Surf's Up This Thursday, Cher

Loyal readers may remember the turmoil of a rare remaining honky tonk's demise- Chick Hall's Surf Club. It closed. It was sold. It didn't close. It almost became a CVS, but wait- then new owner James Byrum stepped in and tried to keep it all going with live bands. But "Surf Club Live" had to succumb to a new identity, and show casing local bands didn't pay the bills.

No matter what this room was built for live music, and James is trying to make that scene happen again- for now only on the occasional Thursday night. This Thursday dust off your cowboy boots for a good old fashioned Cajun Zydeco dance with Cypress Trio. Please come out and be a part of it.
Support the place- support the music- support the Cause.
Live music rocks.

$10 at the door. $5 minimum. Free billiards. 8-10:30 p.m.
Brought to you by Dancing By the Bayou.

Coming up- another dance hall struggles to stay alive-
Blob's Park this Friday.

Surf Club Blues

Many people around town remember the hoopla when Chick Hall's Surf Club "closed." The Hall family had owned and operated this local honky tonk for generations, and everyone knew things would never be the same. And they are not. But what is a refreshing surprise is that very little has changed- even the name which is now Surf Club Live. The new owners James Byrum, (or JB) and his father, Jim decided to keep Surf Club the continuing haven it has been for local bands. In his relatively short tenure, JB has booked the better known groups such as The Nighthawks, The Slickee Boys, The Grandsons and  Ruthie and The Wranglers as well acts that are still trying to get their foot in the door- any door. Tribute shows, the DC Blues Society and zydeco dances are also all a part of Surf Club Live.

With JB's father minding the door, and Mike Toole, Chick Hall's veteran sound man, still at the helm, the place has a friendly feel and a non-pretentious atmosphere. It is one of the few clubs where all ages can come see live bands, and I am hard pressed to think of a venue of the same size with such good sound and a disco ball to boot.  Due to bureaucratic issues, the Surf Club has had to close its doors for now, but if you care about local venues trumping corporate ventures, please take a moment and drop a line on JB's behalf. 

Help keep the little guys going.

Here's part of a letter JB sent out as he struggles to keep this place alive:

"Many have asked how they could help me. My integrity and business operations are being challenged. If anyone wants to help, this is how you can do so. You can write a letter that I can submit in support of myself and Surf Club Live. Speak freely as to how you feel about me, my personal dealings with you, and what I am trying to do here in support of the community, local musicians, and the local music scene in general. Feel free to make any comments you would like. I’ve tried my best to keep this club going in a terrible economy and against tremendous odds. I have done all I can to support musicians and non-profit organizations such as the DC Blues Society. I have tried to keep this club, which so many you love so much, open and running shows every week. It does not matter if you are a member of an organization, a musician, or a loyal patron, I will submit all the letters I receive as a sign of the support I have within the community.

Please email any letters to jamesbyrum@yahoo.com.

Thank you. Your support means a lot to me during these difficult times.

James Byrum
Surf Club Live"

The Hall Brothers Live and In Person

(photo by LC)

Chick Hall's Surf Club- I still run into a lot of people who are confused because of all the hoopla that went on when it "closed." Yes, the original Chick Hall's did go away as the family business run by the Hall family, but the good news is the new owners have kept it going as a local music venue under the name Surf Club Live. If you haven't been, check out the website and see all the talent that has passed through there in the past year- diligently documented by new owner JB. It's still a down home place with a large dance floor, pool tables, an enormous bar and a really good sound system.
Meanwhile The Hall Brothers might have left the headaches of owning a club behind, but they haven't stopped the music. Both Chick Hall Jr. and his brother, Chris have been on the music scene inside and out for many moons, and they are phenomenal players. They'll be appearing this Friday night at the College Park American Legion Hall from 8:30-11:30 p.m. Plenty of room to dance and catch local legends of the honky tonk rock scene in action.

Swan Song For Now

Last night was the final musical happening under the old regime at the one and only Chick Hall's Surf Club as Heroes and Friends, the house band which includes Hall Family members played all evening-with an emphasis on friends sitting in like Todd Baker, Dave Sherman, and Mark Noone to name a few.



If you'd like to come by and thank Chris for keeping the joint alive for his dad, Chick Hall all these many moons- his last night is Thursday-February 28th- as in tomorrow.

