2008 Woodie Awards
The Gotham Connection: Rock Has the Country Bluegrass Blues
Justine Mann
Issue date: 9/21/06 Section: Features
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It isn't pretty, it isn't posh. It's just fun. The room is cramped and filled with shadows. Before the stage lights are turned on, it seems as if the room will go for miles. Some men in business suits sit drinking beers at a shaking table on a raised viewing platform. You can imagine them as high powered record execs, seeking new talents, or as once-upon-a-time rockers, reliving their hey-day. Every generation is represented in a room as wide as most classrooms. The air may look gloomy, but the sparkling eyes and wild anticipation of the fans never let the mood get dark. Until now, when the recent announcement of Country BlueGrass Blues, CBGB's, official closing left a lump in many punk rocker's throats. The Village Voice announced that CBGB would be closing its' doors on Sept. 30, 2006, although the club's schedule reports concerts up until Oct. 5th, and moving out to Las Vegas, Nev. The club has showcased some of the most influential bands of the 1970s. From "The Ramones," to "Agnostic Front," the best and the worst music lived at the end of Bleeker St. CBGB was one of the first clubs to take unsolicited music, allowing fresh bands to show their stuff. Fans have flocked to the small hole in the wall, just to get a glimpse of music history. Hilly Kristal, the founder of CBGB, has had a lot of good luck in his career. A chance meeting with Tom Verlaine and Richard Hell of the 70s street rock band "Television" led him to rock music, "The Ramones," and success. CBGB lost its home when the landlord of the building in which CBGB is located refused to renew their lease. Mayor Bloomberg attempted to save the club but could only find a new place featuring a five million dollar price tag.
CBGB is currently hosting the last bands ever to play on the historic stage. I had the opportunity to interview Hallie Waxman, the bass player of "Choose," a rock band who recently played the club. The band started with Jen, a studio production major, who teaches guitar at a rock summer camp. The band is rounded out with two guys, Mike and Steve, who play the guitar and drums respectively. The band was psyched for their gig at CBGB.
CBGB is currently hosting the last bands ever to play on the historic stage. I had the opportunity to interview Hallie Waxman, the bass player of "Choose," a rock band who recently played the club. The band started with Jen, a studio production major, who teaches guitar at a rock summer camp. The band is rounded out with two guys, Mike and Steve, who play the guitar and drums respectively. The band was psyched for their gig at CBGB.
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