Flashback Friday: The Bank of America Building

from the Echo Park Historical Society

This week’s flashback comes to us straight from the Echo Park Historical Society. They are definitely the go-to source for “the oldest existing business in Echo Park”: The Bank of America building on the southwest corner of Echo Park and Sunset. It was built sometime in the 1920s and was “partially a new construction and partially a redesign” of an earlier structure. The design of the building was done by Morgan, Wall & Clements, a prominent architectural firm of the time. They were also responsible for the Mayan, the Wiltern, the El Capitan Theatre and the Citadel in Commerce!

The above picture shows how the intersection appeared in 1942. The photo below shows how it looked in the 1951. I love both of these photos because it really gives you a sense of how a neighborhood changes… and how it remains the same. I didn’t know the Laguna Apartments were already there by 1942! Notice how the gas streetlamp has been replaced by an electric one by 1951? And see the streetcar tracks? The Pacific Electric Railway operated all over southern California. The streetcars had stopped running by the mid-1950s (when automobiles took over), but back in the day, Los Angeles had a comprehensive public transit system.

from the Echo Park Historical Society

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Friday: Echo Park “Lights Party”

It’s a little early to be pulling out the Christmas tree lighting, but it might be a chance to get creative with some… body lighting? And yes we are taking bets on how long until the cops are called. Either way, you might be interested in joining glow-in-the-dark fun on Friday at 9:00 pm.

Here’s the low-down from the Facebook evite page:

That’s right, come dressed in your flashiest colorful gear! Were talking Led lights, EL wire, blinkie hats and glasses, glow sticks, Christmas lights, basically anything that lights up or glows!

Can’t find any lights? That’s OK, Bust out your freshest NEON GEAR! Just wear anything that’s gonna brighten the night. We will be bringing in the colors of spring in style!

BYOB, DJ, and free. Take some (PG-13) pictures for us if anyone gets creative!

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Origami Vinyl: Recent Purchase

Best Coast (Art Fag Recording, 2009) is a recent discovery for me and I love them. Luckily for me, and you as well, they will be playing Waved Out at the Echo and Echoplex this Saturday, March 27th.

Get this 7″ EP while it’s still in print. If you love thick distortion and heavy reverb, mixed with 1960’s pop sensibility song writing and a stoned-in-California vibe, this is for you.

Origami Vinyl is located at 1816 West Sunset Blvd, (213) 413-3030‎

The Echo is at 1822 Sunset Blvd, (213) 413-8200‎

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Waved Out Festival Schedule

Here is the schedule for this Saturday’s Waved Out Festival happening at the Echo, the Echoplex and Origami Vinyl. There will be food trucks, ice cream, t-shirts and more.

*Schedule subject to change

Doors are at 3pm.

$12. Purchase tickets here.

The Echo Schedule:

3:30  TO 4:00 – APES OF WRATH

4:15 TO 4:45 – TAPE DECK MOUNTAIN

5:00 TO 5:35  – SUPERHUMANOIDS

5:50 TO 6:30  –  THE PO PO

6:45 TO 7:25 – GAMBLE HOUSE

7:50  TO 8:30  – DIRT DRESS

The Echoplex Schedule:

3:45 TO 4:15  –  GIANT CLOUD

4:30 TO 5:00 – FAMILY PORTRAIT

5:15 TO 5:50 –  ACTIVE CHILD

6:05 TO 6:40 – MOON DUO

6:55 TO 7:35 – THE COATHANGERS

7:50 TO 8:30 – BEST COAST

8:45 TO 9:20 – TURBO FRUITS

9:35 TO 10:25 – SURFER BLOOD

10:40 TO 11:10 – THE SANDWITCHES

11:20 TO MIDNIGHT –  PIZZA!

Origami Schedule:

1PM Jaques Barabon

1:45 pm Young Prisms

2:45pm Dazzleships

3:30 pm Pepper Rabbit

4:30 pm We Barbarians ( Not confirmed)

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E.P.I.C. Sign Goes Up

I just happened to luck out by having my camera on hand while walking by the sign installers at work. Nice sign, can’t wait to see it lit up.

E.P.I.C. (Echo Park Independent Co – Op) is located at  1712 W. Sunset Blvd, (213) 483-0260

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What do you think?

Does anyone think that this would make a better park than incomplete condo complex?

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El Prado

I stopped by El Prado last night to grab two rounds after work. I’ve been a long time fan of microbrews and Belgian-style ales and it’s such a treasure to have a bar so close to my house that serves these style of beers. I had the Allagash Tripple.

When I was there I noticed that the room was split, almost equally, into wine & beer drinkers. It’s just that type of place. Being a fan of mid-week bar time, this is a great night at El Prado. Tuesday night’s are also Record Club Night, which is hosted by Origami Vinyl. Details for the night can be found on Origami’s blogsite.

All and all, fun times.

El Prado is located at 1805 W. Sunset Boulevard, (213) 484-6079

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New Store on the Block: Caban

Once Aisling Walsh gets some paint on the walls of her store and puts a sign up, she’s going to call it Caban (her business partner’s last name). But the lack of interior design isn’t stopping her from keeping her doors open every day from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm in case anyone would like to stop in and browse her treasures.

