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ROCKSTAR SPORTS BAR |
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By Brian McLean |
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“We tried to combine both of them so you can watch the Super Bowl and you see your favorite local bands,” owner Warren Garza notes. Located on Interstate 35 W just south of Loop 820 in Fort Worth, the music bookings started out as a variety since their first day of business January 13, 2007. However, during the first year of operation, the club has become more rock oriented. Bands range from classic rock blues to death / thrash metal. The Rock Star provides a great opportunity for local bands. In addition to all original acts, cover and tribute bands regularly play the club. One of the more notable Metroplex acts has been the Texas Metal Alliance, featuring members from Rigor Mortis, Gammacide and Rotting Corpse. The club is now getting more national acts. One such band was Rhino Bucket’s recent appearance. Though a name not familiar to the mainstream music fan, for those who live and breathe music, it’s a band whose members possess impressive resumes. Specifically, there’s drummer Simon Wright, known for drumming duties with AC/DC on three albums starting with the Fly on the Wall release in 1985, and stints with Ronnie James Dio, Moog / Way, UFO and others. Add to the list, Brian Forsythe, who has spent time with Kix from the beginning. There was an impressive turnout at the Rock Star for those two names, but Garza said many times customers have mentioned if they were aware just who was in the band, they would have been at the show. The Rock Star is also becoming a tour stop for international acts that are booking smaller U.S. clubs - bands like the UK’s Gypsy Pistoleros (who played Rocklahoma), Sweden’s Damaged Dolls, Germany’s Pussy Sisster and Cyanide City from New Zealand. “The myspace page has been the greatest thing in the world for us. Bands from Germany, Sweden, New Zealand, Japan and all over the world are contacting me. There are some bands I’ve had to turn down due to prior obligations and bookings, but I’ll get them in eventually,” Garza promises. The Rock Star was California’s Dirty Penny’s first booking, and their word of mouth started an interest by other bands. “When they started playing here, they started telling their friends.” The Rock Star has the vibe of the Hard Rock Café, Tattoo Bar, Joe’s Garage, and the Tombstone. For Garza, it’s all about the music. It’s more up close and personable, and that’s what he wants people to walk away with. But he said his mom has a different take on the club, “She says it looks like my room from the 80s.” |
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