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The Crocodile

Coordinates:47°36′49″N122°20′40″W/ 47.613488°N 122.344373°W/47.613488; -122.344373
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, seeThe Crocodile (disambiguation).
The Crocodile
The Croc
Exterior of the club (c. 2007)
Map
Former namesCrocodile Cafe(1991-2007)
Address2505 1st Ave,Seattle,Washington, U.S.(2021-present)
2200 2nd Ave, Seattle(1991-2020)
Seattle
LocationBelltown
OwnerMarcus Charles
Susan Silver
Sean Kinney
Eric Howk
Peggy Curtis[1]
Capacity1150[2]
Construction
OpenedApril 30, 1991(1991-04-30)
Renovated2008-09
Expanded2020-21
Website
Venue Website

The Crocodile(formerly theCrocodile Cafe,and sometimes calledThe Croc) is a music club at 2505 1st Avenue at Wall Street in theBelltownneighborhood ofSeattle,Washington,United States. Opened byStephanie Dorganas the "Crocodile Cafe" on April 30, 1991, it quickly became a fixture of thecity's music scene.The Crocodile Cafe closed in December 2007,[3]before being reopened asThe Crocodileon March 19, 2009.[4]Since then, the club has been owned byAlice in Chains' drummerSean Kinney,managerSusan Silver,Portugal. The Manguitarist Eric Howk, Peggy Curtis, andCapitol Hill Block Partyco-founderMarcus Charles.The Crocodile relocated to a bigger building at 2505 1st Avenue, four blocks away from its original location (2200 2nd Avenue).

In 2013,Rolling Stoneranked The Crocodile as the seventh best club in the U.S., andThe Guardianincluded the club in its list of the top 10 live music venues in Seattle. Artists such asNirvana,Pearl Jam,Alice in Chains,Soundgarden,Mad Season,R.E.M.,Ann Wilson,Mudhoney,Cheap Trick,Yoko Ono,Social Distortion,Green Day,The Strokes,Beastie Boys,Porcupine Tree,Alice Merton,Billie Eilish[5]andTom Morello[6]have performed at the club.

History

[edit]

Originally a 550-capacity building named the Crocodile Cafe, it was located at the 2200 2nd Avenue on Blanchard Street in the Belltown neighborhood of Seattle.[7]The venue's first show featuredThe PosiesandLove Battery;[8]the last,Robin Pecknold,J. Tillman,andDavid Bazan.[9]During its initial 16-year run, the Croc hosted numerous well-known acts includingMudhoney,[9]Tad,[9]Nirvana,[9]Palomar, Pearl Jam,[9]Sunny Day Real Estate,[9]Everclear,[9]Mad Season,[9]Green Day,[9]The Strokes,[9]Joanna Newsom,[10]Cheap Trick,[9]Indigo Girls,[11]Robyn Hitchcock,[9]Porcupine Tree,[12]Glenn Tilbrook,[13]Rhonda Vincent,[14]Death Cab for Cutie,[9]Yoko Ono,[9]Ann Wilson,[11]Sleater-Kinney,[9]R.E.M.,[9]Soft Boys,Built to Spill,[9]Neutral Milk Hotel,[15]Dinosaur Jr.,[11]Beastie Boys,[9]Corinne Bailey Rae,[11]Rachael Yamagata,Kevn Kinney ofDrivin N Cryin,Ventures,[11]Chris Knox,The Presidents of the United States of America,[9]andHarvey Danger,who chose the Cafe for their final performance.[16]

Mad Seasonplayed their first concert at the Crocodile Cafe on October 12, 1994 under the name The Gacy Bunch.[17]

In February 1996, Seattle's Popllama Records released the compilation albumBite Back: Live at the Crocodile Cafe,which featured bands such asThe Walkabouts,Girl Trouble,Flop,andGas Huffer.[9]

After opening the Crocodile Cafe, owner Stephanie Dorgan later marriedR.E.M.guitaristPeter Buck,who became a partner in the Crocodile. Buck often played there with his other band,The Minus 5.Dorgan and Buck divorced in 2006 and the Croc closed unexpectedly on December 15, 2007.[3]

