11/27/2021
First I want to thank everyone for their support over the last six years. I was able to take a forgotten side room that never really had much hype and turn it into a world-renowned venue that djs really wanted to play. Having people like JOC, John Askew, Gareth Emery publicly praise the venue as one of the best in the world will always be a personal high point for me. That was always my goal, make a place where memories happen and I feel I did. In many ways there really isn’t more we could do, book more djs sure, but I have gotten to the high point and there really wasn’t a next level we could see getting to at this space.
The last thing I thought when I went there last night was this would be the last event ever at the Underground but alas, this is where I find myself. I know it will come as a shock to many, people will be confused and upset, but trust me I put my blood sweat and whole self into that room and its was my baby. Its never easy to walk away but after the events of Wednesday night I no longer could continue to work there.
To make a long story short, and clear a few things up for people who may not know the story, I CREATED the Underground. I spent every dime that went into that place from fans and heaters to world class production & sound, and all the djs I booked. Everything was carefully selected with a singular goal ALWAYS improving the experience for the fans. That is why we had such a loyal and loving following of supporters. When people had issues or complaints, I addressed them. When we made mistakes I owned them. I strived to make it an all inclusive place where everyone felt welcome and safe. No matter how you cut it, I WAS the Underground.
When Foundation nixed our Trance night, I went to the owners of Box House (same as last supper club) and told them I wanted to do shows there again. I had worked with LSC for years and they were down with the idea. I did the Alex Morph show upstairs and everyone who came enjoyed it, but the owners had made a deal with another promoter for a weekly Friday as we were waiting for the first event to happen, which means when I asked to do more upstairs and that wasn’t the option. I struck a deal with them to make over the basement. the Underground was 100% my project on all levels. The space is owned by the Box House and I ran that room for them. They gave me a lot of freedom to do what I wanted, but it was on my dime so venue upgrades, and things like bathrooms and other maintenances were not somethings I was willing to pay the bill on. I would only pay for assets I could take with me when, and if, I ever left. That relationship flourished and the club grew.
At one point I think in 2017 the current manager was leaving and they had no one else so I stepped in as the Manager for Box House. This wasn’t really the job I wanted, or was really best suited for, but it was what needed to happen at that time. I wasn’t really interested in being the manager. In 2019 the owners brought in a new manger and I took the role of creative director/manager on duty. If there were nights the other manager couldn’t be there, I filled that role as well. I had good working relationships with both the people who took the manager role after me, they respected me and let me run the Underground how I wanted, and everything was going well. Then Covid hit. When finally we were able to reopen, the last manager didn’t want to come back. Once again, this meant out of necessity to open, I agreed to be the manager with an understanding that they would be working to find a manager asap. Well, that did not happen. After weeks and weeks of no change I started getting burned out and frustrated. Finally, I got what I thought would be good news they owners hired a new manager. However, that did not end up being the case.
As soon as the “new manager” came, we were butting heads, with out going into detail, we just didn’t see eye to eye on a lot of things and it was making for a very tense working relationship. Taking away things that were important to me, and overstepping the previous agreement when it came to the Underground business which I had control of. For example, the new manager took away the water jugs. In my eyes a totally stupid and dangerous thing especially when you have no plan how to deal with it. the week she did this we had next to no bottled water to sell and she didn’t order any. When I asked what about my events after 2am, she replied they should buy water before the bar closes. This did not set well with me or all of the customers. They were so confused and irritated. She didn’t understand night life, or the culture I created. Customers come first and having water available at any point is very important and necessary for the health and safety of our customers.
As many of you know, especially if you have been there since the Covid reopening, my fiancé Cereana, is there at the club with me. She took it upon herself to be involved and try to help with staff and guests. After a series of confrontations with the new manager and Cereana to say they didn’t like each other was a gross understatement. On last Friday she had another confrontation with Cereana which she then kicked her out of the venue. This obviously didn’t sit well with me. I spoke to the owner he agreed this was silly and the new manager was out of line. I was told he would resolve the issue and I had nothing to worry about and he apologized to me. Come Wednesdays’ Solarstone show, Cereana came with me. I knew the new manager was not going to be there so after being told by the owner he was going to handle this she came. Well the new manager called the security manager and asked if Cereana was there. Then, told him she had to go and if she didn’t to call the police. When I got done playing, I was told about this. I explained how I talked to the owner and this was suppose to be resolved. Mind you, the new manager never told me she was not allowed in the club. The owners never told me. No one told me. I was told she wanted to but again the owner was going to deal with it. I actually found out from a security guard last Saturday when thankfully after the incident Friday, I had Cereana stay home. This is when I spoke to the owner and was told this will be handled. At this time, another security guard who was off the clock, not working last night and intoxicated came at the new managers request to make sure that she wasn’t there. When I tried to tell him I spoke with the owner he said “He didn’t work for them and Cereana had to go”. We exchanged word. He then shoved me up against the window and said, “I am off the clock, so I will kick your ass right now”. And challenged me to “Mutual combat.” I walked away and got Cereana and I took her home. Whenever I returned he was still there so I told him “This isn’t over, and I would be taking this to the owners”. Since he was clearly intoxicated and not working, he had no business being there and needed to leave. He then called the manager whom then called the police and had ME, who is a manager and created and runs the Underground, removed. The club I build from scratch, that I own ever single thing in, I was kicked out of.
As a result, I no longer feel I can work at that space, or with those people. Thursday I went down and I pulled all my equipment out. We will be canceling ALL events at the Underground starting with Thursday 11/26 and the Underground you have come to love is no more. This was never the way I wanted to end. I don’t feel safe there, I do not feel my future wife is safe there, nor do I feel customers are safe there anymore. Coupled with the ongoing gun violence in the area and compete failure of the city to do anything to protect nightlife in that area, this is what I have to do morally. My business partners and I have been working on finding a new space to relocate and I believe we have one. I would have loved to run this right till we are ready to open the new space, have a big farewell series of events and send the old girl out in style. However with what happened Wednesday I had to end my involvement now.
So the silver lining is this is just a temporary set back before we relocate to a new space. A space I will have total control and say over. A space I won’t be held back by people who don’t understand you need to invest in your business to grow it. If you loved the Underground, don’t worry…this next chapter will be even better of that you can rest assured. The Box House may try to keep the Underground separated as I set it up, but don’t be fooled. It won’t be the club you have come to love. All the lighting, LED walls, dj gear and most importantly the sound have all be removed.
Again, thank you to everyone who supported me over this 6 year journey. Opening a club and building it around Trance wasn’t easy, but I did it my way and in the end I think most people would agree… This place was special. But…. If you if you think this is it, you are in for a surprise because we will be back bigger, better with a new space very soon.
I am sure a number of you will want to reach out to me, please be patient on replies. I had surgery on my wrist today and won’t be able to respond as quickly as I would like.
MarQ
