The Guest List
Paradise City: the revolution’s started
By William Gabriel 05/19/2011
Sitting between Chill and Sans Souci, in downtown Ventura, I’m staring at the marquee of the Majestic Ventura Theater. I see town favorite Rey Fresco is hosting a show, and Rob Zombie playing a few days later. Tonight, I’ll be crashing the Jeff Hershey and the Heartbeats CD release show supported by La Vonettes and Alexandra & The Starlight band at Bombay Bar and Grill. Earlier in the year, I saw one of my favorite bass players, Matt Freeman from Rancid, playing the same stage. There is talent in this town, and outside talent is drawn toward this paradise city.
On almost any given night, I can find at least two or three good shows where most of the bands on the bill bring something to the table. And when lonely stragglers walk into the bar, they give the music a chance. They take a second to listen, and this is the foundation of a great music scene.
So it goes . . .
I moved to California from Philadelphia, a place struggling to hold on to the remaining bits and pieces of a once vibrant musical city. Philly is starting to descend into a musical graveyard. Famous places such as the Khyber, Club 218, Abilene’s and a plethora of other venues that held shows for musical icons before their time, have all either shut down or are in the process. Besides the Live Nation venues, few places are still holding on, among them The Legendary Dobbs or the North Star Bar.
The majority of venues in the Philadelphia area all cater to the cover scene, where every band plays the same Top 40 set. “American Girl” is forever ruined in my book, after hearing poor rendition after poor rendition. Original music, or even getting paid for original music, is an almost extinct practice. In order to draw a crowd, a band must go above and beyond in promotion, and there’s no guarantee that people will show — and if they do show, they will barely pay attention. Great bands go unnoticed every day.
Main Street vs. SXSW
Being able to talk to many musicians, business owners, venue staff and the day-to-day workers in Ventura is a privilege I do not take for granted, because there is something to be learned every day. Everyone has a different take on the city. Opinions might be polar opposites, but the big picture is in sight: how do we help Ventura’s music and art scene grow?
Talks are in progress about generating Ventura’s version of a South by Southwest (SXSW) festival. Between the Fairgrounds and the Ventura Theater, Sans Souci to Zoey’s, there are plenty of venues to choose from, but some changes need to be made to gain that type of notoriety.
“Ventura by Southwest Coast” is missing its cornerstone: Main Street. The main strip of shops, businesses, restaurants and bars seems to have a strangled neck when it comes to live music. The one outlet that now holds legendary status since its demise is Nicholby’s. Unfortunately, I did not come to the West until a year ago, but stories of Nicholby’s always pop up. This live music staple held roughly 500 people and hosted the best underground shows of its day. It was supposedly a place where you could feel the soul of music not only through the PA, not only through the energy of the bands, but through the packed houses of kids and adults getting together to hear a growing voice of something they knew was right.
Nicholby’s popularity began to diminish with a change in format, violent crowds and loss of profits. A few hopefuls held together to try to salvage what was left, but the end was inevitable.
The Good Bar, in my opinion, is the only place on Main Street really working to support original local music. Some may fear that the popularity of the recent Tuesday nights along with its packed weekend shows may draw trouble from dark corners, when the fact is, there is room to celebrate. People are getting together to listen to live original music, and this should not be blocked but rather guided.
Sans Souci, aka The Sewer or “You going back down,” is another hot spot for Ventura’s original music. Almost every night at 11:15 the people roll in. Even slow nights have new faces. The Sewer is an experience, and if you’ve gone, water is the best for your hangover.
Though there are these two downtown venues, the Ventura Theater or, if you go to the other side of town to the secret of midtown: Billy O’s, one more venue is still needed. Now is the time for a smaller all-ages venue with an area for adults to kick back. Maybe someone should look at the potential of the former Dume Room (previously Franky’s).
The majestic magnet
Whether you are a transplant or an “OG,” you’re surrounded by people with fantastic artistic talent in Ventura. Maybe you’re a student at Brooks, Ventura College or UCSB. Maybe you’re the new resident at the WAV, working on metal sculptures of ancient philosophical icons. Or maybe you live in a motor home with four band mates throughout the streets of Ventura, where you are building music. We are all a part of a growing community that knows this place is special, and the rest of the world needs to hear about it.
William Gabriel, aka Willi Love, is a musician from the East who plays bass in New Liberty. He says, “I’m your shot you can’t wait to take.”
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