Catching Up With The Satellite's Jeff Wolfram

Are you aware of The Satellite? Of course you are---whether you know it or not. Situated on Silver Lake Boulevard down from the reservoir, the club was, until recently, known as Spaceland. Today we catch up with the club's longstanding owner Jeff Wolfram. The club is a family owned business spanning five decades (passed down from father to son), and we discuss with Wolfram the club's history, where it is now and its future. And for those of you curious about the club's old school burgers, we get to those as well.

After 15 years of partnership, you and recently (amicably) parted ways. Had the things just run their course?

It was a great 15 years. It really was a great 15 years. I think things had just come to an end. I really just wanted to have the booking in house. I think it is a lot better that way. We have always felt like a big family, and it just seemed to fit better that way. 

There seems to have been a bit of confusion, online and beyond, as to what lays in store for the future of the club. Besides changing the name from Spaceland to the Satellite, what, if anything, else has changed? 

To tell you the truth, not all that much. We still book the same kind of acts we used to. We hired Jen Tefft back, and I think she is doing a great job. We now offer free entry every night after 12 a.m. with happy hour prices. I would like to see people stick around or make it their last stop of the night.

I know you brought back Tefft, who previously booked Club Spaceland for a decade. Did her coming back on board inject some new energy into the mix?

Absolutely it did. Jennifer has always loved the venue and the people that work there. She is a hard worker and truly loves music. She brought us many great bands in the past, and I am sure she will do the same now.

I've noticed you guys are now hosting a late-night "happy hour" after the bands have cleared the stage. With a dearth of proper bars in the stretch of Silver Lake Boulevard the Satellite is settled in, are you seeing an influx of folks just wanting a place to grab a drink?

I think it has always been that way. People watch a show, and, at the end, they leave and hit another bar right after. I see it happen every night. They want a place that they can get another drink and just hang out. I am trying to make it a place that they want to hang out in.

For those unaware, the club is a family affair. It was your father's prior to your taking over in the early 1990s, yes?

That is correct.

How long's it been in the family?

My father bought the place when it was a restaurant in the '60s. We had bands in those days, but just a house band. In the late 1970s, my dad turned it into a discotheque. From there, we were a top 40 dance club to the club we are now. We did the dance thing, and I dont think I ever want to do it again. I really enjoy having bands every night.

Has the relationship with the neighbors changed as the real estate prices have gone up?

We have had issues with our neighbors. Parking, noise, people walking back to their cars. We try our best to keep the neighbors happy. Over the years, we have made many sound-proofing investments.

Any plans to bring back food? My friend still raves about the burger you had on the menu.

I do plan to reopen the kitchen in the future. I am concentrating on our sound system first. Once I get that to where I want it, then I will start on the kitchen.

Last question: Most memorable show(s) over the years?

There were many. Some of my favorites were the Melvins, Weezer, Beck, Foo Fighters, Cake, Subways, Silversun Pickups, Daniel Lanois, Elliot Smith, Jet, Arctic Monkeys and Arcade Fire. I know I am missing someone but there were quite a few.

Thanks Jeff, see you out there.