Its the summer of 1988 and the Valleys music scene is ruled by such venues as Edsels Attic, the Sun Club, Long Wongs, and the Mason Jar. Meanwhile, over in Mesa, an entrepreneur named Ross Wincek quietly opens the doors of his bar and grill, Hollywood Alley, 2610 West Baseline Road. Its kind of a kitschy place, with numerous vintage movie posters lining the walls, but the joint starts making a name for itself as Wincek begins to book countless bands to perform on its stage.
Fast-forward two decades and Hollywood Alley has become an institution, having weathered an ever-fickle music scene and outlived all the aforementioned clubs. Its also hosted a slew of well-known musicians both local (Sun City Girls, Meat Puppets) and national (Public Enemy, Nomeansno). Legendary former booker/bartender Robert Fun Bobby Birmingham says its a credit to Winceks dedication. Its amazing how the place has stuck around, says Birmingham. Its because Ross and his family have put blood, sweat, and tears into keeping it going.
Birmingham, who relocated to Washington in 2006, will return to help fete the clubs history during the 20 Years of Rock at Hollywood Alley celebration. The lineup includes music by Greenhaven, Pinky Tuscaderos White Knuckle Ass-Fuck, Page the Village Idiot, Chocolate Fountain, and Bourbon Witch (a supergroup made up of Birmingham and such musicians as Blanche Davidians Jamie Monistat VII and Tom Reardon of the North Side Kings).
Sat., Aug. 23, 8 p.m., 2008