I have great memories from when our band had a lockout in Lawrence, MA. We had a blast decorating it, and it was a relief to be able to leave our gear set up. You're right about it being part-clubhouse.
I've seen more basements, garages, and even attics (gah) in my time than China's seen rice, but the weirdest practice-room situationships were in a brief time in the late 1980's; when weed dealers were operating "grow houses", and they figured having bands working in their garages/basements would help explain/camouflage their heavy electricity use.
I could rent a basement room by the month for 2 bottles of Black Velvet whiskey per; and got to meet some...heavy characters. Oddly enough, it was one of them who warned my band at the time against ever using heroin; saying he'd kill us himself if he found out we had, bc he'd sooner see us drop fast than slow.
1) the basement of an old machine shop on the north side of Chicago. We had to cover our gear in between rehearsals, because when the shop was operating, metal grindings and some sort of oil would drip through the ceiling.
Here's my favorite part, though. There was one stairway in and out and the windows were blacked out and had immoveable steel bars on them! I got so paranoid about dying horribly in a fire, that I went out and bought and installed my own smoke detector! Cause- ya know - then we'd know when we were right about to perish in a fire!
2) The "Space Place" on the dicey west side of Chicago. It was an old fish processing plant that had since become an officially condemned build that the punk/new wave band, (The Jetsons), I was in rehearsed at with, like - 20 other bands! But, man - it was THE happening place to be at that time!
3) Another multi-band rehearsal building in Chicago that we rehearsed in was, right across the street from the (then), infamous gang-infested Cabrini Green projects. And yes - you could hear gun fire on occasion! But, we shared that place with Urge Overkill, so it was cool!
Though all 3 had some, um - "traits" in common, the main thing was: all were my "happy place"!
And that's the thing. If you're lucky enough to create, play with and vibe well enough with a group of musicians/friends in a band - WHERE you did it - really didn't matter!
It just adds to experience and (mostly), great memories!
Really appreciate the kind words. I'm never sure whether or not people just want me to post new music and shut up about the memories and reflections. 🤷🏻♂️ But I feel like that's the connective tissue for me. Didn't lose to many subscribers yesterday, so far so good...
Great article man. I'm based in the UK and developing a website dedicated to music rehearsal spaces. After reading your piece I thought I'd just let you know (and if at all it's of any interest) I have started listing spaces stateside on the website. Thanks, Trevor
I have great memories from when our band had a lockout in Lawrence, MA. We had a blast decorating it, and it was a relief to be able to leave our gear set up. You're right about it being part-clubhouse.
The time spent just shooting the shit (or talking shit!) was the best. Same with the tour van.
I've seen more basements, garages, and even attics (gah) in my time than China's seen rice, but the weirdest practice-room situationships were in a brief time in the late 1980's; when weed dealers were operating "grow houses", and they figured having bands working in their garages/basements would help explain/camouflage their heavy electricity use.
I could rent a basement room by the month for 2 bottles of Black Velvet whiskey per; and got to meet some...heavy characters. Oddly enough, it was one of them who warned my band at the time against ever using heroin; saying he'd kill us himself if he found out we had, bc he'd sooner see us drop fast than slow.
That warning stuck.
Whoa! Those are some pretty crazy stories.
Oh man - there were many rehearsal studio/spaces!
Here are 3 "stand-outs":
1) the basement of an old machine shop on the north side of Chicago. We had to cover our gear in between rehearsals, because when the shop was operating, metal grindings and some sort of oil would drip through the ceiling.
Here's my favorite part, though. There was one stairway in and out and the windows were blacked out and had immoveable steel bars on them! I got so paranoid about dying horribly in a fire, that I went out and bought and installed my own smoke detector! Cause- ya know - then we'd know when we were right about to perish in a fire!
2) The "Space Place" on the dicey west side of Chicago. It was an old fish processing plant that had since become an officially condemned build that the punk/new wave band, (The Jetsons), I was in rehearsed at with, like - 20 other bands! But, man - it was THE happening place to be at that time!
3) Another multi-band rehearsal building in Chicago that we rehearsed in was, right across the street from the (then), infamous gang-infested Cabrini Green projects. And yes - you could hear gun fire on occasion! But, we shared that place with Urge Overkill, so it was cool!
Though all 3 had some, um - "traits" in common, the main thing was: all were my "happy place"!
And that's the thing. If you're lucky enough to create, play with and vibe well enough with a group of musicians/friends in a band - WHERE you did it - really didn't matter!
It just adds to experience and (mostly), great memories!
You had me at Urge Overkill! But, seriously—seems like you have some incredible memories tied rehearsal rooms as well. Thanks for sharing.
I love that Tommy Keene album.
It's a straight up classic!
This is a great reflection, thank you for sharing it!
Really appreciate the kind words. I'm never sure whether or not people just want me to post new music and shut up about the memories and reflections. 🤷🏻♂️ But I feel like that's the connective tissue for me. Didn't lose to many subscribers yesterday, so far so good...
Great article man. I'm based in the UK and developing a website dedicated to music rehearsal spaces. After reading your piece I thought I'd just let you know (and if at all it's of any interest) I have started listing spaces stateside on the website. Thanks, Trevor
Sounds like a cool project! There are (obviously) a bunch in LA.
And thanks for the kind words!