Editor's note: Early yesterday morning via their facebook page, Mohawk Place announced they would be closing their doors for good next month. While rumors of the music hall's closing have been floating around for a few weeks now, yesterday's announcement still left us and many others (just look at the responses on their FB posting) feeling sad to lose such a great venue that meant so much to the local music community. From now until the final show on Saturday, January 12th, we at the blog will be posting some of our thoughts and memories of Mohawk Place. Feel free to post your own in the comments section below. Hopefully they will stir up some nostalgia and smiles of all of the great bands and people that passed through it's doors over the years.
The first time I ever really gave local music a chance was right after I returned home from graduating SUNY Cortland in 2006. I was working a part time job, trying desperately to find something more permanent, and my boss had given me a copy of Arms of the Town by the Old Sweethearts, one of Buffalo's late, great acts, during some down time. Knowing I was a fan of Ryan Adams and Wilco, he told me to give it a listen(I LOVED it), told me an old high school buddy of his plays in the band (Erik Roesser, or Spicoli to others), and that they were playing at this bar called Mohawk Place soon and I should check them out.
Being a kid from the suburbs, I didn't venture downtown much, so Mohawk Place was a mystery to me, not to mention that my fake ID was frequently taken from Cortland bouncers so I rarely had the opportunity to try to get into a bar while I was underage and home on breaks. I took the drive downtown with my directions written on a small piece of paper (I guess this iPod Maps app is much more convenient that I thought), and nervously headed inside, not knowing what to expect going there alone. The Old Sweehearts had already begun as keyboardist/singer Mark Nosowicz was just getting going on "Escape from Bonfire City" (check out video below of recent reunion performance). The bar was busier than I expected. I didn't know of Buffalo's rich local scene at the time so I was surprised to many people came out to see the band. Hey even J.P. Losman was there, feeling the music. Keep in mind, that was before he became the putrid J.P.Losman and could safely go out in public, but that's besides the point. I dug the band, but more importantly, I dug the venue and the experience.
After that, I was hooked: the old relics of shows past, the camaraderie between bands and audience, the less than clean bathroom, all of it was perfect. I explored the walls of the bar, trying to write down as many of the upcoming shows on my sheet of directions that would fit, and did a little research on some of the bands that frequented the place. The Harvest Sum lineup of bands, many of whom seemed to treat Mohawk Place as a second home, quickly became my favorite acts to get me out of Amherst and head downtown for a great night of music. Over the years, I caught more great local and national acts (the Besnard Lakes show is still near the top for me) than I can remember, made some great friends, and at the very least, saved some money on the cheap drinks.
Going to Mohawk Place always felt like you were making a special trip since you had to make a little extra effort to get there. It didn't have the luxury of being on Allen Street, blessed with so much walking traffic that the show could sell itself. Mohawk Place gave you a reason to jump in your car (or bike) and not make you feel guilty from removing yourself from the action for a couple hours. Just look back in our archives for the last few months to refresh your memory of all of the great shows the venue hosted. With that in mind, one of the more upsetting aspects of Mohawk Place closing their doors is that we may have just witnessed one of the best years of live music in Buffalo in some time. Just as the city seems to be turning into a destination spot for many acts, we take a step back. What happens now? Where are all of these bands going to play? Buffalo doesn't have THAT MANY venues mind you. Maybe the Funeral Home or the Polish Library become bigger players in shows now or maybe someone reopens the place down the road, like Showplace Theater (allegedly). Nothing, though, can replicate what Mohawk Place is doing.
All I can say is that without Mohawk Place, I would have not the appreciation I do now for Buffalo music. Hell, maybe this blog wouldn't even exist without Mohawk Place. I hope this isn't the last I write about that place, but if it is, thanks for memories. And Spicoli, thanks, as always, for that first round.
I don't have the history with the place that a lot of people do but I got a little sad during Future of the Left's last song last night knowing I may never return. Buffalo is losing a truly great place to see a set, and that sucks.
I still love that old sweets album and feel exactly the same way you do about mohawk. been going to this place since I was underage to see my friends bands play evolving to thursdays in the street after the square and going almost weekly for local and national shows. even saw some acts before they got big or when they played a downsized show. most of them were appreciative people would come out to see them. the cheap beer was always cold sometimes brought up from the basement during crowded shows when they ran out at the bar. my graffiti covered the walls and women's bathroom. first the nhl now the mohawk. it is like a little piece of me is dying.
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