MR. CASTILLO GIVES US A FIVE YEAR LOOK AT HIS ART OF ROCK

Ah the rock poster. You are trusty and informative. Sometimes you are brilliantly designed. Sometimes you are nay legible. Sometimes you are penned by patient hands. Sometimes you are scribbled out quickly in MS Paint. Sometimes you draw upon a shared set of attributes and iconography sufficiently to wrap a broader visual narrative blanket around a scene. Here in town, we are fortunate to have quite a number of designers and artists whose promotional prints move from mere information to collectible art. Arguably, none have been more prolific in the past several years than one Mr. Castillo.

Interminably old-school, as evidenced by his trend-transcending style, wardrobe, and prodigy email address Dan “Mr.” Castillo in unveiling a retrospective of some of his (and ours, coincidentally) favorite works at the Proletariat this evening.

“At first I was going to focus only on the Proletariat, but as I began sorting through my files I realized that many of the people I have worked with have moved on to other things and many of the venues have closed down,” Dan commented in an email conversation he hopefully did not intend to remain private. “Hell, in the case of Link Wray, Poor Dumb Bastards and Guitar Wolf, some people have actually passed on. I thought that with the closing of the Proletariat it would be a good time for me to display what I have contributed as well as try to make some sort of a visual commentary on the scene itself.”

Love it. When asked to pick a few of his favorites (and, as the totally incomplete collections on gigposters.com and his MySpace attest, there is a metric-ton to choose from), he mentioned one for Sparklehorse with Danny and the Nightmares a few years back (which you will just have to go to see).

Five Year Run opens tonight at the Proletariat, which is also the final Rockbox, by the way, and runs until the club shuts her doors Friday night.

PROLETARIAT: THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

Well, it is upon us now. So few days away and The Proletariat will close her doors for good. We are not stoked, but we must tear ourselves away from scouting out marketing communications channels in Belize for a few minutes to talk about it. We've all had plenty of warning, but yet, like a giant thundery Regan-era soft metal epic, we knew it was coming. How then shall we, we lucky few, spend our final days together. Take a look-see:

WEDNESDAY: Over Sea Under Stone, Geisert 8 and Antarctica Starts Here
The final commune music is true to form. Excellent bands just under the local radar, without an easily discernible musical thread connecting them, but when rolled together just make sense.

THURSDAY: ROCKBOX
It's safe to say that this will be a blowout bash from what has evolved into a combination dance party and hip-hop showcase. Scheduled to appear include past headliners and regular DJs Gracie Chavez, Squincy Jones, Witness and Dayta, plus the ever present surprise guest MCs.

FRIDAY: FATAL FLYING GUILLOTEENS, WHOREHOUND, O PIONEERS!!!, COP WARMTH
We are surprised anyone thinks the building will still be standing after this show.

SATURDAY: THE FIREY FURNACES, THE DIMES, ELAINE GREER, HEARTS OF ANIMALS
Hell of a final lineup. What can we say. We can't say anything.

SUNDAY: THE FINAL DAY
We spoke to Denise about this night. We have to say, it sounds like a perfect end. What band or bands could possibly top the previous two lineups? Instead, the club is going out quiet, with a last chance at the jukebox, followed by a pair of mystery DJs in the final two hours. Go. Relax. Reflect. Refresh.

So that's that. We'll have more to say, and more of your thoughts once all is said and done.

WORST MONDAY EVER: THE PROLETARIAT TO CLOSE FEBRUARY 4TH

Well poop. We knew it was coming, but I don't think any of us expected it to happen so soon. Sadly, the Proletariat will open and close it's doors for the last time Sunday, February 3rd, meaning that the Fourth, we will all have a pretty bad case of the Mondays. We predict in advance that no amount of pizza shooters or extreme fajitas will be able to cure it. We spoke with our friend and the Prolo's owner Denise Ramos Sunday and Monday night about it and, in turn, it's time to let you all know.

For these final few weeks, she wants to use the venue for what it has become legend, a stage for our music and our scene. They've got alot of open slots for bands to play, so if you're looking for one last time under the red lights, send them a MySpace message or email booking at theproletariathouston dot com. The final weekend will include a show by the Fiery Furnaces Saturday night and a to-be-announced finale on Sunday.

