Happy Birthday Dub Land!
Drew Nye Speaks



werd: james niche

Amidst the weekend meat market, better known as East and Alexander, stand a few clubs actually striving for something different in Rochester.

You have One, soon opening their upstairs and utilizing their big screen with different contemporary events. Pearl has been remodeling not only it’s infrastructure but also it’s appeal to many whom have always wondered and Dub Land Underground, offering live music and a laid back atmosphere.

Owner, Drew Nye, native of Rochester and an East High School alumnus, has taken his Jamaican inspired, smoke filled dreams to the spot formerly known as Whiskey.

Dub Land has quickly become home to many people within the hip-hop and reggae community and Drew is looking to branch out beyond those genres as well.

It’s a two-level bar with a great jukebox upstairs and a live music stage downstairs, it literally IS underground.

Drew and company celebrate two years of parties, concerts, late nights and mayhem tonight at Dub Land Underground, 315 Alexander…next to Pontillo’s.

Performing for the evening will be Roots Collider, a live instrument presentation of drum and bass, and LuLu from Thievery Corporation. If you aren’t familiar with Thievery Corporation I suggest you check out this video and see what’s going on. The band is an incredible mix of electronic dance and organic world music.




Roots Collider



A lot of you may know Drew from around the way, but I sat down with him to get a little more out of him. I hope you enjoy…

ACT:LIVE: So, you’re a city guy, huh?

Born and raised, absolutely.

I went to RIT for college and didn’t want to move away from Rochester.

ACT:LIVE: Did you always enjoy music, is that why you opened the bar or was it just a business venture?

I definitely always enjoyed music. I never played music, but my friends were in bands. My older was in a band, even when I was a young teen, so I was always around guys playing music.

His music was always all over the place and so was my parents, so I am definitely a product of that.

ACT:LIVE: Do you know who most of the artists are that come in through the door? There are sometimes a lot of club owners that really don’t know what’s going on in the industry.

Yeah, I was pretty interested in the local music scene before I got into here.

ACT:LIVE: Where did the Dub Land name come from?

When I was in college, I started going to Jamaica every year. That’s where I really developed a love for reggae, as music and culture.

I think it’s very real and very organic as opposed to a lot of music that’s out there now.

It’s calm and peaceful. Those are qualities I look for in both people and music.

ACT:LIVE: So, the name stems from the reggae root obviously…

Yeah, and I was looking around the neighborhood and I saw a lot of clubs that appeal to people that aren’t necessarily coming down here for music or culture, but rather something more basic than that.

I though that we could appeal to the other crowd that is interested in music and is interested in seeing performances.

ACT:LIVE: I think you were the first to have real reggae at East and Alexander.

Tonic used to have a reggae night, but when you think of where the reggae was being played, you think of chasing tail, not love and peace.

I think we are the first at this corner to embrace things like jam bands and live hip-hop.

ACT:LIVE: What’s your relationship been with the other owners at this infamous corner?

Well, you know, I try to get along with everybody. It hasn’t really been a challenge; we all face the same struggles as business people.

We have pretty unique challenges being in the alcohol serving business.

ACT:LIVE: What are some of those challenges?

Marketing is one challenge and keeping violence to a minimum. I mean violence at the corner, not at any particular venue.

We’re also trying to get people into the city that may not normally come to downtown because of intimidation or whatever. Pan handlers never help either.

I think the word of mouth I’ve passed along for the past two years is starting to work.

ACT:LIVE: You really seem to have your ear to the local music pavement, that’s for sure.

Well, I know a lot of artists who have had many hard times with many club owners, whether it’s in Rochester or elsewhere, so I try to stay on the side of the musicians and be fair.

I think with any business, it’s good to be fair to the people you’re working with.

ACT:LIVE: I think you’ve done a very good job of that.

Thank you.



ACT:LIVE: What are your plans for Dub Land?

I would like to see more people come down on nights where they don’t even know what’s playing, but they come down because they know there is music playing period.

We love that everyone comes down for Filthy funk every time they’re in, but I would like to see more fresh faces on the nights when they don’t know who’s playing too. We just want to let everyone know they can come down, every act will be great, it’s priced at a value and it will be a good time regardless what genre of music.

ACT:LIVE: Any revamping in the works for the club?

I would like to see the patio expanded. I’ve considered doing some outdoor shows for more of a festival feel and Miguel has been working hard to upgrade the sound system, I know he’ll continue to work hard on that.

We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback on the sound upgrades since we’ve opened.

ACT:LIVE: The big two year anniversary party is the day before Thanksgiving; tell me about what’s going on.

Roots Collider is playing, I love all those guys. Will and Bill and Jimmy bring a really fun energy. You can’t help but at least bob your head to them.

We’re really excited about LuLu from Thievery Corporation. She’s been playing all over the world with them.

ACT:LIVE: Any other goodies going on for the night?

I’m just really trying to get the word out and treat it like a birthday party for the bar.

ACT:LIVE: One last question…what do you do when you’re not at the bar? I know you’re a golfer.

I would love to say I like to read, but the truth is, when I’m not at Dub Land…I spend time at other bars. (laughs)




Drew and family celebrate two fine years Wednesday, November 26th at Dub Land Underground. Be there.
Peace.

