'The Roar of L'Amour'

THE DECLINE OF THE DECLINE OF THE WESTERN CIVILIZATION - I say no to promoting the film

The Decline of The Western Civilization Part 2 was a film about the hard rock scene.

It was filmed in L.A. and focused on the Sunset Strip, but also various platinum selling acts.

It was filmed in 87/88 and had nothing to do with me or L'Amour so ... I didn't care

In May or early June, I get to the club on my AYI Thursday and Jodie our receptionist tells me "some chick Penelope keeps calling for you".

I asked what she wanted and she said she wouldn't tell her.

In those days the infamous 212.232.1616 number had an outgoing message only except on T, F, S from 2 to closing when Jodie or whomever was at the door answered.

Penelope seemed to have been trying all week, and the poor lady had to hear a recorded "AH YES INDEED" over and over.

I get the frustration but couldn't care less ... I had shit to do.

I tell Jodie "Ok" and settle in and do whatever was needed to get the venue ready.

I didn't give "Penelope" a thought. I would get a lot of calls ... I booked and promoted ... part of the job.

But lots of times it was silly stuff, like ... my son is a fan of heavy metal, can I book his birthday party there?

Stupid shit like that.

I had no idea Penelope was a director and did a docu in LA about the scene ... plus ... I didn't care.

Phone rings again and Jodie goes it's her and hands me to phone ...

P: Is this Chuck?

C: Yes

P: It's Penelope Spheeris

C: Yes?

P: I want to talk to you about the decline of the western civilization

(Think about that for a second. I had no idea of the films name)

C: WHAT?

P: I been trying to reach you all week.

C: Lady, why the F are you calling me?

P: About the film ...

C: What film?

P: The decline ...

WHO IS ON FIRST?

We Abbott and Costello a bit and she catches me up ...

P: We rented out a theater 5 blocks away to do an advanced screening and want you to promote it.

They want us to promote a film; we never heard of and had nothing to do with?

She said my name came up during the film and promotion and she wants me to promote the film.

Me ...

"Lady, you filmed a documentary on the hard rock scene, and my name came up and you didn't talk to me, but want me to promote the film that I am not in for FREE?

Let's just say the conversation ended very soon after that

I saw the film when it came on video, and I was actually happy I wasn't involved.

It's kinda cool that in an era before the internet that my name came up on a different coast regarding who to talk to, but I am glad I wasn't involved.

She did a compelling docu from a filmmaker point of view, but most people looked like buffoons.

The LA scene was kind of easy to make fun of ...

This is Brooklyn baby, and you are dealing with The Vowels and The Roar ...

Plus, you are doing a film on THE METAL YEARS in 87/88 and didn't talk to anyone from L'Amour?

In closing, my reply was basically ...

NAH, NO INDEED

Chuck Kaye

Ah Yes Indeed

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