This letter is in response to the editorial "Clubs Should Not Have to Be Told to Adhere to Guidelines" (Wednesday, March 7) I don't know if The Spectrum editorial board regularly patronizes local music nightclubs, but judging from this editorial, I would guess not. The editorial portrayed the owners of the Mohawk Place and Nietzsche's as not wanting to bring their clubs up to code, when in truth, they cannot afford to do so, especially with the ridiculous limitations placed upon them.
Safety is an important concern, but the Fire Prevention Bureau has made unrealistic demands to make up for the fact that they have done little to nothing in the past 20 years in regards to nightclub safety, as well as to make themselves look good in the eyes of John Q. Public. Anyone who's been in the Mohawk knows that the venue can easily and safely hold at least twice the new maximum occupancy of 42. That number includes the members of the bands playing. Now, a typical show at Mohawk involves three bands, with an average of four members each. Taking that into account, only 30 customers (less, if you count the bartenders and doorman) can be allowed in for a show. Factor in the $30,000 Pete Perrone, owner of the Mohawk, has invested in renovations recently, and it's easy to see why it'll be near impossible for him to bring the club up to code and still manage to stay in business under the new restrictions.
As a local musician and as a local music fan, I would be very saddened if either of these Buffalo institutions were closed, and a struggling community would be dealt a devastating blow. While I am concerned about my safety and the safety of my fellow club patrons, it is not necessary to be ridiculously strict with club owners who are more than willing to cooperate. In Cleveland, clubs are being given grace periods in which they can continue to operate at normal occupancy while bringing the clubs up to code. That grace period is what is needed for Nietzsche's and Mohawk.
There are some inaccuracies in your editorial that need to be addressed. You said, "Clubs such as these have bands that use pyrotechnics performing throughout the week." I do not know of any band that has used actual pyrotechnics at Nietzsche's and know of only one band doing so at Mohawk, that band being Manplanet, who, in the wake of the Rhode Island tragedy, have opted to forego pyrotechnics at future shows. My peers are equally hard-pressed to find examples that would support your statement.
Also, you claim that Nietzsche's owner Joe Rubino "would rather 'throw in the towel' than bring Nietzsche's up to regulations." This is a gross misrepresentation of his statements to the Buffalo News. Rubino was referring to the fact that such a drastic reduction in the venue's capacity would leave the venue a ghost of its former self. Never once in the Buffalo News article did he say he did not want to bring Nietzsche's up to code.
The misinformation in this editorial is careless and irresponsible. It blows the safety problem out of proportion. While the Fire Prevention Bureau may be well intentioned in their motives, their actions are too rushed and seem geared more towards warding off criticism and creating an illusion of safety. Most likely, in a few months, when the Rhode Island tragedy has faded from the headlines, fire marshals will no longer be enforcing these codes so strictly. But by then, it might be too late for two of Buffalo's better music venues.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
