Bloody Hell Pt.2 -- TONIC in NYC may be closing?!

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This is unexpected and truly sad news. I can't say how many great shows I've seen there over the years, plus all the ones I've had the opportunity to participate in myself. Not to mention all the phenomenal Subtonic parties (Bunker, Alldisco). It ain't over yet, though. I'm going to get on my soapbox and urge NYC ILM'ers who care to help out somehow.

― Jay Vee (Manon_70), Monday, 31 January 2005 22:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Please God say they aren't closing before Graham Coxon plays there April 1.

Actually, please God say Graham Coxon's show there isn't some cruel April Fool's Joke.

― Marc H., Monday, 31 January 2005 22:48 (twenty-one years ago)

can't say i'll miss the venue itself, but now where are all the techno nerds going to hang out??? shit and its so close to my house too. i wonder where they're going to get $100,000 from.

― phil-two (phil-two), Monday, 31 January 2005 23:33 (twenty-one years ago)

I swear there are dead bodies rotting somewhere in the basement of that place. Sour earth.

― Snappy (sexyDancer), Monday, 31 January 2005 23:36 (twenty-one years ago)

its a good room tho, it would be a shame.

― noizem duke (noize duke), Monday, 31 January 2005 23:38 (twenty-one years ago)

I guess it's not surprising, considering that one of the things I like about it is that it's usually not too crowded.... (I have been to a couple of sold-out things, but not often.)

― gypsy mothra (gypsy mothra), Monday, 31 January 2005 23:52 (twenty-one years ago)

it is a real good room.

bummer.

― ddb (ddb), Monday, 31 January 2005 23:54 (twenty-one years ago)

this is sad news.

― maria tessa sciarrino (theoreticalgirl), Monday, 31 January 2005 23:58 (twenty-one years ago)

actually ive never been to the main tonic room. only the dark stank dungeon downstairs, and its always been super packed

― phil-two (phil-two), Tuesday, 1 February 2005 00:06 (twenty-one years ago)

maybe all the fun stuff will happen at that new bottle service club on orchard. the one lizzie grubman does the PR for. oh i forgot the name

― phil-two (phil-two), Tuesday, 1 February 2005 00:07 (twenty-one years ago)

this would be a huge tragedy.

I want to donate money, but I can't tell from the website whether or not raising the $100,000 would simply lift the guillotine for the time being, or whether there's even more money due in the immanent future... does anyone know?

― (Jon L), Tuesday, 1 February 2005 00:09 (twenty-one years ago)

fuuuck.

― geeta (geeta), Tuesday, 1 February 2005 00:26 (twenty-one years ago)

this blows.

― Ian John50n (orion), Tuesday, 1 February 2005 00:38 (twenty-one years ago)

dag. shoot. i guess i'll go to that benefit show in two days so at least i won't have a guilty conscience.

― greg ginn thought neubauten was bullshit, why don't you? (smile), Tuesday, 1 February 2005 00:57 (twenty-one years ago)

only been there once but it was good. its a shame.

― Savin All My Love 4 u (Savin 4ll my (heart) 4u), Tuesday, 1 February 2005 04:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Damn, I hope this doesn't happen - I'll have to see if I can go to a few of these benefit shows.

― o. nate (onate), Tuesday, 1 February 2005 04:46 (twenty-one years ago)

wow that sucks.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 1 February 2005 04:48 (twenty-one years ago)

yes, this is for real.

tonic is in danger of closing if they don't raise some money fast. the pipe that runs from tonic to the sewer collapsed last week!

they have alot of amazing benefit shows coming up soonish (sonic youth, sean lennon & yoko ono, devendra benhardt), so they can definitely raise the money eventually. there are many plans in place to make the venue more profitable once they get out of this hole (without sacrificing their ideals).

the problem is that they need money NOW to fix the plumbing so that they have flushing toliets so the benefits will be successful.

so please please donate whatever you can now! tonic needs ya!

/bryan

― dj spinoza, Tuesday, 1 February 2005 05:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Noooo
The wine barrels! I love the wine barrels!

― W i l l (common_person), Tuesday, 1 February 2005 15:34 (twenty-one years ago)

This is terrible, terrible news. I've seen several good shows there on my annual trips to NY.

― Jeff Sumner (Jeff Sumner), Tuesday, 1 February 2005 17:35 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah, this would really, really bum me out. the tonic has been one of my favorite spaces in NYC for about as long as i've lived here.

bryan - i assume those benefit shows are going to be at the tonic? SY there would be outstanding, devendra too.

― rm265, Tuesday, 1 February 2005 18:06 (twenty-one years ago)

>please please donate whatever you can now!

ok, now I understand, it's not outstanding debt, it's a disaster.

where else is there to even play / see this music in new york? a serious question from someone who lives in SF, I'm sure there must be places, but I've been visiting for years and there sure doesn't seem like there's anything else.

anyone who says pianos gets laughed at

― (Jon L), Tuesday, 1 February 2005 19:28 (twenty-one years ago)

aw shit. i don't even like tonic that much but i weep whenever i hear that yet another nyc club is biting the dust.

