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First Avenue fans are hopelessly devoted
BY AMY CARLSON Pioneer Press
CHRIS POLYDOROFF, Pioneer Press

The rumor has surfaced again — that First Avenue/7th St. Entry, the Minneapolis rock institution, is in jeopardy. This time, though, co-manager Steve McClellan says the picture is bleaker than usual. A few loyal acts told us why the club is always on their routes.

It was a rumor that shot through the local music scene. Because of an empty fall calendar, word on the street this summer was that beloved Twin Cities rock club First Avenue/7th St. Entry faced an imminent demise. Club staffers did what they could to stifle the chitchat, but they couldn't deny serious concerns about the venue's future.}}}

Although rumors of this kind pop up every time the club's lease is up, co-manager and chief operator Steve McClellan readily admits this is one of the toughest financial times the club has endured in its 33-year history (it opened as the Depot in 1970). A lawsuit between the club's founder/owner Allan Fingerhut and his business partner Byron Frank, nationwide economy woes, a changing downtown landscape and stiff competition from Clear Channel paint a bleak picture.

"People support us and write nice letters," says McClellan, "but then they only come down for Lucinda Williams."

Times are so tough that the club is hosting benefit concerts for itself, and Minnesota music mainstays have been quick to offer up their services. A couple of weeks ago Jayhawks and House of Large Sizes headlined benefits in the Mainroom and the 7th St. Entry, respectively, for the club's nonprofit arm: the Developing Arts & Music Foundation. Tonight the Suburbs are the main attraction at another benefit.

First Avenue's prominence in the local music scene is undeniable, but do touring acts nationwide agree that the dingy black club is something worth saving? We asked artists who've played there to share their First Avenue memories. Turns out, they love it as much as the locals do. Why? It has a lot to do with Prince, McClellan, production manager Conrad Sverkerson (you know, the guy sitting stageside with the big mess of hair hanging off his head) and that unmistakable "vibe."

JONATHAN RICHMAN

Do you remember the first time you played First Avenue? It was about 1984, and there was a full house because it was some art-show weekend. Some break dancers opened and then it was our turn. It was great, and I got to love McClellan instantly. I'd play for him for nothing.

Why do you keep coming back? It's one of our favorite clubs in the country. We're going to see Conrad, we're going to see McClellan. It's got the spirit of why we do this. It's the kind of place I would just want to drop in and say "hi" to everybody even if we weren't playing there.

JAMES MCNEW OF YO LA TENGO

Do you remember the first time you played First Avenue? It was at the Entry and Yo La Tengo was opening for Eleventh Dream Day in the springtime in 1991... . I had always heard about it from "Purple Rain" — I love that movie. It was incredible to actually see it and go there. We didn't play in the big room until a few years later when we supported My Bloody Valentine. That was a tremendously exciting experience for me. Then I realized that most of the stuff in "Purple Rain" was shot somewhere else. You know all the walkways in the back where I had fantasized that I would go out to my motorcycle after the show — they weren't there. What a letdown.

Why do you keep coming back? I just think it's a great place. In all the time that we've been going there, we've basically been working with the same people. I mean not just the same club, the actual same people are there every time. It's difficult to explain without slighting every other club in the world, but it is really rare that people are so nice and caring about the groups that come and play at their club. When we played there a few years ago, (then) councilman Jim Niland had it proclaimed Yo La Tengo Day. That was pretty great. I can't ever say that we've had a day before — that was pretty awesome.

MICKEY MELCHIONDO, A.K.A. DEAN WEEN

Do you remember the first time you played First Avenue? We probably played the Entry in 1991 — we loved it. It's no secret that we're Prince junkies. Even if we were just in the little punk bar next door, we were just happy to be in that building. I think we played, like, a million Prince songs, which to us seemed like an original idea. We've played there so many times now, but the first thing I always think about is "Purple Rain."

Why do you keep coming back? We're one of those bands that definitely have a loyalist attitude. We've developed personal relationships with these people. I talk to Conrad every week or two. They were in the trenches with us when neither one of us was making money on Ween gigs. Also, the room has a lot of vibe and history... . You have to have some smoke and some dirt to have rock 'n' roll. First Avenue has that.

NICK HARMER OF DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

Do you remember the first time you played First Avenue? Sort of. I remember that (singer/guitarist) Ben (Gibbard) got really sick at the 7th St. Entry, and we had to play a short set. He ate at some vegan food restaurant downtown and got some form of food poisoning. The next time we played there, we got in a huge fight. So our experiences at the 7th St. Entry have left much to be desired. But the first time we played First Avenue we had a blast. Probably because we had a working toilet.

