Foggy Mourning
“R.I.P. Chad Sexton’s Drum City. Anyone know the story? Post info and eulogies here.” So read the precipitous January ninth post on the Hollywood Drum Facebook page. Add it to “Dewey Defeats Truman.” The post was in reaction to the abruptly deserted North Hollywood storefront on Lankershim suddenly plastered with bright yellow “FOR LEASE” signs in the three large street-facing windows. You gave us all quite a scare there, little fella. We do now know the story and are happy to report that Drum City is alive and well—if a bit gaunt—at its new location about two miles northeast. The grand opening party was this past Saturday.
Remembrance
Turns out, oddly, our post was not only precipitous but also belated. The original location which opened in March 2006 actually shut down in November 2009. The conspicuous bright yellow epitaphs only seemed sudden. With loss often comes renewed appreciation. Personally, I recalled with some longing how cool it was to have a well-stocked, chill and helpful drum shop just over this side of the hill. Although, the previous nearby independent drum shop failed miserably of its own shortcomings without a sigh, let alone tears; leaving the valley momentarily without alternative to the music retail monoliths. Sexton’s was a welcome newcomer and seemed poised to succeed where its predecessor could not.
The staff, including Chad’s mom Linda and brother Mac, were inviting, informed, and customer-oriented. They even structured the space around a built-in counter-top island where drummers could pull up a barstool and wax all things rhythmic at leisure. The place was purposefully conceived to recreate the community-centered hang that defines the best corner shops—specifically for Chad, Joe Voda’s Drum City in Omaha, NE. Though the shop never seemed to capture the vibe and soul of those beloved and entrenched institutions, it fulfilled its mission on many fronts.
Moving On
The resurrected Drum City at 10424 Burbank Boulevard is a third the size; considerably more crude; cramped, cluttered and narrow; and gloriously suited for its purpose. I’d endeavor to suggest that already—Day One, this incarnation surpasses the first in vibe and soul. And, ultimately, in sustainability.
As I threaded myself through the mass of shoulders and elbows and little people at my knees on Friday, I had the sense that something was missing. Something had necessarily to be missing from the old triple-wide. I realized what it was: drums. This new leaned-out drum shop had maybe four drumsets displayed in total. Even the snare drum rack was patchy. This may change to some degree as the store matures, but it seemed an intentional decision based upon the logistical constraints, and more so upon the changing state of music retail.
Embracing Change
When even the big-boxes and web retailers are excising excess from their business models, the independents require a disciplined strategy to compete and survive. In this case the clear battle cry is, “Cut Overhead!” The first casualty (besides the AC at the height of the opening day event) in limited quarters where expensive stock is too easily overlooked outright or in preference to alternate color and size, is the seemingly essential drum. Merchandising a few entry-level sets, maybe one or two generic pro kits, and a handful of snares while custom-ordering the rest now seems pretty reasonable. Really, the exciting thing about having a drum shop nearby for me is easy access to the staples. I’m empirically not alone.
Pass The Brownies
Nor was I alone Saturday in helping celebrate, congratulate and welcome Drum City back to the neighborhood. The house was full of supporters in apparently free (uh, where was mine?!) logo-stitched ball caps helping themselves to home-baked brownies and snacks off the once again bulit-in hang-out bar, and happily communing in a dense and sticky crowd. Perhaps by the time PSAs and early prevention render the next-door smoke shop obsolete, Chad Sexton’s Drum City will be ready to expand responsibly. Until then, let us appreciate the revised diminutive, no-fuss shop; and if you got ’em…smoke ’em.
Our pictorial coverage.