A Sublimely Unusual Tribute

Members of the music, porn and supermodel community converged on Echo Park over the weekend to shoot a new video for the Sublime single, “Wrong Way.” In tribute to the band’s late singer, Bradley Nowell, his favorite model, Bijou Phillips (daughter of singer John Phillips), stars in the video. Adult filmmaker Greg Dark directs (also a Nowell fav) and No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani, bassist Mike Watt (Banyan, Minutemen) and Fishbone frontman Angelo make cameos at the House of Spirits (a neighborhood liquor store). . . .

During tonight’s Foundation Forum Musicfest ’97 performance at the Roxy in West Hollywood, the L.A. group Manhole will announce its new name. Seems the band, which is currently working on its second album, “Relief the Release,” is being forced to change the moniker because a group in Texas claimed it first. Also on the bill are Snot, Human Waste Project, Extra Fancy and Total Chaos. Up the street at the Whisky, a Malicious Vinyl and Red Ant showcase will feature artists Nebula (made up of former members of Kyuss and Fu Manchu), Lit, Salmon and Slo Burn--a popular act on the current club scene. . . .

Although Roxbury management won’t confirm, the Sunset Strip nightclub reportedly closed its doors on Sunday evening, marking the event with a farewell party. No future plans have been announced. . . .

The Opium Den in Hollywood is lobbying to change its occupancy, after repeated visits by members of the L.A. fire marshal’s office. And it’s a good thing too, because the club has some hot shows coming up this weekend. Friday night’s lineup includes Sparkler and Fluorescein, newly signed to Geffen and finally able to perform with drummer Rocco Bidlovski, who’s been stuck in Brazil for the past few months (the Brazilian native was held up on a visa dispute). Saturday night, the club features Mr. Mirainga, Dogstar (a.k.a. Keanu’s band) and the Wild Colonials. . . .

If you were at Three Clubs on Cinco de Mayo, you probably danced yourself stupid. Deejays Mike Messex, Daddy Carlos and Skatemaster Tate played salsa music all night long and folks bopped until they dropped (some had to be escorted out!). . . .

Last week’s performance by Ozomatli, the biggest kids on Clubland’s campus, revealed there’s more than one way to make noise. The band, which began a Thursday night run at the Dragonfly, performed outside in the middle of Santa Monica Boulevard and across the street at a Honda dealership. Like the Pied Pipers of Clubland, the group’s fanatic fans followed their muse. It was a beautiful thing.