The Sunset and Western neighborhood of Hollywood is a neighborhood under 
siege from the "artists" leaving their work on any defenseless business 
establishment. All the more reason to applaud what the management at Safari 
Sam's nightclub is attempting to do the upgrade the 'hood. After my initial 
disappointment that the Derby nightclub would not be utilized for this 
year's IPO LA fest,  I was pleasantly surprised at what Safari Sam's had to 
offer.

Apparently the management spent a lot of bucks at removing all vestiges of 
the building's earlier life as a strip club. The seating is great 
(especially the balcony), the acoustics are good and the staff is very 
friendly.  There's plenty of free parking and a reasonably priced Thai joint 
across the street. What else do you need?

Kudos to Safari Sam's and may they host many more IPO shows down the road.

LAST DAY LOST opened the evening, a polished band from Vancouver. I think 
with the right marketing ploy, they could end up being the next Rooney. RUSH 
HOUR SOUL had an amazing set, running the gamut from Prince and Sly to Thin 
Lizzy and Robin Trower. And like Last Day Lost, a very well-rehearsed band.

PAUL STEEL is a 19-yr.old Brit we'll be hearing more from. Like Chris Brown 
and Chris von Sneidern during the first Saturday of IPO, he made a gallant 
effort to do a quiet solo act. Save for the noisy group sitting next to me, 
most in the audience gave him the respect he deserved.  Paul finished the 
set with a fine rendition of "Surf's up."  ADAM MARSLAND kept the keyboard 
moving as he and the CHAOS BAND performed the old Elton warhorse, "Take me 
to the Pilot." Life on the road has turned this group into one of SoCal's 
best.

Ex-Translator frontman STEVE BARTON brought his current band,  THE OBLIVION 
CLICK, to the stage- it was great to see him live with a group backing him 
again.


Two things have made the late night trek back south to San Diego 
tolerable--the diamond lane and listening to the IPO Vol. 9 CD.  Early 
favorites are Roger Joseph Manning Jr., Carolyn Edwards and Squiddo. Even 
enjoying the Innocent's inspired lifting of a Pet Clark classic. One 
generation's "Don't Sleep in the Subway" is another generation's "Your 
Precious Touch." But then imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Steve