SAVE 924 GILMAN STREET!

Hey Everyone!

For those of you who dont know what I'm talking about, allow me to explain... 924 Gilman Street is basically the California equivalent of CBGB's. Its a punk rock club which allowed the start for some of the most notable bands today like Green Day and AFI. It also was a place for bands like Operation Ivy and Rancid to get their start. This place has some AMAZING history.

924 Gilman Street is an all ages, non profit club that showcases bands who are not part of major labels or the mainstream scene. The club held its first show in 1986 and gained tremendous popularity with the youth of Berkeley, California. Its mainly run and operated by youth who pay a $2 fee to become members of a 'board' if you will. The rules are: no drugs, no violence, no booze. They also refuse to support any bands who encourage racism, sexist or misogynist music. This place is incredible and honestly, its sad that only one club like this really truly exists here. It has allowed the spirit of the early punk scene to live on through the ages. I love the idea and I really hope they pull through.

So now that you have the history under your belt, allow me to explain the issue at hand... This place has been in a little financial trouble for a while as you can imagine. And now, their rent is set to go up so more costs will need to be covered. The rent, according to the web pleas of Gilman Street, will be increasing almost double... (from 4300 to 7000/month). They are asking for donations, and donations of $25+ will include a t-shirt and tote bag. I plan to make a donation as soon as I can, hopefully you can too! Any size helps. I want to be able to see this place in all its glory before it falls like so many others...

HELP GILMAN STREET, PEOPLE! DO WHAT YOU CAN TO SAVE HISTORY!

Rock On,

- Girl At The Rock Show

Screeching Weasel Announce Toronto Tour Date

Hey Everyone!

American punk band, Screeching Weasel announced earlier this week that they will be playing in Toronto, Ontario in May. This is big news for Canadian fans, as the tour dates tend to be few and far between, especially on this side of the border. The Chicago natives formed back in 1986, drawing inspiration from the heavy early punk scene of the time. They gained more notoriety in the early 90s after they signed with the punk label, Lookout! Records (responsible for signing bands like Operation Ivy and a young Green Day). In fact, former members of the band include Mike Dirnt (Green Day bassist) and Phillip Hill (Teen Idols).

With a classic repertoire that has withheld the tests of time, this band is not easy to forget. Punk fans should be excited to see them back in action. Mind you, reunion tours do appear to be a recent specialty of the group which tends to take away from the appeal, sadly. Not putting them down, I'm happy to see this tour date and I am actually thinking about heading down to Toronto to check it out. Its not often that punk legends of the prime come here anymore.

So what do you think of the tour date? Do you plan to hit up this show? Why or why not?

Rock On!

- Girl At The Rock Show

Song of the Day: Punk Rawk Show by Mxpx... "We ain't got no place to go, Lets go to the punk rawk show, Come and take me by the hand, Gonna see a punk rawk band"... and yes, they actually DO spell it "rawk" haha that is not some awful typo or ridiculous spelling mistake... please keep in mind this is a rock blog, I should be incredibly familiar with that word by now ahaha.