The REAL story of legendary Boston nightclub The Channel. Podcast available now: https://podcasts.ap
(19)
28/07/2022
From a few years ago…
The Channel became a musical melting pot in a city still divided by parochial neighborhoods and lingering racial animosities.
A club on a desolate stretch of the Boston waterfront became a hub for rock ‘n’ roll, punk, hardcore, straight-edge, and a rapidly developing ska scene. Radio stations were battling for dominance. Politicians were looking to score points by using The Channel to further their agendas.
And another local club owner–and godson of a fearsome Mafiosi–is hanging around The Channel. Little did he know that his time was running out…
The original anniversary concert was scheduled for Memorial Day weekend of 2020, 40 years since we originally opened The Channel in Boston.
31/05/2022
We lost a friend this weekend. Tom Hodges was a truth teller, animal lover, family man and an amazing friend with a heart too big for this world as Donna Zanni Washburn said it best. Anyone lucky enough to know him will feel an enormous void. Rest easy friend, our hearts 💔are broken.
30/05/2022
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃:
While we're never going to win in the court of public opinion, the truth still matters--and anyone can take excerpts from a long exchange of emails to bolster their case. The reality is a bit different.
The Del Fuegos were originally scheduled to appear on Memorial Day weekend, 2020. That show was canceled due to the pandemic.
We provided the band with a sizable deposit to bind the show. We rescheduled the date for Saturday, May 28, 2022. One of the requirements at Roadrunner was to provide an umbrella insurance policy, which we obtained and paid for prior to the show.
On Friday afternoon, Roadrunner informed us that they wanted more coverage than we had obtained--and we had a $1 million policy. We tried to increase it but the insurance companies were unable to provide it in time having closed early for the holiday weekend. We believed the show was still happening, as Roadrunner had waived other unreasonable umbrella requirements.
We found out at 8:20 pm on Friday from Roadrunner that *corporate* had decided the show would have to be postponed due to the insurance issue. We take full responsibility for the mistake we made with the insurance policy. We've acknowledged this repeatedly with the band over the past 3 days.
We never reneged on any agreement we had with The Del Fuegos, or any of the other bands. The venue also suggested that the new date be held at a smaller venue due to slow advance ticket sales. We tried to reschedule the show with all bands concerned and were attempting to negotiate with Warren Zanes, who insisted on an additional $6,000 payment before he would even discuss a new date. That would mean The Del Fuegos would have received $10,000 in advance payments before committing to performing a rescheduled show.
We were still willing and ready to do the show and still are.
-Boston Venue team.
28/05/2022
Unfortunately, we've had to postpone tonight's Throwback to The Channel show due to unforeseen circumstances over the last 24 hours. We are working on rescheduling the show and asking all ticket holders to hold on to your tickets.
The entire Boston Venue: The Channel Podcast team is deeply sorry to the bands, artists, and especially the fans for this last-minute postponement. We feel awful. We were as excited for tonight's show as you were.
We will share more info on a new date as it comes together. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this.
26/05/2022
It's Almost Here! The '80s Throwback Party of the Year! Got your tickets yet?! The Del Fuegos, Nervous Eaters and more! https://thechannelstory.com
Just added to our line-up, we are very excited to announce and welcome our extra special guests, Nervous Eaters! They are one of Boston’s first punk/new wave bands who frequently sold out the Channel! Their latest album, Eaterville #2 is a collection of their unreleased live recordings from 1976 t...
Just added to our line-up, we are very excited to announce and welcome our extra special guests, Nervous Eaters! They are one of Boston’s first punk/new wave bands who frequently sold out the Channel! Their latest album, Eaterville #2 is a collection of their unreleased live recordings from 1976 t...
18/05/2022
The Del Fuegos AND Nervous Eaters!?!?!? Oh yeah! Same night. Same venue. Don't miss out on the fun! Roadrunner Boston. May 28. 8pm. We'll see you there! https://thechannelstory.com or https://roadrunnerboston.com or get your tics at The Sinclair in Cambridge to avoid processing fees.