And she does, in fact, sell treasures. There was one piece that caught my eye as soon as I walked in: a hefty, old leather chair with dials on the arm rests. She sat me down in it and turned the dials and it began to vibrate. An early version of a “massaging chair” from the 40’s. Awesome. These are the types of items that Walsh spends all of her free time hunting down: unique vintage and second-hand furniture, vinyl, clothes and costume jewelry.

Helping her out is Javier Flores, who will be re-upholstering Walsh’s furniture-finds. He is also creating clothes that are simple in design but feature funky patterns and textures. Each piece is one-of-a-kind but will be priced somewhere between $20 and $30 each. Walsh wants to offer items that are unique and beautiful but accessible and priced for the average Echo Park resident. And she wants to revive the east side of Echo Park while she’s at it. Join the movement and go check her stuff out at 1218 W. Sunset (Sunset and Marion).

Read more

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Cache Bug

As seen while walking up Douglas Street, with a view of the US Bank tower in the background.

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The Deadly Syndrome Record Release Show At The Echoplex

Well, the long wait is finally over–after releasing their excellent debut, The Ortolan on Dim Mak records in 2007 and playing a slew of shows, tours, and sweater festivals, The Deadly Syndrome have finally returned with a new disc of their frenetic and hook-charged rock. Nolens Volens (Latin for “whether willingly or unwillingly”) will be independently released by the band on March 23rd–meaning you’ll be able to purchase digital copies from the usual gang of distributors like iTunes and Emusic, or you can buy a physical copy from the band’s website.

Produced by the band and co-mixed with Kennie Takahashi, Nolens Volens‘ sound, according to the band, promises “less ghosts, and less wolves. We tried to be as honest as we could. Hopefully we succeeded.” And, from the sound of “Wingwalker,” a preview track on the band’s website, it may well have been worth the wait. – Web In Front

The Deadly Syndrome || Listen || Watch
Signals
Rabbits

Thursday, March 25th
8:30pm
$10
18+

The Echoplex
1154 Glendale Blvd

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Echo Country Outpost: 5 Items, 5 Stories.

One of my favorite new stores/spaces in Echo Park is one of my neighbors, The Echo Country Outpost. Aside from scheduling monthly art exhibitions and weekly/monthly music nights, they stock their store with new and vintage curiosities that speak to the appreciators of handmade quality and out-of-the-ordinary gift giving opportunities. The store is arranged with the care and attention to detail of a finely curated historical or natural history museum, and each piece has a unique story. On a recent visit, I inquired as to the stories behind a few pieces.

1) Employee Picks – Favorite Book/Publication:
The Satanists: Devil worship as chilling as Rosemary’s Baby.
Salty Sayings: He who goes with wolves will learn to howl.
Peyote: A compelling study of the sacramental use of the Native American hallucinogen.
The Legends and Myths of Hawaii – The Fables & Folklore of a Strange People: A book of Hawaiian mythology & legends. Written by Hawaiian King David Kalakaua.

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Cleaners from Venus release party at 2Headedhorse

Via Burger Records

Burger Records is releasing three Cleaners from Venus tapes (with a hand stamp by Martin Newell himself) and they are celebrating! The FREE show is at 9:00 pm Thursday, March 25 at 2Headedhorse

The bands include:

Audacity
Pearl Harbor
Cleaners From Venus (cover band)

along with Djs Sean Bohrman and Jessica Espeleta

2Headedhorse is located at 1770 Glendale Blvd.

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Things Change

As it is probably common knowledge in Echo Park that this vacant Pioneer Chicken location on Echo Park Avenue is becoming a Little Ceasars as we speak. I walk by this sign every day, and in some nerdy and random way, I will miss this sign if the new owners tear it down. To the future…

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Sprint Leads The Pack In Echo Park Cell Phone Coverage

Here is a little helpful information for any residents looking for a cell phone carrier or thinking about switching. CNET has launched a beta version of a program to compare cell phone coverage in specific areas. The info was collected using real consumer model wireless handsets in the field. The information was geo-tagged and sent to special servers for analysis. (Keep in mind service is subject to change). You can also compare data coverage and see a map depicting dead zones. When I typed 90026 into the zip code field it came up with the following results for signal strength.

  • Sprint 83%
  • AT&T 74%
  • T-Mobile 74%
  • Verizon 65%
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Sunday Brunch at The Park Restaurant

The Park Restaurant is a favorite of mine and I usually make it there at least once a week. Everything I’ve had is delicious and you can’t ask for better and/or friendlier service. Here’s a beautiful example of their Fried Egg Sandwich, yum. Pair it with a Hitachino White Ale and you’ll in wake up late and make the best of the rest of your weekend heaven.

My only comment/suggestion for The Park is this: Bring back the Country Fried Portabello! I had this for brunch last year, around August… WOW. It’s so good, you don’t have to be a vegan or veggie to appreciate it. But for those of you who are, it will take care of any cravings you have for this normally meaty style meal.

The Park Restaurant is located at 1400 Sunset Boulevard, (213) 482-9209‎

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