Hell Yeah, City Gardens
I was driving through Trenton on my way to see my Uncle Nick recently, and I passed the Arena Drive exit and thought of City Gardens, the legendary and slightly notorious music venue where I saw many of my favorite punk and alternative music bands in the ’80s and early ’90s. It was a hole and a bit dangerous (a lot of skinheads), but the energy was infectious and the shows were usually top notch with two or three killer bands on every bill.
Here’s a fun crowd shot from 1987, I’m dead center with my nerd arm in the air saying hi! (second close-up photo).
This was a Murphy’s Law/Meatmen show, June 05, 1987. Photo by the scene legend Ken Salerno.
Why are we all looking at the camera guy? According to Ken, “Jimmy just told them to ‘Show Salerno what we got’.”
Many great times. Many great bands.
“Jeff, what were the best shows you saw?”
Great question, I’ll say:
- Bad Brains (game changer)
- Bad Religion
- Descendents
- Dag Nasty
- Rollins Bands
- Vandals
- Meatmen
- Underdog
- Dramarama
- 7 Seconds
- The Exploited
- Vision
- Circle Jerks
Check out the documentary called “Riot on the Dance Floor” now free on YouTube. It’s a lot of fun. Here’s the trailer:
I write some nonsense at Bluesky and co-host the “Junk Miles with Chip & Jeff” comedy podcast.
