As a reference for touring bands we are attempting to create a library of reviews of the venues we have played. Most of these venues are in and around the Baltimore area. We attempt to review the venues from the perspective of a performing band (sound, environment, staff, money situation, etc.) For more specific information CONTACT US
The Windup Space reviewed by Curtis Crispin
12 W. North Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21201
http://www.thewindupspace.com/
Pros: Great sound. Great bar. Non-shady money situation. Fair bar tab.
Cons: Somewhat shady neighborhood/parking situation.
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Three words why we always have a good time at The Windup Space: Dune. Rock. Opera. The guys from Bene Gesserit Witch keep inviting us to play at The Windup Space, and it’s that rare gig where we don’t have the most elaborate costumes of the night.
The Windup Space is at the high end of the non-dedicated music venues we’ve played at. There isn’t any backstage area, but they do have a decent sized stage area and the venue itself is fairly large. The PA and sound guy are solid (my personal experience has been good: he helped me kill the feedback on my acoustic bass) and the sound has been good for us and the other bands on the bill.
There’s always a good crowd, and while we’d like to take credit for that the real reason is The Windup Space itself and the heavy foot traffic in the Station North Arts District. I know performers are going to have a hard time with this, but try to show up early. Parking will fill up on North Avenue, so unless you want to park on the side streets under a blue light and lug your gear a few blocks, get there at the earliest time for load-in. Then go get a pizza at Joe Squared or some New York Fried Chicken and have a couple beers back at The Windup Space.
I rate the band-booze situation as above-average. They do a ticket scheme, I think 2-3 per member (we always seem to end up with more than enough), good for imports as well as swill. At venues that do drink tickets, Nikc will frequently offer his up to the first person who buys merch, or sometime just give them away, which makes a nice (although honestly not always effective) promotional tool.
Thanks for the mention! I’ve always been slightly jealous that you guys were consistently more ridiculous than Bene Gesserit Witch. I just stumbled upon this blog and am really enjoying it. Love the advice on marketing and playing with big stupid amps. Spot on. Hope to play with you guys again in whatever future project I slap together.
Alan (Bene Gesserit Witch bass-playing wookie)
The BGW is ridiculously awesome. I hope you guys are still around in some format.
People from all over the world appreciate the creations of Pakistani music bands. They understand the strong music traditions that this country has, recognizing Pakistani artists for what they truly are.
Very profound comment, Aiza2010.
You did, however, forget to mention the staff. Russell, the owner, is great. Everyone else, not so much.
Holly, the bartender, is simply too cool to be working here. Which means that she gives attitude to everyone that makes her (gasp) do her job (which we all know is difficult – I guess we totally deserve the sighs whenever we ask for a beer and give you more than 20%).
Derrick is also too cool for the Windup Space. His job is to stick his chicken wing bones in random, unsuspecting, paying patrons’ ears. Classy.
But the winner, by a long shot, is Gonz, the bouncer. He is the one that gets WASTED while doing his job, and then tries to start a fight at the end of every night he works, because he is nothing more than a neanderthal that needs to validate his huge existence and incredibly low intelligence. I have seen him try to fight girls, members of the bands that played that night, and I have seen him grab people exiting the club and forcibly throw them out. And I have seen him kick the door open and hit a girl in the face when she was standing outside the club!
This place has a decent vibe, and good sound, but unfortunately that comes along with having to deal with the people inside, that will eventually run it into the ground (unfortunately for Russell). I won’t be going back, not will the countless growing number that agree with me after each bad experience.
P.S. No air conditioning. Makes for quite a lovely smell.
These are some pretty bold claims that you are making for this venue. I actually considered writing an update to this post to up our praise of Windup. We’ve been holding a lot of events here lately. Also, I’ve been hanging out here and going to events that I’m not involved in. My experience is that the place is cool, friendly, and very easy to work with. I’ve never had any problem with any of the staff, nor have I seen anyone getting a hard time. Everyone I talk to enjoys this place immensely
If you read the other venue reviews, you’ll know that we don’t go easy on these places when they are bad. With that being said, your complaints are quite general, and sound a bit personal. And I’ve been there enough to know that the bouncer simply does not start a fight every time he works. I’ve never witnessed anything close to this, and I am there quite a bit.
Perhaps you might want to explain in detail what happened to you, and maybe try to consider what you may have done wrong in the situation to provoke such a negative reaction. OH and you should really leave an email next time you make such grandiose accusations.