BEST OF THE '80S HAPPENING AT ROADRUNNER BOSTON!!
Dan Zanes & the Del Fuegos; Nervous Eaters; Fred Pineau of the Atlantics; Charlie Farren of Farrenheit & The Joe Perry Project; Barrence Whitfield of Barrence Whitfield & the Savages; Rick Berlin & more! https://roadrunnerboston.com or https://thechannelboston.com
The Bowery Presents The Roadrunner Boston, located at 89 Guest Street, Boston MA.
THROWBACK FROM 2011!! WHO'S STOKED TO SEE THESE GUYS AGAIN??!! ROADRUNNER BOSTON MAY 28, 2022!! TICKETS ON SALE NOW! https://youtu.be/o8UULprwe8Y
Paradise Rock ClubBostonFriday 24th June 2011I came from Australia just to see these 2 shows. It was well worth it. Great shows.
25/04/2022
TOTAL '80S THROWBACK WITH THE DEL FUEGOS AT ROADRUNNER, BOSTON!! SAT, MAY 28, 2022!!!
22/04/2022
NERVOUS EATERS JUST ADDED TO LINE-UP!!!
21/01/2022
Rest In Peace Meat Loaf. You were one funny guy! (And nice!)
06/05/2021
WE'RE BACK
Your wait is over...the final episode of Season 1 is here! Check out The Not-So-Great Finale now:
Based on a book in progress containing the vivid recollections of club founder Harry Booras, we cover the too-true-to-believe tale from the club's beginning in 1980 to its inglorious end at the hands of Boston's most ruthless mobsters.
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Videos
Boston Vision Presents: Next Generation LIVE! | Verge & Kai
FEATURING:
Mike + Dylan Verge
&
Kai Wakeling + Earl "Chinna" Smith and the Binghistra Movement Band
Tune in live with Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Mike Verge, who played The Channel with his band The Verge.
He'll be performing with his son Dylan, a drummer and multi-instrumentalist.
This performance will be followed by Jamaican singer-songwriter Kai Wakeling, a protege of Earl "Chinna" Smith, a guitar player with The Wailers, ITals, Jimmy Cliff and Ziggy Marley, who was a frequent contributor to reggae at The Channel.
The Channel/WBCN Free Lunchtime Concert Series Redux: Sal Baglio of The Stompers
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The Channel Story
Early winter, 2018. A knock on the door and suddenly Harry Booras finds himself face to face with an FBI agent and state police detective investigating the long-ago murder of one Steven DiSarro, a club owner serving as a front for the Boston mob. DiSarro was purportedly, the last manager of a Boston nightclub called The Channel. Booras was the first. Harry Booras opened The Channel in South Boston on Memorial Day weekend 1980, as a Boston live music club.
For more than a decade it brought in acts and audiences spanning all genres of music. All genres. A weekly calendar might look like this: all ages hardcore matinee on Sunday, up-and-coming rock showcase on Tuesday, Afro-pop extravaganza on Wednesday, a head-banging metal show on Thursday, a vintage bluesman on Friday, topped off with 60s rock legend in town on Saturday night. Diversity was the driving force in the success of the Channel.
Like the booking calendar, the venue's audience was all over the place. African dashikis mixed with leather and chains. Punk and folk and prog. Martin acoustics and Marshall stacks — The scene was all scenes. Often mingling between shows on the same night.
Unlike the glossier disco clubs of the day, The Channel had a no-frills approach to decor and amenities, instead pouring most of its resources on the stage. The result was one of the best sounding rooms on the east coast, and a rich selection of local, national and international acts lined up to play the club.
In the early 90s the business fell on hard times. After a streak of misfortunes The Channel fell into the hands of a seedier ownership group. After failing in a six month effort to continue live music shows the club rebranded as Soiree, the nightly acts were now st*****rs, not singers. The once eclectic and energetic audiences were replaced with gentlemen's club regulars. After a short time, the building shuttered for good.
But before it did there would be threats, car fires, and at least one man would lose his life. This is the story of The Channel.
