YOUR FAVORITE CLUB

Lolita: Did you just say “urin”? Rita: No, I said, “you’re in.” Lolita: Oh, I must have smelled the scent of an old favorite club. Rita: Your senses are heading you in the direction—go ask a new question—ask “What club do you frequent most often to hear live music?” DICK TATE (The Prime Movers/ Middle East): The Middle East because I serve society as a musical lab rat. I'm exposed to more new bands in a month then is healthy to most life forms. If I don't convulse, vomit, or break out in hives, we let them come back and play again. *** NANCY NEON (The Noise): Right now I see more live bands at the Kirkland because I book bands there monthly. I'm comfortable there because it is perfectly climate controlled. The club is warm and intimate, giving you the feeling of being at a private party. If you are hungry, you can grab a tasty inexpensive meal. MC Mickey Bliss makes you feel welcome, which always adds to the spirit of fun. Dave, the doorman, is personable and professional. Last but not least, the Kirkland is one of the few places where people still dance to live music. In fact, on NEON NITES, dancing is MANDATORY! *** JAY ALLEN (Jay Allen): My new favorite rock haunt is Martin Doyle’s newest venture: The Basement at The Baseball Tavern. Been there four times in the opening two weeks. Good layout, good sound system, pool tables, good people. Long-time favorite is, of course, The Abbey—very underrated sound system there. If your band doesn’t sound good at The Abbey, you probably sound bad everywhere. Of course both clubs are also very good at giving me the Norm treatment when I walk in the door, you know—everyone knows my name. Good for the ego. *** RAY MASON (Ray Mason Band/ Lonesome Brothers): Seeing as I live in Western Mass. I would have to say the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton. The sound is great and even though the capacity is around 180 or more it still feels like you're watching someone play in your living room. Very intimate! *** CARLENE BAROUS (Temper/x-Din): I’m an equal-opportunity club goer. The clubs I go to are those that The Noise readers probably go to as well: the clubs that support local original rock. The clubs that support original rock are the ones taking the biggest risk. They’re probably losing money half the time. Okay, probably more. Yet with the risk, is also the potential for an exciting payoff, and I appreciate those clubs that share in that excitement and that support the potential. It’s actually pretty important to me that I support the various rock clubs and not focus on one necessarily. *** RYAN BRAY (The Noise): The Middle East Club in Cambridge—the place just feels like rock ’n’ roll. I remember seeing my first shows (that’s shows, not concerts, people) buried in the club’s trenches, and I guess the memories I’ve accumulated over the years, whether it be the Rancid/Pietatsters show in 1998, the Amazing Crowns in 2000, or the half a dozen times I’ve seen the Ducky Boys and Big D & the Kids Table, have always stuck with me. *** DENNY MAFFEO (Plasma Factory): Even though rock ’n’ roll flows through my veins, I love going to the Kirkland to watch The Mickey Bliss Organ Combo. Mickey plays with such intensity it’s awesome, plus Mickey is one of the greatest guys to deal with. I like going to the Skybar too, because of Anderson Mar—she's a sweet heart! *** LIZ BORDEN (Liz Borden Band/Bang Chicks): I have been going to the Abbey a lot! Why? They have great bands. It seems like the best lineup of bands have been playing every night. I really like the Abbey because it has the feel of the old Boston clubs that are now gone. It reminds me of the old Boston rock scene. I also like the mix of people. I can see old friends and faces and there are a lot of people newer to the scene enjoying the music. It is a very cool environment. *** B.A. KINNAR (Kinnar): For the most bang for your buck, I'd have to go with the Middle East Upstairs. It’s like three shows in one. Show #1: Pear Kinnar eating lamb tongue or sheep-anus or whatever he usually orders in the restaurant. Show #2: the actual bands. Show #3: the Circus-freak, dregs-of-humanity sideshow that swarms in and around Hi-Fi Pizza between 11:00 and 1:00. My runner-up is actually a tie between all of the Allston clubs, because of the infinite opportunities the area provides for convenient parking. It's almost like taking a leisurely autumn foliage-peeping drive through Concord. *** FRANK STROM (The Noise): I go out for favorite bands not clubs, so that takes me wherever they play. Lately that's been the Kirkland (Beat Lords), Skybar (Ghouls Night Out), and even Good Times Emporium (The Downbeat 5). The only clubs I've ever frequented when I wasn't coming for a specific band were the Abbey Lounge (homey atmosphere and great staff), and the much-missed Elvis Room up in Portsmouth, New Hampshire (a punk coffee bar!). Also kudos to Dodge Street Grill in Salem, Mass.—another excellent place for music. *** Lolita: I’ll tell you an excellent place to hear music—my bedroom. I wish bands would set up on top of my dresser and play me to sleep.