― Nimrod Kovacs (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 1 February 2005 19:39 (twenty-one years ago)

are the shows this week in threat of not happening? cause i'm driving 4 hours on thursday to go to tonic...please sewers hold out

― Molly, Tuesday, 1 February 2005 19:44 (twenty-one years ago)

all shows this week are still on!

there are no flushing toilets, but they have porta-potties (not the greatest situation, but it's not like the tonic bathrooms are that much nicer than porta-potties anyways). this situation will hopefully be fixed in a week or two. tonic needs support now more than ever though.

right now, many benefits are being planned for tonic, at tonic. it will be a chance to raise the needed money and have an extremely impressive run of shows.

/bryan

― djspinoza (djspinoza), Wednesday, 2 February 2005 01:34 (twenty-one years ago)

where else is there to even play / see this music in new york? a serious question from someone who lives in SF

Well, I just went to Rothko for the first time, and it seems like they might be starting to position themselves as a Tonic-type club.

I would have also said The Knitting Factory, but I get the impression that's not as true as it used to be. I'm sure there are other places too (it is New York, after all), but it'd still be sad to see Tonic go.

― Hurting (Hurting), Wednesday, 2 February 2005 02:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Rothko has good electronic stuff (pretty excited about Wheels Instead of Hooves this Friday [sorry Spinoza, I'm there for Fehlmann tho]) but are they even trying to have the out-there improv/downtown/avant-guarde stuff?

― W i l l (common_person), Wednesday, 2 February 2005 02:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Rothko is gross.

― C0L1N B--KETT, Wednesday, 2 February 2005 02:35 (twenty-one years ago)

(I was also very sick the last time I was there but it's just a terrible space to try to dance.)

― C0L1N B--KETT, Wednesday, 2 February 2005 02:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Hurting - I very much doubt rothko would ever consider taking on many of the folks who play Tonic. It just doesn't seem to jibe with their taste in booking, which I can't really pigeonhole but on the overall gears towards a more or less younger rock audience. That description is poor, actually, because I've seen a few bands there that aren't remotely "rock" (Gang Gang Dance, Colder) in my book, but I think the likes of John Zorn, Marshall Allen, Derek Bailey, et.al would probably not draw most of the folks who usually attend shows at Rothko (or hang out in the Rothko basement, for that matter). It's just a different demographic, which occasionally crosses over, but different nonetheless. I couldn't see Rothko picking up Tonic's aesthetic and being succesful.

― Jay Vee (Manon_70), Wednesday, 2 February 2005 02:54 (twenty-one years ago)

God. Did that post make sense at all? Not too sure...

― Jay Vee (Manon_70), Wednesday, 2 February 2005 02:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes it did. Admittedly, I've only been once, so my impression was just based on a couple of knob-tweedling noise acts and dim red light.

― Hurting (Hurting), Wednesday, 2 February 2005 03:02 (twenty-one years ago)

i'll definitely check out some of the benefit shows. i'd go see john zorn, but i asked him a questions last week at a Q & A and he told me to fuck off, so i'm kinda pissed at him for a while. i'll definitely go to SY & Devendra... and everyone should go to the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey show. they are criminally under-rated........... and maybe i do promo for them.

― poortheatre (poortheatre), Wednesday, 2 February 2005 03:08 (twenty-one years ago)

The Dimestore Dance Band Show this Friday will be a benefit of sorts since Jack Martin (who heads the DDB) just let me know they're donating all proceeds to Tonic.

― Jay Vee (Manon_70), Wednesday, 2 February 2005 03:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Posted a little while ago on the zornlist:

Has anyone heard about this? On Friedlander's page there is a Berne/Friedlander/Rainey gig listed at the Stone on E. Houston St in April. A friend of mine asked Erik about this and he said that Zorn is opening his own club- The Stone. Does anyone have any info on this? This could be very interesting.

The next poster assumed/speculated that it's named after Irving & Stephanie Stone. No other info yet.

― Curious George Rides a Republican (Rock Hardy), Wednesday, 2 February 2005 20:27 (twenty-one years ago)

but i asked him a questions last week at a Q & A and he told me to fuck off

Really? What did you ask him? I know he has a reputation for being quite testy with audiences/journalists/etc, though, so I'm not too surprised. I'm guessing this was at the Miller Theater show last week?

― o. nate (onate), Wednesday, 2 February 2005 20:47 (twenty-one years ago)

That "Last Mighty Robot" shit lasted less than a week.

― Snappy (sexyDancer), Wednesday, 2 February 2005 20:51 (twenty-one years ago)

apparently I saw Devendra Barnhart there a few years ago; I was unaware of this until last night. I had tried to erase it from my memory.