Almost From the Horse's Mouth

So it's pretty much official. What happened with The Surf Club deal was the Evil Drugstore Chain came within inches of the perfect real estate flip, but in the end it did not pan out so the new owners are going to make a go of the nightclub biz, and it's up to us- the little people- the salt o' the earth- to support live music there. Keep up with the latest at the new website Surf Club Live.

In the meantime come out tonight and say not necessarily good bye, but hopefully just until next time to Heroes and Friends- playing live at Chick Hall's- the end of the family run club.

Death of the Surf Club A Rumor ?? or Mark Twain All Over Again

Tomorrow night may be the last night that The Halls have custody of their Surf Club, but the rumor that a drug store chain bought the place may be just that- a rumor! Information has been hard to come by surrounding this whole issue, but I apologize for the previous posting which may turn out to be happily untrue.

Check out this item on the Surf Club list serve:

Hello everyone,

I am the new owner of the Surf Club. I hope to be able to continue the
great work and efforts that Mr. Hall has done over the years to bring
you the greatest music and live bands.

I look forward to meeting and working with each of you. Please feel
free to email me with any questions or comments regarding the future
of your favorite club. I welcome any suggestions in regards to what
you would like to see at the Surf Club.

Thanks to everyone!

Jimmy B

I think if you send an email to this address you can get on this list serve and see for yourself: surfclub@yahoogroups.com.

As far as I know Heroes and Friends will be playing The Surf Club tomorrow night as a final hurrah, but at this point I'd call the club to be sure...301-927-6310.

Frantic Friday as Weasel Used To Say

Why is it always piled up on one night?
WHY?
On Saturday night you can wash your hair or whatever, but FRIDAY- there's stuff from one end of this town to the other including The Junkyard Saints and Chopteeth at Chick Hall's Surf Club for Pete's Sake and your dancing pleasure. As far as I know-which isn't that much really- The Surf Club is closing next Tuesday, and a certain EVIL drug store chain (whose name I won't even repeat here I'm so dismayed) will be taking over. ( It starts with a C if you must know)

Then on the opposite side of the burg, The Rhodes T. Troubadours will not be playing Irish music at Nanny O' Brien's , but knowing them they will be slogging back an Irish Whiskey or two or three and rocking that tiny joint. They are always good for a fun show, plus the price is right. (no cover)

But wait- there's more from my trusty sidekick:

Get on over to the Cue Bar on Friday night to check out DJ Tommy B. spinning 80s music that won't be like other 80s nights. You'll hear things that most have forgotten or never knew, and tunes that evoke that decade where mainstream was maddening, and the underground was alive. And you'll get it all through the ears of Tom Berard, local legend and hero. Show your support and play some pool or ping pong, dance, drink, whatever. The Cue Bar's at 1115 U Street NW.

Lyn2

So don't let a little snow or sleet slow you down. Is anyone else sick of the fuss this town makes over the the weather? You'd think some school bus sized spy rig was falling out of the sky.

Besides there'll be plenty of parking.

Way WAY Too Much Goin' On

The Rhodes Tavern Troubadours named themselves after one of D.C.'s oldest watering holes which used to hold down the corner of 15th and F NW. Sadly, perhaps even criminally, it was torn down in 1984 to make room for "progress" despite efforts to save it. All three of the guys in this band are as original as that place. They all sing and write their own songs which is a lot of talent for one band. Unfortunately for The Troubadours, Jack O' Dell is touring with Bill Kirchen so their live performances have been cut way back. That's why their gig at Chick Hall's Surf Club is a unique happening in a unique place which is also on its way out- probably in a matter of weeks.

It's a weekend chock full of choices, and here's just some of them. There's the venerable Hula Monsters appearing at The Velvet Lounge's Tenth Anniversary Party Saturday night to consider. (Really- just consider that alone for a moment...Hawaiian Swing appearing on the same bill as... x Dead Milkman, Jack Talcum. That alone is worth a trip downtown.) Also appearing are the Ex-Husband Invisible Deadbeats (the band that Can't Make UP Its Mind on what to call Itself.) All of these bands actually have a common denominator which starts with a P which I will reveal on FRIDAY. Go ahead and place your bets now.
There's The Buddy Holly Tribute Show with too many bands to mention Saturday night at Chick Hall's.
And here's the skinny on another scene happening at The Quarry House- from my guest blogger and alter ego, Lyn2: (complete with footnote)

