BY JOSE MARTINEZ

There are times when a quiet night at home is a good night. You know, in that Ice Cube, no-one-was-killed — “today was a good day” — way of thinking. But Thursday night wasn’t one of those nights.

To kick off the Sunset Strip Music Festival (www.sunsetstripmusicfestival.com) running this weekend at the Viper Room, the Roxy Theatre, Whisky A-Go-Go, House of Blues, Cat Club, and Key Club, a party was thrown to honor three men who have single-handedly helped shape the Los Angeles music scene. A special Opening Night party hosted by Mark McGrath (for reasons that escape me) was held at the House of Blues to pay tribute to Sunset Strip music icons Lou Adler (owner of the Roxy), Mario Maglieri (Whisky, Roxy, and the Rainbow Bar & Grill) and Elmer Valentine (Whisky, Roxy).

These men have seen and done it all. In their clubs and on their stages a veritable who’s-who of music giants have passed by, including: Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Neil Young, B.B. King, The Clash, Van Halen, Motley Crue, Jane’s Addiction, and Guns N’ Roses to name but a few.

Sex, drugs & rock ‘n’ roll…that’s not just a catchy phrase some lame jock or frat boy utters on the Strip, no, that’s a way a life down on Sunset Blvd. Sometimes in a good way, like when the music is off the hook, and sometimes not, like the night actor River Phoenix overdosed in front of the Viper Room.

Honoring Maglieri was Slash, a staple of the Sunset Strip scene. He recalled getting turned away from the club one night when he was underage with pal Steven Adler (ex-GNR drummer). But since it was Ladies Night Slash ran home, put on his mom’s clothes and took her car back to the bar. Inside the club Slash was hoping to run into Adler, who was known for hitting on any girl, just to see if he’d try to score with him. But Adler was long gone and there was Slash, in drag wearing his mother’s dress. That’s when he decided to “high-tail it out of there.” And once he was of legal age, and then in the world’s biggest rock band, Slash had the run of the place.

Comedians Cheech & Chong honored good friend Adler who discovered the duo while playing at the Troubadour. Cheech recalled that back then, Santana had been signed for $100,000 so they thought they were headed for Easy Street. Instead Adler’s attorney offered the duo $1,000. The two brainstormed and came up with the counteroffer of $2,000, one grand a piece. They could hear Adler laughing from a mile away. But the team of Cheech & Chong with Adler proved to be a dynamic force, selling millions of albums. Adler, who sits courtside next to Jack Nicholson at all the Lakers’ games, even directed the comedians in their 1978 debut film Up In Smoke.

An incoherent Michelle Phillips of The Mama’s & the Papas rambled on about the Whisky’s Valentine. Losing herself in thought she also lost the interest of many in attendance who opted to run for another drink before the two hour open bar came to an end.

With the ceremonies done, it was time for music and that included performances by Everclear, Soul Asylum, and Camper Van Beethoven. Meanwhile down the street at the Whisky at a post tribute event LA Guns performed with Warrant singer Janie Lane on vocals. Now, LA Guns was cool WAY back in the day, but Warrant always sucked (unless you just wanted to gawk at the lovely stripper chicks that used to come watch them play), so I opted to pass. I thought I might become violent all liquored up if I had to listen to “Cherry Pie” and I didn’t even want to watch him butcher songs like “No Mercy” of “Sex Action.” Some things in the past just don’t need to be resurrected.

Performances this weekend include Hot Hot Heat at the Roxy as well as B Real of Cypress Hill playing with Slash at the Whisky, and Juliette & The Licks at the Viper Room, all on Friday. Saturday’s shows feature The 88 at the Roxy, Louis XIV at the Viper Room, Mickey Avalon at the Key Club, and an all day, free show at Wasted Space (8755 W. Sunset), at the old Tower Records parking lot, featuring an acoustic performance by Camp Freddy (www.campfreddy.net), who will also broadcast their Indie 103.1 radio show from there, and a slew of other local bands.

But not all the action last night was going on at the Strip. Oh no, Thursday night at a PACKED Troubadour was the Los Angeles Regional competition of the 2008 Cuervo Black U.S. Air Guitar Championships (www.USAirGuitar.com) presented By TouchTunes.

The King of LA air guitar, The Rockness Monster, had been undefeated in Los Angeles dating back to 2005 when he went on to win the U.S. Championship. Since then, no air guitarist has been able to prevail against him. Through the years, he’s faced off against mimes, cat-suits, fake muscles, but none have been able to overcome the no-frills fury of the Rockness air guitar experience.

Billed as a “one-man dynasty,” The Rockness’ reign did come to an end last night. With a final score of 32.5, Rockness was beat out by Houston RockIt who compiled a score of 33.2.

But honestly, does anybody really care? No, this was just a good time laughing at a bunch of people braver than us who don’t mind making a spectacle of themselves. Although to tell the truth, the good air guitarists are really good, while the mediocre one simply get booed and laughed at.

Now, in the age of Guitar Hero some of the novelty has worn thin as anybody thinks he or she can shred some quality airness, but maybe this will spawn a whole new generation of air shredders.

The Air Guitar  Finals will be held on August 8th in San Francisco: 2007 U.S. Champ William Ocean has an automatic Finals bid, and he looks to defend his title against the likes of Hot Lixx Hulahan (’06 US Champ), Big Red (#5 Ranked contender), Stryker (’07 Dallas Champ, ’08 Detroit Champ), Nordic Thunder (’06, ’08 Chicago Champ), and McNallica (’07, ’08 Boston Champ), who have all punched their tickets to the Finals where they will look to be crowned U.S. Air Guitar Champion. The 2008 U.S. Champ will then travel to Oulu, Finland to represent the USA in the World Championships.

THE 2008 Cuervo Black U.S. AIR GUITAR TOUR REMAINING DATES:

June 28 Phoenix, AZ @ The Brickhouse theater
June 29 Las Vegas, NV @ Harrah's
July 9 Brooklyn, NY @ Williamsburg Music Hall
July 24 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live – Studio
July 25 Austin, TX @ Stubbs Bar-B-Q
July 26 Dallas TX @ House of Blue – Back Porch
August 6 San Francisco, CA @ AT&T Park (SF Giants Game)
AUGUST 8 • US FINALS • SAN FRANCISCO @ GRAND BALLROOM