Way back when, Cinema Strange was my favorite local band. Looking through the Gigography on the website, I tried to count how many shows I actually saw between 1996 and 2000. Truth is, though, when you have attended somewhere over 1000 shows in your life, it's hard to recall such matters. I can, in fact, tell you that I went to see them open for Switchblade Symphony at the Roxy on the occasion of my 20th birthday (12/08/96). I know that Estelle and Reagan and I caught them on at least one excursion to the Showcase Theatre in Corona. I DJed at the Coven 13 party where they played in 1997 and did the interview that took place on KXLU in April of that year. I'm also convinced that there was a show at the Que Sera in late-1996 or early-1997 that isn't on the list because I have a distinct memory of sneaking into the club with Kar3n at one point. We had to wait outside for someone who was buddies with the bouncers to escort us into the club all VIP-like. Maybe Kar3n remembers, but I bet her memory is just as hazy (yes, like the moors of Scotland) as mine.
Regardless, I thought Cinema Strange broke up since, after 2000, I never saw any notice of them playing. This, however, is perhaps testament to the complete disregard the local press has for anyone in the local scene who isn't connected to Beck, Elliot Smith or someone of equal indie cred. A few weeks ago, I saw that Cinema Strange was playing with Anavan at the Knitting Factory and I had intended on attending the show, but got stuck doing homework. It's a damn shame, too, because I always thought that Cinema Strange put on an incredible show, as creepy and wonderful as that Czech version of Alice in Wonderland.
If you are intrigued by any of this, check out Cinema Strange at the Friday the 13th party at the Derby.

Friday the 13th @ The Derby
4500 Los Feliz Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

Line Up:
Cinema Strange
STG
The Sixth Chamber
Kitty Diggins

DJs:
Wednesday
Frank H-Bomb
Erica D!

21+
9:00 - 2:00 a.m.
$10 cover with flyer before 9:30; $15 otherwise