Former Location –
Filthy McNasty had run this place since the early 70’s after moving from the Sunset Boulevard location of what is now the Viper Room. The Band, Edgar Winter and many others played here through the years.
FM Station closed its doors for good in 1997 after losing their lease. Filthy McNasty, who was born as Wilfried Bartsch in Berlin, died on April 13, 2016 at the age of 73.
FM Station
Lankershim and Victory
North Hollywood CA 91606
played here in the very early 90’s with some dudes who later turned out to be the band Train–really fun and cool place–also played with a band called Kid Kalloway–lost contact with those guys, but good dudes–Brian, Frank and Ferm–tell ’em Hans says “hey” and check out x7project.com to catch up… lots of cool people and some celebs used to hang there too–saw Duff from GnR, Neil Schon from Journey and many more… good times…
Well I’m a little behind the times but interesting point I just had a flashback I used to live in North Hollywood at one point and I frequented this place does anyone remember Audioslave and Soundgarden playing there all the time? Does the name one remember Sam man and the Apes? Wow those were the days. And lastly it does anyone else remember the studio the studio we used to go party at secret little place that was so much fun? Over and out for now yes I am a former Rainbow Bar and Grill Zombie Zoo, Cathouse and Scream woman, now in Minnesota sober and almost that’s almost in capital letters conservative now. oh yes I worked at the Palomino for 2 or 3 Days too. I’m having senior flashback moments they were fun worth a? Although probably not as fun as as I thought they were at the time. Over and out for now Peeps.
Yes I also lived in North Hollywood off of Vineland and I do remember Sandman in the Apes remember the song Beaver Dracula? I remember going to a very cool place to party call the studio just off of Chandler had a lot of fun there but I always went to the rainbow
I remember Sam Mann & the Apes. I recall they were a fun band. I also remember kissing a few women … bartenders, fellow musicians, and even mothers of fellow musicians … at FM! That was the fun part of the L.A. music scene. The not-so-fun part was that it was usually a situation where we weren’t even paid enough for performing there to cover our expenses preparing and promoting the shows. Basically we were paying to play! But that’s the price we pay for a chance to expose our music to a larger and wider audience.
Been there many times. Went to see a friend from work band play there in `86/`87 time frame and Slash was in front of me at the door.
I was there for Nina Hagen’s 40s birthday bash. A bunch of punkbands were playing for her and she performed herself as well.
Fantastic night!
I worked with a guy named 1 eyed johnny with miles davis band in the 80,s. he lived right down the street, we spent many nights there, guys from Warrent, Slash, was crazy, we all looked alike, torn shirt tattoos, flanel butt cape, long hair ripped jeans, lots of girls doing everything there, we would get booted from FM late nite and stagger down to Johnnys condo, and party till security showed up. Crazy
Does anyone remember a bartender at the FM Station name Francisco back in 1984?
No I don’t that’s very interesting but you need to tell me that I saw Audioslave and Soundgarden on that Marquis regularly yes? I hope you find that awesome bartender it sounds like you may have had a heavy hand
Two of my bands played FM Station. Blu Dress, in which I played synthesizer and sang harmony, played there on several occasions from 1987 through 1989. My own band the Plastic-Valley Heatseekers, which included members of the power trio Unstoppable, played there in 1990 and 1991. I always had fun playing Filthy’s place. I remember the first time the Heatseekers played there; in practice I told my bandmates to drive the music but not to be overbearing. But during soundcheck I heard several very loud metal bands and I told my bandmates to forget what I told them about not being overbearing; I told them to crank up and crank out because I didn’t want to be upstaged by a bunch of “metal posers”! Ah, those were fun times!
The Band Called BONHAM..on Their First Album..has The Cover of The VIP Bar..and the Pool Table on It..LOL LOL I was There 🙂 🙂 🙂 PS The Band Played There Too..RIP Levon…
I had a band called New Kings and we played there a few times as well …unfortunately our drummer died there from a heart attack 3rd song in the set…they called for an ambulance…sad also I got discovered by Tavi Moti…who was a producer about a year later when I regroup with my friend Chris Smith and formed Conversation..a two piece band …good times and bad times at the FM!
Boy you said it had a buddy beat to death on his birthday in the parking lot. God bless you Leo Fripo.But he loved that place.
Rest In Peace Leo Firpo
And that is exactly why thaty scene died… exactly… But hey… you had fun…
I played there a couple of time in 1991 with a band called QUIKKEN ( heavy metal) on the Sunday school gigs we were over from England trying our luck
Leo was born on August 10, 1965. He passed away 25 years later on his birthday August 10, 1990. Too young to leave this earth.
I knew Leo since we were 12 years old. I also am the one who gave the eulogy at his funeral. Not a day goes by I do not think of my friend. Friends like Leo come once in a lifetime. Peace brother, rest easy. Heaven doesn’t have any speed limits.
Opened for Dr. Hook there in the late 80’s
When I was 19 my Aunt Joyce was good friends with Wolf and Filthy and they would sneak me in through the back side door and the day I turned 21 I was behind the bar with Valentino. Jana was my best friend from Highschool and Filthy hired her to be the booking agent. We influenced Filthy and Wolf to change the name from F. McNasties to FM Station. We also painted most of the inside building and I was working the night Nina Hagen performed and she kissed me and I didn’t like it. So many memories tied to FM, but Jana has passed away from Covid a few years ago and Filthy a year or so before Jana. Wolf is alive and well and so many others I knew and worked with back in the day. I’m Debra if you knew me or Jana say hello!
Hi. I partied there as well. Drank in the back room with Filthy and Wolf. Peppermint schnapps one Halloween and we got super toasted. The bands were really enjoyable . My boyfriend knew them, and they’d bring their sailing vessel to the house off Malibu beach to party. I remember meeting William Shatner for a filming in the parking lot for the cop show he was on. Such great times. Nice guys.