The Gargoyle

I also saw the Naked and Famous show last night, and by time they got on stage all the kinks seemed to have been ironed out.
But I’ve seen several shows here and I gotta vent.
They’re always late getting the bands on, the sound is always messed up in the beginning, the security hates their lives and makes sure everyone knows it, and my biggest gripe:
Effing Wash U students.
I hate to sound curmudgeonly but these kids got no respect. I remember going to concerts to watch a band I liked play live music. Now it seems people go to live shows to text, check in on FB, videotape, take pictures, and talk so loudly that it drowns out the music.
The problem’s even worse at Gargoyle shows. I agree with the other reviews, especially Dean’s. I can’t really add anything new, I just needed to vent. Thanks!

Top 10 signs you’re at a Gargoyle show:
10. You decide it’s worth the risk getting a ticket and park in a permit-​required spot. You still have to walk a mile to get there.
9. The security team has that «I really want to bash someone tonight» look about them.
8. Although the music is not hippie-​ish or rave-​ish in the least, for some reason people have glow sticks.
7. Half of the crowd is too busy recording the show to enjoy the show.
6. You witness multiple handles of liquor being passed around and shared.
5. You almost trip over a girl who is bent over smoking a hash pipe.
4. The student organizers, when asked by security what the head count is, reply «uhh…I think we’re ok».
3. The artist is doing his own soundcheck and says «this sound system sucks».
2. Someone gets tazed.
1. You leave before the show is over.

I’m not a fan of the Gargoyle, plain and simple. Unless your name is Wayne Campbell and you enjoy trying to make basements look reputable, you probably won’t like the Gargoyle, either.
That’s what you’re getting with the Gargoyle — a basement. Sure, it doesn’t have 70s wood paneling, but you’ll certainly get your fill of cinderblocks and unidentifiable smells. Head down some mysteriously dark stairs in a normal-​looking student building, pay your cash, and wander into what appears to be the cellar of a frat house that’s *trying* to trick itself out for a party. No, really, when you walk into the Gargoyle, you can’t help but look around and think, «Really? I’m at a touted university’s concert space and not my friend Jerry’s mom’s house?»
It’s not even so much the looks, though those definitely suck. I mean, everyone’s been to a dive bar, right? Well, 1) this is no bar, and 2) you don’t go to a venue for its window dressing. No, the only reason to venture onto Wash U’s campus for a show is whatever band is playing — but it’s not worth it if you can’t understand what they’re saying! No, the Gargoyle doesn’t bring in bands who imitate Mushmouth from «Fat Albert;» their concert schedule is just lovely. But the acoustics in that room (Yep, it feels like a «room» and not a «venue.» In quotes.) are horrendous.
So, back to «my friend Jerry.» Imagine he has a basement in his mom’s house. Imagine he found some schlock friends to jam with. Imagine that even though his pal has a sweet Strat, Jerry only has some two-​bit Craigslist amp that his dad set up right before the boys came over, so the friend with the tiny bit of talent can’t really be heard. And imagine Jerry begged you to hang out on his tattered hand-​me-​down couch and applaud at the proper times. Welcome to the Gargoyle.
Small things that aren’t so sucky:
* Bands are often pretty good — indie and electronica, mainly.
* You can take several buses to Wash U or get off Metrolink at the Skinker stop and walk to the Gargoyle.
* … I can’t think of a third thing.
Dean B. is right — head to the Billiken Club for a better campus venue experience.

Dean’s review pretty much hit home and covered all the basics of this place.
I go to SLU, not Wash U, and when I heard that Cascada would be in town (yes I admit to listening to their… stuff), my friends and I all wanted to go because we are weird like that. So we get there and we have to buy tickets because even though we are students, we don’t go to Wash U. We waited FOREVER in line and got harassed multiple times by the «wash u cop» people and I almost died of impatience/​annoyedness because of their dick-​ass attitudes. Most of the students there were rowdy and drunk and just… awful.
When I FINALLY got my ticket, my two friends who where in line behind me were cut off because someone said they had «reached capacity.» WTF? So even though I could get in, my two friends couldn’t either. They were pretty much on their way back to the metrolink station (they didn’t really want to see it as much as I did and they had other stuff to do that night anyway) when they started letting more people in again? Wtf? So I called them back, and they came.
The show took FOREVER to start. It was beyond ridiculous. I really wish I could have complained to someone managing this event because it was utter rubbish. It was supposed to start at like 7 or something but she wasn’t even on stage till 10pm. It was… AWFUL. I wish I could give this place negative stars because it’s literally like a morgue and the students were total assholes with no respect for anyone.
When she finally got on stage she freaking lip synced. Yeah. And that is the real punchline. Ughhhh. Never again! That band OR this venue!

The Gargoyle is not for everyone. Most of the points in the first review ring true. This place is basically a little basement shithole. It can get very loud and crowded.
However, while I have had a couple one-​star experiences here, I have also had several 5-​star experiences here. I’ve seen amazing intimate shows here (Band of Horses and Rogue Wave come to mind) that I would not have wanted to see anywhere else. The crappy little environment lets you get up and really close to the music. And the small size just makes the experience feel more special than some huge club.
The college kids bring some nice youthful energy. People have fun here, not just stand there with their arms crossed. So if you can’t stand a little jostling or gettin a bit sweaty, this probably isn’t the place for you. And lets face it, these WashU kids aren’t exactly rabble-​rousers. They’re good kids.
Couple Tips:
1) Arrive early. Come about an hour before doors open and get in line. Parking will be easier. And if you get in early you can stake your claim to a nice spot by the stage up front. If you’re not up front, then your overall experience will probably suck. So get up front and protect your space.
2) Bring a flask (or two). Yes the lack of a bar sucks, but it’s probably for the best. Bring your own, and look around you before you swig.
If you’re willing to sacrifice a little comfort to see some great music up close and personal, the Gargoyle can provide an amazing experience.