Every scene in every city needs a hub – a place where the kids who can’t get into the clubs can congregate, form a band and make rock-n-roll history. Downtown L.A. has The Smell, an all ages venue, where every gig is $5, and that’s helped birth the likes of The Mae-Shi, Foot Village, Gowns, No Age, Abe Vigoda and HEALTH, as well as providing a library, gallery space and the inevitable vegan snack bar.
Now, Pitchfork reports that the venue is being immortalized in a new DVD, “Live At The Smell,” due September 1, featuring live performances from all the above bands, along with Captain Ahab, BARR, High Places and Ponytail. Trailers and outtakes can be found below, and there’ll be a premiere at the Downtown Independent (handily situated right next to The Smell on South Main Street) on August 27th, which like the DVD itself, will go directly to support the venue. It’s a pretty vital little institution, and if you have any interest in the bands or the scene, it sounds well worth seeking out. A trailer and some outtakes from the movie featuring No Age can be seen below. – Oliver Lyttlelton