Re-opening

The closing of the Crocodile Cafe, a fixture of the local music scene, caused widespread speculation in regard to the future of the establishment. After months of speculation, a group of business people and musicians includingAlice in Chains' drummerSean Kinney,[18][19]Alice in Chains managerSusan Silver,[18][19]Peggy Curtis,[20]Portugal. The Manguitarist Eric Howk, andCapitol Hill Block Partyco-founderMarcus Charlespurchased the establishment.[20]The new owners renamed it "The Crocodile" and reopened it on March 19, 2009 after much-needed renovation.[20][4]The venue was re-open to the public with two consecutive nights featuring all local bands.[4]

Soundgardenperformed for the first time in over a decade at The Crocodile on March 24, 2009. Without singerChris Cornell,the band featured original membersKim Thayil,Matt CameronandBen Shepherdand performed a 3-song set withTadlead vocalistTad Doyleon vocals as part ofTom Morello'sJustice Tour.[21]

In March 2013,Rolling Stonenamed The Crocodile as one of the best clubs in America, ranked at No. 7.[22]The Guardianincluded the club in its list of the "Top 10 live music venues in Seattle".[23]

On October 9, 2013, R&B singerJoJoperformed "Smells Like Teen Spirit"during the final stop of her West Coast promotional tour.[24]It was a little more than 21 years since Nirvana last performed at the club on October 4, 1992 billed as a "secret opening act" though they actually did not play "Teen Spirit" despite getting requests to do so, making this one of the few performances of the song at the Crocodile.[25]

On August 22, 2018,Alice in Chainssent fans on ascavenger huntto access a secret gig that the band would be performing in Seattle on August 24. Ten signed copies of their latest albumRainier Fogwere hidden around the city as a ticket into the show, and the band asked the fans to keep an eye on theirInstagramstory for details on these 10 hidden locations. Once all 10 albums were found, the band revealed that the secret gig would be at The Crocodile with limited tickets available with the purchase of their new album at a pop-up event at the same venue the next day.[26]

On August 23 and 24, 2018, The Crocodile hosted a pop-up shop and retrospective for Alice in Chains featuring rare photos, limited-edition merchandise, memorabilia and music gear that showcased the band's 30+ year career. The admission was free.[27]

Re-location

In November 2020, the owners announced that the venue would be moving from its original Belltown location a few blocks away to the former site of the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific lodge at 1st Avenue and Wall Street.[28]Adam Wakeling, a managing partner of The Crocodile, and his partners secured a 20-year lease on the 30,000 square-foot building.[2]

On December 1, 2021, The Crocodile re-opened in its new location at 2505 1st Ave with a party for people in the music industry and press. The first shows in the new venue were performances from the comedy group Mega64 in the main 750-capacity showroom, and rapper MBNel in Madame Lou's, the 300-capacity venue downstairs. The Crocodile's new building also includes a café, 2 restaurant bars, 17 hotel rooms upstairs, as well as the "Here-After", a 100-seat theater/comedy club.[2]

[edit]

The Crocodile Cafe appears onCameron Crowe's 1992 filmSingles.[2]

The Crocodile Cafe is referenced by Canadian singer-songwriterMae Moorein the song "Fine" from her 1995DragonflyLP.[citation needed]

Scenes from the 1995 filmGeorgiastarringJennifer Jason Leighwere shot at the venue.[11]

[edit]
  • The cafe in May 2005
    The cafe in May 2005
  • Mono performing in October 2007
    Monoperforming in October 2007
  • In February 2008 while closed (right side)
    In February 2008 while closed (right side)
  • In February 2008 while closed (left side)
    In February 2008 while closed (left side)
  • In November 2009, repainted black
    In November 2009, repainted black

