This Friday's kick off show at
the Main Street Cafe is more than just the first big event since the venue changed management, it is the revival of a falling scene.
Rewind 5 years ago and bands were occupying gyms, fire halls, basements and local cafes left and right. Everything from frantic ska and reckless punk to melodic hardcore and brutal metal blared out of PA systems.
As time passed, gyms and fire halls quit hosting shows, or it became less viable to dish out the money to rent them. Months went by between well put-on shows.
"Kids have to pay to rent a building to be able to play a show, and that's not right," said Daniel Bonner,
one of the cafe's new managers. He continued, "These kids pour their hearts into their music and deserve a venue they can call home."
The Renfields are a band that have been around the scene for as long as most can remember. They present themselves as "Translyvanian pogo-punk", and put on an energetic live performance fueled by their slasher-themed personas.
Vincent Renfield, the eccentric singer and self-professed heart throb of the band said, "The Renfields have had a love-hate relationship with the local music scene. For a time we were part of a very large and thriving all ages scene in the Clarksburg area. After that scene kind of broke up, we had a hard time integrating into the local scene of hipsters and people who are too cool for Transylvania."
Although a lighthearted statement, Vincent's point of an exclusive scene is shared by others.
Craig Debastiani (vocals/guitar/aux percussion) of
Culture Thief, an eclectic jam band that Debastiani describes as honest and impressionistic, has been involved in the local scene for around a decade. He notes the fellowship between musicians when he was younger.
"You had bands (when I first joined the scene) that didn't have anything in common, but they wanted to book a show together," he said.
That sense of camaraderie is an important factor in a thriving scene. All of Debastiani's current bandmates he considers best friends, and he met them playing music growing up.
Bonner is another scene veteran, having been in bands since 2004. But he thinks "scene" doesn't effectively define the atmosphere of the past.
"It wasn't really a 'scene'," he said, "the bands were family."
Although he thinks the scene still has a long way to go, Debastiani recognizes the progress that has been made.
"(Clarksburg) is a good place for music. They actually seem to care what's going on in front of them," He said.
Having a community that bleeds care and support is the foundation for a strong music scene. People can go around proclaiming, "
Support local music!" all they want, but without the dedication of musicians and fans it is a penny thrown down a dry wishing well.
"I've seen too many people giving up with music recently and it's sad," said Grayson Prince (vocals/keys/guitar) of melodic pop outfit
Tomorrow to Forever.
"It's pretty much like taking care of a plant," he continued, "It's going to take some nurturing."
Like a plant, given enough time and care, a passionate community of musicians and fans will spring up. That's what Bonner and Sissy Broadwater hope to accomplish.
That's why the show this Friday is completely free, and open to all ages.
Bonner said, "We could have charged $5-$10 a person, but this show isn't about the money, it's about the music. It's about bringing the community together, not making them pay to have a good time."
Management decided to not sell alcohol at this event, a decision supported by Vincent (Renfield).
"All ages shows are the most important because it’s more about the music and less about being the soundtrack to someone's drunken attempt at getting laid," said Vincent.
The kick off show is truly designed to be welcoming to everyone. The bill isn't weighed down with one genre of music.
Bands from every vein of music are coming together to put on an all-evening show. Whether you like mosh pits, southern twang, shredding solos or simple acoustic tunes, there is something for everyone.
"If you don’t like one band you’ll find one, two, three, four bands there you’ll like, if not love," said Debastiani.
These factors contribute to what will be a glimpse of the well-nurtured camaraderie that is reminiscent of the past.
The Renfields, Culture Thief and Tomorrow to Forever will be joining eight other acts for what is sure to be a memorable night.
So grab your friends, your neighbors, your family and any stranger you encounter between now and then, and come celebrate the grand reopening and rebirth of not only the Main Street Cafe, but the Clarksburg music scene.
Transylvanian pogo-punk Vincent leaves everyone with this, "We are just excited for a new venue, new people, and hopefully the reanimation of a new music community in this area."
We are too.
The music will begin at approximately 4:30 p.m. and last until 11:15 p.m.
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RSVP and stay up-to-date with the show by checking in on the Facebook event.
Parking options are as follows:
Traders Alley off of Jackson Square (free)
Street parking (free after 6 p.m.)
Gravel lot behind the cafe (only after 6 p.m.)
Parking garage a few blocks away (cheap)
Metered parking behind venue
Comment any other parking areas that you know of.
This Thursday, June 19th, Instead of Sleeping, Culture Thief, Timelines and Ryan Glaspell will be performing at the cafe's first ever beach-themed concert.
