Showing My Age
It’s harsh first thing in the morning… but today I realized I’m getting old in a young city like Calgary.
The Republik - once an alternative/indie rock hot-bed in Calgary will re-open its doors this month. It’s a bonus Christmas gift for anyone over the age of 35. I yelled in the 660News newsroom how excited I am…and a younger member of our staff responded with “…do you mean Banana Republic?” It was a crushing blow to my aging ego.
Band’s like Green Day, Cracker, Wilco, the Goo Goo Dolls - they all played The Republik early in their careers. Others followed… like Hole, the Matthew Good Band, Juliana Hatfield and Our Lady Peace. Even Grandmaster Flash and the Bay City Rollers have gigged there.
The Republik was a smoky, grungy, and at-times smelly place – but it had a lovable charm. Anyone who was in Calgary during the late ’80s and through the ’90s will have spent time hanging out there.
Here’s to a new generation of music fans discovering The Republik.
If the new club is half as cool as the old one - you can count on me supporting the cause. I guess that brings up another sign of my age: I’ll be home now before last call.