Today's paper has a story about a proposed multi-story building on Raleigh's Hillsborough Street strip, to be anchored by a Kerr Drug and include offices, residential space and perhaps a restaurant. As for what the project might displace, the people pushing it don't seem overly concerned. The story quotes Karen Rindge (identified as "a neighbor and director of the advocacy group WakeUp Wake County") saying this:

"What's there right now is abysmal. That side of Hillsborough Street is desperate for redevelopment."

Well...one person's "abysmal" and "desperate for redevelopment" block is another person's irreplaceable historical landmark. That particular block houses The Brewery, which is one of the most fabled nightclubs in local-music history. It's not just the soon-to-be-famous acts that played the Brewery on their way up (Cranberries and Sheryl Crow among them), but the place's landmark status in local-music history. Whiskeytown played countless shows there back in the day, and local supergroup Tres Chicas formed in the Brewery's bathroom. Countless other local acts played their earliest public performances on its stage, too.

Even after Raleigh's live-music epicenter gravitated downtown, the Brewery kept on. It's the first place I ever saw a show here and if this really is the end, I'll miss knowing it's there.

ADDENDUM (8/3/11): Down it comes.

If you've got a few hundred bucks burning a hole in your pocket, you can put in a bid on a piece of Raleigh rock history. One of former local Ryan Adams' old Whiskeytown-vintage guitar cases is for sale via ebay auction, with bidding starting at $200. The case dates from Whiskeytown's final tour in 1999 and was rendered superfluous after Adams smashed the guitar it held -- reportedly in the midst of some onstage trash talk about rival band the Old 97s. Below is the seller's description from the ebay listing.

Bidding ends Monday. As of yet, there's been no comment about this from Adams (who is working on a new album and book of poetry, according to his Web site). I've sent word and if he responds, I'll post it.

(Thanks, Dean.)

ADDENDUM (8/13/08): Speaking of history, one of Adams' guitars is on display at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Being offered is an acoustic guitar case that belonged to Ryan Adams during the last tour ever of Whiskeytown which took place in 1999. I was their guitar tech during that time. I kept every guitar for he and the other lead guitarist and bassist ready every day, every show, every place. The guitar that belonged inside was smashed to bits by Ryan on
stage in Houston, Texas so he had no further use for the case. The case is silver faux fur lined and remains in great shape. Everything you see was handwritten by Ryan personally. No, he no longer lives at the address noted on the case. I will throw in one of Ryan's Whiskeytown stage used guitar picks. Ryan and I left on terms that were absolutely fine. I revere his talent as one of the greatest songwriters alive. It is just that I would rather this go to someone who will appreciate it, take care of it and, perhaps, display it as a piece of Ryan
Adams/Whiskeytown history rather than it sitting in storage. Winner to pay actual UPS ground shipping plus supplies(meaning a sturdy box big enough to accommodate the case). I am only shipping this domestically inside the confines of the United States. If you wish to pay via Paypal the needed information will be supplied once the auction has ended. I would appreciate being paid within 10 days of your having received the needed payment information. I do not accept personal checks under any circumstances. Should you have any further questions feel free to ask. Thanks for your consideration.