SIGN OF THE TIMES
I finally figured it out. The re-emergence of so many local musicians and bands had me puzzled. Then I noticed: an economic house of cards collapsing, war without end, climate confusion - the inconvenient truths abound these days. What better response to this than our old shamans tuning in to the cosmos? Be it distraction or cure-you can get a good dose this weekend at The Quarry House- an old-time tavern amidst the chain store glitz that has become Silver Spring. This is the kick off weekend for a series of Geezer Punk shows. You don't have to be a geezer or a punk to go. They have good food and an impressive beer selection. Here's what else you will get:

Friday January 25

The Stoats - Okay, I know virtually nothing about this band, but they come highly recommended from Baltimore with connections to The Mumps and Iggy Pop's band so how can you go wrong? They go on at 10.

Tru Fax and the Insaniacs don't play often but they play hard. The line-up includes the incomparable Diana Quinn, mad-scientist David Wells, Kenny Bugg (who may win the area's prize for being in the most bands at one time) and Deaf Drummer Michael Mariotte (name that song) father of the two coolest teenagers around. They'll serve up an extra-long portion of their special pop/punk/garage/new wave/rocking TRUthiness at 11.


Saturday January 26
Ottley starts at 9 so get there at 8.
- Martha Hull - a grrrrl power role model for wise and wild women far and wide. Bob Berberich - who's provided the beat for bands that define my lifetime exposure to rock and roll. Marshall Keith - who taught the guitar to play. Ottley is a hypnotic velvet tsunami.. Don't believe me? Check out I Wanna Be You on their Myspace page; it's why Humphrey Osmond coined the term "psychedelic." *

Rambling Shadows turn up the volume on the psychedelic experience and then some. Phil Duarte had one of their songs stuck in his head for two weeks. If a song is powerful enough to stick around in there I think you want to hear it live. Also Jay Moglia was featured in a pretty funny Daily Show piece last week so now he's a t.v. star, too.

7 Door Sedan -This band brings together talent from a remarkably diverse collection of local bands (White Boy, Acrylix, Vampyre Bunnies just to name a few) for this season's newest and hottest force on the scene. Your reporter has a 100% attendance rate at their two shows to date and is going back for more. 7 Door Sedan's glam/psychedelic/rock and soul thing will wow you and you will go back too.

* "A psychedelic experience is characterized by the perception of aspects of one's mind previously unknown, or by the creative exuberance of the mind liberated from its ostensibly ordinary fetters."

(Thank you, Lyn2)

So there you have it- more music than you can shake a drum stick at, and no excuse to stay home.

P.S. Don't forget GHZ TONIGHT!

Got Nick?

The Nick Lowe tribute show this weekend (which includes almost our entire population of local musicians and then some) is sold out. I hear the powers that be sold it as a seated show which can be a drag according to the powers that don't be that wish they could dance. It should be a great show, but take heart if you didn't plan ahead- you can hit a movie and rest up for next weekend. That's going to be a busy one including Prabir at the 9:30 Club Friday (some of us can't get enough) or Chopteeth and The Junkyard Saints at the Surf Club. (Whoa- THAT's a dance party) Then on Saturday there's the 30 Years Over DC punk frenzy at the 9:30 Club including Ottley and The Howling Mad. (and it should be)
Maybe we'll all have calenders by then.

It's Not Completely Too Late

Slickees at the Surf by Chip Py


If you weren't there- you missed a great night. The Slickee Boys show at Chick Hall's was a blast. All three bands- The Slickees, The Beatnik Flies and Prabir wowed the crowd. Look for more pictures of last night's show taken by Chip Py, DC ROCKS own indefatigable photographer, coming to this site soon.

And Slickee fans - you can still get 'em while there hot at The Ottobar tonight in Baltimore.
Tonight's bill also includes The Howling Mad ( Ex- Razz) Chelsea Graveyard and the Screams at Midnight (the band with the world's longest name) AND Jukebox Zeros. Doors at 8 - all ages venue.

