Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Smash Alley: it’s only rock ‘n’ roll, but they like it

By Sarah Poulton

YOUNGSTOWN — When Phillip Daichendt of Austintown goes out, he wants to hear the music he loves most.

That’s why the Generation X-er created Smash Alley, a traveling, private club that specializes in rock music. Daichendt says the concept was born about five years ago when he discovered there was no where in the area where he could go out, drink a few beers and listen to the sounds that permeated his youth.

“There was never any place in the area for any of us to go out and listed to rock ‘n’ roll,” Daichendt says. “Not necessarily bands, but places you can go hear Guns n’ Roses on a Saturday at midnight. There was just never any place for someone who’s into the style of music I’m in to.”

Daichendt says he and his friends play DJ for the events and on any random night you’ll hear the sounds of AC/DC, White Zombie, T.Rex, Burn Halo and Shinedown. He says they strictly play rock and you will not hear power ballads, country or hip-hop.

In order to add some atmosphere to the environment, Daichendt says they hang rock posters on the walls and play music videos from the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Here’s the deal: patrons pay a $5 membership fee the first time they attend a Smash Alley event. They will receive a membership card which enables them to get into future events for $1. Daichendt says they host events once a month and each membership is good for a year.

“Five bucks a year, $1 a show,” Daichendt says. “To me, this is a very blue collar $2 beer kinda town. That’s what I am and that’s what the people who are involved in this are.”

For the past three months, Smash Alley has been held at The Firehouse on Youngstown’s West Side. The first two events were held on a Friday night, which disappointed Daichendt because he felt this type of event would do better on Saturday. Last month’s Smash Alley was held on a Saturday, and Daichendt says he was pleased with the turnout.

“It’s steadily growing,” Daichendt says. “The people who are there like it and they’re bringing friends.”

The Firehouse’s owner could not be reached for comment. The next Smash Alley is scheduled for Saturday at The Firehouse.

Daichendt says his original vision was for Smash Alley to be a mobile event. He says once, and if, it takes off here, he’d like to do similar events in Akron, Kent and Cleveland.

“There is rock fans everywhere,” Daichendt says. “...I want to say it’s a place for musicians to come and be re-exposed to their influences, but it’s a place for all rock fans.”