The Smell: DIY Club Tries to Keep it Real

L.A. WeeklyCulture

Owner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31Owner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy NorrisOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31Owner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy NorrisOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31Owner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy Norris"Will the Stink of Success Ruin the Smell?"; Credit: Timothy Norris" data-rightCaption="Owner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy Norris">"Will the Stink of Success Ruin the Smell?"; Credit: Timothy NorrisOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy NorrisRead Jessica Hopper's cover storyOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy NorrisRead Jessica Hopper's cover storyOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy Norris"Will the Stink of Success Ruin the Smell?"; Credit: Timothy Norris" data-rightCaption="Owner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy Norris">"Will the Stink of Success Ruin the Smell?"; Credit: Timothy NorrisOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy NorrisRead Jessica Hopper's cover storyOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy NorrisRead Jessica Hopper's cover storyOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy Norris"Will the Stink of Success Ruin the Smell?"; Credit: Timothy Norris" data-rightCaption="Owner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy Norris">"Will the Stink of Success Ruin the Smell?"; Credit: Timothy NorrisOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy NorrisRead Jessica Hopper's cover storyOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy NorrisRead Jessica Hopper's cover storyOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy Norris"Will the Stink of Success Ruin the Smell?"; Credit: Timothy Norris" data-rightCaption="Owner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy Norris">"Will the Stink of Success Ruin the Smell?"; Credit: Timothy NorrisOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy NorrisRead Jessica Hopper's cover storyOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy NorrisRead Jessica Hopper's cover storyOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy Norris"Will the Stink of Success Ruin the Smell?"; Credit: Timothy Norris" data-rightCaption="Owner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy Norris">"Will the Stink of Success Ruin the Smell?"; Credit: Timothy NorrisOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy NorrisRead Jessica Hopper's cover storyOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy NorrisRead Jessica Hopper's cover storyOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy Norris"Will the Stink of Success Ruin the Smell?"; Credit: Timothy Norris" data-rightCaption="Owner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy Norris">"Will the Stink of Success Ruin the Smell?"; Credit: Timothy NorrisOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy NorrisRead Jessica Hopper's cover storyOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy NorrisRead Jessica Hopper's cover storyOwner Jim Smith at The Smell on January 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.; Credit: Timothy Norris

L.A.'s DIY haven tries to keep it real as the club's best-known ambassadors – No Age, Mika Miko and Abe Vigoda – hit the mainstream. Here's a look at the downtown dive where it all began. Read Jessica Hopper's cover story, “Will the Stink of Success Ruin the Smell?”

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