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Sunday, 6 February 2005 01:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Moderator: We have a couple minutes, if anyone in the audience dares, to answer a few questions.
Me: Mr. Zorn, could you talk a little about your work with The Boredoms?
Zorn: Oh, fuck off.
Me: Uh...
Moderator: Boredoms?
Zorn: They're a Japanese rock group. They're great... Fuck you. No one wants to talk about that here. It's completely out of context. If you wanna talk about Boredoms, come to CB's on Sunday afternoons for the metal set.
Moderator: Next question.

It was a performance of his new classical work, so I can understand why he would call it out of context, but he reacted like I had said, "Mr. Zorn, could you please talk about how you contracted genital warts?" And I don't know what he was talking about when he said CB's, if that is what he said. Maybe CBGBs? Oh well.

Is Sonic Youth really playing? I listened to 'Sister' three times today.

― poortheatre (poortheatre), Sunday, 6 February 2005 01:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Zorn in continuing to be a dick non shocker.

― donut christ (donut), Sunday, 6 February 2005 01:55 (twenty-one years ago)

cb's = common abbreviation for cbgb

― oskar shindig! (Jody Beth Rosen), Sunday, 6 February 2005 01:56 (twenty-one years ago)

it ain't just tonic, by the way:

http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0507,soti,61075,22.html

― chuck, Saturday, 12 February 2005 02:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Zorn in continuing to be a dick non shocker.

-- donut christ (do...), February 6th, 2005.

His music isn't so hot either.

― Hurting (Hurting), Saturday, 12 February 2005 03:18 (twenty-one years ago)

The Voice article makes me sort of angry, but I have no one to be angry at. Manhattan building owners wanting to make money non-shocker. Clubs not being money-making machines non-shocker. Music being priced out by the same chic atmosphere it gave the neighborhood in the first place non-shocker. All of Manhattan becoming the Upper West Side, ok, still a bit of a shocker to me but I guess it shouldn't be.

― Hurting (Hurting), Saturday, 12 February 2005 03:24 (twenty-one years ago)

It's not unlike what's happening on my very own block in Jersey City:

http://www.jcedc.org/new/nyt033003.html

(scroll down to the January 7 article for lastest info)

― Hurting (Hurting), Saturday, 12 February 2005 03:33 (twenty-one years ago)

ARGH! Wrong link!!!!!

http://www.111first.org/home.cfm

― Hurting (Hurting), Saturday, 12 February 2005 03:39 (twenty-one years ago)

life is a non-shocker.

― greg ginn thought neubauten was bullshit, why don't you? (smile), Saturday, 12 February 2005 06:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Me: Mr. Zorn, could you talk a little about your work with The Boredoms?
Zorn: Oh, fuck off

Yeah, that sounds pretty uncalled for. Maybe he's a little sensitive about being placed in the "rock musician" ghetto when he's presenting his work in a classical context.

― o. nate (onate), Monday, 14 February 2005 17:02 (twenty-one years ago)

two weeks pass...

The port-a-potties are still in effect. I was there Sunday for Mascott and Antietam (how long has Josh from Other Music been drumming for Tara?), but had to bail from exhaustion before Ida went on.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 1 March 2005 14:43 (twenty-one years ago)

According to the meter on their website, they've raised enough to fix the sewer, I'm sure it'll take time, though. Triple R at the Bunker on Friday!

― W i l l (common_person), Tuesday, 1 March 2005 15:48 (twenty-one years ago)

i was psyched to see the bunker was upstairs last week - all that room to dance is nice! hopefully it will be up there again on friday.

and daniel bell is there in two weeks too!

― rm265, Tuesday, 1 March 2005 15:54 (twenty-one years ago)

how long has Josh from Other Music been drumming for Tara?

Forever.

― Ian John50n (orion), Tuesday, 1 March 2005 16:01 (twenty-one years ago)

how long has Josh from Other Music been drumming for Tara?

yeah i was gonna say, as long as i've known him, which is probably about 12 years or so.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 1 March 2005 16:28 (twenty-one years ago)

friday 25th of march will be a good un at the bunker, too.
ripley of mashit fame - and my good self, apparently!
i like tonic a lot - would be a great shame if it goes down the tubes.

― stelfoxx, Tuesday, 1 March 2005 16:49 (twenty-one years ago)

oh wow, DJ C from mashit as well. (or is that you?)

i did not know that. alas i think i'll be out of town.

― rm265, Tuesday, 1 March 2005 16:58 (twenty-one years ago)

The port-a-potties are still in effect

I like the port-a-potties. They remind me of camping trips. I kind of wish they would put them outside though, rather than in the lobby.

― o. nate (onate), Tuesday, 1 March 2005 17:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Luckily, the shitty dance club Tonic in Knoxville will remain open.

