2 posts tagged “groceries”

Yesterday on the HandsUp Board, someone mentioned the old Firehouse 3, located just northwest of Downtown off Houston street.That place really was an old fire station, which was in distressed condition and no longer used by the Fire Dept. The owner converted the space into an art space and makeshift music venue. I saw more than a few shows there, including Groceries, Swarm of Angels, and Danny Mee's first band Gross National Product. That may NOT be Danny's real first band, but I'm pretty sure that's how I met Danny. Anyway, the place close a few years ago, and there hasn't been a show there in quite a while.

Anyway, the pictures below were taken during my first visit to the Firehouse. I believe it was an art opening for Heath Flagtvedt, who had, I think, returned from Georgia specially for the event. Anyway, Groceries and Woozyhelmet played and there was beer, and the whole evening was a lot of fun. These pictures are terrible, but since there's some interest in remembering the old Firehouse #3, I figured I post them anyway. If nothing else, there are a couple decent photos of Toto dressed in rumpled finery.

This photo set comes from the Electric Eel Shock / Groceries / Woozyhelmet show on March 9, 2003. Electric Eel Shock (EES) have played Houston four or five times, but this show at the Rhythm Room was my favorite because hardly anyone was there. I think maybe 35 or 40 people made it out. Every show after this one was completely packed because people found out EES are insanely talented hard rock gods who should never, ever be missed.

By the way, I really miss the Rhythm Room. I saw a goodly number of shows there, and I think sound-wise, their room was probably the best small club in Houston. They had a nice open dance floor with cavernous booths on either side, and a bar at the back. It was basically a honkey tonk built for boot-scootin' & two stepping. But it had two things you won't find at Walter's or The Proletariat. First class sound equipment and a huge room. Even Rudyard's, which has superior sound, is cramped by comparison. Name just about any show other than maybe Low, and I woulda rather seen it at RR.