The Glass House
200 W Second Street
Pomona, CA 91766
(909) 865-3802
All Ages

The Glass House in Pomona is my favorite local venue. Located in Pomona’s Arts District, just down the road from Western University, The Glass House has a local reputation for hosting up and coming alternative acts as well as established local bands. The venue is standing-room only, and very intimate. There’s a medium sized floor that gets pretty packed. If you don’t get there early enough to get a good spot on the floor, climb the stairs in the back to the tiny balcony. The balcony will give you a good view of the stage without braving the press on the main floor and it tends to be pretty open up there until the main act takes the stage. There are also risers along side walls that will give you a good view above the crowd. Ample free parking is available within easy walking distance of the venue. While you’re there, check out Glass House Records for a good selection of indie music.

Chain Reaction
1652 W. Lincoln Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92801
(714) 635-6067
All Ages

Yes, I will still go to a show at Chain Reaction on occasion. Yes, I am almost always the oldest person in the audience who is not a parent. It doesn’t happen often, because most of the time artists who play at Chain Reaction will also play The Glass House, and I prefer not to make the trek to Orange County if I can avoid it.

That said, Chain Reaction is still a pretty decent place. It’s not the prettiest venue you’ll ever go to, but the sound is pretty good and if you’re the type of person who is deterred by an ugly sign, this probably isn’t the scene for you anyway. They get up and coming acts, but also host a bunch of big name locals. The crowd is young, so if you’re over 18 and self-conscious about it you’re going to feel out of place.

The venue’s pretty small; it holds a maximum of 250 people. If you’re going to see a popular band, you definitely need to buy tickets early. Chain Reaction uses Vendini for tickets rather than Ticketmaster, and I’ve never paid more than $2.00 in fees for online purchases (as opposed to about $15.00 for The Glass House).

The sound is better than average for tiny venues, but not the best. It’s super loud, so take ear plugs if you’re sensitive. I’ve been going to rock concerts for about a decade now, and this is the only venue where I take plugs. Your ears will ring for days without them. The ventilation is still crap - this is definitely not a summer venue. Be prepared for a pretty long turn around between acts. There’s a small parking lot out front, but get there early because it fills up quick. Be wary of parking in the lots of business around the venue - they will tow your car.

The Knitting Factory, Hollywood (Main Stage)
7021 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 463-0204
All Ages

I saw my first show here 2/2/08, and was rather impressed. The Knitting Factory is smack in the middle of the Hollywood & Highland district, so I was expecting this to be a bit of a nightmare. The Knitting Factory is on Hollywood Blvd. between Orange and Sycamore at the back of a shopping center anchored by LA Fitness (you can’t see any Knitting Factory signs from the street, so look for the gym). There is easy parking under the center that you access off Sycamore that maxes out at $8.00/night.

Inside The Knitting Factory is cozy. The venue is all ages, but if you’re of drinking age, there are three bars scattered around that sell beer and girlie-beer. There are tables around the edge of the floor and the balcony that have a two-drink minimum, but offer (especially from the balcony) a good place to relax and enjoy the show away from the crush against the stage.

The sound in The Knitting Factory is very good. I saw Sherwood, The Matches, and The Higher play, and the sound wasn’t as bass-heavy as most clubs. It gets a bit hollow-sounding at the back of the floor under the balcony, but even at a sold-out show there was plenty of room toward the front of the floor.

The Wire
247 N. 2nd Avenue
Upland, CA 91786
(909) 985-9466
All Ages

The Wire is a tiny, tiny venue in Upland, CA. Located in a swanky, yuppie neighborhood of restaurants, boutiques, and wine bars, The Wire is known locally for hosting primarily unsigned, alternative acts. Unlike every other store-front venue I’ve been to, the sound inside is astonishingly good. I have been in tiny venues that sound like nothing so much as being inside a tin can, but the sound inside The Wire is rich and loud without being overpowering. Ample free parking is available on 2nd Street and behind the venue, although the parking in the back is pretty dark. No need to be there early. Tickets are generally $10 at the door.

The Orpheum Theatre
842 South Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(877) 677-4386

A full-blown art-deco theater in downtown Los Angeles, The Orpheum features reserved seating and showcases a wide variety of acts ranging from alternative rock to pageants to awards shows. Buy your tickets early, because the balcony and back of the orchestra section are a long way from the stage. Still, this is one of my favorite venues for acts like Dashboard Confessional that are a little on the mellow side. Ample paid parking is available around the venue, including those freaky stacked lots.

House of Blues, Anaheim
1530 S. Disneyland Dr.
Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 778-2583
Age requirement varies by show.

I saw my first show here on 12/3/07, and I have to say, this is not going to make my list of favorite venues. Let’s start with location. The House of Blues in Anaheim is located in Downtown Disney, which means you’re going to sacrifice your firstborn child in order to park. The first three hours are free (you can get an additional two free with validation), and parking is $6.00/hour after that. The maximum charge is $36.00. Which is likely more than what you paid for your ticket, even after Ticketmaster takes their cut.

I often prefer a front-row balcony or riser position at general admission shows. But at the HOB, get there early, and get a spot up front on the floor. There is a balcony, but it’s a bit removed from the energy, and you’ll have to witness the drama in the VIP level which is right below you as HOB staff constantly shuffles VIP guests around according to level of VIPness. It’s really distracting.

I spent half my time on the floor and half in the balcony to check out the place. The floor was sweltering, even in December. I’d hate to be down there for a summer show. The balcony was freezing. I get that venues often have temperature issues, but you’d think somewhere as slick as HOB would have it a bit more figured out. That said, the sound is good and HOB gets some pretty amazing acts. I will definitely go back, but it’ll be at the bottom of my list.