The AK-47 House Kisses The Jersey Shore Music Scene Goodbye
“It’s been super hectic, I didn’t go into it thinking it was so hard to do,” said Monmouth Graduate, show organizer and inhabitant of Deal’s AK-47 house, 21-year-old, Anna Maynard.
After a small turnout at the house’s first show, Maynard decided to halt on planning shows in the basement. However, when a touring band stayed the night, having played a set, which they invited a soon-to-be returning audience to, the five month show booking halt, ended. That was the show that made Anna Maynard and Kelly Currie’s house into music venue, AK-47.
With two years of the music venue being live, Maynard found hosting became easier as bands began contacting her and the audiences began to expand.
This past Saturday, May 20, was the house’s final show. With Maynard and Currie moving on out, having just graduated college, it was time for change—a new beginning.
The music venue was crammed with more than 60 people looking forward to seeing Fortune Yellers, Debt League, Maeby Funk, YJY, and Reflowed Girlz one last time in the Drake, Obama, Cat art, christmas light infused basement.
“It was fun, it was one of the first houses we’ve ever played, so the hospitality that Anna and everybody else showed us at this house has been great,” said 27-year-old Jon Muzikowski of Fortune Yeller.
Audience members and band members alike have an unconditional respect for AK-47 and are going to miss its presence. Not only was the house refreshing and filled with a love for music and good times, but for those that went there, it was one of a kind.
“It’s really cool to see a place like this exist down here—you know, it’s known up in New Brunswick, but there’s not a lot by the shore, so I’m really happy this place existed for the time that it did,” said audience member, and Tiny Bees creator, Ali Nugent of WMCX 88.9.
Likewise, Raymond Chalmé, 23, of Secret Mountain also added that one would usually have to go to New Brunswick to catch a basement show, but that AK-47 is here and it’s home.
Nugent came to the show with two zines, one of which is her very own, Tiny Bees, and a special edition for AK-47, titled, AK-47 Forever. Nugent said that the AK-47 designated zine was produced out of the mind of Rachel Casey--band mate of Treasure Mathstorm. Casey and the band also played their very first show at AK-47 this past November.
The Zine showcases people’s memories of AK-47, notes to Maynard and Currie, past show flyers, and social media postings.
“I think that was one of your first shows ever. I fell in love with you that night (and Debt League),” said Maynard’s boyfriend, 24-year-old, Matt Durkin in the AK-47 Forever.
With a conga line starting during Secret Mountain’s set, and a full on dance party breaking out during YJY, there was all the reason for everyone to feel at home.
Steve Sachs, 27, of YJY spoke of the passion that the AK-47 house emits; that people are at the venue for the music and each other. The musician said that those with that drive to create, are the ones that will go on to make something of themselves in this world, aka, Maynard—he says that the connections made, especially at AK-47, will build something for the future of music.
“If every house show—if every place—was as organized friendly, welcoming, and warm as here than the scene and the world would be better for it,” said Sach who, over the course of two years, has played with three different bands at AK-47.
Maynard used her shows to also support musicians, making sure everyone paid five dollars so that the bands could go home with something—keeping none of the money herself.
Remember to support your artists and remember the times had at the AK-47 house, where memories, music, smiles, and friends were made.
-Thank you Anna and thank you Kelly for opening your home to music, fun, and good vibes.
