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Walking in to the upstairs part of Club Midway you're transported
to this weird place that looks like a page out of a comic
book. Bright colors, curved walls, eclectic lounge furniture
and the art on the wall from a guy named Mark A. added to
this atmosphere. Downstairs was a small, dark band space with
a colorfully fluorescent lit floor. Its unique design can
be credited to manager Saundra Schwartzkopf. She lived for
a while in Texas and Southern Illinois before moving to NYC
to pursue her artistic tendencies.
Formerly known as Scenic, Club Midway reopened in May 2006.
Along with a handful of other new clubs in the area, they
are working to bring renewed life and positive energy to the
East Side of NYC. In recent years, much of the grit and edge
that made this the center of new music and underground culture
have been smoothed out. This is all part of the city's effort
to create a white-washed, homogenous yuppy haven.
I was here for several reasons. One was to see my friends
The Majestic Twelve who were in town from North Carolina to
showcase their latest self-released CD called 'Schizophrenology'.
Two was to show support for the sponsors Organic Entertainment,
Music Dish and Listen Liberally. Individually and collectively
they are working hard to promote truly independent music.
Third was to interview M12 front man and one hell of a good
egg Kenyata Sullivan for Ugly Planet magazine.
While Kenyata and I chatted about the deterioration of the
major music industry and the evolution of the DIY scene, we
munched on some delicious mini burgers and corn dogs. These
and other treats were courtesy of Eddie in the Midway kitchen.
As for the details of the conversation, you'll have to wait
until Ugly Planet publishes their next issue. I will say however
that this was easily the longest Kenyata and I have talked
in recent memory without bringing up George W. Bush.
After a few beers and more food, it was time to head downstairs
to hear The Majestic Twelve. Cramming their intensity into
the tiny performance area, they delivered a fantastic set
of rock, passion, politics and anger. They opened their set
with a viewing of the ingenious video for "Trapped Underwater".
It's a surrealistic adaptation of the Norwegian film Dypets
Ensomhet (Depth Solitude).
Following the Majestic Twelve was an impromptu solo set from
guitarist/vocalist Steve Messina of the band Blow Up Hollywood.
Apparently a last minute decision was made by the rest of
the band to not take the drive down from Boston. Props to
Steve for making the trip and for performing tracks from the
band's album 'The Diaries of Private Henry Hill', based on
the journals of a young soldier who died in Iraq. It was a
set that also began with the screening of a video. W.M.D.
is an animated tale of men and women fighting in the Iraq
war.
Our sponsors for the night are each in their own way working
to better the world of independent music. For more information,
follow the links below.
See Also:
Organic
Entertainment
Music
Dish
Listen
Liberally
Club
Midway
The
Majestic Twelve
Blow
Up Hollywood
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