Artist: Cheap Trick

Album: Cheap Trick

Year: 1977

Serial killers. Suicide. Pedophiles. Not the sort of topics you would relate to Cheap Trick, but sure enough, they’re all present on their debut album.

Cheap Trick is an example of a strange phenomenon I’ve seen happen on more than one occasion. Once in a while, a band comes along and doesn’t do well here at first (or sometimes ever)…but they become immediate successes in Japan. Artists such as Cheap Trick, Queen, and The Runaways, all experienced insane popularity in Japan before ever making a dent here.

In the case of Cheap Trick, their first 3 albums didn’t even crack the Top 40 here. “Surrender”, which is now considered one of their signature songs, only hit No. 62. The twist here is that it would be their live album, “Cheap Trick at Budokan”, recorded in Japan, that would end up launching them as stars around the world, including their own country (and it wasn’t even meant to be released here!).

It’s no secret that, live, the band was a much different beast than in the studio. In contrast to the polish that made the hits so smooth sounding, they were raw and aggressive. That’s where the debut comes in. Thanks, in part, to producer Jack Douglas (who had just recently worked on a string of classic Aerosmith albums), this first album managed to capture the raw, unpolished sound that the band was capable of. Along with that, it also was very dark lyrically.

“Daddy Should Have Stayed in High School” is a song about a pedophile. “Oh Candy” (released as a single, with no success) was written about a who committed suicide. Closing track (and this writer’s personal favorite) “The Ballad of TV Violence (I’m Not the Only Boy)” is about Richard Speck, who was a serial killer.

It’s not all darkness though, but even upbeat tracks like “He’s a Whore” (which, despite the title, is not just about sex) and opening track “ELO Kiddies” (which is open to interpretation, since even the band members have all given various explanations regarding what it’s about) have a sense of mischievousness that, while not quite lacking from future albums, definitely shines through much more here.

What we end up with is an album that was a much more accurate representation of the band’s sound. After the lack of success it had here (not even breaking the Top 200), they would go with a different producer. While it would eventually lead to success for the band, it would also result in them sounding much smoother and safer (a move even the band would bemoan in later years).

In the years since, despite career ups and downs, they’re still going strong, having been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and their first 4 albums are now regarded as classics.

The debut, though, stands out.

What do Phish, Dave Matthews Band and The Red Hot Chili Peppers all have in common? Brownies 23 East- a 25-year-old music hall that’s about to get a face lift and transform to the Ardmore Music Hall, opening in September. All great music halls and venues have their share of history, fantastic shows and renovations in one way or another. Brownies 23 East is no exception to the rule.

Brownies originally opened in 1983 as the Sly Fox, nothing more than a bar off the Main Line. It’s first change came in 1989 when Steve Mountain, a bartender from the Sly Fox purchased the bar and turned it into 23 East Cabaret. The cabaret transformed the bar into a music room, serving for non mainstream and up and coming bands. They had no shortage of great guests including Phish, Dave Matthews Band, The Hooters and the Young Rumblers.

The venue’s second change came in 1996 when Joe Rufo purchased it and renamed it Brownies 23 East. Renovations to the interior and a change up in operations quickly made Brownies one of the area’s hottest college bars, raved about by review sites and travel guides. Brownies 23 East also had an impressive lineup musically. Rufo cited Los Lobos and Cheap Trick as two of his favorites.

Brownies 23 East is known across the Main Line for many of it’s promotions and non-stop action. Customers could purchase VIP bottle and lounge services along with a collection of beer. Brownies had something going every night of the week, from happy hours to bikini contests. It was always full of life, predominately of the college age.

But with time comes change. For Brownies that means a full round of renovations and revamping to put it on the map for a different audience, and not just the college kids. Being renamed The Ardmore Music Hall is perhaps the most notable change. The stage, seating, sound system and beverage selection will be getting an upgrade.

The Ardmore Music Hall will be managed by Bryan Dilworth of Bonfire Booking and Rich Kardon of Point Entertainment. In charge of operations will be Joe Rufo of Brownies 23, who recently purchased the building back after selling in 2009.

The faces behind Ardmore Music Hall: (l to r) Rich Kardon, Bryan Dilworth and Joe Rufo (photo credit Dallyn Pavey/Dish Public Relations)

“We really felt the room needed to be rebranded and re-imagined. The location will continue to have the history, but we don’t want anyone to feel it was the room it was previously; we wanted to broaden the demographic,” says Kardon, the production manager for Point Entertainment.

“There won’t be any crazy drink specials or bikini contests. It’s going to be a music venue, not a college nightclub,” says Rufo. The doors will open at 8pm and will feature more of a restaurant as well as craft beers and wine with the show.

“The objective is to keep the room active and happening every night of the week,” Kardon adds. But for the beginning, the Ardmore will be open three to four nights a week.