At some point in the future, Denise may be ready to share the how and why of it all, to give a little bit of the closure that you might be wanting right now. Personally, we've got alot of good memories of this joint, and with each tick of the clock, we're getting more and more sentimental. We're not ready to write the obituary yet, but you can be sure that, as the date approaches, we'll have a weepy weepy retrospective. Sorry to take the air out of your morning. Be well.

Photo from Indie-Music.com

ITS OFFICIAL: THE PROLETARIAT HAS A DATE WITH METRO'S BULLDOZERS

So. You've no doubt heard about it, talked about it, mused about it, and made atleast one “Cecils is buring down due to left turns on it” joke about the just approved new Richmond Rail Line. Sounds kinda cool, right? Take a train from UH nearly all the way to Dave and Busters, right? Herm. Sadly, there are many many kinda whips businesses along said rail route, including Tapatia, Sound Exchange, James Coney Island - and nearest and dearest to our hearts, The Proletariat. While we were in Midland scoping out the local emo-cover scene and doing a 'Sights of Heroes' walking tour, we got a call from the scene's most assuredly eligible bachelorette and the maven behind the red and black walls, our friend Denise Ramos.

Far from being in the dumps about the decision, which - and we cannot be clear enough on this point - will mean that the building that The Proletariat is currently housed in will have to be torn down, Denise described the week as one of the fabled fader's best ever. Coming in for a drink after the decision was handed down, she and the entire weekly crowd that has grown around Thursday's Rockbox, were joined by some heavy hitters from Swisha House, including founder Michael Watt, President G-Dash and rapper Archie Lee. In tow was recent signee Lil Keke, who did a short secret set, showing off his two new slammers "I'm A G" and "South Side." Denise said simply "The energy was off the chain!!!!!"

Then on Saturday night, barback Mike B had his first big fight at the Toyota Center as part of the Ultimate Fighting phenomenon. C'mon, you know you watch it, and now you know why those posters are often hanging up in there. And, that same evening, Golden Axe and Satin Hooks played a show organized by Chris Davis, who dumped all the proceeds into a new bike rack for the bar (the previous two were stolen). "It's by far the nicest thing our patrons have ever done for us," she said.

And that's just it. More than any other place in the scene, the Proletariat was a place that people don't just go to, don't just belong, but actually feel a measure of ownership in. It's hard to put a finger on why, or how that came about. Maybe it's all the first shows, first stolen glances, first introductions or first fall-outs. This scrappy centerpiece of our scene has more than her share of faults, but it’s as hard to call it out for them as it is to stay away. It's going to suck alot alot alot alot when the last call lights go on for the final time. Frankly, we can't think of anyplace since The Oven or Metropol whose demise is going to have such a scattering effect.

As far as what happens when the bulldozers come, or even what day that might be, Denise has one simple answer: "I Don't Know. Will we relocate and when..........I cant really say because I'm not sure." But she did assure us that when things get a bit more firm, we'll be the first to know - and you'll be the second. In the meantime, make a few more memories and a few more firsts. Cheers.

GOSSIP: Dunnock New Booking agent at Prolo

With Shawna now gone (but surely still recieving emails to the contrary), the word is that The Proletariat has tapped Reprogram Radio co-host Dunnock to handle their booking. Dunnock, who is more than rumored to lay his mighty hammer down onto the Trishy half of T&T Music Factory, is also half the duo Frank From Accounting, who should, frankly, play more shows. Good luck in the new role.

GOSSIP: Shawna, Booking Agent Extraordinaire, Leaves the Proletariat

For nearly as long as there has been a Proletariat, the scintillating Shawna F has been its booking agent, promoter and trusted ear. The list of bands, DJs, club nights, contests, benefits, parties and miscellanea that she is responsible for bringing not only to the club but to the city itself is dwarfed only by the compliments and well wishes that should be paid to her as she turns her attention, full time, to the Diverse Works art space. “It’s going to be really hard to let go of the prolo,” she commented, “but I know they will be fine.” With the SxSw March Madness overflow and summer touring season only months away, no word yet on who may take over the reins or when the men’s toilet might be fixed.