Why do you keep coming back? Sonia (Grover) and Nate (Kranz) (First Avenue bookers). They're very nice people and very professional promoters. Great sound, great sight lines, great pinball, great air hockey. We love Conrad. He's a bit weird, but a glorious institution in Minneapolis. We look forward to seeing our name painted on the side of the building.

JEFF TWEEDY OF WILCO

Do you remember the first time you played First Avenue? All I know is that every time I'm in Minneapolis, I go by there and I think that that has got to be the greatest rock club in America. It's the most ideal setup to have the little club and the big club in one building. I know that anytime I've ever seen it on a tour schedule, we've always been very, very excited to have First Avenue on there just because we know it's all going to be people that we know, people are going to make you sound better than you deserve to sound, more people are going to show up than you deserve to see you play.

Why do you keep coming back? I hope we have the opportunity to come back there soon. With a lot of places, I don't have the emotional connections like I do with the people that run First Avenue. There aren't many places around the country that have the history that First Avenue has. They provided a great environment for bands to play in. But I guess the thing I would have to say more than that, is what makes any place special over time and that's the people that run it. You can have the greatest club in the world and nobody's going to want to be there if you're not going to be treated well. Conrad and Steve are the people we've dealt with for 15 years, and I feel like I've been treated as part of the extended Minneapolis family. My gut instinct is that they've probably made a lot of people feel like that coming into Minneapolis. And I'm glad they eventually put a bathroom in the dressing room.

MIKE DOUGHTY FORMERLY OF SOUL COUGHING

Do you remember the first time you played First Avenue? I remember the first time I looked at it. I played the 7th St. Entry, I think it was January of '95 — it was very early on in the touring career of Soul Coughing. I remember walking into the Mainroom, and Babes in Toyland were playing that night. There was gear on stage, but nobody was playing yet. I thought, man, I hope I can play this stage one day, not realizing that we would go on to play the space four nights in a row.

Why do you keep coming back? Conrad. He's a superstar. He's just a sweetheart — I love that guy. There's just something very special about that room. I've played a lot of rooms with some kind of historic interest, and they're not as good as First Ave. Clubs tend to be very hollow environments — they tend to be shells. You go to some places that are that size venue, and there's just nothing special about them. There's absolutely a vibe to First Avenue.

JAMES HEATH, A.K.A. THE REVEREND HORTON HEAT

Do you remember the first time you played First Avenue? I think we played there with the Cramps — that's more than several years ago. It had the reputation — we had heard about Prince and all that. The big thing that hit me was that it seemed like a good venue, they were very nice to us and the fans were so cool and into it. And, of course, Conrad has taken care of us for so many years. He took me out golfing last time we were there.

Why do you keep coming back? It's one of the classic rock'n' roll places in America. It sounds great in there, and the people are great. It really connects the coasts. It's definitely a must-stop type of venue for touring bands. There are some great venues out there, but as far as established places with that much history, there're really not many venues that are like First Avenue.

BILLY BRAGG

Do you remember the first time you played First Avenue? I played at the Entry in '85. There was a light snow, and it was rather crisp outside. I remember it being a dark little hole that smelled of the usual things that rock places smell like. I kind of like dark little holes like that. I was in awe of the big room on count of its reputation because of Prince. I'm not sure I've ever played anywhere else in Minneapolis.

Why do you keep coming back? I like the vibe there. I like the people there. It's a good room. It's always a good show. It's one of those clubs that's a classic that everyone plays in, like the Marquee in London... . And being an old bus station, it's a classic piece of Americana. The first time we ever played there, they had a basketball machine where you get a small-sized basketball and you put your money in and try to slam them in the hoop. We stole one of those basketballs. For a long time, it was revered because it was from First Avenue.

MIKE WATT

Do you remember the first time you played First Avenue? My first association with the club is when me and D. Boon had a little label called New Alliance Records, and the first album we put out was the "Land Speed Record" by Husker Du, and it was recorded at the 7th St. Entry, and that was the first time I had heard about it. Then I played there a couple years later with the Minutemen, and it was wild. It was wild because we had knowledge of it, because that record that came off that stage — that was such a mind-blow, that thing, and here we were on that stage. It really tripped us out.

