The Cup is Empty

Sometimes I feel like live music is dying in Syracuse. There are so many bands in this area that are doing big things and making great music (and I'm happy to be working with a few of them) but the venues are going belly up.

Club Tundra - closed.
Planet 505 - closed.
The Furnace - I haven't seen a show there in ages.

The most recent casualty is The Empty Cup. This venue occupies (or occupied) the space where Chucks' stage used to be in the 1990s. Hungry Charley's was a venue I frequented for the cheap Sunday matinee. Syracuse hardcore dominated the stages and I still wear the Downset shirt I got at their show with VOD and Stillsuit. It was my first time jumping on a stage to sing with a band. Sure there were 30 other people on stage but I got the mic, if for only one shout of "Empower" during the Downset performance. It was awesome. I digress...

The Empty Cup took the chance at making things work but on November 20 they close their doors. In fact, all shows leading up to the 20th, including mine, have been cancelled. The place was run by a guy who really gave a lot to the music community while the venue was open. Phil took chances to bring in bands from all over the US and abroad (as far as Israel I believe). I wish things would have worked out for everyone, especially him.

So thanks for giving it a shot Phil.