924 Gilman

It’s cool and all that they’re not for profit, but it’s bullshit that I come to a show from out of town and suddenly am demanded to pay a «mandatory membership fee» to keep this shithole running. Like, can’t you advertise that outside as well as on the tickets beforehand? That’s my first gripe with this place.
My second, and much less bratty, issue is that there’s a blatant disregard for contending with their rules of no violence in the club. I don’t care about mosh pits but the stage diving (even tho there’s a giant sign that says NO STAGE DIVING) was out of control and there’s only one or two «security guards» for the whole sold out event. I understand that this place isn’t swimming in cash to pay for a legit security, but they fully acknowledge that they only have these rules so they don’t get sued for liability. That’s shady as fuck, and makes me question their validity as an organization. No one even checked my bag to make sure I wasn’t carrying a weapon or something – this is extremely dangerous in an area that doesn’t appear to be the greatest with a bunch of angsty people roaming. Very big mistake for an «all ages club».
I didn’t get injured but my boyfriend did, we aren’t going to sue but I feel like they need to handle the issue in a professional manner, especially since the scene in this neighborhood is just a bunch of assholes looking for excuses to attack anyone and everything. I’ve never seen a crowd of such terrible people all in one place, wow. No one was down to help pick other people up when they fell down or even strike a convo outside of judging other circles of friends within their own cliques.
It’s entirely run by volunteers it seems so I don’t think it’s their fault, but rather the issue lies with the management as a whole. I don’t plan on coming back if I can go to a show elsewhere here in the bay, or elsewhere in CA.
Just so this doesn’t sound overwhelmingly negative, I respect that there’s free water and that the snack bar is reasonably priced. :D

Can’t believe the neighbors tolerate us.

This is as punk as it gets, moshing and all sorts of craziness. it also an all ages venue which is rare, at least where i live they are rare.

Went to the Gilman and saw Alaric ad Noothgrush last Saturday. Wow, I’m a total sludge slut now. The Gilman was so much fun no drinks or age limits. Met a 4 year old who comes all the time, her mom makes her wear big ear muffs, so cute. Intimate venue, I felt like they were playing in my living room. Mr. Hate is a total stud and guitar master. I really enjoyed my self at the Gilman and no hang over: P

My guy took me to a show at Gilman recently to see a friend’s band. Gilman has been around for years, but it was my first time. I love live music.
They don’t serve any food or drinks, so hit up Pyramid Ale House or T-​Rex Barbeque before you go. They are close by and good.
The cover was only a couple dollars and the show was awesome. I had a fun night out and got to check out another local live music spot in the Bay Area.

I’ve only been here once and it was for a show with great bands like Esther Moser, Piranha Party, Slime Girls and more.
This place has such a chill vibe from the friendly employees to the sick graffiti everywhere (including both of the unisex bathrooms) and it’s overall a great place to hangout and listen to good music.

After years and years of RSVP’ing to shows at Gilman but never going, I finally made it out there! I’ve officially established my status as an East Bay resident.
I went to Comadre’s last show on June 15^th. I was somewhere in the middle of the (seemingly neverending) line. Even so, Ghostlimb, the opening band, started playing before we even got inside. I’m sure some of the kids at the very end of the line missed them entirely. Such a shame, because they were really good.
Punch was definitely my favorite band of the entire evening, although I definitely have some warm and fuzzy feelings for Shook Ones.
I love the idea of an all ages/​drug and alcohol free venue, even though a lot of people just drink beforehand and cause a ruckus anyway. I saw a few empty bottles on the ground near the building. Jerks.
Bonus points for some adorable folks selling yummy vegan desserts inside. I had skipped dinner before heading to the show, so two cupcakes served as my oh-​so-​nutritious meal. Their strawberry shortcake cupcake was life-​changing. And all of the proceeds went to an animal sanctuary. Hooray!
Too bad a lot of the people who were at the show were rude, rude, rude. I go to a lot of shows (punk shows included), but the crowd at Gilman was one of the WORST. Passersby frequently shove you out of their way or plow into you like a bull. Even if you’re standing off to the side and nowhere near the mosh pit, expect to get bumped into a lot.
I know that Gilman has no control over the clientele, but it just makes me feel very old and un-​hip to be pushed around by hipster dudes with their band tees, full sleeves and cutoffs.
I thought this place was all about keeping it posi?

Local shows for the cool kids

I think anyone complaining is really o the mark for so many reasons, or they’re just devoid of brain cells. Sure, the sound is the worst I’ve ever heard, but they have $ 1 Cliff BUILDER bars and they’re still the landmark, and that landmark is STILL OPEN. Do you understand the significance of this place? Yeah, so shuuuuuut uuuuup. But yeah, I’m way too old for this spot.

I drove by this place for YEARS thinking it was some kind of needle exchange program or rehab clinic based on the people crashed out on the curb.
No kidding.

