Gumby's Pizza leaves music scene behind
By Scott Daugherty, staff writer
(Manhattan Mercury)
The new school year finds Manhattan's music scene still struggling to find its way.
Gumby's Pizza, viewed by many as a starter club for area bands, closed its
bar/stage area in July. There wasn't enough of a market to support that business,
the owner says.
PJ's, Auntie Mae's Parlour, Bobby T's Bar & Deli, and Pat's Blue Rib'n
offer regular concerts from local musicians--with each hosting at least one
show a week. O'Malleys, Joe's Tap Room, Rusty's Last Chance and Cox Bros. BBQ
offer occasional shows throughout the year.
Local musicians, however, say they have felt the loss of Gumby's.
"It really has hurt the scene," said Kasey Arbenz of Clap, adding
that his band got its start at Gumby's. "A lot of people would just go
there to see what new music was coming out."
Ben Schardein, veteran of Binge, Blakes, and most recently, Guild, said Gumby's
was the starter club for many new acts.
"It was a great starting place," Schardein said, noting the lack
of a cover charge relieved a lot of the pressure new bands have to bring in
a crowd. He added that since there was no age restriction on Gumby's shows,
a lot of high school bands would play there--usually to a high school-aged crowd.
"It was almost like Gumby's was too good to be true," said Tyler
"Re-Light" Feeney, of Choad.
Feeney said the local music scene--which has struggled over the years--had
been gaining momentum.
Doug Macejewski, owner of Gumby's, said the bar--which opened in August of
2002-- was "interruptive" and "not suitable" for his restaurant.
"Putting a bar in was an experimental thing," Macejewski said, adding
that Gumby's is a restaurant first. "We are not a night club."
Schardein has seen some growing uncertainty in Manhattan's music scene, but he's confident it will get better once school is back in session.
"I think it will turn itself around. I think it will right itself," he said.
"We will work through it," said Shawn Leeth, the former organizer of Gumby's stage and co founder of the Manhattan Music Coalition which included Gumby's, PJs and Auntie Mae's Parlour. He lost his job when Gumby's closed its bar.
Manhattan's remaining local music venues plan to continue offering shows; some are even stepping up their efforts.
"We are trying to give bands a chance," said Dot Tucker, general manager of PJ's. She said they book a lot of different bands every week, in the hopes people will get out and see what's new in music.
"We've had some really lousy bands, but we've had some really awesome ones too," Tucker said. "It's about the music."
Pat's Blue Ribbon which has occasionally hosted local bands in the past is starting a new Friday night concert series targeting a slightly older crowd.
"I think it's a good opportunity," said Chris Downs, general manager of Pat's. He hopes the 6 p.m. showtimes will bring out the working stiffs that might be too tired to attend a late night show.
The Deal a classic rock/folk jam band kick off the series Friday. Downs said a variety of bluegrass and folk bands are scheduled for the next three weeks and if all goes well he'll schedule more.
Greg Bollenbach, co owner of Bobby T's Bar & Deli, said concerts and open mic nights are good for his business.
"It brings out more people to the bar," Bollenbach said, and he's open to letting almost any band play there just as long as the music isn't too loud or too hard.
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