Friday, Jan. 7, 2005 | 8:37 a.m.
Locally speaking, 2004 will surely be remembered as the year of the Killers.
The rock quartet achieved more in a 12-month period than most of Las Vegas' home-bred bands manage in a lifetime.
Surely, the Killers' phenomenal success has other Southern Nevada hopefuls salivating about the opportunity to make it big.
But it's important to remember that long before the Killers were earning Grammy nominations, they were cutting their teeth on the local scene, usually away from the bright lights of the Strip.
These days, the Killers are welcomed with open arms at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, where they sold out two shows in 2004.
But back when few outside -- or even in -- Las Vegas knew who they were, the foursome routinely played such neighborhood venues at the Huntridge Theatre and Cafe Espresso Roma.
That would be hard for a local band to do today, since both of those places are closed.
Roma shut down for good in 2003, and the Huntridge has been dark since July for a proposed remodeling project.
Those renovations have yet to begin, and Huntridge owner Eli Mizrachi informed us this week he's hoping to reopen late this year.
The relaunch of the Boston Bar & Grill in the summer of 2003 appeared to signal new hope for the local scene. A relationship with area bands never materialized there, however, and the reportedly financially strapped venue closed its doors last week.
So where does that leave Las Vegas acts hoping to get started, particularly those looking to play all-ages shows?
Those opportunities are sadly limited at the moment. A few of the better options:
Jillian's (450 Fremont St.) -- The club-slash-bowling alley in the downtown Neonopolis complex has done an admirable job stepping into the void of late, hosting local showcases and even booking quality national acts. Las Vegas' the Ill Figures, for example, celebrate the release of their new CD with a performance at the club March 12.
Gameworks (3785 Las Vegas Blvd. South) -- Starting in October the upscale arcade began offering all-ages shows, becoming the rare Strip venue to do so. Minus One, Corner Stone and the Perz are just a few of the local outfits slated to play the Gameworks lower loft in the first part of 2005.
The Smoothie King (8502 W. Lake Mead Blvd.) -- Several times each year, the Smoothie King's parking lot coverts into an outdoor haven for up-and-coming local bands. Each "Lift Ticket" concert brings together a handful of acts, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Shade Tree shelter.
Most other area venues, such as the Cooler Lounge (1905 N. Decatur Blvd.) and the Double Down Saloon (4640 Paradise Road), are strictly 21-and-over.
Music notes
Cover me: The Fiesta Rancho's Club Tequila has booked a series of rock tribute acts for its Friday night entertainment. The schedule so far: Larger Than Life (Kiss) on Jan. 21, Creeping Death (Metallica) on Jan. 28, Zepagain (Led Zeppelin) on Feb. 4, Hanagar 18 (Megadeth) on Feb. 11, Powerage (AC/DC) on Feb. 18, Queen Nation (Queen) on Feb. 25, New Jersey (Bon Jovi) on March 4, Metal Gods (Judas Priest) on March 18 and Great Gig in the Sky (Pink Floyd) on March 25.
Doors open at 9 p.m. for all shows. Admission is $5.
All in vayne: Alt-metal band Mudvayne has scheduled an intimate local performance at the Roadhouse Casino (2100 N. Boulder Highway) on Jan. 30. For now, tickets are only available through the group's official Web site, www.mudvayne.com. For more information, call 564-1150.
Quick hits
I'll be out next week, so here's a look at a few of the shows scheduled to hit Southern Nevada through Feedback's next appearance on Jan. 21:
Guitarist Coco Montoya highlights a quiet concert week with an appearance at Boulder Station's Railhead at 8 p.m. Thursday, part of the venue's superb "Boulder Blues" series. As always, admission is free.
Swedish garage-rockers the Hives make their Las Vegas debut Jan. 15. at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel. Fronted by swaggering vocalist Howlin' Pelle Almqvist, the band is known for its high-energy live sets. Tickets are $15. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Poppy punksters Bowling for Soup, whose novelty hit "1985" has been a mainstay on music television for months, play Jillian's on Jan. 15 with opening act American Hi-Fi. Tickets are $12.
Classic-rock stalwarts Styx team with ex-Santana and Journey vocalist Greg Rolie on a Jan. 16 bill at the Aladdin's Theatre for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $25-$45 for the 8 p.m. show.
On sale
The reunited Motley Crue has added a second Las Vegas show, March 27 at The Joint, to its 2005 tour schedule. Tickets are $103 and $128 and go on sale at noon Saturday at the Hard Rock box office, at TicketMaster outlets, by phone at 474-4000 and at www.ticketmaster.com. The band is also scheduled to play The Joint on March 20.
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