This weekend I made a pilgrimage of sorts to New York City. Although I saw the Dahli Lama, he had absolutely nothing to do with my spiritual experience. I was on my way to a building that holds a place in any rock fan's heart, especially the punk rocker's. My destination was 315 Bowery, on the lower east side. The home of underground rock, the birthplace of American punk rock, I was on my way to CBGB's! Chances are, even if you've never heard of the club, you've seen it on some sort of t-shirt. Hilly Kristal started CBGB's, which stands for country bluegrass blues, in 1974. Quickly realizing country bluegrass blues, were in short supply, he added the line OMFUG, standing for "other music for uplifting gormandizer." To clarify a gormandizer is "a vicarious eater of something", which is this case, seems to be music. Kristal was not originally a fan of punk rock music or as it was called in those days, "street rock." In the beginning CBGB's featured jazz and folk musicians, until one day a band called "Television," convinced Kristal to give them a try. After the first show, he immediately proclaimed "NEVER AGAIN." Fortunately for music he agreed to allow Television to play a few weeks later with a band called The Ramones. At the time that CBGB's opened, it was nearly impossible to play original music in any bar or club unless you had a record contract. Mr. Kristal, in an attempt to "stick it to the institution," would not allow any band to perform in CBGB's unless they played original music. This rule has survived the test of time and remains in place today. "Since the major labels ransacked the sound of music, it is vital to hold onto the sounds of the underground. That is the spirit that CBGB's has maintained since the beginning." quipped Jesse Vipod of The Can Help Its. The early years of CBGB's saw performances by The Ramones, Television, The Talking Heads, Patti Smith, The Mumps, The Shirts, and an early carnation of Blondie. All of these bands used the venue to launch their careers. In later started their careers on Bowery as well. Chances are, any alternative band you've ever listened to, played CBGB's at one point or another. Celebrities have always frequented the club, either for enjoyment or in search of new talent. Clive Davis has signed many bands right out of the club. Andy Warhol and Allen Ginsburg were frequent visitors. Lou Reed, Allen Lanier and John Cale of Blue Oyster Cult also frequented the establishment. Unfortunately, not everyone in this world seems to see the importance of CBGB's. While I got chills simply by standing outside, other could simply scoff at the venue as an eyesore or waste of space. The Bowery Residence Committee, which owns a 45-year lease on the property, filed Kristal with an eviction notice last year. The club will close its doors forever on October 31, 2006. Many valiant efforts have been made to save the venue: Blondie played shows, Tommy Ramone spoke, and even Bruce Springsteen lent a helping hand. The Disco Bizcuts, The Misfits, The Offspring, Chevelle and Thursday also played shows in an attempt save the venue. All these efforts have been in vain, becoming nothing more than a last hurrah for the club. On Halloween, a piece of rock and roll history will die forever. Zach of Split Fifty agrees; "Every sticker and hole in the wall means something, every sticky spot on the floor, every single tag on the wall, and even the crappy bathrooms. They all mean something to those of us who know what that place and that music means to us. From the Ramones to Blondie. Even Guns 'n Roses and Nirvana played there. There is more soul in that room than any other I have seen."
e-mail Joe Caviston at: jfc8935@esu.edu
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