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By Dave Ruigh, Jayplay writer
You've had your socks rocked off in most of them (and probably thrown up in all of them), but how much do you know about Lawrence's institutes of higher rocking? From hole-in-the-wall dives to expansive theatres, Massachusetts Street is lined with more rock stops than sandwich shops, a per capita ratio equaled by few cities, large or small.
"There are a lot of venues for a small town," says Richard Gintowt, a contributing author for Schools that Rock: The Rolling Stone College Guide and front man for the Lawrence-based band, OK Jones. "There's too many; it's not rational. But it works."
From smallest to largest, here's a rundown of the top five places to go, as well as a few shows you can't afford to miss this fall.
The Replay Lounge 946 Massachusetts St.
Opened in 1993, The Replay is Lawrence's punk rock stronghold. Originally a burger and pinball joint, the bar only started to book shows after a number of other venues closed. The burgers are gone now, but the pinball machines continue to draw people in seven nights a week. The bar's name itself is an arcane pinball reference to winning a free game.
As one of Lawrence's smallest venues, The Replay's capacity of 240 can be deceptive. Much of it lies outside in the heated patio/beer garden, a defiant middle finger aimed at the city's smoking ban. The stage inside, which has
hosted mega-huge bands like Pavement and The White Stripes, exists only nominally, and is little more than a slightly elevated platform. Coupled with the bar's tiny floor, it makes for a sweaty blend of rock and community fellowship.
"It's small, it's in your face, it's live, it's loud rock 'n' roll," says Jenny Osborne, manager of both the Replay and the Jackpot Saloon and Music Hall — the brother-sister bars have a common owner.
The Replay has live shows eight to 10 times a month. Cover is always two dollars and goes directly to the bands.
Jackpot Saloon and Music Hall 943 Massachusetts St.
Though it opened last spring, the Jackpot has already established itself as the place to see bands about to hit it big. Slightly bigger than The Replay, the Jackpot is flexible enough to accommodate indie-rock heavyweights like The Decemberists and Arcade Fire, as well as host local shows like KHJK's annual Farmer's Ball, a battle of the best bands Lawrence has to offer.
In accordance with the club's nostalgic, old-western name, a bleached longhorn skull watches patrons from above the Jackpot's bar as the whiskey flows freely, seven nights a week.
Embracing diversity, the Jackpot offers more than just music and booze. The club curates the occasional artist or fashion show and a plan for a weekly movie night is in the works. A Gong Show-style karaoke night is a favorite of regulars and goes down every Monday at 10 p.m., barring a scheduled show.
photos by Kit Leffler/ Jayplay photographer
If you like music at all, the odds are high that you've been to the B-Neck. A former roller skating rink, the club offers the most diverse blend of music in Lawrence, including indierock, folk and hip-hop. Photos of some of the more famous bands that have graced The Bottleneck stage (Radiohead and Sublime to name a few) blanket the walls.
"Every band who makes it has played here," says former employee Caleb Skulskie.The photos, along with the innumerable band stickers that line the bar, are "crusty rock memorabilia" and give The Bottleneck "a look that can't be made in a day,"says Chris Miller,the club's doorman/maintenance guy/workhorse.
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"It's kind of a shithole," concedes bartender Sara Waelke. "But it's about the music."
Jayplay 09.22.05