Along with physical changes to the building customers will also see a drastic change in atmosphere, one that lends itself to not only an older, but a broader demographic. And while the crazy college VIP packages might not be available at Ardmore, Kardon has no intention of his customers not feeling like VIPs. ” I’d like to say my goal is to treat everyone like a VIP,” he explains. One idea he has that is not set in stone is a special area that customers can rent out. “We are reaching out to an older demographic, so we have to look to create something special for them.”

Rebranding this popular venue has been in the works on and off for a few months. Rufo has always wanted to change things up for the music hall. “It was like, okay, we’re going to move forward with it,” says Kardon.

Bonfire Booking, agency for the Electric Factory, Underground Arts, and MilkBoy; and Point Entertainment book the acts. “We have different relationships with different agents and different genres that we work within,” Kardon says about how the booking agencies will be handling working together in finding acts.

Kardon is setting no limits or boundaries for the new hall. “The focus will be on top quality acts. Whether its local, established, or upcoming- we’re going after it all.”

While a lot of things are being played by ear for now to see how the hall operates, Kardon assures that there is a long term plan and the overall changes will be unmistakable. “It’s not going to be Brownies, there’s no question about it, there will be no confusion.”

Kardon and Rufo both have high hopes and excitement for the project, from renovation until the end. “The Point, Point Entertainment’s last venue, was an unplugged music room. This room will enable us to be both, a listening room as well as room that can rock.” Kardon says enthusiastically.

Rufo is ready to kick it up a notch and happy to be more than a college nightclub, as he said drink specials just weren’t something he was enjoying anymore. “I expect it to be a room that’s seriously considered as a significant venue for musicians and adults who just want to come out and see a great show,” he says.

Renovations aren’t underway just yet but Ardmore Music Hall already has a few shows booked. Johnny Winter will be there November 8th and Steep Canyon Rangers on November 22nd. Brownies 23 East closes its doors with Splintered Sunlight on July 26th. That means the renovations can begin shortly after with an opening date set for the second week of September.

“It’s going to be a busy summer,” jokes Kardon.

Disney is a star making machine. Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato are just a few names that I can toss out that Disney has cultivated and formed into superstars. Come to think about it Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera also got their start with Disney. So when my inner teenage girl saw that R5, featuring (OMG!) Ross Lynch was playing at the TLA on South Street, I had to score tix!

For my $15 ($15?! Are you kidding me, that’s a Friday night cover charge in most Philly venues) there were three opening bands, of which I only caught Hollywood Ending. All of these bands, including R5 were contestants in Disney’s “N.B.T.” (Next Big Thing) project, where all of the bands get a short 15 minute segment between wildly popular Disney shows and kids can vote for their faves!

The venue was blazing with excitement, teen fandom, screaming (a few crying) teenaged girls all pumped to see the walls of their bedrooms come alive on stage! What I loved so much about these performances is that you could totally tell that the bands were there to put on a show, win over fans and have fun! There was no pretense among them, I even caught the lead singer of Hollywood Ending risking his life by walk through the audience (of screaming teenage girls) without an entourage or a body guard. He even stopped and said hi to me (inner teenage girl screaming, OMG!). The only other person I ever saw cool enough to do that was Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick (and that was after their screaming teenage girl phase).

Well-rehearsed, polished and coiffed, R5 gave their fans a great show. They played everybody’s favorite song all the while showing that these kids can actually play their instruments. Ross Lynch (of Disney’s Austin and Ally) is, for argument’s sake, the lead singer of the band, although each member takes their moment in the spotlight equally. I think the highlight of the show for me (maybe a bathroom break for most) was when the band took a break from the sugar pop songs and threw in a little jazz jam.

All in all a fun show in a great venue. I suggest everyone give R5’s new album Loud a listen, it just may become a guilty pleasure.

The MMRBQ is May 18th. Mark your calendars, tickets go on sale at noon today. One ticket and a full day to see six bands, not bad for only $50 (plus those fees, of course). The first four bands will be general admission, but the last two is assigned seating. Don’t worry, you still only need that one ticket.

This is a yearly tradition at the Susquehanna Bank Center and unlike some bands who roll into town on a Thursday night, this show is on a Saturday. You have no excuse- no work on Sunday and you still have Friday night to prep and relax before the big show. Check out the line-up:

Buckcherry– it’s their second time playing the MMRBQ and their new album, Confessions, is out on February 19th.

Kid Felix– come support this local band. They’re at Milkboy tonight if you’re one of the few who haven’t heard them before.

Cheap Trick– the band just announced new tour dates. They’ll be performing the Rock on The Range three-day festival in Ohio, along with some of the other 2013 MMRBQ bands. But no reason to go all the way up there when you can see them in your own back yard.

Device– the highly anticipated band from Disturbed’s David Draiman. Device is set to debut their new first single on February 19th with a full album release on April 9th.

After those four bands play, the assigned seating kicks in. Be there early, because headlining this year’s show are Soundgarden and Alice In Chains. Soundgarden’s latest album, King Animal, was released in November. Alice in Chains recently finished recording a new album. With no set release date, it will be out sometime in 2013.

Remember, tickets go on sale TODAY. Check out the WMMR website for info on how to pick them up.