CBGB's CLOSING

I think, in one of my first ever journal entries, I posted about the gentrification of NYC's music venues and a clear lack of place for unsigned locals on bills with national acts in the Big Apple.

Lamour's (the Rock Capital of Brooklyn) closed down in Febuary of '04 leaving the NYC metal community in shock as that venue hosted the best in all of metal for over 20 years.

First Lamour's, now CBGB's..Read on; By: Katie on 2005-03-05 Sources are reporting that the legendary NYC club, CBGB's, which played home to bands like the Ramones, Patti Smith, Blondie, Television and literally hundreds of others artists through the years may be forced to close its doors. According to the story:

The clock is counting down to August when, if lease-renewal negotiations with its landlord aren't settled with a new agreement, the iconic club will board up its rickety doors for good — due primarily to rising rents and declining live-music audiences, factors that have taken a toll on many small venues across the country.

Exacerbating the problems faced by the club was the deadly blaze at the Station nightclub in Rhode Island during a performance by heavy metal act Great White, which has also increased scrutiny faced by the club for potential safety violations. But the dominant problem is still financial, in particular club owner Hilly Kristal - who has run the venue since 1973 - learned that his monthly rent would likely double to $40,000 and an outstanding debt of $91,000 is blocking further negotiations.

According to Kristal, the club's future will be determined by "the end of August." (punknews.org)

Hmm. If CBGB's closes that would kinda suck. I used to go to CBGB's matiness and catch hardcore and metal shows all the time in the 80's and early 90's.

If CBGB's closes (Just over a year after Lamour's did) it will not only be the end of an era but Joey and the Ramones will be rolling over in the graves.

Now, there are less "smaller" venues and clubs to catch the up and coming indie, extreme metal bands and the like, as NYC, again, continuing with it's gentrification, will mostly host you're average corperate rock gig in some arena (bought off by Clear Channel Entertainment) or mid sized venues or theatre.

Maybe they should have some benefit shows to keep CBGB's open, but who knows.

:Shrugs: Get your CBGB's t-shirts now while the venue is still open.

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-Tee -l- \m/