Many thanks indeed to Angel for sending along these splendid pictures and story of her and husband Chris’ visit to Woodland Hills to see the house where the Magic Band lived and Trout Mask Replica was endlessly rehearsed.
See also John French aka Drumbo’s response to these photographs!
Angel writes:
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Well the whole thing was more exciting than I thought it would be. Just getting to the house is an adventure. It’s tucked away in a canyon(!) with very steep, narrow windy roads (not yer typical LA neighborhood, to be sure).
We made a right off Canoga Avenue onto Arcos which took us straight to Ensenada, Beefheart’s old street. We wound over hill and dale for what seemed like a long time, the LA sunshine beating down it’s full 80 degrees on us and lo, perched on a sloping side, there it was. Pink (!) trim, wooden, desperately needing much repairs, it was quite a haunting visage. Surrounded by unkempt brambles, grass, and shaded neath massive looming trees that cover all the area (the trees in Woodland Hills – that’s a story in itself!) I snapped many photos and nosed around.
It seemed abandoned, but on closer inspection, I saw a thin strand of xmas lights hanging from the eaves that were switched on. So I climbed the narrow stone steps to the front porch, and peered around, but was too chicken to knock on the door – in LA people have guns, and oftentimes don’t like surprise guests! There was a cactus plant off to the side of the porch, and a small shed (garage?) out front.
That house has quite a presence. It’s very intense, and not just because it’s the Trout house. It’s definitely unique and I suppose what adds to its aura is the fact that it’s so out-of-place compared to most homes in the area. Why, the house across from it was pretty new, white and typical, and then you have this thing!
It was fun and we were blasting a tape of Trout in the car and giggling.
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Many thanks to Angel for sending these splendid snaps along.
Copyright held by the photographer. Used by permission, not to be reproduced for commercial use.