― roxymuzak (roxymuzak), Tuesday, 1 March 2005 17:57 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah, having sammy dee and plexus upstairs was so nice. i hate that dark stank basement - reminds me of lit. but yay, triple r.

― phil-two (phil-two), Tuesday, 1 March 2005 20:09 (twenty-one years ago)

i just heard that triple R is also going to be at halycon at 7 PM on friday. i haven't been to the new halcyon (in DUMBO) yet but this is definitely tempting for a first visit.

― rm265, Tuesday, 1 March 2005 20:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Last time Dan Bell played there it was f*cking gRaTe!! I can't wait for Round 2. Oh, and Dave S. on the 25th? maybe this time around we will get a chance to meet up, Mr. Stlfx!

― Jay Vee (Manon_70), Wednesday, 2 March 2005 04:24 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah we definitely should.

― stelfoxx, Wednesday, 2 March 2005 11:06 (twenty-one years ago)

spinoza's email said that triple R is going to be downstairs at the tonic tomorrow. sigh. still looking fwd to it though.

― rm265, Thursday, 3 March 2005 21:40 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't understand all this hating on Subtonic. I've never been there when it was too crowded to dance, though

― W i l l (common_person), Thursday, 3 March 2005 22:02 (twenty-one years ago)

as a bar, it's a wonderful space. but sammy dee sold out last week, so i'm guessing tomorrow will be just as crowded ... which is much tougher down there.

― rm265, Thursday, 3 March 2005 23:05 (twenty-one years ago)

two weeks pass...

Dan Bell tonight!

― W i l l (common_person), Friday, 18 March 2005 16:59 (twenty-one years ago)

awesome party last night - dan bell was great, and i was really impressed with cabanne.

they're both at tonic again tonight, this time with sammy dee also in the mix.

― rajeev (rajeev), Saturday, 19 March 2005 21:01 (twenty-one years ago)

I got there around midnight, and Spinoza was on the decks (and was good) (and I think there had been sound troubles or something because it was really quiet at first and he was messing around with cables and junk) (the sound troubled me the whole night-- generally, needed to be LOUDER). I was surprised b/c I thought Dan Bell would have been on at that time, but I think then he got on, and then was that Cabanne who took over at like 2:30 (or maybe 3:00, I dunno)? If so, I liked Cabanne better. DB's set was too quiet or subtle or something-- didn't really build to anything, I thought.

― W i l l (common_person), Saturday, 19 March 2005 21:23 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah i agree that cabanne was better. i caught only the back half of bell's early set, but he came back on around 3:30 or so.

― rajeev (rajeev), Saturday, 19 March 2005 21:29 (twenty-one years ago)

I liked Cabanne's set better. Yr right, Will - It was too quiet. Then Gang Gang Dance upstairs at 2 a.m - OH MY. That was great.

― Jay Vee (Manon_70), Sunday, 20 March 2005 01:01 (twenty-one years ago)

What was that like? Do people dance to them?

― W i l l (common_person), Sunday, 20 March 2005 16:50 (twenty-one years ago)

I saw one girl dancing. If you're asking me what they sound like, right now I think they sound like ancient Persian street musicians performing in a sandstorm.

― Jay Vee (Manon_70), Sunday, 20 March 2005 17:59 (twenty-one years ago)

one month passes...

Tipped by the weekly Onion e-letter: "the immediate threat of eviction is gone," and they're having some kind of free thank-you show on May 10.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 3 May 2005 17:51 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah, they're in the clear now.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 3 May 2005 17:56 (twenty-one years ago)

one year passes...

Not any more

Ah, fuck. That’s about the only thing that can be said to the news that Tonic, one of the city’s most popular small clubs—to musicians and fans alike—will be closing next month, with the last night of music being lucky Friday the 13th. The well-liked owners, Melissa Caruso Scott and John Scott, have yet to issue an official press release describing their reasons for closing, but one can only assume that the enormous, appalling tower of condos that got thrown up literally next door is part of it. (It all brings to mind DeNiro in Brazil, gliding in on a wire after striking a blow against the powers that be, smiling and assuring us that “We’re all in it together.” But I digress—and anyway, I’m not advocating that sort of behavior, am I?)

Expect the days leading up to April 13 to be filled with special shows of one sort or another. For the moment, Melissa and John emit a vague optimism about carrying on Tonic’s mission; in the meantime, they’ll continue to put on shows at the nearby Abrons Art Center, as they have for months now. And there’s no small amount of good news to report, as well: Melissa very recently gave birth to her and John’s first child, a healthy boy who is graced with the sophisticated and regal name of Addison Wyatt Caruso Scott. I could say something hackneyed about endings and beginnings, but for the sake of us all, nah.

― Elvis Telecom, Friday, 30 March 2007 00:09 (nineteen years ago)

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