For a short-live Brad First club, I took the Cave because it introduced that industrial stuff to town. Mercado was a cool scene, for sure. Both should go in honorable mention. Thanks!
Very cool list Michael. I am especially pleased that YOU gave Charlie’s Playhouse the respect it deserved. Soul music at the Playhouse was an experience…feeling for the love of music and the feeling of “oneness” that music can engender. Thank you.
Dukes Royal Coach Inn - used to check out the jazz next door at Gambrinus. After getting drunk on DUVAL we would close out the night with The BIG BOYS at DUKES.
Yeah, the original Saxon was quite a place, but really only vital for a couple years then the action moved to Castle Creek. It's mentioned in the link to Saxon II.
I agree. I realize my perception of how important Cannibal Club was is partly based on the fact that it was MY scene and people and where I spent so much time for a few years, but it really was THE place for underground music for a while. Liberty Lunch had the bigger shows, Cannibal Club the smaller ones, with more local headliners. A huge portion of those iconic Kozik posters were from Cannibal Club shows, and it helped make Austin a shoo-in for touring “college radio” bands in the late 80s/early 90s.
Noticeably missing is the absolute hole in the wall of all hole in the walls, The Id
The Id was the original Beat Scene club in Austin that opened in 1958 with its entrance off the alley behind what is now The Castilian Dorm on San Antonio. It was where Janis Joplin first played with people like Doug Sahm, Allen Damron, Mike Allen, and Johnny Winter. When it closed, the Vulcan Gas Company opened.
I'd definitely move The Ritz up based on some legendary punk shows from the Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Misfits, The Damned and lots of local legends like the Dicks, MDC, Big Boys, Offenders, Butthole Surfers, Scratch Acid, etc.. And I'd like to see a little love for Duke's Royal Coach Inn, mostly just because it's where I saw my first live music in Austin - The Gator Family. Finally, Voltaire's Basement was just a very cool and fun venue.
The “Hideaway Club,” I think out on Weberville road. My cute girlfriend and I visited in 1970, and were the only white folks in the place. A great big guy came over and asked if he could dance with my date (future first wife). I said “Well, of course!” I cut in about 30 minutes late. It was a swinging joint.
I generally agree, but I think there might have been a place on the list for Maggie Mae’s, one of the oldest bars still in biz on East 6th. Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen both played there early on, as well as Robert Shaw, Eaglebone Whistle and other influential folks.
Cannibal Club, Mercado Caribe?
For a short-live Brad First club, I took the Cave because it introduced that industrial stuff to town. Mercado was a cool scene, for sure. Both should go in honorable mention. Thanks!
The Jade Room and New Orleans Club were the main clubs of the sixties with exception to the Vulcan.
Very cool list Michael. I am especially pleased that YOU gave Charlie’s Playhouse the respect it deserved. Soul music at the Playhouse was an experience…feeling for the love of music and the feeling of “oneness” that music can engender. Thank you.
great list but the Saxon Pub is ranked way too low the owner Joe A has kept that club open on South Lamar against all odds in Austin nowadays
Dukes Royal Coach Inn - used to check out the jazz next door at Gambrinus. After getting drunk on DUVAL we would close out the night with The BIG BOYS at DUKES.
Thank you! Shared on FB with some memories of the venues I went to through the years.
Saxon Pub, of course. But how about the original Saxon on I-35 frontage? I loved that place.
Yeah, the original Saxon was quite a place, but really only vital for a couple years then the action moved to Castle Creek. It's mentioned in the link to Saxon II.
No Cannibal Club? Really? It was more than just a Brad First club.
I agree. I realize my perception of how important Cannibal Club was is partly based on the fact that it was MY scene and people and where I spent so much time for a few years, but it really was THE place for underground music for a while. Liberty Lunch had the bigger shows, Cannibal Club the smaller ones, with more local headliners. A huge portion of those iconic Kozik posters were from Cannibal Club shows, and it helped make Austin a shoo-in for touring “college radio” bands in the late 80s/early 90s.
And by that I mean wasp as a place for musicians to just hang out for free 7 days a week. And they did.
Maybe if you'd made heroin you could've knocked out Jovita's.
Ah - Cannibal Club was huge when you were not living here, Michael. It really was very important.
glad to see I.L. in honorable mention. would like to have seen emmajoe's there. https://technologists.com/photos/1983/fullsize/19831005emmajoes.jpg
Noticeably missing is the absolute hole in the wall of all hole in the walls, The Id
The Id was the original Beat Scene club in Austin that opened in 1958 with its entrance off the alley behind what is now The Castilian Dorm on San Antonio. It was where Janis Joplin first played with people like Doug Sahm, Allen Damron, Mike Allen, and Johnny Winter. When it closed, the Vulcan Gas Company opened.
311, White Rabbit?
I performed at 17 of the 40 clubs mentioned! Loved every minute! I had a few 'flashbacks'..Hahaha!
I'd definitely move The Ritz up based on some legendary punk shows from the Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Misfits, The Damned and lots of local legends like the Dicks, MDC, Big Boys, Offenders, Butthole Surfers, Scratch Acid, etc.. And I'd like to see a little love for Duke's Royal Coach Inn, mostly just because it's where I saw my first live music in Austin - The Gator Family. Finally, Voltaire's Basement was just a very cool and fun venue.
The “Hideaway Club,” I think out on Weberville road. My cute girlfriend and I visited in 1970, and were the only white folks in the place. A great big guy came over and asked if he could dance with my date (future first wife). I said “Well, of course!” I cut in about 30 minutes late. It was a swinging joint.
I generally agree, but I think there might have been a place on the list for Maggie Mae’s, one of the oldest bars still in biz on East 6th. Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen both played there early on, as well as Robert Shaw, Eaglebone Whistle and other influential folks.
Nice. Club Saracen, Jade Room, New Orleans Club were Austin's 60s.