Venue upsets

Ace of Spades 2.0: Live Nation is one of the largest concert promoters in the United States. The multibillion-dollar company has an operating interest in dozens of venues across the country, from San Francisco’s the Fillmore to every House of Blues venue in America.

Add Sacramento’s Ace of Spades to that list.

Ace owners Bret Bair and Eric Rushing have sold their business to Live Nation for an undisclosed amount. Bair told SN&R that they had multiple offers from various national concert promoters. “We felt that Ace of Spades would fit nicely with their other properties,” he said. “This is a great time for Sacramento, as far as the interest that national companies have in the market.” Bair and Rushing will join Live Nation as employees. Their other venues, including Goldfield Trading Post and the Boardwalk, are not part of the deal.

Bair also said Live Nation has “strong interest” in a bigger Sacramento venue, something with 2,500 to 4,000 capacity. “There’s definitely a couple locations that have been pegged” in the central city, he said, adding that Live Nation is “being aggressive.”

He promised Ace of Spades’ loyal customers that much won’t change. “Hopefully, it means more programming,” he said, or a better variety of programming.

Live Nation will also book acts at the new Kings arena, including the already scheduled Maroon 5 gig.

Bair said he and Rushing began discussing the sale of Ace of Spades last year. “Eric and I put our life savings into Ace of Spades,” he said. But, after a shooting incident outside the venue last February, the duo realized that it might be smarter to sell now.

He wouldn’t discuss financial details. “It was a decent chunk of change. It wasn’t cheap. We didn’t give it away. It was a really great deal for us.”

—Nick Miller

For sale: The Palms Playhouse, a longtime staple of the local singer-songwriter community, is up for sale. That means the Winters venue’s calendar is empty for the first time in years.

Earlier this month, the Palms posted a brief update to its Facebook page: “We haven’t felt right confirming shows not knowing if a possible sale would happen. While there is nothing currently listed … we do have some shows waiting in the wings if our current space remains available to us, and are exploring a number of options as we move forward.”

Talent buyer Dave Fleming could not be reached for comment.

Dave Alvin was purportedly the venue’s last show on Saturday, February 20, but keep checking www.facebook.com/The.Palms.in.Winters.CA for more updates.

—Eddie Jorgensen

True growth: Naked Lounge was packed last Friday for a great, all-local lineup: Vinnie Guidera & the Dead Birds, Silver Spoons, Mallard and Honyock. It was Mallard’s EP release, but Honyock easily stole the show.

Since its inception, Honyock has always been a solid roots-rock band. But at some point in the past year, the local four-piece blossomed into an exceptional band. Influences remain the same—rock with Americana notes and a classic rock edge &#;agrave; la Dr. Dog—but the material and execution got so much better. This was made clear during Honyock’s quick 30-minute set of mostly new songs, which blew the crowd away. Brothers Spencer and Mason Hoffman played guitars and sang with a gentle, flawed charm.

Drummer Christian Meinke was a powerhouse, bringing balance with loud, simple, midtempo and Tom Petty-esque beats. Meanwhile, bass player Tyler Wolter contributed a deep groove to the mix. All together, the sound felt laid-back and driving at the same time. Honyock, which happens to be nominated for a Sammie in the folk rock category, is growing into one of the best rock bands in town.

—Aaron Carnes

BTW: You have until Monday, March 7, to vote for your favorite local bands for a Sammies award. Visit www.sammies.com now, before you forget again.

Tickets for the awards show on Thursday, March 24, at Ace of Spades are on sale for just $5 instead of $10 at http://snrsweetdeals.newsreview.com.

—Janelle Bitker