by Zachary Corsa
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ebb and flow with each new variant, the profound impact of our strange new way of life is felt in changes large and small. Aside from masks and vaccines, services we rely on for day-to-day living have taken a hit; mail and parcel delivery is slow and erratic, supermarket shelves emptier than usual, construction projects standing halted partway to completion. When we make our half-sarcastic references to âthe before timesâ, we illustrate a deeper, unspoken truth: that nothing is ever going to be the way it was before the virus, and itâs foolish to think otherwise.
Memphis hasnât been particular unique as far as COVID-19 is concerned, neither especially blighted nor miraculously un-spared, but in cities like ours that were built upon a foundation of vibrant culture and art, the show truly must go on. No matter how dark this impenetrable night, we still need escapism and perspective to continue, after all. Though most venues in Memphis have seen sporadic returns to live music at best, two primary powerhouses of consistently-quality bookings have emerged in these harrowing days. One of these is the new Hi-Tone location in Crosstown, and the other is Growlerâs.
The building Growlerâs inhabits, on Poplar Avenue directly across from Overton Park, has had a very colorful history. âThe location was originally a martial arts studio, owned by Kang Rheeâ says the venueâs general manager Mark Schreck, âwhere he trained Elvis Presley and many others. Years later it became the original Hi-Tone Cafe, which held a legacy of having many incredible intimate shows over the years. After The Hi-Tone initially shut down and moved locations, it turned into a sports/hookah bar called Sports Junction for a brief period of time. Current owner Tony Westmoreland bought the property in 2016 in an effort to revitalize the space as a concert venue and keep its legacy going.â
That legacy has been more than honored by Growlerâs spacious, well-appointed environs and well-curated bookings. Like The Hi-Tone, Growlerâs has become a dependable proving ground for local talent, and both venues appear devoted to some of the cityâs (and countryâs) most envelope-pushing metal and heavy music acts. The vision, according to Schreck, is simple enough, to âkeep live music going on in the city of Memphis, and have a safe and fun space for people to have a good time and enjoy live music, with good drinks and food in an intimate atmosphere.â That humble modus operandi is evident in Growlerâs hospitable atmosphere. Its sizable stage and stellar in-house sound help, too.
Schreck first became involved with Growlerâs in late 2017, occasionally assisting Growlerâs talent buyer Mikey Glenn while working at the much-missed New Daisy Theater. âI ended up loving the venue and the staff and moved over to working at the venue full time in the fall of 2018â, he says. Cooperation across Memphis venues is also key to the Growlerâs vision: âWeâre continuing to keep booking bands that people love, whether theyâre legacy acts or up and coming bands. Weâve partnered up Hernandoâs Hide-A-Way, another iconic venue in town, to help keep the honky tonk/Americana/folk scene alive, as well running shows at Carolina Watershed for a fun and beautiful atmosphere.â
Several current and future developments show that the Growlerâs crew isnât dissuaded by the pandemic from expanding. âWe have a brand new patio with a stage at Growlerâs where we plan to start doing shows in the spring,â Schreck tells me, âas well as an upcoming merch/Delta 8 shop that will be opening in our side room soon.â When asked about the impact of the pandemic, Schreck calls it the venueâs âbigger obstacle so far, but weâve been able to get through it the best we can like everyone else. We used to be open every day with a show every night pre-pandemic. Right now weâre currently only open on nights we have shows, but plan to hopefully be open more regularly come springtime. Since shows have come back thereâve been the obstacles of having to make sure guidelines are met to keep attendees and bands as safe as possible. COVID has also had us either cancelling or rescheduling shows due to outbreaks, which has put us back, but weâre still toughing through it all.â
In spite of the challenges every venue is facing during this difficult era, Schreck is being a bit modest when he refers to Growlerâs as âtoughing through it all.â Bookings at Growlerâs have remained reliably strong, adventurously-curated, and well-run, a much-needed source of familiarity and abandon when so much remains frighteningly unpredictable. When asked about upcoming bookings heâs personally excited for, Schreck singles out âup and coming country singer Sierra Ferrell with Nick Shoulders in February, as well as legacy act Sister Hazel on St. Patrickâs Day and hardcore titans Madball in March. But thereâs many more shows on our upcoming calendar that weâre excited to have in the building.â
From martial arts training with The King, to the legendary original Hi-Tone, to Sports Junction, to Growlerâs, hereâs hoping that the building on Poplarâs colorful history has found its permanent resident in Growlerâs. When Memphians turn to music in times of crisis, Growlerâs is there to take care of them.
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