Thursday

This morning I got up and went over to the computer to see if DC schools were open, but the movie Casablanca was already on the screen, and I couldn't get it off no matter what key I punched. I kept trying, but nothing worked. Then I woke up for real. It was 7:45- sun out, snow everywhere- and we were already an hour behind schedule. Back to the computer as the local news media rarely mentions the non-state of Washington, DC. (West Virginia, yes. Loudon County, sure, but DC?)
Finally I got the word- schools open on time. I roused my inmates. Everybody was morose, and skeptical. My son rechecked. "We 're the ONLY ones," he moaned.
Walking my smallest up to school, we saw one car spin out, and later a three car pile up. When we got to school I found out two neighbors had literally run into each other on a patch of black ice near Wilson High School. On the way back I saw another neighbor hit the deck, and a poor woman tottering down hill clinging to a fence to prevent involuntary slalom.
I don't know who's down there making the Big Decision, but I'm glad it's not me.
I've heard rumors that DC rarely closes because of the breakfast program- that kids won't be able to eat if schools don't open -which is a sad state of affairs. I have to wonder, though, if there shouldn't be some sort of separation of Breakfast and State.

In the meantime for all those with cabin fever after the BIG Storm, there's a dance at Chick Hall's tonight with Hillbilly Jazz featuring Chick Hall Jr. Yes, Chick's is still open, still sold, but under original management through the end of January. (And don't miss the big show-The Slickee Boys, The Beatnik Flies and Prabir and the Substitutes there later this month.)

Or a quieter night can be had with Patty Reese and guitar wizard, Dave Chappell down at 100 King.

Who Knew?

Yes, there was a big good-bye party, and yes, there was a Last This, That and the Other,
BUT, due to some quirk of settlement fate, Chick Hall's is still with us. With some places and people we don't get to say good-bye; other times we get more than one chance, and this is one of the latter. Such is life. So all of you procrastinators and ne'er do wells-here's your reprieve. Seize the day. There's a blues jam tonight, and the DC Blues Society will have a few shows going on. I highly recommend Heroes and Friends, the house band, featuring genuine Halls, this Friday, November 16. Dancing shoes are always a good idea. Cowboy hats are optional.

The Sun Sets on Chick Hall's Surf Club

(The sun was sinking,
but the party was just beginning)

As promised the show started shortly after three in the afternoon and went on until almost three in the morning. (At least I think that's what happened because by then I wasn't watching the clock.) I do know that the parking lot was full when I got there around 5:30. The doors were all open with good music pouring out, and sunlight streaming in, making everything feel a bit surreal- that and a ceiling full of balloons. The dance began early and went on until the cows came home.



(sun hits the surf)










Musicians were everywhere- inside and out, playing or yacking...
and it was the same scene hours later.
Every time there was a possible lag between bands,
Heroes and Friends would
take up the slack.



















The only problem was that the evening came to an end. It was hard to leave knowing that even though there will still be stuff happening there, it's never going to be the same without the Halls.

Thanks again to Chris and Chick
and all the Halls that kept this place alive and kicking-
and especially to their father for starting the whole shbang.
We're going to miss it,
and all of you-true "heroes and friends".



bye











p.s. if you click on the pix- most of them will blow up.

Aloha Chick Hall's Surf Club

It's one of those Joni Mitchell you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone things. Or maybe you do, but there just aren't enough of us out there. It isn't much to look at, but Chick Hall's Surf Club (and what a great name) is a true blue honky tonk, not an imitation. It's an anything but pretentious place to see outrageously good music. But like all good things, it must come to an end. (Why is that anyway? I find that expression incredibly annoying.) The Surf Club will soon become another venue as the time has come- after over fifty years- for the Hall family to move on.

And it's going out with a bang this Saturday, October 13.
The farewell party starts at 3 p.m. and is scheduled to go 'til 3 am
with over a dozen bands and surprise guests dropping in. No cover.
Come on by and be part of a night to remember. Bring a hankie.


...

Honky Tonk Alerts

From Josh Arnson of DC Honky Tonkin -

"It is true, My Bakery & Cafe will be closing their Georgetown location, but we have been given two weeks notice on our shows, so, just like the Titanic, The Band Will Play On!
Please join us for our swan song shows on Thursday, 9/20 and 9/27. We may resume under new tutelage/ownership in the future, so we'll let you know!"

Also please note that the beloved institution, Chick Hall's Surf Club's last day is Saturday, October 13. Get there while you can- and especially try and catch Chris Hall's band, Heros And Friends.