Return of the Crocodile!
Seattle's best music venues reopens after nearly a year of inactivityThe Crocodile Cafe was always my favorite music venue in Seattle. Serving the city for over 15 years, the Croc abruptly closed its doors in December of 2007 - almost without warning. I first heard the news through a rumor from a friend... the next casualty of gentrification sweeping through Belltown. These rumors were later confirmed when KEXP reported that Robin Pecknold, J. Tillman, and David Bazan had played the last show at the Crocodile.
Ever since the Crocodile closed its doors to the public nearly a year ago, there have been rumors of a reopening floating around. At first I was sceptical, yet every time I passed by 3rd & Blanchard, I was surprised to see the old green sign still standing. My excitement didn't start, however, until a bartender at the Twilight Exit informed me that a liquor license had been acquired for the Croc. Now, to my absolute amazement, it was announced today that the Croc will in fact see the light of a new day.
Set to reopen in January or February of 2009, the Croc will first undergo some minor cosmetic surgery. The Seattle Times reports that the new venue will contain a Via Tribunali pizza joint where the bar area once resided. Also planned in the renovation, the wall between the cafe and the stage area will be removed, expanding the venue's capacity to 400. I'm not sure how this will affect/change the Crocodile experience, but I was happy to hear that Jim Anderson will still be in charge of the sound - the Croc has always had the best sounding stage in the city. In case you've forgotten what the old Croc looked like, artist David Choe has been kind enough to immortalize the establishment through photography (viewed here).
In honor of this glorious news, I've put together a little playlist of songs that I've witnessed live at the Croc - songs that rekindle some of my fondest Croc memories. Enjoy!
Ever since the Crocodile closed its doors to the public nearly a year ago, there have been rumors of a reopening floating around. At first I was sceptical, yet every time I passed by 3rd & Blanchard, I was surprised to see the old green sign still standing. My excitement didn't start, however, until a bartender at the Twilight Exit informed me that a liquor license had been acquired for the Croc. Now, to my absolute amazement, it was announced today that the Croc will in fact see the light of a new day.
Set to reopen in January or February of 2009, the Croc will first undergo some minor cosmetic surgery. The Seattle Times reports that the new venue will contain a Via Tribunali pizza joint where the bar area once resided. Also planned in the renovation, the wall between the cafe and the stage area will be removed, expanding the venue's capacity to 400. I'm not sure how this will affect/change the Crocodile experience, but I was happy to hear that Jim Anderson will still be in charge of the sound - the Croc has always had the best sounding stage in the city. In case you've forgotten what the old Croc looked like, artist David Choe has been kind enough to immortalize the establishment through photography (viewed here).
In honor of this glorious news, I've put together a little playlist of songs that I've witnessed live at the Croc - songs that rekindle some of my fondest Croc memories. Enjoy!
- "Three Colours" - Sunset Rubdown -Daytrotter Session (12-3-2007)
- "Modern World" - Britt Daniel - Belly Up Tavern (5-3-2008)
- "The Iliad" - Tapes 'N Tapes - The Loon
- "Oleanna" - Johnny and the Moon - S/T
- "Red Wine, Success" - Cold War Kids - With Our Wallets Full EP
- "Leave Before the Lights Come On" - Arctic Monkeys - LBTLCO
- "Stay Don't Go" - Britt Daniel - Belly Up Tavern (5-3-2008)
- "Office of Hearts" - Handsome Furs - Neumo's (4-19-2008)
- "Who the Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys?" - Arctic Monkeys - WTFAAM?
- "Snakes Got A Leg III" - Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up I Am Dreaming
- "Shut Your Eyes" - Shout Out Louds - Howl Howl Gaff Gaff
- "Mornings Eleven" - Magic Numbers - S/T
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