Frequently Asked Questions, Part II

December 18th, 2009 § 0

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Why was the stage at Little Brother’s so damn high?

We didn’t set out to have a four-foot high stage. We had designed it at 3′4″ to accommodate some really big bass cabinets without those monsters touching the stage-top’s bottom and causing sound-reinforcement nightmares. But the fire inspector said we needed a foot between the cabs and the stage. We reminded him that the wires were passive, but he insisted that the code said there had to be one foot between them, so we complied.

Now, the down side was that the performers were farther away, thus shows felt less intimate. But on the nights that we sold lots of tickets, you could see from way in the back. And man, did it cut down on stage diving.

And the top question I find myself asked everywhere I go is… “Why were you on Judge Judy?”

Actually, it’s “why did you close?”*

I believe that the end began with my intent to sell Little Brother’s to two serious, fun-loving music fans from out of town. One guy had worked for an agency and been a live music promoter in college. The other had been a touring musician that played Little Brother’s with a band that was popular on CD101.

I personally felt out of gas, trying to keep up with crowds half my age that were interested in music I only half cared about. I often said “I’ve seen this movie before and I liked it better the first two times.” I didn’t dislike the the bands or the kids coming to shows, I just didn’t love them the way I had before.

These buyers had the love, desire, enthusiasm, and just enough money to seal the deal. Although a purchase agreement was drawn up by my attorney in fall of 2006, it was contingent on them being able to buy the building too.

My personal Simon Legree – the Short North landlord that owned the building (having purchased it three years into my tenantcy) – began the so-called “negotiation” thusly: “you buy this and the next builP1010019.JPGding for $x,000,000 and we have a deal.” They were so put off by the man’s arrogance that they dropped the deal and ended up buying an old theater in Madison,Wisconsin. Back to my reality I went.

I found myself without a lease, a constantly changing market and less desire than ever to do my job. I negotiated a new one that would have increased my rent 15 percent over three years and was told that the paperwork would be sent. Weeks passed without a word. I never spoke to or heard from him again.

I was contacted by his attorney, the kind that makes people tell lawyer jokes, but he wasn’t funny and he sure wasn’t joking. He told me smugly how much he loved “women’s music” (foreshadowing the lesbian business they were lining up to take over the room?) and asked if I would leave peacefully or if they would have to throw me out. He asked me for back rent, though I didn’t owe back rent, only taxes and insurance on the property, which we’d struggled to pay every year since the landlord took over the building and added it to our expenses, but we’d always caught up on them as soon as we were able.

It has been good to have a break for the last couple of years and to have plenty of time to spend time with my son, away from the double insanity of the bar and music business. Perhaps I should thank the man. On second thought, maybe not.

Any more questions?

* We also released a lot of details about this situation in 2007 and 2008 at littlebrothers.com if you’re interested in more of the back story.

Frequently Asked Questions, Part I

December 3rd, 2009 § 0

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Question: Why did you move from the “Olde North” (2404 N. High St.) to the longer portion of the Short North?

Answer: Humpty Dumpty didn’t jump, he was pushed.  George Sicaris, my first and favorite Greek landlord was told by the city to fix up the buildings housing us and Monkey’s Retreat, or tear them down. (They were falling down together.) He opted for the latter option and erect a strip mall.

To George’s credit, he gave me $5,000 and a year’s head start to move on. We were offered the use of a great building (1100 N. High St.) that was originally a library with a beautiful edifice. I used to admire it back in my cab-drivin’ days, while sitting across the street at the then Big Bear grocery (now Family Dollar)

Question: Why did you change the name when you moved? (Probably my most-asked question.)

Answer: Stache’s was officially Stache and Little Brother’s from the time that it opened. The original Stache was Jim, who had a moustache. His co-owner, Kenny, was short, thus nicknamed “little brother.” After Little Brother’s opened, I ran into his wife at the grocery store, who said she was so glad he was finally getting some credit.

My reasons for using it were several. One, I had been a little brother growing up and had used “Little Brother Presents” when promoting shows at other places, like the Newport or Alrosa Villa. Plus, also, too (to borrow a Scrawl album title), my older, shorter brother, Terry Dougan, who died suddenly in 1991, was a fan of the club. His last words to me were “see you at NRBQ” (at Stache’s). I know I felt his spirit there whenever they played Little Brother’s, and whenever someone covered a John Prine song.

I’m all ears

November 24th, 2009 § 0

EarHornI like to listen.

Especially to great live music in an intimate setting.

Jules Shear’s songs sold millions when recorded by Cyndi Lauper or the Bangles, but my wife and I shared him with a few dozen others at Little Brother’s. After politely dodging the advice and appreciation of barfly music experts at a well-attended show there or at Stache’s, I loved to dive into a dark, quiet corner to absorb the sounds of a Tim Easton or Happy Chichester.

I regret the nights when I didn’t just shut my mouth and open my ears.

That’s why I’m creating “Listening Hours at Bristol” every Thursday evening at 9 p.m., beginning this December 3rd at Bristol Bar, 132 E. Fifth Avenue. A mere $3 will provide your entry for local luminaries with national prominence.

Chris Burney will kick off the series. He and Sam Brown will share the stage to play tunes by The Sun for the first set (a story just appeared in Columbus Alive about the band’s ending last week). For set two, Burney will be joined by Courtney Jacobs (formerly of the Moist Star) to do songs by their new band Adult Fiction, and some country favorites. Yours truly will sprinkle a little spoken word in between sets.

Doors open at 8 pm, and you can park for free at Carl Zipf’s lock shop across Fifth Avenue. 21 and over.

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