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Worst dive you’ve played at

#101
like most here, there were more dives than not. I developed my rating system based on: is there hot water or paper towels in the mens room? Do you have to stand on your shoes when changing into your stage wear to avoid getting your socks soaked with piss? As far as specific locations that come to mind (this is all circa 1979 - 1984): Mills in Greenwich Village, the Galaxy in S Joisey, Dewars in Willow Grove PA, Khyber Pass in Philly......
 
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#103
At the same place when setting up, there was always a small crowd of regulars drinking at the bar. One night I go up to get a fountain drink before the first set and this middle aged lady in business attire grabs and squeezes my butt. I just moved to the side and didn't acknowledge it. Latter on that night when I was getting another drink, the very same lady offers me a service for a fee! I declined of course and asked one of the others what was up with her because she didn't look like a hooker. They were like " oh, she does that when she runs out of money for drinks".
 
#105
The New England/NY/PA dive vibe is strong with this group.

Though we have many who played in the south, surely there must be more dive stories- or did those dives actually consume the musicians?:D

My gigs since moving south of the Ohio, 27-odd years ago have all been corporate, theater, big club and opening acts at small festivals, etc.

No doubt had my musical coming-of-age occurred down here, would definitely have some fine stories.
 
#106
Bunk McNulty said:
Oh, this one is easy: The Keg, Ridge Road West, Greece, NY, 1975: All drinks in plastic cups. Barstools screwed into the floor with big bolts so they couldn't be picked up. 100% bikers. The ladies would get in front of the band and simulate sex with each other. You could see the guys behind them just waiting for one of us to respond. You only have to see what's coming one time: Where the opening like is "What you lookin' at, bro?" and before you know it, the ambulance arrives. We learned real fast to stare at the ceiling. We played there twice, and the second time was scarier than the first. I went to the BL at the end of the night and pleaded "No mas!" He agreed.
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Greece, NY..... my hometown.

Do you remember roughly where on WR that place was? I'm curious if it's still in business, just under a different name.
 
#109
MustangWally said:
This sounds like the bar in the movie 'Trainspotting' - if you have ever seen the movie, remember the toilet?
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The trainspotting toilet scene is in a bookies.
And this place was way worse than the bar in the film, but the clientele made Begbie look like a model citizen. Luckily our soundguy was a Muay Thai champion with a huge pitbull by his side all night, so we survived.
 
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#111
Bass Viking said:
Did anyone ever use the machine? I can just imagine the hooting and hollering.
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I never saw anyone use it, but I'm sure some did. I thought it was small attempt of post AIDS responsibility and to make a couple bucks.

Hooting and hollering would have been better. This was more a hair metal head banging crowd as well as locals that could care less, just drinking, drugging and causing trouble.
 
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#113
somebrains said:
Look up Phoenix Theater in Petaluma, CA
Not a dive per say, bc it didnt serve booze, but it turned the downtown strip into a dive certain nights.
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I had a couple of shows there in the 90's, which was cool, for the most part. Yeah, it has it's charms!

Saw a few shows there, too, mostly local acts but some regional and/or international acts. I saw Metallica there when they did 2 nights as a warm up for their tour supporting the "Black" album, Jello Biafra (from Dead Kennedys) I believe 8 years ago, and a benefit for the Tubbs Fire with local bands in 2017. Those are the ones I remember LOL
 
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#114
Long ago there was a place in east part Sacramento county called The Club House. The clientele was older and more than a few Harleys. They were fine. They liked us.The management was the problem. Played there twice. Once in the 80s and once in the 90s. I don’t think they ever cleaned the place during the 10 year stretch between gigs and it was funky the first time. There was always this big motor oil stain in the middle of the dance floor. The worst smelling restrooms this side of The Catalyst in Santa Cruz too. Not a “first date” kind of place. Thankfully, it met it’s demise at the hands of a bulldozer.
 
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#115
crucislancer said:
I had a couple of shows there in the 90's, which was cool, for the most part. Yeah, it has it's charms!

Saw a few shows there, too, mostly local acts but some regional and/or international acts. I saw Metallica there when they did 2 nights as a warm up for their tour supporting the "Black" album, Jello Biafra (from Dead Kennedys) I believe 8 years ago, and a benefit for the Tubbs Fire with local bands in 2017. Those are the ones I remember LOL
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You used to be able to roll down Shattuck around Berkeley Bowl and see Jello. There were a couple times my uncle would abruptly stop his 70 Monte Carlo to say what's up. He was a DJ when he was at Cal 74-78 so all the broads knew him.

There was some dive under 880 in West Oakland that looked like a converted house that was fun. I think bands went there to party, way too hot to be playing loud there. Backyard was next to a freeway pylon.
 
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#117
JimmyM said:
Oh man, I've played some rough joints. I played this one called Vito's, formerly Nunzio's. On the menu they had broken leg of lamb. To enter, you had to go down two steps...socially and morally.
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#120
The Northern Hotel in Winnipeg wins for me. How many bars are open 365 days a year? Yes, even Christmas. This was a steady gig for 6 years in 2 different bands until lockdown. Some dive bars have a cool, hipster kind of vibe. Not the Northern. Regular clientele included crack/meth dealers, low track prostitutes, crazy street people, etc. The bouncers did a decent job of controlling the chaos but there were plenty of savage fights and violent psychos. Most nights there are cops coming in - pretty easy finding criminals there. There was a drive by shooting about 10 minutes before I rolled in. Police tape across the door for the whole night did nothing to slow down the usual crowd. I miss playing there but I miss playing anywhere these days.
 
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