Saturday Diversion: For Those About to Rock...
Saturday Diversion: For Those About to Rock...
As all live music lovers know, nothing beats a real rock club for pure listening joy and excitement.
My own live music journey took off in Washington, D.C. back in the early 1990s, seeing bands like the Screaming Trees and Unrest at the old 9:30 Club (the current venue opened in 1996) and bands like June of 44 and Superchunk at the Black Cat (which opened in 1993).
Over the past two years, I probably averaged 40+ different shows per year in multiple venues across America seeing hundreds of great acts—sometimes several per month—and enjoying many shows with my 20-something kids who also love live music.
Seeing live shows is a hobby of mine (or obsession) if you can call it that.
What ingredients do all the best rock clubs share? They are intimate and loud, feature ace local and national acts at a reasonable price, and basically have cool vibes all around.
Small rock clubs are anchor institutions for local communities and expand people’s listening horizons. The best clubs don’t just feature rock bands, they also book indie, metal, punk, hardcore, jazz, experimental, country, folk, and even classical acts.
Rather than attempt a “best of” list, which is impossible to do adequately given the range of great venues across different regions of the country, here is my own list of favorite clubs—moving from the west coast to the east coast—that are always worth a visit if you get a chance.
The Showbox (Seattle). This downtown venue dates back to the 1930s and is a gem of a spot for all kinds of bands. It has multiple tiers and a deep red decor and a nice pit right up against the stage. My first experience at The Showbox was an eight-bill all-ages punk show back in the 90s with fond memories in the 2000s of blistering sets by F&cked Up and Lightning Bolt and a more sedate show with Kurt Vile/Heron Oblivion/Cass McCombs. Seattle is an awesome music town all around and The Showbox can’t be beat.
Honorable mention: The old Crocodile Cafe where I saw the slowcore legends Rex. Haven’t been to the new Croc yet but the original venue booked some seriously good acts over the years—including a surprise set by Nirvana in 1992 under the name “Pen Cap Chew.”
Bluebird Theater (Denver). I spent several years in graduate school in the Denver/Boulder area and the Bluebird was my go-to spot for shows. Another old theater dating back to 1913, it has nicely laid out tiers to catch all the sonic action on the small stage and the sound system is superb. I vividly remember seeing 16 Horsepower’s intense gothic country set at the Bluebird in the mid 90s and an elaborate version of “I Would Hurt a Fly” by Built to Spill.
Honorable mention: The 15th Street Tavern. Sadly, this place is probably luxury condos now but back in the 90s this was the quintessential Denver dive bar for seeing pop acts like Dressy Bessy and even Queens of the Stone Age before they hit it big.
First Avenue (Minneapolis)/Metro (Chicago). Doing a twofer recommendation for the midwest since there are legions of good venues in the middle of the country, exemplified by these two great cities. Music lovers turn positively giddy just walking up to First Avenue and seeing the outside wall of stars with all the tremendous acts that have played there over the years. Inside, the venue has several layers of upstairs and downstairs viewing spots and a nice checkered floor to take in shows like Golden Smog that I caught not too long ago.
Metro in Chicago has also hosted a Hall-of-Fame roster of indie and other acts, including the Belle & Sebastian show I saw with my wife back in the late 90s when the Scottish guy next to us proclaimed loudly, “Why the hell is everyone so quiet? It’s a rock show for f*#k’s sake.”
Ottobar (Baltimore)/Johnny Brenda’s (Philadelphia)/Bowery Ballroom (New York). The bulk of the shows I catch these days occur in clubs along the Amtrak corridor between D.C. and New York. I’m lucky to have a season pass to the Ottobar, my all-time favorite rock club just ten minutes from my house in Baltimore. Bands love to play in this tight space with always enthusiastic Charm City fans. Favorite Ottobar shows over the years include: Future Islands, Dan Deacon, Double Dagger, Mark Lanegan, Thurston Moore, Kikagaku Moyo, The Feelies, Guided By Voices, Mdou Moctar, Dry Cleaning, and The Beths.
JB’s in Philly (pictured above) is one of the most intimate venues around—it’s like someone’s living room but with killer sound and Rothaus on tap. Last time I was there, Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley of Yo La Tengo were just hanging out at the bar watching the show and no one paid them any mind. Speaking of YLT, I was fortunate to make a pilgrimage in 2021 to one of their legendary Hanukkah shows at the Bowery Ballroom with guests Low and Fred Armisen. An indie rock lover’s heaven with a perfect fusion of music and good vibes.
More honorable mentions: Meow Wolf in Sante Fe. Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, North Carolina. Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco. Solar Myth in Philly.
That’s a brief tour of my favorite American rock clubs. I couldn’t get to every state or region in this Saturday Diversion so please send me your own favorites.
See you at the shows!
