"The Start of an Epic Night" This is typically the first shot I take at a venue, it's a way to warm up, as well document for my records, who played that night. When it comes to Logan's Pub, after Hoon (just kidding Bro), this is probably the most common photo I take at a Logan's gig. But this old wooden sign is also a shared memory for many of us who frequent Logan's and gigs at this amazing venue. The Logan Family (John, Chris, and their family) created a place of magic when they open this bar. For me, it's a place I call "home". It's a place I have gone to when I have been hurting. It's a place I find myself at, when I have felt lonely, or just wanted to go a place I feel safe, and watch some TV while everything from The Damned to Johnny Cash plays on the sound system. It's a place I have practiced my craft as a photographer. It's a place I get to support my friends, local musicians and traveling musicians. Some of the best nights of my life has taken place at this venue. But this night was about Punk Rock. In particular, Victoria BC Punk Rock and the bands/musicians who have been part of the local scene for over twenty years. And on this particular night, I was feeling the loss of a friend and the love and sorry for family a province away. And once again, The Tavern of The Damned, delivered. The magic of this place is the people. The people who work there. The people who volunteer there. The bar manager, the waitresses, the bartenders, the bouncers and doormen. The always there supporting the scene, a legend in his own time, someone we all respect and admire, Scotty - our professional sound and lighting tech. Then there are the general public who call this place, "their bar", "our place", "home" or "The Pub". The people who pay to support local musicians and talent. Sometimes that talent travelers from half way around the world to play this little club of ours, sometimes they are coming fro just down the street or a couple of blocks away. So yeah the musicians, the bands, the DJs, the artists, the creatives who give the people a show, an experience, a moment in their lives. For some people it's a hockey game with their fav team at a home game. For others it might be Burning Man. For some a stage upon which the glide as a dancer. It's a magic - a comfort that's hard to articulate in words, almost something of substance if you will. In this little club on Cook Street in quiet little Victoria, BC musicians cut their teeth. Everyone last one of them I have met over the years, if it's their first gig, they are scared - What if we Suck? What if Something Goes Wrong? What if I play Out of Key? What if No One likes Us? What if No One Dances? I've been up there - yeah it's damn intimatidting. Some seriously cool and highly respected musicians have played that stage. And if it's a Punk, Metal or Rock gig, odds are some local or international legend is in the crowd. Big time drumers from Seattle, Punk Legends from Victoria, Glam guitar players from Hollywood, Power Metal singers from Germany - there is almost always someone "famous" or "highly respected" in the crowd at a Logan's gig. But as I have watched those who pioneered the scene tell the new players time and time again, "hey kid - I was Once you - rememeber that. No matter how good or bad you play, you had the balls to get up on that stage and try. So play it loud and play with your heart, and fuck worrying about what we all think in the crowd - play for yourself. Believe in youself." Yeah, I've given this speech and advice to up and coming players in this very bar. I have also given it to artists stepping out and wanting to follow their heart. And I have tried to surround myself with these people who beleive this sincerely, and who give back and support the new kids on the block. My friend Richard who passed away last week, was one of those guys. He believed in people. He believed in lifting them up. He believed in helping people be the best they could. So this night, like the gig after Darren's death back in 2017 and like the annual gig for Jay Brown, Hoon and crowd put on every year, I went to the place where I feel safe. Where I feel at "home". To everyone there the night, Thank You. © Scott Fraser Photography #FuckCancer #Friends #OldSchoolClubs #TheTavernOfTheDamned #AK47 #ClassOf1984
