Recent fun read - Where the Wild Gigs Were

[jp]

I just finished reading this book published last fall. Multiple authors write about small venues across the U.S. where famous bands passed through during the late 1970s-early 2000s. There seems to be a focus on punk rock and alternative music clubs from the 80s-90s. These were commonly the main stops for independent bands venturing out on their first tours to promote new releases. Many have become legendary, like CBGBs, Lounge Ax, The Knitting Factory, Brownie's, et. al. Many are tiny hole-in-the-wall kind of spots, and many are sadly long gone.

It's a fun and engaging read, especially if like me, you frequented or played any of these clubs and saw this or that band there "before they became huge."

For the statesiders, I'm sure there are at least a few clubs mentioned in your vicinity that you may know of or recognize. Totally worth checking out if you like this kind of thing.

 

[Brad Little]

May or may not be in the book, but Toad's Place in New Haven probably qualifies. One of the managers once remarked that they've had a lot of the big stars, either on the way up or on the way back down. Of course there have been a few exceptions (Dylan, Stones, Billy Joel). Many of them signed the hallway that leads to the dressing rooms.

 

[DrumBob]

That sounds like something I'd like to read. I've seen some venues that would qualify. Played some of them too.

 

[jp]

May or may not be in the book, but Toad's Place in New Haven probably qualifies. One of the managers once remarked that they've had a lot of the big stars, either on the way up or on the way back down. Of course there have been a few exceptions (Dylan, Stones, Billy Joel). Many of them signed the hallway that leads to the dressing rooms.

Since it starts in the Northeast region, Toad's Place is one of the first places featured. As expected, a lot of these venues are near colleges, and many of them are classic campus dives. After all, college kids are the segment that drives the up-and-coming underground music trends. Toad's Place is still in operation, which is pretty exceptional.

That sounds like something I'd like to read. I've seen some venues that would qualify. Played some of them too.

You can order direct from the publisher if you're interested. (No affiliation)

For you Jersey folks, the places featured are McGuire's, Maxwell's, The Ivory, and City Gardens. Unsurprisingly, the Northeast region around CT, MA, PA, NY, and NJ is chock full of these small venues.

 

[Brad Little]

Since it starts in the Northeast region, Toad's Place is one of the first places featured. As expected, a lot of these venues are near colleges, and many of them are classic campus dives. After all, college kids are the segment that drives the up-and-coming underground music trends. Toad's Place is still in operation, which is pretty exceptional.


You can order direct from the publisher if you're interested. (No affiliation)

For you Jersey folks, the places featured are McGuire's, Maxwell's, The Ivory, and City Gardens. Unsurprisingly, the Northeast region around CT, MA, PA, NY, and NJ is chock full of these small venues.

Toad's may still be going, but it's not as adventurous as it used to be. I also remember when it was Hungry Charlie's, which started the booking of alternate acts. We also had the Stone Balloon, even smaller than Charlies or Toads. Saw Neil Young there the April before Woodstock. He brought along a couple friends, including Steve Stills.

 

[Midnight Toker]

The D.C./Md area was loaded w/ lots of small dives to decent sized clubs that hosted countless notable bands. Most of these places no longer exist.

D.C. had
The Bayou (first place U2 ever played in the US, Kiss, Billy Joel, countless others. The PA and lights (which I operated numerous times) came from Rush's first US tour.
The Cellar Door (of Neil Young album fame. CSNY, Tom Waits, Billy Joel were regulars in the early-mid 70's)
The 9:30 Club (the original one! Was home to the D.C. Punk scene!)
The Wax Museum (a short lived club in the early 80's where SRV played a few times)
DC Space (had bands like The Urban Verbs, B52's)
...and many more for jazz/blues etc

Maryland had
Painters Mill (everyone from Derek and the Dominos to Springsteen to The Police)
The Crossroads (was a "home" venue for local telemasters Danny Gatton and Roy Buchanan)
Hammerjacks (was where the Balt Ravens stadium parking lot is now. Was there on their final night...a free show w/ Jeff Healey who put on an incredible 3 hr non stop barn burner of a show!)
The Back Door. (Tiny club in College Park that somehow booked well known bands)
The Paragon (about 40 yards away from ^ The Back Door. )
.....and many many more.

 

[jp]

The D.C./Md area was loaded w/ lots of small dives to decent sized clubs that hosted countless notable bands. Most of these places no longer exist.

D.C. had
The Bayou (first place U2 ever played in the US, Kiss, Billy Joel, countless others. The PA and lights (which I operated numerous times) came from Rush's first US tour.
The Cellar Door (of Neil Young album fame. CSNY, Tom Waits, Billy Joel were regulars in the early-mid 70's)
The 9:30 Club (the original one! Was home to the D.C. Punk scene!)
The Wax Museum (a short lived club in the early 80's where SRV played a few times)
DC Space (had bands like The Urban Verbs, B52's)
...and many more for jazz/blues etc

Maryland had
Painters Mill (everyone from Derek and the Dominos to Springsteen to The Police)
The Crossroads (was a "home" venue for local telemasters Danny Gatton and Roy Buchanan)
Hammerjacks (was where the Balt Ravens stadium parking lot is now. Was there on their final night...a free show w/ Jeff Healey who put on an incredible 3 hr non stop barn burner of a show!)
The Back Door. (Tiny club in College Park that somehow booked well known bands)
The Paragon (about 40 yards away from ^ The Back Door. )
.....and many many more.

D.C. Had so many clubs from that era that it has its own chapter. I recall the 9:30 Club, The Bayou, and DC Space were definitely included.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

in little Portland, Maine, punk central always Geno's. A rumor in its own time.

In Providence, Rhode Island, it was mainly the Living Room. Skeevy! Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel was more all-purpose rock and R&B — world headquarters for Roomful of Blues, for instance.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

May or may not be in the book, but Toad's Place in New Haven probably qualifies. One of the managers once remarked that they've had a lot of the big stars, either on the way up or on the way back down. Of course there have been a few exceptions (Dylan, Stones, Billy Joel). Many of them signed the hallway that leads to the dressing rooms.

Great club. Not mainly punk when I was going there. Mostly straight-ahead rock and R&B. Best show I ever saw there was Gil Scott Heron:

What's the word? Johannesburg! What's the word? Johannesburg!

 

[DrumBob]

Since it starts in the Northeast region, Toad's Place is one of the first places featured. As expected, a lot of these venues are near colleges, and many of them are classic campus dives. After all, college kids are the segment that drives the up-and-coming underground music trends. Toad's Place is still in operation, which is pretty exceptional.


You can order direct from the publisher if you're interested. (No affiliation)

For you Jersey folks, the places featured are McGuire's, Maxwell's, The Ivory, and City Gardens. Unsurprisingly, the Northeast region around CT, MA, PA, NY, and NJ is chock full of these small venues.

How about Cantone's in Boston? I played there once.

 

[jp]

How about Cantone's in Boston? I played there once.

They list Chet's Last Call, Gallery East and the Bolier Room, The Paradise, and TT the Bear's for MA.