400 Bar evacuated after bricks fall off exterior wall

[solace]

Originally Posted by liveintown

I hate reading the same pros/cons of these venues over and over and I've certainly offered my criticism here before. I would have to agree that it's a historic place and I've always hoped that they would continue and grow in every way.
-live

yeah, pretty much ANY venue is gonna have pros and cons and it's lovers and haters, it's a bit silly to continually harp on a venue when they are all in it for the same reason pretty much, a place to host live music.

not saying people don't have a right to complain about certain venues, but it's the same old shit we've all heard a 1000x before.

[liveintown]

Surprised you didn't mention the Brian Jonestown Massacre. Seeing them in the 90s (when they actually showed up!) were the best shows I've ever seen there.
-live

Originally Posted by solace

exactly.

memorable/incredible shows that i've seen there:

Golden Smog in '03
Jeff Tweedy solo the next night after GS
Arcade Fire
Queens of the Stone Age (w/ Grohl on drums)
Elliott Smith
Jayhawks reunion w/ Olsen on NYE
The Frames / New Pornographers
Bright Eyes a handful of times (especially the one the night before Vote for Change with M. Ward & the Minus 5 opening with Michael Stipe in attendance)
M. Ward x 3
Broken Social Scene x 2
Twilight Singers twice
Beulah x 3
The Shins
Spoon x 3
Neko Case a few times
Sharon Jones twice
Cat Power
numerous Drive-By Truckers shows
Decemberists x 3
The National
Constantines
The Wrens
Iron & Wine
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Sufjan Stevens
Damien Rice
Interpol...

and that's just going through my head

now it's not ideal, but it was a much better option than the fucking Ascot Room, which was hands down THE worst venue in this town

[solace]

i moved here in '99

i did see them there twice though. i like them and had fun at their shows, but they're just not a favorite of mine.

Originally Posted by liveintown

Surprised you didn't mention the Brian Jonestown Massacre. Seeing them in the 90s (when they actually showed up!) were the best shows I've ever seen there.
-live

[guilt ridden pop]

there is no question that the 400 bar has had some great, great shows - the Versus shows i saw there were some of my favorite shows ever....

when the the sullivan brothers took over - things at first were great - local shows were well attented & bands got paid - but somewhere along the way things got bad for many local bands - one horror story after another to the point where a lot of bands still to this day refuse to play there...

km

[alex]

I have never played there, and always enjoyed every show I saw. I'm surprised to read that it was looked down on so poorly.

[Sean]

with the exception of maybe First Avenue, my favorite place in town to see a show. lots and lots of memories there, and Tom and Bill Sullivan have always been extremely nice to me. really hope it can be salvaged.

[liveintown]

Originally Posted by alex

I have never played there, and always enjoyed every show I saw. I'm surprised to read that it was looked down on so poorly.

Without rambling on, let's just say that myself, at least a dozen of my friends, and most of the local musicians I know who have played there all have had issues at one time or another. In fairness to the 400, I think it's the fact that so many other clubs, especially 1st Ave., have done such a good job for so many years that they might have raised the bar too high.

(there was a 400 Bar discussion on this forum, but I couldn't find it when I searched)
-live

[lesterbangs]

It's going to be tough for the 400. Rock clubs is a tough business to survive in, especially if you have unexpected major renovations.

One tip for the 400 to help them pay for these costs......Get a cash machine that works (even some of the time)...Drunk people are begging to spend more money in your establishment and having a functional cash machine would, in all likelihood, help you make more money and thus help pay for unexpected costs you incurred. Also...because the West bank quality of life has gone downhill the last 20 years....many drunks are hesistant to wander around the neighborhood looking for a cash machine.


To be fair to the 400....It is a great club that sounds fantastic in there. And I'm very thankful that the 400 Bar brings in so many quality national acts. I also know that many touring artists really respect the Sullivan brothers. The Brian Jonestown Massacre always play the 400 (except last year's Schell Brewery sponsored show at the Women's Club) because of the Sullivan Brothers. Anton is very loyal to the 400, even if the 400 Bar got "the fucking piece of shit mike stands from fuckin' KMART!!!"

[David]

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/col.../400_bar.shtml

[solace]

Originally Posted by David

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/col.../400_bar.shtml

we're famous!