Who Are We?
Buzzards Bar & Lounge is a gritty rock n' roll dive bar and Moreken's premier DIY punk rock venue, established to provide its patrons with a sense of belonging. We are more than just your average bar; the idea was to create a safe haven for all those regardless of class, color, or creed. As stated by our owner, Jack Buzzaro, “Leave that elitism **** at the door; it has no place here.” At Buzzards, we're all about creativity, raw energy, and supporting our local music scene in Moreken.
The moment you step foot inside our doors, you'll notice provocative imagery outlining walls in the form of flyers for upcoming gigs and artwork from local artists. The idea is to provoke a sense of free thought—we'd rather our patrons become leaders rather than followers. If you have a suggestion, mention it; if our community likes the idea, we will find a way to implement it. Our immense dedication to our local music scene is what truly sets us apart from anywhere else.
You are more than welcome to email our owner, Jack Buzzaro (jackbuzzaro@buzzards.com ), or drop a note in our suggestion box at the tail end of the bar!
Small Stage. Big Scene.
Have you ever been to a music venue and noticed how large the stage is? Doesn't it give you a feeling of separation rather than involvement? We want you to feel the opposite, because here you are a part of something; this is your home. The connection between those along for the show and our performers should feel seamless. You should be able to ask questions and converse without having to pay extra for backstage passes and overpriced VIP rooms.
If you understand the overall idea behind punk rock, then you understand the strong urge to be non-inclusive. The Dead Kennedys were a large part of early punk rock in San Francisco in the early 80s. Jello Biafra, in the song “Pull My Strings,” stated, “You'll pay ten bucks to see me on a fifteen-foot-high stage, … bouncers kick the **** out of kids who try to dance.” We believe his intentions were to shatter the idea of placing “rock stars” on a pedestal, and here, we want to carry that same energy.
By keeping our stage small and growing our music scene, we provide a testament to those early rock n' roll legends that came before us. The crowd should be able to see the performers and look them in the eye, rather than look up to the sky. Furthermore, you shouldn't have to pay a million dollars just to see a show, which is why we are committed to keeping our prices low.
Anti-Elite. Diversity.
You should feel free to have your own thoughts or opinions without fear of being judged (unless your ideas are hateful, of course). We feel like gatekeepers (an elitist ideology) are a burden on the scene; who cares how many Flipper (an 80s band) songs you can name? The answer is irrelevant. We want you to like the music you like, be who YOU are, and support a diverse music scene. In other words, no one is the president of punk rock, so quit acting like it.
With all that being said, book a show and perform here; we don't care about the genre, just that you are with us, not against us. Part of being involved in a decentralized movement, such as punk rock, is that you recognize there is no sole leader; instead, we all learn to lead ourselves. Everything that you were told should be questioned, cross-referenced, and understood; that, my friend, will inspire free thought. So, whether you are a funkadelic, edgy, folk metal band from Sweden or a straight-to-the-point hardcore punk rock band from the Midwest, you are welcome to get involved.
Find Your Pack.
From our jam-packed weekend events (e.g., shows, performances, theatrics) to our karaoke or game nights, the sounds of clinking glass and a sense of belonging will always follow. This is our intention—as spoken of earlier, you should feel right at home. By capturing that eighties spirit and invoking free thought, we believe that we can accomplish this (e.g., anyone is welcome to participate). Whoever or wherever you are, stop in and explore the music scene we have created!
Sincerely,
Buzzards Staff
