An Ode to Basement Transmissions

  It was yesterday that the local Erie venue Basement Transmissions announced that they'll be closing their doors and passing the keys to the Lavery's as it's being rebranded as Centennial Hall, another music venue. Let me first say I’m excited to see Centennial Hall when their vision is completed after renovations are done! A new venue is always exciting and my bands will likely be playing there soon(ish). 

However, with a death must come a eulogy in memberence. Even if it’s not a living thing, saying goodbye is never easy. I’ve learned that quite well this year already. Guess I’ll say my peace on one of my favorite places in Erie. 

I was a freshman in high school when I was a couple years deep into this idea that I’d play music and be in rock bands but hadn’t yet been exposed to local bands with the same idea. Then I saw a band playing in the commons area at school at the end of the year. “Who was this?” I asked a friend asked. They turned out to be a band called Kevlar. They sounded like a band I’d listen to. So I went up to them and made some small talk and got to be friends quickly (to this day, still!) Then in the fall of ‘12, I believe, the band played at this little place called Basement Transmissions. They were playing, so I was going. 

It was this little place on State Street and you could spot the place easily from the giant set of fanged teeth on the large window. This’ll be fun. In the venue were a bunch of teenagers and young adults like me who were wanting music at the local level. My people. Then I introduced myself to a quaint, dapper gentleman who was using crutches and (I think, it’s been 13 years, give me a break) some sort of goblin/alien-eared hat. Good ol’ Bobby J, the owner of Basement Transmissions. He was a very warm personality and we talked music and art and the place itself. 

That was the start of a long music career and many, many, MANY gigs I attended. Going off of memory, I remember local bands such as Kevlar, Susan, Be Anthony, From the Ashes, The Hannigans, Bravura, The Drake Equation, Stage 5, Optimistic Apocalypse, and many more as my favorites. Then I joined a band myself in ‘13 with Jivan and was hoping to play the old spot when we were ready. That wasn’t meant to be, however. 

It was announced BT would be moving locations in the summer of ‘14. To a bigger and better venue. Jivan just wasn’t ready for the new place, but would get the opportunity to play the new venue. And so we did. It was my first time on stage. I fucking LOVED it depsite the scare of stagefright. It’s a magical feeling being on stage playing music you made with your buddies. 

With a couple of years in Jivan, I left due to scheduling conflicts with my job (Fuck you, Walmart), but still went to shows time to time. It was always a good time to be there. Again, BT and Bobby were there for me when I joined Massive Denial in ‘21 were I’d end my musical hiatus and have been rocking sense. The scene changed, but everything changes, right? Then I found new friendships in bands like Odd Atrocity, Fastfall, Mala Sangre, Maniacal Device, Myconaut, Ralphie’s Gone Blind, and many, many, MANY… more. 

I was just there at the Battle of Bands last Saturday. There were my usual, old friends and you see newcomers like Gooch who remind me of me and my friends when I was starting bands as a teenager. That day summed up my experience with BT as a matter of fact. People of all ages coming together and comisorating through art, music, and friendship. I hope that’s what everyone takes out of their time at Basement Transmissions. 

I’m grateful for all the great times there. They were definitely my informative years and shaped me to who I am today. Without the friendships I made there, I’d be nothing, really. I can’t be sad because there are just too many fond memories made there. It was a terrific one. 

Basement Transmissions. Bobby Jensen. Thank you for all that you’ve done for us Erie musicians. We cannot thank you enough, but I can certainly try.

A picture of Jivan setting up for our first show! Great days