So X-Cited

SO X-CITED

Lina Lecaro

(Click to enlarge)

Zakk Wylde (right) and “the guy who takes care of my shit” at Gibson Through the Lens at Sunset Marquis

Lina Lecaro

(Click to enlarge)

Hottie dog on stick at the T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk launch party

The X Games once again brought the bike and board hordes to the Home Depot Center last week, and as usual, L.A.’s nightclubs offered the best way to kick off the bruise bonanza — not to mention nurse and numb the bruised egos after the competition. Wednesday, Oakley hosted a hip-hop heavy preparty at the Key Club, with T-Pain (joined onstage by Christina Milian and Lil Jon) and a mesmerizing video DJ set by U.K. phenoms Eclectic Method. In the Key’s VIP area, fun and freebies were had by sk8ter stud/ESPN mag coverboy Ryan Sheckler, Mischa Barton, Barry Bonds and the Maloofs, a.k.a the multimillionaire brood who own the Palms, the Sacramento Kings and (thanks to the influence of youngest bro Phil) a skateboarding competition and music label thru Geffen/Interscope (Ali Lohan and Rev Theory are signees). … More X-cess around town last week: Maxim mag’s sportstar-filled bash Thursday at the just-opened L.A. version of NYC’s the Stork (from former Hyde staffer Grace Fernandez and LAX’s main lad Loyal Pennings) and Ritual’s Moto-XXX Party on Saturday, which preceded one the most X-hilarating, crash-filled competitions at the Games. We actually watched this year!

HAWK’S IN L.A.

Leave it to Brent Bolthouse to throw the biggest and baddest bash of the week: The T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Launch event, held at the same Hollywood site as Warhol-esque graffiti king Mr. Brainwash’s street art exhibit “Life is Beautiful,” with added attractions, including a “History of Skateboarding” installation and a full skate ramp outside. Board icons Christian Hosoi and Tony Alva got their roll on. Guests Brandon Boyd, Brittany Snow, Cheryl Burke, Cindy Margolis, Emile Hirsch, Jamie Kennedy, Kelis, Matthew Perry, Rachel Hunter, Tara Reid, the Donnas, Tila Tequila and, of course, the man of the eve, Hawk (whose image is actually on the new ‘Kick) enjoyed grub from In-N-Out Burger and Hot Dog on a Stick and a performance by the reunited Stone Temple Pilots. The Pilots played all their hits, and though they sounded strong both vocally and instrumentally, that didn’t stop many — and we mean many — from questioning Scott Weiland’s sobriety during and after the set, due, most likely, to his near-incoherent between-song mumbling and spaced-out stares and stage moves. We wouldn’t dare to presume either way though. Our only complaint about the set? Weiland’s penchant for using a bullhorn, which may have enhanced his turns with Velvet Revolver but did nothing for his vox on STP’s melody-driven material.

Though the rockers were supposed to be the highlight of the evening, there seemed to be even more interest in the minispectacle happening on a couch near the party’s entrance earlier in the evening. The Hills was shooting a scene, and as pockets of party patrons huddled around the cameras to watch, most rather furtively, we finally got to see how fake reality is created: lots of retakes. For those who care, the scene saw a friendly huddle between Verne Troyer, a.k.a “Mini Me,” the vapid “Speidi” (if you don’t know who they are, good for you) and Audrina Patridge with her on-again-off-again beau, Justin “Bobby” (working a wanna-be Suicidal Tendencies look in flannel and turned-up baseball cap that read “hooligan” … whatta dork). Of course, after filming the segment, everyone went their separate ways. And yes, as always, we’ll be wasting/watching away when a whole new season of the contrived drama and club crawling airs on MTV, August 18.

HOTEL CALIFORNIA

Like Bolthouse, People’s Revolution’s Kelly Cutrone has managed a feat few in this town could pull off: maintaining cool cred and appearing on the popular reality show (the main character works for her). Cutrone is not only the go-to gal for Fashion Week in NYC and L.A., but her company is always tied in with the rockin-est clothing lines (Jeremy Scott, Agent Provocateur) and events. They helmed a doozy last Wednesday at the Sunset Marquis Hotel & Villas too. “Gibson Through the Lens,” an amazing photo exhibition in celebration of the grand opening of the hotel’s new villas and $20 million expansion, featured pics of the iconic axes played by everyone from Keith Richards and Kurt Cobain to Jimmy Page scattered throughout the Marquis’ lush landscape of trees and fancy, schmancy new quarters that only rock stars of that level could afford. A promised live set by Jeff Beck never materialized — we got John Oates instead, which was a bit of snooze, at least until ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons joined him. Stevie Wonder was also buzzed about, but when we noticed the legendary singer chilling comfortably at a table near the pool, we feared it might not happen. Thankfully, after accepting a donation to his charity foundation, somebody had the good sense to direct Stevie to a piano, and the awed audience was treated to versions of “Overjoyed” and “You Are the Sunshine Of My Life.” Seen partying by the pool: members of the Cult, Sweet and Scorpions, along with Zakk Wylde (who’d only let us snap him if we chatted and shared our champagne … and let’s just say, he really is a wylde man), and Cameron Crowe, who pissed off the photog packs when he refused to pose in front of the provided backdrop. Looks like somebody forgot where he came from — and where he was (a photo show)! As for the exhibit, it’ll be on display at the Marquis through August 24.

CRASH AND BURN?

In last week’s column we attempted to play club catch-up, filling you in on closures and changes around town on the nightspot front, but there was one big omission you may have heard about: Crash Mansion. The downtown music space temporarily lost its liquor license, reportedly due to owed back taxes. Still, we’ve been hearing rumblings about the city gunning (no pun intended) for the place ever since a clubber was shot and killed there last year. And word is, zoning issues are involved as well. E-mails to the Mansion for comment were not returned by press time, but those intending to check out Tiger Mask’s Mondo Hollywood shindig with Mary Weiss, the Electric Prunes and host Kim Fowley this weekend should know it’s been moved to the Knitting Factory. We’ll keep ya posted on the Mansion’s future moves and hopefully, grooves.

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