That's right Bruce Wayne, the living room has shut down. And although it may have been the most disguisting place on this side of the Mississippi, it was ours. Not just me, my band Ductape, the bands we're friends with, the other bands that play there, the fans from Rhode Island, or the fans from anywhere else. The living room not only helped the local music scene, it was the music scene. Its long time owner was Randy Hein who passed away a few years ago. Not only was he a great man that loved music, but he cared about both the people and kids which kept the club running for so long. You can blame whoever you want about its bankruptcy since his death, yet in the end, it's gone.
We played at the living room four times ( I think) this year, and once last year. I will never forget the religious type feeling I would have every time I played there. It was almost like I was floating around from the sky feeling nothing but great music and awesome people, even if there were only five. Now the giant Providence music scene is going to have to find another way to function. There's some existential about how a thirteen year old garage band playing White Stripes covers can play on the same stage that Green Day, Mushroom Head, and Finger 11 have played in the past.
I don't think the scene will die, but nothing will ever be the same. In this time where the Economy is harsh and everyone cares more about the size of the rims on their Hummer than their favorite artists playing down the street, I hope that something positive can come out of this depressing happening. So whether my music career leads me to the Madison Square Garden, or to playing air guitar for myself in the ACI, I will always remember the Rock Star-Esque rush I felt every time I played at the living room.
5 comments:
I was never in a band that played in MN, and it's still open, but I have the same kind of feelings you describe here for 1st Avenue in Mpls. There was just something about the place--even though it was a converted Greyhound terminal. Maybe BECAUSE it was a converted Greyhound terminal?
BTW, does your band have stuff streaming on MySpace or elsewhere?
"There's some existential about how a thirteen year old garage band playing White Stripes covers can play on the same stage that Green Day, Mushroom Head, and Finger 11 have played in the past."
-SO true. I wasn't aware that the Living Room closed down until I read this. :( I've seen so many great shows in that dingy little venue.
My brother's band has played there in the past, as well.
www.myspace.com/smalltalk
Yes Dr. Ingvoldstad,
Our myspace page for music and photography is:
http://www.myspace.com/ductapebandrocks
I'm going to place some new music on there as well soon.
Also, I googled 1st Avenue, and it does seem like a cool place. I noticed the Artic Monkeys are playing there. I would really like to see a creative venue like that in this area.
Kerri,
I listened to your brother's band. It's very nice music, I enjoyed listening to it.
For the record I just discovered that the Living Room closed reading you blog and I felt like a loved pet just passed away in front of me. There are places that become iconic to our lives and it is always tragic when one of them falls. I since have gone all sorts of domestic, federal job,kids, etc. but I remeber rocking out at places like the livingroom back in the day. It was the feel that will be missed more than anything. Music gets so big, super fast if its good, that you lose the smaller venues of people who appreciate their music is poorly lit, sweaty, sour smelling locals with nothing more than a 5 dollar cover charge. Sad to hear.
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