Three Four Questions with DAVID CLAMAGE

David Clamage opened Rock Island night club fifteen years ago, before the big population boom in Denver, before old brick industrial buildings became million dollar lofts. As the self-proclaimed "evil-vicious owner" of one of Denver's oldest and most beloved places to get your groove on, Clamage is always innovative and always outspoken. Here he lets us in on the new faces and new sounds you will experience at Rock Island this fall.

What changes can we expect when we step into Rock Island?

Nightclubs always need to change because the tastes of their patrons change, the geography and demographics change. Rock Island is no different. We have made the decision for Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights to change back to what we were when we got started, which was the pioneering nightclub for true alternative dance music featuring Goth, EBM, dark wave, industrial. . . .an entire genre of music that allows us to not just return to our roots but to bring our old and new friends the latest in music, art, dance and culture.

What had to happen to get these changes underway?

A little bit of everything has changed. The primary focus at Rock Island has always been on the music, and we have added what we believe to be the very best line-up of DJs that exists between the coasts. That includes Reverend Pete, DJ Ix, Twitch, Tower, Demon, Mike Rich, Cyrus, Amtrax, and we believe these are the DJs that consistently play what their customers want to hear and also then educate them about new music that is being broken all over the world.

Does Rock Island have a new look?

Bill Kinsey and Eyecandy (local sculpture and design firm) have been very successful in continuing to change the interior and exterior themes of our club, and we will continue to do so with innovative 3-D sculpture, lighting, and the very best in sound systems. More important than decor is the Rock Island family of bartenders, door staff and the crew who remain committed to delivering to the Rocky Mountain Region the "nightclub experience" with no attitude. We focus just on making the scene thoroughly entertaining.

How do you describe the changes in Denver in your fifteen years in the entertainment business?

When we opened in 1986, there were four liquor licenses in LoDo. Today there are ninety. . . .if you could find Rock Island back then among the warehouses, you were in good shape. Our club is about the customer. It's non-pretentious, it's affordable, and it's not about turning the building into a loft. It has been and will always be "where you can dance as loud as you want."

Music Notes

Clear Channel Communications makes news for itself even in the wake of an international tragedy. . . .in a move that many feel teeters on the fine line called censorship, Clear Channel sent its 1,200-plus radio stations a list of songs that DJs should be "advised" not to play. The company cited specific titles and lyrics as being questionable in light of the September 11th US terrorist attacks. While we listeners certainly can appreciate sensitivity at a painful time like this, a listing such as "All Rage Against the Machine Songs," seems to be a bit more than "advisory." At press time, the list contained 160 songs with titles like "Seek and Destroy," "Head Like A Hole," and others in the same vein. What may be more puzzling and disturbing are banned titles such as "Peace Train." Could Cat Stevens's Muslim conversion have anything to do with that one? Everyone take a deep breath. . . .and relax. . . .just a bit. . . .

Many venues, bands, and organizations in the Denver music scene have announced benefit shows or donations being made to various charities connected with the relief efforts in both NYC and Washington, DC. One such patron is Sweet Rockin' Coffee (20th Ave. and Pennsylvania) who will donate all profits from a night with Denver rock band Mean Old Man. The band will also donate funds and tips. It's a free show on September 29th. MOM plays from 9 pm til 11 pm Call (303) 318-9788 for more details, and check Go-Go listings to find other shows, venues and ways to contribute.

Congratulations to Battery Park for making the finals in the national Jim Beam Band Search. The August 24th show at the Gothic Theatre packed the house and made it a hard decision for the industry judges. Alas, the winner this year was The Green Scene from Milwaukee, WI. Battery Park band-mates extend their many thanks to the Denver scene for showing continued support. Last year's winner was local hip hop/ acid jazz band Yo, Flaco!

~Judy B.

Fashion Clip

Tuesday, September 11, the terrorists that hijacked four planes and killed thousands of people on the East coast in their cruel and senseless acts, continue their terrorist plight as they hold the nations economy as a hostage. Our hearts still broken, we begin to try to move forward, inching towards the "state of normalcy" that the media promises we will eventually achieve. However, the complete ramifications of this event are yet to be seen.

Retailers, traditionally do 30%-50% of their retail sales during the holiday season with the smaller stores counting on the higher percentage. Not unlike the stock market, there will be many small retail businesses who are not able to afford to "ride out the wave" of the current vulnerable economy. "Consumer confidence" we are told, is flailing and the traditional holiday boost, this year, may not come. However, paralleling with the trade markets, there will be new businesses ready to move into the abandoned storefronts, and our nation, and its economy, will survive. It is, simply, capitalism--the risks and benefits of a free trading society.

The "gift-to-give" this holiday season might be a donation voucher to the City of New York, to its Finest, or to its Bravest, as well it should be. War bonds might be this holiday season's "must-have," replacing last years Razor Scooter on the top of wish lists. There is, however, at least one thing that remains crystal clear in these most unusual and unstable time --the colors that are in for fall-- Red, White, and Blue. --Kity Ironton Check out the Latin jazz band 5 Degrees of Soul, September 19 at 32 Degrees. Call 303-786-8888 for more information.