VENUE REVIEWS: 924 Gilman St.
May 4th 2009 16:47
924 Gilman Street is also titled the Alternative Music Foundation. It is a non-profit all age project run by volunteers. It is a music and performance space with shows on Fridays and Saturdays, and sometimes also on Thursdays/Sundays. On weekdays, you can find either Narcotics Anon. (MON 7-8 & WED 9-10) or booking hours (TUE 7-9, WED 7-9, & THUR 7-9.) You can find the venue in Berkeley, at the corner of 8th St. and Gilman. It is close to the N Berkeley BART station. The website is found at www.924gilman.org
924 Gilman Street officially began in April 1986, when the lease was signed. In December of that year, their first show occurred. 924 Gilman Street has been bringing independent music to the public ever since. One of the original reasons for opening the venue was to fill the need for all age and punk music venues. Current music genres playing the venue include punk rock, metal, grind, ska, pop punk, industrial, and hardcore punk.
924 Gilman offers an environment that is violence, alcohol and drug-free. They do not book 'major label' bands, although prior to turning 'major league', Green Day and AFI have both played the club. Green Day also 'stole the stage' on one occasion in 2001, during a fellow band's concert - without permission from the staff. Local, national and international bands can all be found playing the venue. Other bands that have played the venue include: Chumbawamba, Indian Summer, Jawbreaker, NOFX, Submission Hold, and No Use for a Name.
Shows are usually ticketed at less than $10 - but you will need a $2 membership card that lasts for one year. Tickets and cards are both available at the door. For free entry to the show, become a volunteer. This can be done by arriving one hour prior to the door opening timeand asking for the show coordinator. Volunteers are usually needed to help out on the front door prior to the show or cleaning up post show. For those interested in further involvement, twice monthly meetings are held at 5pm. 924 Gilman decisions are created on the 1st and 3rd Saturday, monthly. Voting is not permitted on your first visit.
'924 Gilman: The Story So Far' is a publication concerning the venue written and edited by Brian Edge. It consists of memories and anecdotes concerning the club. It contains a full list of Gilman's shows from 1986 through early 2004. You can get a copy from the club itself, AK Press, or the following address: MAXIMUM ROCK'N'ROLL, PO BOX 460760, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94146-0760
(distro@maximumrocknroll.com) It costs $15 from the club or $20 in the US/$25 worldwide.
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