Abjeez

I have been waiting for this band to show up in LA for few years now. Last year I went all the way to SF with my girl friend to see them at the Great American Music Hall but it was sold out again so we missed them. But this time I got our tickets on time. The opening act Karmandan were really good even if I had never heard them before but the Abjeez were even better than I thought they would be live! The opening act started 30min later than they were supposed to but I guess it was because of all the fans arguing outside since there were no tickets left, they should have bought their tickets earlier, everyone knew Abjeez would sell out in LA. I was at the Roxy the night before to listen to Camp Freddy and it happened to be one of the best rock gigs ever since Steven Tyler, Juliette Lewis and others great artists performed with them but still it wasn't like the Abjeez. These girls rock in their own way! Not only they're young and full of energy but their lyrics are about important political and social issues that one can relate to. I knew where to stand for the best sound but if you don't know the Roxy and end up at the wrong corner you'll have too much of the bass, won't hear the song well and of course it sucks! What bothered me was the heat, it was so damn hot in there, worst than last night. Even the VIP section looked over crowded. Well, you can't always have it all! We're definitely going there this year and I recommend it to anyone thirsty for some fresh music and a great performance.

The concert was supposed to start at 8. They did not even let us in till 8:30 although we all had our tickets. The Abjeez started at 10:40! People were upset and tired, since there were no seats to sit down. Abjeez did not even bother to apologize. There was NO announcement regarding how much delay it would be! Unbelievable! When I wrote to Abjeez the next day letting them know that the delay was unacceptably long (with no apology), they responded they were waiting for A FEW fans who had not reached the theater from San Diego yet! As if all those fans who were waiting for 3 hours for the concert to start were not important! The sound quality was so poor, most people started leaving around 11 (just 20 mins after the show started. They were mostly hanging out at the door (next to the bathroom) or outside, or just simply left. Our group of 5 left at 11, disappointed and tired, although we were big fans of Abjeez. The bar charged us 11 dollar for what they called dirty martini in a plastic cup. When we asked where is the olive in the martini, the always unhappy bartender yelled he did not have any! But there was a cup of olives on the counter, so we pointed that out to him, he added one olive to each martini which was all olive juice with absolutely less than a drop of liqueur in it. He was constantly mad and ignored all the guest, as if he hated his job. The next day I noticed that the bartender had actually stolen from me: he charged my card another 5 dollars on top of the total for drinks and tip. I wish I had not tipped him. He ripped us off although I had a signed copy of the receipt for the total charge.

The show stared 1h late and the sounding was so bad. The event started with another group which we did not know that. They played for 1h30. Abjeez played at 10h30 instead of 8h00. I was so upset. I was tried so I left at 11.00 The organizer did a bad job.

This venue has drifted so far from the glorious days it has seen that it is not recognizable. To Start withe the will call/ticket purchase line was long and very very slow while two ghetto security guards kept yelling at people and pushing and shoving people in the line to create an open corridor in the side walk as if it was anybody's fault that they couldn't figure out a system. Then they made you wait in another line while you got the same ugly treatment again by these goons. It would take them about a minute to get two people in who had tickets. A minutes to check an id, look at the ticket and stamp their hand while being treated like animals. When we got in i had to wait 30 minutes to get a beer. Finally the sound was most horrible I have ever heard. the vocals for both band were so muffled I couldn't hear what language they were singing in. The goons in the isles were treating this somewhat 30something crowed like they were rappers from south central. Constantly yelling and shoving people around like cowhands at a barn. They were all on the take. At the door you could get in without a ticket. Can you believe it. Inside same story to walk up to what they called VIP seats. My friend on crutches was sitting back there and they wouldn't let me go say hi to her when we went to the place together. All and all a long except a few moment boring concert with horrible everything! NEVER WILL ATTEND ANY SHOWS AT ROXY OR RECOMMEND IT>