References

[edit]
  1. ^"The Crocodile reopens Saturday with a Hot Buttered Rum show".The Seattle Times.March 20, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on August 24, 2018.RetrievedAugust 24,2018.
  2. ^abcdStewart, Jade Yamazaki (December 2, 2021)."Peek inside The Crocodile's new space as the storied Seattle music venue reopens".The Seattle Times.Archivedfrom the original on December 5, 2021.RetrievedDecember 5,2021.
  3. ^abTom Scanlon (December 17, 2007)."Crocodile Cafe abruptly closes its doors".The Seattle Times.Archivedfrom the original on December 5, 2021.RetrievedDecember 5,2021.
  4. ^abcLevin, Hannah (March 17, 2009)."The New Crocodile Opens on Thursday With Two Nights of Free Shows".Seattle Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on August 24, 2018.RetrievedAugust 24,2018.
  5. ^Hoffman, Ashley (April 17, 2019)."Alice Merton at The Crocodile".Lost In Concert.Archivedfrom the original on September 22, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 22,2019.
  6. ^"The Crocodile Presents: TOM MORELLO: THE NIGHTWATCHMAN and Special Guests".The Stranger.October 18, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on September 22, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 22,2019.
  7. ^"The Best Live Music Venues in Seattle".Seattle Magazine.September 2014.Archivedfrom the original on August 23, 2018.RetrievedAugust 24,2018.
  8. ^"The Croc's miracle mixer man Originally published".The Seattle Times.December 21, 2007.Archivedfrom the original on August 27, 2018.RetrievedAugust 26,2018.
  9. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstBlecha, Peter(February 14, 2008)."Crocodile Cafe: Seattle's Icon of the Grunge Rock Era".HistoryLink.org.Archivedfrom the original on July 9, 2018.RetrievedAugust 24,2018.
  10. ^"Joanna Newsom Concert Setlist at Crocodile Cafe, Seattle on June 5, 2004".Setlist.fm.Archivedfrom the original on August 24, 2018.RetrievedAugust 24,2018.
  11. ^abcdefJohn Marshall (December 18, 2007)."Seattle's Crocodile Cafe closes".Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
  12. ^"Porcupine Tree Concert Setlist at Crocodile Cafe, Seattle on June 4, 2005".Setlist.fm.Archivedfrom the original on August 24, 2018.RetrievedAugust 24,2018.
  13. ^Wilson, Kathleen (April 25, 2002)."It's My Party".The Stranger.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2019.RetrievedAugust 24,2018.
  14. ^"'Mandolin Mama' wows with stirring style of bluegrass ".Seattle PI.June 16, 2005.Archivedfrom the original on August 24, 2018.RetrievedAugust 24,2018.
  15. ^"Neutral Milk Hotel Concert Setlist at Crocodile Cafe, Seattle on April 14, 1998".Setlist.fm.Archivedfrom the original on August 24, 2018.RetrievedAugust 24,2018.
  16. ^"Harvey Danger Play Final Show".SPIN.August 31, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on August 24, 2018.RetrievedAugust 24,2018.
  17. ^de Sola, David (August 4, 2015).Alice in Chains: The Untold Story.Thomas Dunne Books. p. 221.ISBN978-1250048073.
  18. ^ab"Legendary Crocodile, the cradle of grunge, rocks into its next stage".The Seattle Times.March 21, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on August 22, 2017.RetrievedAugust 21,2017.
  19. ^abGillian G. Gaar (February 2, 2010)."Alice in Chains' Homecoming".Seattle Weekly.Archived fromthe originalon June 20, 2018.RetrievedAugust 21,2017.
  20. ^abc"The Return of The Crocodile".The Stranger.March 26, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on March 29, 2009.RetrievedMay 26,2018.
  21. ^Thiessen, Brock (March 26, 2009)."Soundgarden Reunite For Gig Without Chris Cornell... But With Tad Doyle".exclaim!.Archivedfrom the original on September 22, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 22,2019.
  22. ^"The Best Clubs in America / 7. The Crocodile in Seattle".Rolling Stone.March 28, 2013.Archivedfrom the original on April 3, 2013.RetrievedAugust 24,2018.
  23. ^Simmons, Abbey (May 25, 2013)."Top 10 live music venues in Seattle".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on April 8, 2014.RetrievedApril 15,2019.
  24. ^"JoJo covers Nirvana's" Smells Like Teen Spirit "in Seattle".Rap-Up.October 10, 2013.Archivedfrom the original on October 10, 2013.RetrievedOctober 10,2013.
  25. ^"Nirvana - Crocodile Cafe, Seattle, WA 1992".YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-12-21.
  26. ^Banas, Erica (August 23, 2018)."Alice In Chains Sent Fans on a Scavenger Hunt to Access Secret Gig".ALT 92.9 Boston.Archivedfrom the original on August 24, 2018.RetrievedAugust 24,2018.
  27. ^"Alice in Chains Pop-up Museum Coming to the Croc".KISW.August 8, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on August 13, 2018.RetrievedAugust 24,2018.
  28. ^"The Crocodile - November 16, 2020, Facebook Page Post".Facebook.November 16, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on May 29, 2021.RetrievedNovember 18,2020.
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47°36′49″N122°20′40″W/ 47.613488°N 122.344373°W/47.613488; -122.344373

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