By Jade Jones
Published May 15th
Green Day had Gilman's; Bad Brains had CBGB's; Motley Crue had The Roxy. Every band had to start somewhere. Everyone has a "hole in the wall" music related adventure. Everyone has been to some sketchy basement show that was way too packed, a house party with their friend's local band, or a bar whose smoky atmosphere and dark lighting made their first mosh pit less embarrassing. Local venues are a lifeline to bands and artists who are just starting out in the scene. Every big band was a small band, and those bands cut their teeth on those low ceiling, random, almost dangerous places that probably wouldn't pass an inspection back in the day, but meant the world to those in attendance.
Pictured: The Lament Configuration frontman Corey Tolbert getting the crowd going at Champion Brewery.
For many, local shows are a fan's first taste of the scene; they get an inside look at what concerts and shows are all about, what's accepted and what's not, and likely fall in love with it. My first concert was a big one; Shinedown, Godsmack, Asking Alexandria were playing, and it was an amazing experience. But I can't help but feel I missed out on that special 'when you're here, you're at home' kind of feel you can only really get from smaller, intimate venues. That being said, I have been to a few bar shows since then and can sincerely concur that I had more fun at those shows then some of the bigger shows I've attended. In the early days, those intimate kinds of places were all most people had for music.
From the artist's standpoint, small venues are the breeding grounds for dedicated fan bases and future partnerships. I spoke with rising star and The Lament Configuration frontman Corey Tolbert to get some insight. "They give me a place where I can unapologetically be myself", he says. For many, shows, big or small, are an "emotional trashcan" where fans can escape the bullshit of every day life, at least for a little while. As we all know, most bands and artists don't start out perfect, and Corey was no exception. "My first show was scary as hell, I felt like I was going to have a heart attack." But deep down, Tolbert and the rest of the band had something special, and gave an electrifying set that keep showgoers entertained and animated the rest of the evening.
Pictured: Ren and Dakota of Until the Dead Walk killing their set at Scandals Live (pre-shutdown).
Booking agencies and managers work closely with smaller venues to get their clients shows and help build their notoriety. Darrin Perry, a tour manager, radio personality, and certified scene expert, reminisces on fond memories of past venues in area. Perry is an Indianapolis native, and recalled The Egyptian Room as a favorite venue. "I like those small, intimate places where you can, like, get up on stage with the band."
For local venues, however, it can be difficult to stay afloat in a business that depends on others. And in a post-covid (ish) world, it can be strenuous to keep things moving. Perry cited that "money" is one of the biggest issues. "Getting people to spend their money at your place is hard," he says. As well as the financial side of things, risk of injury has made many venues take a second look at what bands/genres are allowed t play their venue. In the last month, 2 Virginia venues, The Rec Center FXBG and Scandals Live, who once welcomed newer, heavy bands now have shut down either completely, or have decided to take a break from hosting. But there is hope, as Tolbert mentions. "I think people will always find a way to mass display their art regardless of the circumstances." This holds true, as places like Champion Brewery and Riffhouse Pub are keeping the scene going strong by giving hardcore and deathcore fans a place to enjoy, and newer bands the kinds of experiences that propel them into the spotlight later in their careers.
Local and smaller venues are an irreplaceable component to the rock community, and to music in general. Your favorite bands, mine, your parents' and your future children's will/did start out in cozy, hazy little bars and concrete slabs covered in chainlink and tarps, and those places give us the best gift ever: real, raw, personal performances and the chance to see stars be born. So if by chance you're a small venue owner and you're reading this, thank you.
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