Live music venues rock locals
Cody Mohon
Issue date: 9/11/08 Section: Culture
Chattanooga is a big city, but it only has a few venues cheap enough for a college student's budget, according to Luke Edwards, a sophomore from Dayton, Tenn.
Edwards said Club Fathom, located in downtown Chattanooga, is most students' first choice to get their music fix because it is so close to campus.
"Fathom is located a few blocks off campus and can be easily walked to, which makes it great for something to do on the weekend," Edwards said.
"The best thing about Fathom is that in between bands you can leave and go get pizza at Lupi's, and I love pizza," he said.
However, Edwards said club Fathom can be expensive, and the venue has no place for patrons to sit and relax between sets.
Andrew Bettis, a Chattanooga junior, said club Fathom is in a great location, but it has gotten stereotyped into playing only one kind of music.
"Hopefully the bad connotations of the music scene will die away and allow for the growth of local music," Bettis said.
According to Edwards, The Warehouse, a venue that opened this summer in East Ridge, is quickly becoming the most popular venue choice for several different reasons.
"My favorite thing about The Warehouse is the atmosphere and how a lot of good friends come out and just hang," Edwards said.
"You can't beat a venue with a sick local atmosphere and all your great friends there to chill," he said.
Bettis, a member of the local band Dead End Stanley, said, "At The Warehouse the bands are taken care of very well, even being offered a place to sleep if necessary," he said.
"I know that when my band plays we will have a good mix in the speakers and there will be good organization, ensuring the show runs smoothly," he said.
Bettis said The Warehouse is a 10-minute drive from the UTC campus, in a new, well kept building, and is advertised as a drug- and alcohol-free environment.
According to Carson O'Shoney of Franklin, Tenn., Rhythm and Brews located on Market Street has one major downfall when appealing to college students: they have an age limit of 21 and over when they host shows.
Edwards said he believes that in spite of the scant options available to students for seeing live music in Chattanooga, the scene is persevering.
"Since I'm a local anyone can ask me about shows or any of the venues if they see me on campus," he said. "I love meeting new kids."
Edwards said Club Fathom, located in downtown Chattanooga, is most students' first choice to get their music fix because it is so close to campus.
"Fathom is located a few blocks off campus and can be easily walked to, which makes it great for something to do on the weekend," Edwards said.
"The best thing about Fathom is that in between bands you can leave and go get pizza at Lupi's, and I love pizza," he said.
However, Edwards said club Fathom can be expensive, and the venue has no place for patrons to sit and relax between sets.
Andrew Bettis, a Chattanooga junior, said club Fathom is in a great location, but it has gotten stereotyped into playing only one kind of music.
"Hopefully the bad connotations of the music scene will die away and allow for the growth of local music," Bettis said.
According to Edwards, The Warehouse, a venue that opened this summer in East Ridge, is quickly becoming the most popular venue choice for several different reasons.
"My favorite thing about The Warehouse is the atmosphere and how a lot of good friends come out and just hang," Edwards said.
"You can't beat a venue with a sick local atmosphere and all your great friends there to chill," he said.
Bettis, a member of the local band Dead End Stanley, said, "At The Warehouse the bands are taken care of very well, even being offered a place to sleep if necessary," he said.
"I know that when my band plays we will have a good mix in the speakers and there will be good organization, ensuring the show runs smoothly," he said.
Bettis said The Warehouse is a 10-minute drive from the UTC campus, in a new, well kept building, and is advertised as a drug- and alcohol-free environment.
According to Carson O'Shoney of Franklin, Tenn., Rhythm and Brews located on Market Street has one major downfall when appealing to college students: they have an age limit of 21 and over when they host shows.
Edwards said he believes that in spite of the scant options available to students for seeing live music in Chattanooga, the scene is persevering.
"Since I'm a local anyone can ask me about shows or any of the venues if they see me on campus," he said. "I love meeting new kids."