Why do you keep coming back? First Avenue/7th St. Entry is an institution. It's outlived many of the pads that I've been through in my 23 years of touring, and that's not by accident. I think Steve McClellan has had a lot to do with that... . I've been through there with many different bands, different songs, different things in my life, and they've been open-minded to check out what I've had. That says a lot to me. I meet people in the racket — some people call it the music business, but I call it the racket — these people that have a personal touch on me that have a profound influence and effect on my life, and Steve McClellan is definitely one of them. He is a star in my sky.

• What: The Suburbs and the Phones play a benefit for First Avenue/7th Street Entry

• When: 6 p.m. Oct. 3

• Where: First Avenue’s Mainroom, 701 First Avenue N., Mpls.

• Tickets: $20

• Call: 612-332-1775

i haven't lived here in mpls for very long, but i've heard about how this rumor keeps poppin up every once in a while. hopefully first ave. won't ever close its doors, cuz it's a kick-ass place to go.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Amen.

This might sound silly, but maybe somehow there could be a fundraiser to save the place?
We've already lost the purple house, we don't need to lose more.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

wish I lived there

This makes me so sad. I know the rumor keeps popping up, but this time it's very real. Talking to friends who work there, they are all very scared about how much longer the doors will stay open. They've lost a big piece of the touring machine as all the Clear Channel events book through the Quest.

I think their biggest problem is they just haven't found a niche in the past few years in the club scene. They were on the forefront of the techno movement for years but have lost that place. Without the constant stream of people coming to dance on the weekends, they are losing a huge chunk of their income.

We were out last ntie and the club was empty. I remember the days when you could barely move through the bar on Fridays and Saturdays. It has been almost 2 years since that time. I've seen slumps there before, but never for this long.

I will be truly heartbroken if this club closes. I was introduced to 1st Ave at age 15. I went down for all-age shows 2 nights in a row and saw They Might Be Giants and the next night the Wonderstuff and the Mission UK. I grew up with their all-age Sunday Night Dance Parties. I heard "My Name Is Prince" for the 1st time on one of these nights. I was introduced to the wide world of music I stll love. I saw acts including Blur, Bjork, Basement Jaxx, Jane's Addiction, The Charlatans, Moby, My Life Wih The Thrill Kill Kult, 808 State, Throwing Muses, Sugar, Primus, Social Distortion, Siouxie and the Banshees, Violent Femmes, Pizzicato 5 , Ween, Spiritualized, Ride, Lush, Billy Bragg, Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven, Love and Rockets, Echo and the Bunnymen, PJ Harvey and so many more.

The club has been THE social outlet of my life, and it will be a HUGE loss to the history of MPLS if they closedown.

Suddenly I don't feel so guilty for drinking away $60 there last night!

lovebird said:

there's been benefit concerts that have been held there from time to time as of late. a fundraiser wouldn't be a bad idea...if i had a lotta money i'd definitely donate some to the joint.

endorphin74 said:

aww, thanx for the testimonial, kitty!

i don't go to first ave. as often as i should be (fuck, it's about 5 blocks up the road from my apartment! i should be there gettin my dance on every weekend )...i do remember the last time i went, the place wuz relatively empty for a friday night. the time i went before that it wuz pretty packed.

If Prince gave a shit about anybody but himself, he would get off his ass and do a benefit. But he is too busy charging fams $150 to view a piece of shit jazz show.

Electric1 said:

ain't that the truth. He's a big reason why the bluc is known outside of Minnesota. He should lend 'em a hand.


like that'd EVER happen!

endorphin74 said:

I was thinking the same thing - but u know what? Maybe those guys at 1st Avenue dont wanna ask him - maybe even avoiding that whole...avenue (sorry!) Because u know what would happen - He'd change it all around, the acts that have made that place the institution it is (Prince didnt - He made it an iconographic building, nothing more) would no longer be welcome, and eventually, (sooner if not later) he would lose interest in it, it would get sold on, and then be bought up by some property developer who would demolish it and turn it in2 an appartment block...

So, 2 recap...get Prince involved? AVOID AT ALL CO$t$

Think about it, u know Im right...

Once again blame prince, u act as if he is surpose to save the world.he is a mucisian,it is not is responceability to save everyone who has a problem.use ur head.

Bull said:

no one is blaming Prince, shit...we are just pointing out that as a MPLS musician, it'd be nice if he could remember his roots for a minute and give the club sumptin...just one show even

but, whatevs...ain't no thang...I just want them to make it is all...

I would like to see them make also, I just don't think that people remember that prince owned a club or too or three in his day ,and they couldn't even make it so why would he go out or his way to see that someone elses club makes it. I hope that this clears things up alittle bit.