Saturday night will mark the grand opening of a new all-ages club in Joplin.

The Sound Factory, connected to the Sandwich Factory at 531 Kentucky Ave., will be hosting eight bands on its first night of business. Keith Bryant, owner of the Sandwich Factory, gave his employee, Mark Williams, the opportunity to convert the back rooms of the building into a venue for local bands and musicians.

"We're putting the pool tables upstairs and he wanted to know what I was going to do with the space downstairs," said Bryant. "I said 'I don't know. You got an idea?' and he went from there."

Williams, with his fellow bandmates, began the remodeling of the large, back rooms of the Sandwich Factory building. They cleaned the spaces, built exterior walls and doors, and began formulating how the club would be arranged.

The initial idea for playing at the Sandwich Factory came when other venues in Joplin became difficult. A violent altercation at the Keystone Lounge brought an end to loud bands at that small establishment. Issues with other locations also brought an end to shows with several bands performing.

"We had a friend flake out on us about having shows at the skatepark," said Williams. "We want to keep what scene we have alive."

After the first show, Williams and his associates plan to have bands playing regularly throughout the month.

"If we can get a nice place going here, I'm sure anybody would like to come and play," said Williams. "I don't know if we're going to get any N'Sync type of bands in here, but if you want to come and play, get a hold of 420 Productions."

420 Productions is a project started by Williams, members of his band, Last Call, and other local artists, including Yellobean, Powerstall, and the Barfly. They collectively have started an independent label and now plan to organize events more frequently through the Sound Factory.

"The first show will be a little rough, but after this show I imagine we can get the sound down pretty good," said Williams.

"We're going to run this as long as we can. With nobody else putting on any good shows, it wouldn't hurt to have a nice place."

Saturday's show will start at 7 p.m. The first band will be the Fresh Prince Reruns, a pop-punk band from Carthage. They will be followed by Deeproot and Parasitehost. Joplin's beercore three-piece, the Backseat Girls will play next, followed by William's band, Last Call.

"We're not necessarily what people want to hear," said Williams, "but stuff that will get people moving and a way for them to vent their frustrations."

The final two performances at the show will be acoustic. First the uncontrolled mayhem of VD, followed by the poetic words of the Barfly. These last acts will conclude the first night of music at the Sound Factory.

The idea of gaining a liquor license crossed the minds of Williams and Bryant, who felt it would be more trouble than it was worth. They believed its restrictions would infringe on their evening's schedules.

"A lot of establishments in this town have curfews where you have to leave at a certain time," said Bryant. "It's just not productive to having a good time."

"We're trying to provide a venue where no certain group from, say 15-25, can have some place to go and not necessarily have to be involved in the alcohol."

Published by The Chart on 2-11-00.

Article's Posting at the Chart's Website