- Games



Right now we're listening to:

Thievery Corporation "The Glass Bead Game" ("Sounds From The Thievery Hi-Fi", 2006, Eighteenth Street Lounge Music)

RIPROC, LUCKY STRIKE & ACT:LIVE Present...

GET YOUR TICKETS TO THIS EVENT!
Tickets will be more at the door!

CLICK HERE TO RSVP and be entered to win one of many Kill The Noise, Ludachrist, and RIPROC T-Shirts, among other giveaways for those that RSVP on both MySpace & Facebook.
..






REST IN PEACE ROCHESTER, LUCKY STRIKE, & ACT:LIVE present an event featuring a LIVE BAND, DJs, MCs, ARTISTS, & FASHION from acclaimed international and local talent.


Join us @ Montage Music Hall, as we fill both rooms of 50 Chestnut Street, Rochester, NY on Wednesday, December 10th, 2008!

Wear your UGLIEST sweater!
Everyone has at least one in their closet. You know what we're talking about.
Break out that holiday sweater that your grandma gave you, or better yet, rock one of your dad's Cosby sweaters! Don't have one? Head down to Goodwill this weekend! It's always been a lot more fun when everyone follows the theme as most of you have done at the past events!


Doors Open @ 9:00!

We proudly present...



KLEVER - (Atlanta, GA)

Titles & Awards:
1999 Guitar Center South Eastern Regional 1st place Champion
1999 Kool Mixx Atlanta 1st place Champion
2000 Atlanta DMC Regional 1st place Champion
2000 USA DMC 1st place Champion
2001 USA DMC 1st place Champion
2001 DMC World Champion 2nd place Runner up
2001 ITF USA 1st place Champion (Advanced Categories)
2001 Atlanta Kool Mixx 1st place Champion
2002 USA Kool Mixx 1st place Champion
2003 Atlanta Nike Battle Ground 1st place Champion
2003 Rough Raleigh DJ Battle 1st place Champion
2004 Breaklanta 1st place Champion



"Klever is one of the few and best DJs who can balance technical skill and party rocking. His style is energetic and air-tight.
"
- DJ A-Trak

"...one of the illest DJs on the cut, Klever continues to break barriers with his signature style..."
- Tablist Magazine


There are few DJs that can boast to be the world's best. One such DJ known as KLEVER hails from Atlanta. With titles like 2000 & 2001 USA DMC Champion, he has been described by A-Trak to be "one of the few who can balance technical skill and party rocking", and is labelled one of the best DJs on the planet by DJ Craze. Klever has also proven the ability to adapt. He pushes the bleeding edge of dance music by combining electro house, baltimore club, indie dance, hip-hop, disco, and just about any other style of modern dance music into his sets. Klever has played almost every infamous club or dance party across the globe from Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and beyond. It's truly an honor to have him here in Rochester, and promises to be something not to be missed by anyone!.


It is with great pride that we will also feature local and regional talent...



Kill The Noise - (585)
Slow Roast, Lucky Strike, RIPROC - Electro




Handlebar & Flipsicle - (585)
WRUR - Electro




Nickel Bag Of Funk - (585)
Electro




Routine - (585)
Electro





do5e - (585)
AKA Tim Tones, Games, Nugz, Woody, and featuring Reece Q & Ric Rude
Act:Live - Funk



Hoogs & Murdok MC - (585)
St8cyde Jump Up - Jump Up




Grizzly - (585)
RIPROC - D&B




Wi - (585)
Wi Sound, Jungle Bums - Dubstep




Audiowright - (585)
Shift - Dubstep




L.E.S.H.
& A-KO - (585)
Suga-Hi Gang, :Culture - Anything goes!




Scatter MC - (585)
St8cyde Jump Up




HRVI Who - (585)
ROC DNB, Act:Live


Featuring the photography and videography of...



Hanlon Photographic - (585)



Ysa Peréz - (585)



djb - (585)


Graf On Wax!
Crook (FUA), Downer, & Cash will be taking your requests and painting LIVE on vinyl records and giving them to YOU for free ('tis the season for tipping!).


+ =


$5 tickets.


LIMITED Presale Tickets Are Available.


Currently, tickets are available for the ridiculously low price of $5.00. This price will be more at the door, so get your ticket today from any of our outlets, or artists/performers on the line-up!.


Tickets are available for a limited time from these exquisite establishments...



Skyehigh (610 Monroe Avenue - Rochester)
Thread (654 South Avenue - Rochester)
The Ultimate Tattoo & Body Piercing (2933 West Henrietta Road - Henrietta)
Krudco (83 Howell Street - Rochester) (653 South Avenue - Rochester)


Tickets are also available from almost everyone involved in the show.


Graciously sponsored by...



CLICK HERE TO RSVP and be entered to win one of many Kill The Noise, Ludachrist, and RIPROC T-Shirts, among other giveaways for those that RSVP on both MySpace & Facebook.




Drink Specials:
9-10 pm - $2.
00 Drafts


This is going down on:
Wednesday, December 10th 2008
Doors open @ 9:00 PM

This event will be open to:
Anyone over the age of 18+ with proper identification...
18+



This will take place inside the luxurious venue of:
Montage Music Hall (AKA Montage Grille)
50 Chestnut Street
Rochester, NY 14604

The main entrance is on Lawn Street, located right across from the Cadillac Hotel on Chestnut.