City forces Wadzilla Mansion to cease operations, organizers seek proper permits

Published Feb 16 2011, 04:04 PM by Michael Marotta

Looks like the city finally caught up to WADZILLA MANSION in Allston, the site of several incredible basement shows over the past few months. Here's word from Wadzilla HQ, posted online twenty minutes ago (Video of Comanche shot earlier this month by the Phoenix's Janssen McCormick):

Dear wonderful people,

We have some very unfortunate news. This morning our landlord received a letter from the city of Boston informing her we have been in violation of the State Building Code, due to a "failure to secure a permit to operate a Live Entertainment Venue." It gives us 30 days to apply and obtain the permit and all required inspections. Until that is done, all activity needs to cease; a failure to comply will lead to a penalty of $1000 and/or imprisonment of not more than 1 year for each instance of violation.

Our amazing landlord is actually being extremely supportive of us and she is helping us try to find a way to secure the necessary permits from the city. However, in the meantime, we cannot have any more shows... it is also not a guarantee at all that we will be able to resume shows again, but we promise you we will try our hardest to find a way to legally do so.

We are of course, supremely saddened by this news and we shall see what the future holds. Over the past year Wadzilla Mansion has become a unique gathering spot for musicians, artists, and open-minded people of all backgrounds throughout the city; a true musical oasis which we fervently believe has helped reinvigorate the local music scene in a profound way. A year ago we recognized a widespread need for such a communal spot; since then we have poured our hearts into constantly making this the best possible independent underground venue we could conceive of but recognize that without you guys and your constant enthusiasm and support, this place would be nothing more than just another basement in another home.

Our experience over the past twelve months has shown us the true value and astonishing power of a whole-hearted grassroots, do-it-yourself mentality; this is not our venue, it is the people's venue. We are genuinely happy to have had the opportunity to host so many amazing shows and are eternally grateful for the privilege to do so allowed to us by all the talented musicians and passionate fans who have become forever part of the Wadzilla family.

Finally, we would like to make a note regarding the authorities: we are actually grateful for their cordiality in notifying us formally instead of handling this in a more confrontational manner. Their intervention exists merely to protect the public by making sure our venue is safe and our neighbors are considered; we hope you respect and share our views on this matter. As active members of society, we must all acknowledge our coexistence and actively find ways to maintain civility and respect for everyone. Art is not anarchy, and we believe in respecting those who create as much as those who must maintain order.

This is not the end of the novel; it is merely the end of chapter 1. We are excited to see what the next chapter holds and would love for all of you to be there with us.

Sincerely yours,

Wadzilla Mansion

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11 Comments

yallaredumb said:

you can't put your address on the flyer. rule #1 of basement shows. actually rule #2.

rule #1 being NORMS OUT.

February 16, 2011 5:24 PM
Punchie said:

Good letter. Really heartfelt. But why, for a year, did Wadzilla think they could get away with running a venue without a license? It's really a shame that you created such an "oasis" and failed to secure its future.

February 16, 2011 6:40 PM
Suckit said:

Wadzilla has been having shows for years. Who do these dumbass kids think they are? Everyone else who ran shows there ran them discreetly and never got into any trouble. Maybe if these kids knew what underground meant they wouldn't be writing this sappy letter. I'm sure they'll be able to get the proper permits... Ha. Way to ruin a great space for house shows.

February 16, 2011 9:10 PM
punchie sux said:

shut up pussy secret gigs 4eva

February 16, 2011 9:43 PM
lmao said:

That's not music, that's fucking garbage.

February 16, 2011 11:13 PM
Joe said:

License = insurance, police, licensing fees, bullshit. Where do you draw the line between "live entertainment venue" and "party with bands"?

February 16, 2011 11:27 PM
Wadzilla Sux said:

Good! Wadzilla was the worst basement venue in the boston area. The bands they booked sucked. If you want a REAL D.I.Y. venue, go to Gay Gardens, House, Butchershoppe, Haunted Casino, or Problem House.

February 16, 2011 11:59 PM
BYE!!! said:

Serves them right. Wadzilla made a mockery of what's going on in the Allston music scene by charging $5-$10 to the dumbass BU kids they promote to, for the right to hang out in their basement and then keeping most of the money for themselves.

*REAL* DIY venues are all over Allston, and will never be shut down because they don't promote on the internet, don't charge money(except respectfully ask for donations, with 100% of donated money going to touring bands), and invite people into their HOMES, to make friends and meet like-minded folks. they don't have bouncers, hand-stamps and they certainly don't force people to stay in the basement. Good riddance, I say.

February 17, 2011 11:28 AM
jd said:

such a shame that this place ran so well for so long untill a bunch of hippies moved in and got it shut down within a year

February 17, 2011 11:57 PM
Bigfoot said:

aww that sucks. I've only been there once but it was a great spot. good luck with the permits guys!

February 18, 2011 12:09 PM
trent said:

"a true musical oasis which we fervently believe has helped reinvigorate the local music scene in a profound way." LOL GAYWAD-ZILLA MANSION

February 18, 2011 1:53 PM

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City forces Wadzilla Mansion to cease operations, organizers seek proper permits

11 Comments

yallaredumb said:

Punchie said:

Suckit said:

punchie sux said:

lmao said:

Joe said:

Wadzilla Sux said:

BYE!!! said:

jd said:

Bigfoot said:

trent said:

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