Interview: Room 710 Owner Asher Garber Reflects on a Decade on Red River St.

Past Gig Posters, The Green Room, Room 710

The bands that established the Red River scene were never appreciated by the (Austin) Chronicle, and so not many people knew what we had going on. When we started in 2000, the only places open on our block were the Red Eyed Fly, Bull McCabes, and Atomic Cafe. Stubb’s had their shows, but we just did our own thing. We began with 3 band nights, moved on to 4 band nights. We did a couple 10 bands in two nights. (The Independence CD compilation is a good guide to what we had going on back then.) When Beerland opened, it brought another venue that could play 3 or 4 bands a night, and we got to see how the different places got people to interact. It was easy to co-exist. Add Elysium taking over Atomic, Headhunters, and then Side Bar around the corner and that was the basis of our district. We pooled our resources and bought an ad. Got free red ink.

2004 saw the start of the boom in our neighborhood and 2005 was a real tough year for 710. (Woody left, the smoking ban, added competition.) When I read on the Austinist that The Mohawk was seen as "Red River North" and Emo's was considered "Red River South" I realized that the Red River District was something beyond us.

What is the number one reason for Room 710 shutting down? Why has it been a struggle to generate profits at the club?

There are a lot of reasons, but the bottom line is that it takes a lot of money to run a live music venue, and between the economy, the taxes, and a flight from downtown (whether by fear, economy, or hassle), 710 simply isn't a solvent institution.

Where are you from and how did you get involved in club management/ownership?

I moved to Austin from Los Angeles in April 1999. My goals were to finish the book I had been writing about my mother's murder and to get the hell out of L.A. I flew out here on a whim and a long time ago recommendation, found an apartment, got back to L.A. and started packing.

Obviously, I don't have a business degree, My experience in club ownership has been running 710 for the past 9 years. I bussed tables in college, bussed tables out of college, and took routine jobs while pursuing my own creative endeavors. That's what I bring to the table: a can-do attitude and empathy with the artist.

Asher Garber by Adi Anand

I don't remember many shows. I have favorite artists over the years, and they include Pong, Brown Whornet, Squat Thrust, Tia Carrera, and Dixie Witch, as well as many, many more. The talent runs thick in this town, which is why I always considered it the "Live Music Capitol". Not the fact that every band and booking agent in America and beyond wants to peddle somebody through Austin, or that we have festivals when the weather is good enough to not kill you. It's because so many people love to perform music in front of crowds that we've been able to create an economy based on that.

Do you think Room 710 will be remembered as a metal/punk venue or do you think there were enough genres on display at the club and it shouldn't be pigeonholed as such? How would you want it remembered?

Room 710 should be remembered as a local, live music showroom. A jewel in the crown of Austin's underground.

I think we've booked a lot of music besides punk and metal. But it's safe to say that every booking person has their own connections. When Woody booked, he had the folks he knew play. Ditto when Craig Merritt handled the booking. It was all about connections, and if Craig plays in World Burns To Death, that's the type of music he most connected to.

That doesn't mean we never had anyone else book a show. We've been pretty open to anybody taking the stage here, especially over the past 3-4 years.

The question should really be asked of the bands. They happen to be quite specific about where they wish to play stage wise, sound wise, space wise.

Erik Conn by Adi Anand (Last Tia Carrera Happy Hour at Room 710 / July 17th, 2009)

That's it. No more Room 710. There is the potential of my being involved with another venture at the same site, but it won't be a live music specific establishment. In other words, it ain't gonna be no 710, so it's time to put it to sleep.

And actually our last show is Sunday August 2nd with the singer-songwriter (Bobby Long) from London who wrote the music for Twilight. Which is the perfect ending for a cock bar that specializes in local rock music, I think.

What's next for Asher Garber and what's next for the space that is Room 710?

Can't say much about 710 Red River St. If it goes the way I want it to, it will continue to be a kickass rock joint. As for me, I want to get my writing done. I haven't touched the book since opening this joint, so maybe I'll be able to cure my writer's block.

All the best in your future endeavors and thank you for the good times.

Catch Hug (8 p.m.), Pong (10 p.m.), and Foot Patrol (Midnight) on August 1st, and Bobby Long and Marcus Foster on August 2nd at Room 710.

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