Emo's celebrates 11 years
BY RYAN MARKMANN
Most businesses celebrate 10 years in service. Leave it to popular Austin music venue Emo’s to do things differently.
On Sept. 29, Emo’s will honor 11 successful years with a special anniversary show featuring the rock band Turbonegro.
Located at the corner of Sixth Street and Red River, Emo’s has become a staple in Austin’s nightlife.
Emo’s has accumulated a diverse list of artists that have graced the stage over the years, everyone from the Melvins and Jesus Lizard to The Donnas and the Get Up Kids. Even legend Johnny Cash played a sold-out show in 1994, giving Emo’s national recognition and introducing Cash to a new generation of fans.
Eric “Emo” Hartman opened and ran the club for nearly eight years, creating a hotspot for traveling punk, indie and underground bands while also catering to up-and-coming local bands.
Artist Frank Kozik began his career in Austin silk-screening posters for various clubs before gaining notoriety for his work at Emo’s. His concert posters cover the ceiling at Emo’s along with an x-rated mural of The Flintstones’ cartoon characters near the entrance.
“The owner approached me before the place opened to do posters and so on,” Kozik said. “Eric knew what was going on in Austin and made sure to contact all the currently ‘cool scene’ people to come to his place.”
Now living in San Francisco and owner of his production studio, Wackyland, Kozik still has fond memories of Emo’s.
“There were hundreds of great drunken nights, great bands. It was the perfect place,” Kozik said.
Emo’s promoter, Graham Williams, has booked thousands of bands in the last five years and attributes the club’s success to what Emo’s represents.
“We are a music venue first and a bar second. We serve people who like to listen to music,” Williams said. “Our booking policy is pretty strict as far as who we let play here. For example, if the promoter for Linkin Park called me tomorrow to set up a show, I’d probably have to tell him no; that’s not the kind of act we’re trying to get.”
Kozik has his own theory for Emo’s longevity.
“They had an excellent booking policy, a great staff, great space and location and free shows,” Kozik said.
With the exception of free shows, all of the other elements still apply, according to Emo’s current owner, Frank Hendrix.
“I’m very fortunate to have some of the best employees around,” Hendrix said. “The turnover rate here is incredibly low. That combined with a loyal following to the club is what has made this place last.”
A former stock trader and car salesman, Hendrix had never set foot in inside the club when he purchased it from Hartman four years ago.
“To be honest, the club was about 30 days away from being shut down when I got here,” Hendrix said. “The rent was past due, the utilities were behind…the place needed work.”
Within the last few years Hendrix has made a number of changes to the club, including upgrading the sound system, creating a comfortable backstage room for touring bands and knocking down a wall to expand the size of the main stage area.
Hendrix is reluctant to take credit for the success of Emo’s and insists he simply carried on what Hartman started.
“Eric gave Emo’s its attitude. He also believed if anyone leaves the club unhappy, then someone has done something wrong. We’ve always done our best to make sure that never happens,” Hendrix said."
Tickets for Emo’s 11th anniversary show are available in advance for $13 at www.emosaustin.com.
(Originally published in the Texas State University Star in 2003)
Most businesses celebrate 10 years in service. Leave it to popular Austin music venue Emo’s to do things differently.
On Sept. 29, Emo’s will honor 11 successful years with a special anniversary show featuring the rock band Turbonegro.
Located at the corner of Sixth Street and Red River, Emo’s has become a staple in Austin’s nightlife.
Emo’s has accumulated a diverse list of artists that have graced the stage over the years, everyone from the Melvins and Jesus Lizard to The Donnas and the Get Up Kids. Even legend Johnny Cash played a sold-out show in 1994, giving Emo’s national recognition and introducing Cash to a new generation of fans.
Eric “Emo” Hartman opened and ran the club for nearly eight years, creating a hotspot for traveling punk, indie and underground bands while also catering to up-and-coming local bands.
Artist Frank Kozik began his career in Austin silk-screening posters for various clubs before gaining notoriety for his work at Emo’s. His concert posters cover the ceiling at Emo’s along with an x-rated mural of The Flintstones’ cartoon characters near the entrance.
“The owner approached me before the place opened to do posters and so on,” Kozik said. “Eric knew what was going on in Austin and made sure to contact all the currently ‘cool scene’ people to come to his place.”
Now living in San Francisco and owner of his production studio, Wackyland, Kozik still has fond memories of Emo’s.
“There were hundreds of great drunken nights, great bands. It was the perfect place,” Kozik said.
Emo’s promoter, Graham Williams, has booked thousands of bands in the last five years and attributes the club’s success to what Emo’s represents.
“We are a music venue first and a bar second. We serve people who like to listen to music,” Williams said. “Our booking policy is pretty strict as far as who we let play here. For example, if the promoter for Linkin Park called me tomorrow to set up a show, I’d probably have to tell him no; that’s not the kind of act we’re trying to get.”
Kozik has his own theory for Emo’s longevity.
“They had an excellent booking policy, a great staff, great space and location and free shows,” Kozik said.
With the exception of free shows, all of the other elements still apply, according to Emo’s current owner, Frank Hendrix.
“I’m very fortunate to have some of the best employees around,” Hendrix said. “The turnover rate here is incredibly low. That combined with a loyal following to the club is what has made this place last.”
A former stock trader and car salesman, Hendrix had never set foot in inside the club when he purchased it from Hartman four years ago.
“To be honest, the club was about 30 days away from being shut down when I got here,” Hendrix said. “The rent was past due, the utilities were behind…the place needed work.”
Within the last few years Hendrix has made a number of changes to the club, including upgrading the sound system, creating a comfortable backstage room for touring bands and knocking down a wall to expand the size of the main stage area.
Hendrix is reluctant to take credit for the success of Emo’s and insists he simply carried on what Hartman started.
“Eric gave Emo’s its attitude. He also believed if anyone leaves the club unhappy, then someone has done something wrong. We’ve always done our best to make sure that never happens,” Hendrix said."
Tickets for Emo’s 11th anniversary show are available in advance for $13 at www.emosaustin.com.
(Originally published in the Texas State University Star in 2003)
posted by Ryan Markmann at
10:40 AM
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