Dennis RomeroUpdated after the jump with an apology from the club. First posted at 11:04 p.m. Thursday
Violence broke out outside a punk rock concert on the Sunset Strip Thursday night as West Hollywood sheriff's deputies responding to a fight took rocks and bottles from club patrons, according to a sheriff's watch commander. (See, we don't only write about raves around here).
It started about 10:30 p.m. outside the Key Club, which was hosting a punk rock show by TSOL and Youth Brigade, Sgt. S. Ruda told the Weekly. Bouncers at the club got into it with fans outside the club, and responding deputies were met with rocks and bottles, he said.
Sheriff's deputies shut down the famed street between San Vicente Boulevard and Doheny Drive and called for backup from the LAPD and Beverly Hills police. The situation was still fluid shortly before midnight, according the sergeant.
A news chopper's view of the action on the Sunset Strip Thursday.; Credit: Kevin Takumi of Fox 11 News
“Deputies responded and some patrons started forming a crowd,” Ruda said. “More deputies responded and they started taking bottles and rocks.”
Fox 11 News reported that one man was injured and transported to a hospital following the initial violence. Ruda was unsure if there were further injuries.
Punk rockers along the strip in the late 1970s and early 1980s were famous for their clashes with authorities — before hair-metal rockers moved in.
TSOL got its start in Long Beach in 1979.
See further updates on the situation from Weho Daily.
The News reports that deputies were shutting down more clubs in the area and that patrons were going to be cleared from the street unless they moved voluntarily (or stayed inside).
Friday morning update: Ruda reports that by 2 a.m. three people who had allegedly been fighting were taken into custody along with three others from the rock-and-bottle throwing incidents.
An LA Weekly commenter and eyewitness who goes by the name Lucky says a patron broke a security guard's nose at the club, prompting authorities to shut down the show. Youth Brigade didn't get to play and, apparently, that's when people started to get rowdy.
” … The kids should have just stayed the f*** inside and the cops should have just let Youth Brigade play,” Lucky writes. “Everyone had a hand in this. Now excuse me while I wash this tear gas out of my eyes.”
Added: KTLA News had footage Friday morning of authorities shooting “pepper balls” at people on Sunset Boulevard in attempts to disperse crowds. Images also showed a few punk rockers throwing debris at cops.
The station reports that two people were injured in the fracas.
Friday afternoon update: The Key Club on Friday issued this statement via its website:
Key Club would like to sincerely apologize to the city of West Hollywood & our incredibly loyal fan-base for the unfortunate events that occurred last night. We work hard every day to provide a safe & enjoyable concert experience for all of our patrons. We hope that you will continue to trust & support us in the future!
The scene near the Key Club.; Credit: ms_randall via Twitpic
-With reporting from City News Service. Got news? Email us. Follow us on Twitter, too: @dennisjromero.
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