http://www.dischord.com/fugazi_live_series/dallas-tx-usa-50490
When Ian MacKaye first called me at the store, I had to swallow in order to speak. Really? Ian MacKaye? Has the world flipped over on its edge? The God Father of DC hardcore and the co-owner of one of the best record labels in existence, is speaking to me? He said he had gotten my number from someone that “thought” I could put on a DIY show. When he asked me if I would put on their upcoming show in Dallas, (of course I had never done anything lie it), but I gulped and said confidently, YES.
Fugazi, was one of the most influential bands of the 90's. I was star struck. I felt like I was living in "Wayne's World" -- "I'm not worthy!!" But the wheels started moving in my head ... Where can I do this? Luckily I’m a resourceful woman, and have friends with many talents. My friend Michael Moore (RIP) was currently living in an empty warehouse. The owners were letting him stay there so that the building would not be vandalized. Perfect spot to put on a DIY show, but the problem with an empty warehouse is just that … it’s empty. We needed a stage, lights and sound. My best friend David Alkire was working at the Science Place Museum as their constructor for exhibits, as soon as I told him what needed to be done, he took the reins. While David and Michael began working on the construction of the stage, I went seeking the sound and light equipment that would be needed. We were determined to put on the best show ever, little did we know what was awaiting us.
I made a simple flyer and started on the grassroots marketing for the show. We were hoping that 200 people would show up for the gig. We solicited a local band Last Rites for the opening act, we knew they had their own local following and would pull in a crowd on their own. All the pieces were falling into place. Buzz on the street was building, as everyone was talking about the show.
As the day neared, David was busy completing the building of the stage. David being an artist couldn’t just build an average stage, he constructed the stage on top of a dilapidated car. It looked so cool. It was definitely the central focus point of the room. We all solicited our friends for help with manning the door and security (of course no one having actual club experience). We felt we were ready for action.
The day of the show Fugazi rolled in with their truck. They were ready to give the kids what they wanted; a kick ass show. We had all worked so hard for this day. The band was very happy with space and thought it suited their purpose perfectly. From this point on … everything accelerated for me … I was in some kind of space warp time continuum.
Last Rites sound checked then Fugazi. We had a dock door with a chain link fence that we would be using for the entry into the space. And our guests began to arrive. And they kept on coming.
By the time Last Rites had finished their set, the place was packed and we were nearing over 400 people … YES … double what was expected. The crowd had pushed so hard on the stage that it had collapsed on top of the car and was wedged into the corner of the warehouse. It was a sweat pit of testosterone. The energy was at a peak as everyone waited for Fugazi to hit the stage. No sooner had the show began, it ended.
Every official in the city of Dallas showed up for the show. We had Dallas’ finest in blue there with their paddy wagon. We had the Fire Marshall and his crew, and to top off the gang’s all here … TABC / ATF were there in force.
Thank god Ian is the charismatic character that he is. He swung into master of the event as all of us novices stood and stared. He was logical and authoritative. He had no problem dealing with all of the officials. We had to clear the building, and as you might imagine this made for a very unhappy lot of 400 sweating people. Once the building was cleared we got to the root problem, no fire exit.
Simultaneous Ian was keeping the crowd from turning into a riot and negotiating with the officials. Somehow he negotiated that it would be alright for the band to continue playing, but the crowd could not come inside the building. This was preposterous, but then again this was Fugazi. We were handed our citations and fines, then opened up all of the dock doors to the warehouse. Fugazi hit the stage again with an audience separated by a chainlink fence. If you were there you know what an amazing show this turned out to be. All the times that I have seen Fugazi play, this was the most emotional show I had ever seen. Fugazi would play several songs, then run and jump on the chain link fence where the audience on the other side was already clinging to. Outside a huge pit materialized and fans climbed on top of Fugazi’s truck, taking stage dives from the roof. It was truly amazing.
When Ian MacKaye first called me at the store, I had to swallow in order to speak. Really? Ian MacKaye? Has the world flipped over on its edge? The God Father of DC hardcore and the co-owner of one of the best record labels in existence, is speaking to me? He said he had gotten my number from someone that “thought” I could put on a DIY show. When he asked me if I would put on their upcoming show in Dallas, (of course I had never done anything lie it), but I gulped and said confidently, YES.
Fugazi, was one of the most influential bands of the 90's. I was star struck. I felt like I was living in "Wayne's World" -- "I'm not worthy!!" But the wheels started moving in my head ... Where can I do this? Luckily I’m a resourceful woman, and have friends with many talents. My friend Michael Moore (RIP) was currently living in an empty warehouse. The owners were letting him stay there so that the building would not be vandalized. Perfect spot to put on a DIY show, but the problem with an empty warehouse is just that … it’s empty. We needed a stage, lights and sound. My best friend David Alkire was working at the Science Place Museum as their constructor for exhibits, as soon as I told him what needed to be done, he took the reins. While David and Michael began working on the construction of the stage, I went seeking the sound and light equipment that would be needed. We were determined to put on the best show ever, little did we know what was awaiting us.
I made a simple flyer and started on the grassroots marketing for the show. We were hoping that 200 people would show up for the gig. We solicited a local band Last Rites for the opening act, we knew they had their own local following and would pull in a crowd on their own. All the pieces were falling into place. Buzz on the street was building, as everyone was talking about the show.
As the day neared, David was busy completing the building of the stage. David being an artist couldn’t just build an average stage, he constructed the stage on top of a dilapidated car. It looked so cool. It was definitely the central focus point of the room. We all solicited our friends for help with manning the door and security (of course no one having actual club experience). We felt we were ready for action.
The day of the show Fugazi rolled in with their truck. They were ready to give the kids what they wanted; a kick ass show. We had all worked so hard for this day. The band was very happy with space and thought it suited their purpose perfectly. From this point on … everything accelerated for me … I was in some kind of space warp time continuum.
Last Rites sound checked then Fugazi. We had a dock door with a chain link fence that we would be using for the entry into the space. And our guests began to arrive. And they kept on coming.
By the time Last Rites had finished their set, the place was packed and we were nearing over 400 people … YES … double what was expected. The crowd had pushed so hard on the stage that it had collapsed on top of the car and was wedged into the corner of the warehouse. It was a sweat pit of testosterone. The energy was at a peak as everyone waited for Fugazi to hit the stage. No sooner had the show began, it ended.
Every official in the city of Dallas showed up for the show. We had Dallas’ finest in blue there with their paddy wagon. We had the Fire Marshall and his crew, and to top off the gang’s all here … TABC / ATF were there in force.
Thank god Ian is the charismatic character that he is. He swung into master of the event as all of us novices stood and stared. He was logical and authoritative. He had no problem dealing with all of the officials. We had to clear the building, and as you might imagine this made for a very unhappy lot of 400 sweating people. Once the building was cleared we got to the root problem, no fire exit.
Simultaneous Ian was keeping the crowd from turning into a riot and negotiating with the officials. Somehow he negotiated that it would be alright for the band to continue playing, but the crowd could not come inside the building. This was preposterous, but then again this was Fugazi. We were handed our citations and fines, then opened up all of the dock doors to the warehouse. Fugazi hit the stage again with an audience separated by a chainlink fence. If you were there you know what an amazing show this turned out to be. All the times that I have seen Fugazi play, this was the most emotional show I had ever seen. Fugazi would play several songs, then run and jump on the chain link fence where the audience on the other side was already clinging to. Outside a huge pit materialized and fans climbed on top of Fugazi’s truck, taking stage dives from the roof. It was truly amazing.