The old and the new. An inevitable cycle that winds itself around the everyday as old becomes new becomes old again.
So: old Buster’s, new Buster’s.
In the weeks since doors officially opened at the new location on Manchester Street in the Distillery District, Buster’s Billiards & Backroom has asserted itself as a venue that knows its ghost — and can flaunt it. The Derek Trucks Band drew a big crowd last weekend.
Ace Readers were quick to elect Buster’s “best place to see live music” and “best old building rehab” in the Best of Lex Readers’ Poll while the paint was still drying.
Several blogs have asserted while they appreciate a new music venue, they don’t think it should be called Buster’s.
Jon Bodine, head booker for Buster’s, responds, “The new Buster’s still shares a lot of the characteristics of the old location,” adding, “We would like to resurrect the feel as a place where everyone can come to hang out, play some pool and rock out to an awesome jukebox. And now, everyone can come enjoy some great national and local live music in addition to all of the other great things Buster’s always provided.”
Set for next week at Buster’s is a Friday-to-Friday calendar of shows that makes good on the resurrection. From local up-starts to weathered veterans, from pop to psychobilly, there is something that runs the sonic spectrum.
“This week is a great reflection of the variety of music we want to provide,” said Bodine. “Some local, some national, all kinds of great music.”
The Yellow Belts will kick-start the weekend on Friday, September 18. Featuring members of locals Nine Pound Hammer and Active Ingredients, they continue with the same general principle: noisy garage rock undercut by a punk aesthetic. Accidentally on Purpose and Banderas will open the show at 8pm. Doors open at 7pm.
On Wednesday, September 23, indie Swede-pop outfit The Sounds will bring their polished new-wave pop to the Bluegrass. Cincinnati favorites Foxy Shazam will open the show with a hard-to-pin blending of post-rock and baroque pop. Show starts at 8 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m. The Koffin Kats follow up polish with wild and filthy psychobilly by way of Detroit Thursday, Sept. 24. Grease up your pompadour, roll up those pant cuffs and get ready to see a stand-up bass rock out. Sawyer Family and Loaded Nuns open the show, starting at 8 p.m. Doors open at 9 p.m.
Blues Traveler ends the week on Friday, September 25. The blues-rock quartet has been recording and touring over the past two decades. Their latest album North Hollywood Shootout, released in 2008 on Verve Forecast, saw the group lean more heavily towards a pop sound while holding on to their decades-long roots. Southern-fried jam band The Last Straw will open the show, 8pm. Doors open at 7pm.
What is to come?
Stay tuned.
Info, http://www.bustersbb.com
