We have a show there on Thursday, and the venue did not exist during the 24 years I lived in that fair city. Anyone have any experience with this place? I just want to know what to expect....how's the sound, how's the crowd, and whether or not they feel like paying bands on the average night.

This place came up in a recent thread, I forget about what; a search should bring it up. I'm sure that folks would take some pleasure in reiterating what were their strong feelings about it, though.

I think I thought I saw a listing for show that I was interested in, later in the summer, and I'm dreading it. Maybe I could pull a Mr. T-like thing, where I'm sedated and conveyed there, then revived just to the point where I can enjoy the music without being conscious of my surroundings. Something like that.

ERawk wrote:A few people mentioned it in the thread I started about the Note. I was there about two weeks ago for the Heroine Sheiks. Anyway, it's the kind of rock bar/club/restaurant that caters to the yuppie butt-rock crowd, since its "edgy" with some punks with pink hair and spikes thrown in the mix. It reminds me of a fair amount of places in Manhattan that opened there earlier in the decade with the dark lighting, black marble (or some expensive stoneware) bartop, stylized lamps, etc. In short, it's the kind of place that some band like Velet Revolver would play a "secret after-party" show in or some shit. Sound system is pretty decent and I think they pay a percentage of the drink sales to the bands, which may work in your favor since they are expensive.

Yeah....It definitely has that slightly cheesy/butt rock thing going for it. Everything is just a little over done (velvet curtains, dark lighting, etc.) It's the kind of place you'd expect Vince Neil to open up or something....

That said, we got the best guarantee we've ever gotten out of a place from them (it was ridiculous), and they don't charge cover so people are more inclined to go. The sound in there was pretty damn great, and the food was good too.

Would it be my regular bar I'd hang out at....Never.

Would I play there again....Absolutely! Despite the cheesiness, it wasn't a bad night.

It is nice to know what I am getting into.

I bet the Sex Slaves play there, or they should.

As a patron, I naturally appreciate the fact that shows are free and I live about a mile away, which is nice. Not the most welcoming place in the world to hang out or drink at. I can't ever see going there for any reason other than to see a band - but then, I pretty much only find myself in bars for live music anyway.

The Vince Neil/Velvet Underground comments seem apt. The stage set up could be a bit more inspired but it's serviceable I guess.

MF wrote:As a patron, I naturally appreciate the fact that shows are free and I live about a mile away, which is nice. Not the most welcoming place in the world to hang out or drink at. I can't ever see going there for any reason other than to see a band - but then, I pretty much only find myself in bars for live music anyway.

that's about exactly right.
i'll be playing there in July, so we'll see how it feels from that angle.

The grilled cheese was awesome. I thought the sound sucked though.

They put shitty well booze in expensive booze bottles and charge you out the ass for it.
That's just fucked up.

as I said in ERawk's "note" thread where I brought it up, I've only been there once but I thought it was great. I don't even know what "butt rock" means, actually. I found the berrs to be very cheap. maybe they were cutting me a deal since my long hair is "butt rock"? I dunno. but I thought everything about that live room was great. the show I saw was great. the stage was big enough that the guys were able to move around and stuff. there is booth seating, bar seating, and standing area all within the perfect range from the stage. the sound system was right on. if anything, I think it coulda stood to be a little louder, but whatever.

I will go back there the first time I hear about a band playing there on a night I have free. this time, because of everything everyone here says about how bad it sucks and how much they hate it, i'll have an eye out for that to see if I can understand the sentiment, as opposed to last time were I just went to see a show at a place I never been before and was impressed by what a great venue it was.

seriously, what does "butt rock" mean? is it anything like "aluminum beard rock"?

Don't worry your next show (Friday) is in an old VFM hall in a Blue Collar Factory town, get there early for the Cheep Fish Fry! I highly recomend you spend the extra $1.50 and get the Walleye if they have it... Manitwoc is alot of fun...