AhOi,
I have been attending as well been a active member with 924 Gilman Street Project since it started from my mid-​teens and I am in my 40s now. Like everything it has its ups and downs. I hope it will always stay true to its roots as well never ever close its doors. It is a staple and historical landmark as for as I am concerned as well a great place where a kid can find true community and family. «Viva 924 Gilman».
~Blackdawg out

Yeah it’s a Landmark & its cool the kids got a place to go bla bla bla… However, –4 stars for this: I don’t know how many times I’ve been there and some asshole has brought his/​her dog into the show. Gilman is awesome at being the PC Police — ask anyone who’s ever played there — but somehow letting people bring their dogs into a REALLY LOUD confined space is ok? That’s just fucked up…

This is one of my most favorite venues. I attended my first show here in 2007 with a couple friends of mine as a last day of school activity.
So many great bands have performed here. From first shows to last shows. My favorite show of all times was Killing The Dreams last show here back in July of 2011. They couldn’t have picked a better place than the Gilman to perform their last show.
I’ve heard that the Gilman has been struggling to pay the rent of the place for awhile now but i don’t if they’re still struggling with that problem. Hopefully not because this venue is so amazing.

Usually come here on Fridays, the staff can be a bit pretentious but whatever, way too many passed out kids outside.
Majority of the times I went their was no etiquette in the mosh pit. If someone fell down in the pit no one would help them out and you’ll have guys in their 40’s pushing unsuspecting girls into the mosh as well. The hell is all that about?

There is no way I could describe what Gilman is or what Gilman, as its devotees call it, means to the surrounding community, Bay Area, and punk rock/​free expression scene in general. Established as a place where anyone could express themselves through music or performance, as long as there was no hate, no bigotry and no drugs involved (though most everyone who’s been to Gilman has probably been on drugs or alcohol). Gilman is a special place that is in danger of being lost forever as the rent board in Berkeley is fascistically upping prices in the area every year. Green Day was most famously bred and groomed here in the 80’s but everyone from Jello Biafra to Crimpshrine to chumbawumba to Bad Religion has played and been adored (or in Jello’s case, beaten to a pulp) here.
The most famous part about Gilman though is probably how they castigate and scorn all people who have become famous, infamously barring Green Day from coming back to play and, as mentioned above, having someone beat the living crap out of Jello Biafra.
Still fun. Still weird. Still Gilman.

It is what it is. It’s an all-​ages volunteer-​run punk rock venue. You will stand in pee, scratch yourself on a nail and hurt your ears. To get in, you must buy a membership card… which means that these issues are now your responsibility to fix if you don’t like them. Cool, huh?
They don’t feature alcohol or (luckily) food. You can get these things within a couple of blocks at Pyramid Alehouse or T-​Rex BBQ.
Long live 924 Gilman! Get your shots before you go!

924 Gilman is a staple in the punk rock and hardcore scene.
As much as I heard about this place, I had never been there until a couple weeks ago. It’s not pretty; there’s graffiti, paintings, and flyers all over the wall, and the bathrooms are horrid but it has so much soul and character. It captures the spirit of punk rock and DIY music scene so well and you will see one of the best, most intimate shows in your life.
Not only that but shows are cheap and never sell out, from what I was told. I only paid $ 9 to see Yi, 1994!, Joyce Manor, Snowing and Algernon Cadwallader. All in one night, and it was one of the best I’ve ever been too. Quite an unforgettable experience. I will be back for sure.

What a special place.
This place got 5 stars even before I got there.
Growing up in the UK (before the internet kids!) I had heard of this place in fanzines and record inserts from Op Ivy, Green Day, Dead Kennedys etc.
I first went there and saw Arnocorps and I loved the fact that there were kids of all ages there, especially since I hate all-​age shows!
No bar, you have to become a member at the door (which I love).
I love the place. If you don’t, that is good, don’t go again and waste the space.

924 Gilman is a historic landmark of hardcore.
Simply don’t expect anything appealing to the eye, to sound immaculate, or 5 star facilities and you are guaranteed to see the most beautiful show of your life.
Cool things: graffiti, gnar-​gnar restrooms, sound loft, staff +snackbar
DIY or die (but posting on Unilocal!about the Gilman is NOT hardcore)

I came here in February with my boyfriend to see Pinhead Gunpowder play.
When we arrived and parked, we saw that there was huge line going outside the building to get in. Not too surprising considering that it WAS Pinhead Gunpowder who was playing.
The inside of this place is decently sized but since there were so many people here to see the show, it was extremely crowded. Forget trying to find a place to sit — you’re standing the whole time. There’s a small snack bar area in the corner of the building that sells drinks and snacks. There’s a small 2-​seater couch in the corner of this area where you CAN sit — if you’re lucky to snag it first.
Of course Pinhead came on last and they did an awesome job performing their entire album the whole way through. Billie Joe was great. I’m not a big fan of Green Day, but I have a new respect for him because he still finds time out of his famous life with Green Day to play a local show for some of his biggest fans.
After the show ended, my boyfriend wanted to hunt Billie Joe down and try to get a picture with him. We swarmed through the crowds of the smelly kids and were able to snap a photo. Of course he was totally genuine and nice.
Great show and a memorable one at that.
P. S. — What’s funny is an old friend of mine met Billie Joe backstage at a Green Day concert a few years ago. She had to get backstage passes first but all my boyfriend and I had to do was go see him perform at Gilman and hang out outside and ask him for a picture. Rad!
It’s shows like this that really make you appreciate how nice rock stars are because even though they’ve had great success and fame, they still come back to their roots every once in a while.

Hi. This place is a fucking institution.
That’s all you need to know.