especially compared to me, I'm only 5'1") stumbled over to me, pissed and muttering things. I sort of try to back away, and hide behind the van, but he follows me and gets a bit annoyed that I'm not responding to him. then they both walk away muttering about how I could be pretty if I didn't dye my hair the way it was (it was pink) and how I was trying too hard. Interesting...
Hauling equipment from the alley to the back of the venue and onto the stage was tiring. I'm not sure what the sound tech was doing, but the vocals were not loud enough throughout our entire set, despite asking numerous times for assistance. I think at one point they weren't even there....
Overall though, it was a fun show for a great cause, as are many events held here. I really admire that everything is so DIY! -
Review from Maian T.
1/20/2008
BRING EARPLUGS!!!! Don't get me wrong, I love the Smell.
+ Good bands play for $5. Free parking in the area plus $.50 for coffee or tea means if I come drunk already I will have spent $6.00 total on a great night of tunes
+ Good mix of peeps - emo kids looking at their shoes, people stuck on the couches hugging, cute indie girls, people reading eclectic things off the bookshelf, regular ol' folks - everyone is really chill.
+ Intimate setting and interesting things to look at, even in the bathroom.
But man, the accoustics here are really weird.
There's one room in the front where bands play and then a small hallway that leads to a bigger room in the back. I think that room in the back is made of pure stone/concrete because the sound bounces around everywhere. Even if you're in the front room chillin, the sound is driven into that room by the tiny hallway. You can't escape the sound.
- Screamo bands playing in the room in the back make me wish I didn't have eardrums.
+ But the plus side is there are some places to grab a drink and wait for the screamo bands to pass (once we hit up a Mexican gay bar for $5 brews and had a really nice time)
I wish someone would come in and give this place a little acoustic treatment and it would definitely make it a stellar place to catch a show. -
Review from Daniel K.
Brooklyn, NY
8/3/2009
I'm sorry but f this place.
We showed up at 830 for what was supposed to be a 9pm show, the 17yr old stoner at the door told us they weren't ready yet and to come back in about 30 minutes, so we went around the corner to some non descript bar and killed some time, we returned about 10 to find that no one was there and the bands were just setting up. Guys I understand you're running an underground space and you know sticking it to the man and all, but at the end of the day you have to get your heads together and make things happen. -
Review from Megan B.
Los Angeles, CA
11/19/2009
Very chill venue and a great place to meet like-minded people.
I moved to LA alone and have actually met quite a few friends from going to shows at the Smell. The people are down to earth and all have great taste in music.
Most of the shows at the Smell are only $5, although I've been to a few that were $7. Still, not bad to see some really great bands- I haven't found a venue yet that beats it.
When I'm bored and looking for something to do, I often end up at the Smell and I'm never disappointed. The place is great for discovering new sounds. The Smell tends to book bands with great stage vibes and the diy ethic of the place is very appealing.
I've seen so many killer shows that I would have paid a lot more money to have attended. Local talent plays the venue a lot too, I'm always down to go if Gowns or Former Ghosts are playing.
My only complaints are the sometimes unbearable heat during shows and the semi-crackhead vibe of the neighborhood. I guess I can't ask much from a place located in an alley. -
Review from Mykee D.
North Hollywood, CA
4/13/2010
Hole in the wall music venue.
The graffiti covering every inch of the walls makes you feel like you just stepped outside except the stuffy air from the raucous crowd is a reminder you're inside a poorly ventilated box.
The crowds this place draws are pretty interesting, mostly standoffish emo tweens but their taste in music isn't bad. -
Review from Tikku S.
Los Angeles, CA
7/9/2010
They might get a lower score if they weren't the only DIY venue in LA that can book some legit artists (HEALTH, Le Tigre, Captain Ahab, Future Islands, etc.).
It's really cool of them to make it all ages at the expense of not having drinks, but Bar 107 is like a block or two away, so come here, grab your tickets, hit the bar for some cheap drinks, and come back and rock out! The buzz will surely make you care less about the heat and smell.
Some great acts here on a regular basis. -
Review from Rick E.
9/14/2007
You Angelenos do realize that from Northern California to the East Coast and up to Canada and all over the world in blogosphere and DIY music message boards, they talk about something called "The Smell scene," and it is fingered as one of the most exciting hotbeds of DIY sounds for the daringness and stylistic variety?
Music that is diversely influenced has the potential to be diversely influential. The Smell has been like a vector of lesser heard musical influences, all with the punkest of ethos, and thus the New Weird Youth of L.A. do indeed sound like the most original youth I think any community has nurtured in the 25+ years since punk's heyday.
Bands do sound better in the front staging area than on the actual stage. That's nothing that some fabric can't help. But it's also fine enough as is. And it may have been more exciting in years past when you could get away with anything in there, but the music is still crucial. -
Review from Amy A.
10/25/2009
Alright folks, I'm opening my wallet and pulling out my old-person-card.
When I used to live in LA (and the suburbs thereof), I attended the Smell about a decade ago. (Oh dang, I's so oldddd). (I also did a small photo essay about the place: http://www.flickr.com/...)
My favorite show: Le Tigre.
Fun Fact: The Smell is named so because it used to be located nearby a coffee shop in Studio City called The Aroma (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Non-urban Legend: There are some bars around the corner from the venue where you can go and sit down for a couple beers, and then when its time to go see the band you came to watch, you can get that beer TO-GO. No lie. -
Review from Vince R.
Los Angeles, CA
10/25/2010
My favorite place to hang out in the world. I wandered through the doors of The Smell in the summer of 2008 and found myself in a venue that had a library, an area where they were giving haircuts and saw Foot Village for the first time. I've been going all the time ever since and have had some of the most fun nights of my life. Usually during a Captain Ahab show.
There are many awesome bands that play there. Go. Just go. Go now. -
Review from amanda v.
San Francisco, CA
3/9/2008
The Smell does smell and it gets really hot. Every time I go here I always see some washed up young actor doing blow.
Aside from that, I've seen some pretty dame good shows here and the crowd is always way into it. Never a boring show here. I love that it's co- op and that you can bring your bike inside, (if you get there in time to get a spot). The neighborhood is sketch town mcgee so it's nice to have your ride safe. Wild nights of riding from the echo park through the tunnel to the smell are fondly remembered.
Setup between bands is always a little lag so take a little walk on over to the 107 for a drink or 3. That's my plan every time I go there.
Also if your scared of sweat or touching people don't go there. :) There's in's and out's so you're not going to die.
