The Proletariat Goes Out With Class.

Well, Sunday may have been the Proletariat's last night but Saturday night seemed like the perfect way to close the venue. Now, sure, the Prolee is what some would call a dive. Sure, I remember pulling a poster off a wall once and finding a few German roaches struggling to break free of the scotch tape. Sure, there was never any hand soap in the men's restroom (Sorry for not breaking that news to you ladies while the club was open). Sure, just a few weeks ago, I was walking in human piss from an overflowing toilet. Sure, the lighting there was crap for any person trying to take photos without a flash. And sure, when we brought Lori Surfer down to do films with us we only used half the multi-media equipment as the circuitry was so dodgy that we blew half of the venue's fuses in mere minutes. Yeah, let's be honest, it was kind of a dive but it was our dive. It was kind of like your dorm room. It was sloppy and a mess but it was your mess and when you flopped down in it it just felt right and that's what the Prolee was to many musicians - a place to throw you crap around and it was OK.

Saturday night (which was the final live show at the Polee) brought out the crowd and good vibes I was used to experiencing at the Proletariat's shows. To everyone's surprise, the line of people wrapped around the block and, once inside, it was easily every fire marshall's nightmare - people were packed like commuters in the Tokyo subway. But despite the crowded nature of the club, it never felt like a shallow event - these weren't people who were there for a spectacle, no these were people who were there to see great music and celebrate Denise Ramos' beloved venue. In fact, Elaine Greer, Hearts of Animals, and the Dimes stole the show from the Fiery Furnaces. I think the reason is because the Prolee meant so much to so many musicians and fans. No complaints about The Fiery Furnaces whose show was excellent but they simply couldn't channel any of the bittersweetness of the evening captured by the local bands.

So that evening Dunnock was very good in letting me capture some of the bands on a camcorder. If you have broadband(!!!), follow the link below to see some of what you may have missed. Elaine Greer plays lovely, cheerful, and clever pop and her band does a bang-up job. Hearts of Animals mixes the sweet, the melancholy, and the playful in what has to be her most psych composition. Last but not least, Young Mammals (formerly The Dimes) rip through their opening song and had the place hopping like fools. Cley's guitar work is always a blast and here it's right up front for you to enjoy. I freaking love the solo in that song! But enough! Let the music do the talking! Enjoy...

LINK(broadband only): Goodbye Proletariat

Photos in order from top to bottom: Ealine Greer, Hearts of Animals, Young Mammals)

Links:
Elaine Greer
Hearts of Animals
Young Mammals