Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Mohawk Place: Honest and Raw




Waxing nostalgic is lame. But, sometimes when it has to be done, it has to be done. There's no denying that a music venue such as the Mohawk Place has earned it's share of nostalgia and revelry. It served as the staple rock bar for it's 20+ year run in downtown Buffalo, a place that seemed less than likely to host any kind of night life seeing how sadly Buffalo's populace diminished over the same 20+ year period.

Mohawk Place could be seen as a last strong hold in this instance. Seeing it close its doors effective January 13th, 2013 is a sad thing, but in some ways, it was inevitable. The management had "lost it's lust for life", so to speak and the relatively unknown and lack luster newer owner was an absentee sort, unlike the original Pete Perrone, who relinquished control in late 2008 as the task of owning a deteriorating building that happened to host some of the most amazing music in the world was too tall an order for his health and livelihood. Pete's departure left a bit of a hole in the venue, with booking & management changes and oversight of the calendar falling into the hands of people who were not as eager to see a local scene prosper, as much as they were into cashing in on having a small room to use for their mainstream fodder. From an outsider perspective, Mohawk Place was business as usual. But for us insiders or people that knew people that worked there, we knew the truth. It was bleeding internally and on life support.

Sadly, Mohawk Place declined into a state sadder than a clown with a broken kazoo. The venue that once was a lively and fun hot spot, full of rock and roll and weirdos became another "space" for whatever kind of bullshit was happening that night. If it was a "ska" night, than it was a bunch of goofballs wearing two-tone and acting righteous. If it was a "Transmission" dance party, well, than indie rock nerds reveled in their own delight as the hipster parade ensued. The truth is though, regardless of the "clique" taking over the venue that night, it was nice that people still got together at the Mohawk and got wasted, regardless of their taste (or lack thereof.) The loss of it will certainly disenfranchise more than a few local scenes and cliques.

A healthy local music scene did evolve from it, some of the better bands decided even to start a label, which was insular and self-serving, but at the same time, it gave the appearance that at least there was something going on. Other local bands became ambassadors for rock at the Mohawk Place, so to speak, inviting out of town and even more obscure national acts to grace the sticky, dank stage and perhaps even garner a humble crowd. This is the purpose of a small bar with a stage. Sharing some spirits, leveling the field, making a venue for art. Mohawk Place served many a purpose in this regard.

The truth is that the Mohawk Place's raw nature was unwieldy and to some it was uninviting. I spent many a night there, listening to people's initial response and sometimes it was "this place is soooo cool!" and other times it was simply "Eeewww, there's a rat in the toilet!" Either response those was music to my ears. I love when a venue is definitive and immediate. I love when you feel something right away and take a side. Too many environments serve as mediums, venues that are amorphous to a fault. Mohawk was not, it was always a raw, broken down beast, that you either learned to either love or hate. But you made a decision and that was what mattered in the end.

A lot of people waxing nostalgia will claim to have the inside angle on why it's closing, just like I kind of did. But regardless of why, the sad truth is that it is closing. Is it because you, dear reader, did not go there, except for that one time 10 years ago to see that hip band that AV said was the next "Jesus and Mary Chain"? Did your lack of attendance over the past decade matter? It probably did, but hey, you can still youtube clips of your favorite bands performing there and vicariously (and more comfortably) enjoy it, time and again.


 - Vic Lazar

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About Us

Buffalo, NY, United States
I am an online journalist/blogger/ freelance writer with a strong background in science and deep interest in indie rock.