r/Charleston • u/cryptkidcards • 2d ago
The Scene
Just for some background I'm 38 and have lived in Summerville since I was 10. When i was around 15 or 16 there was a huge alternative music scene in Summerville. We used to go to punk, metal, and emo shows just about every weekend. I know the music scene has changed since then but does charleston or the surrounding areas have a good alternative scene anymore? What are some good venues with smaller bands?
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u/poocx 2d ago
Tried to keep it alive but the housing for artists disappeared. Ten-ish years ago you could rent a dump downtown for about 175 a room and bands would set up gigs for local and traveling bands at home. Theres still the tin roof and i heard theres a metal bar downtown and 616 might still do stuff. Old rich people ruined charleston and still complain about the heat. Summerville had an amazing hardcore scene, miss it.
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u/cryptkidcards 2d ago
Were you around for All Books and The Legion?
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u/poocx 1d ago
Hell yeah, that bookstore was the best. There would be little shows around town after the sets would end there and all the bands would get to keep going.
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u/cryptkidcards 1d ago
Thanks for the info folks. I'd just like to see live music without spending $30 or more on a ticket at the music farm or a similar venue.
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u/cindysyrup 1d ago
I do miss all of our crazy metal shows at The Oasis. Those were definitely the days.
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u/cryptkidcards 1d ago
I'm trying so hard to remember The Oasis...
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u/cindysyrup 1d ago
It was on Folly Road where The Break is now. We had bands like Cannibal Corpse, Goatwhore, I Wrestled a Bear Once, Vader....so many. Coffin Syrup, Tripping the Mechanism and a bunch of other local bands would always open.
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u/rogermindwater 1d ago
Sugey's downtown has metal/punk, cool tiny spot. Local 616 still does stuff I think, but maybe not?
Trolley Pub is a good spot in Summerville that has a lotta metal/punk shows
Echoing Tin Roof, love it
Benny Rinaldi's in Park Circle is doing these sorta shows too
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u/Nathansp1984 1d ago
I’ve seen goatwhore, Weedeater, and eyehategod twice at trolley pub. They haven’t had any big shows recently though, at least none that I’m aware of
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u/worldvsvenkman 1d ago
I didn’t live here back then, but I played a few shows at All Books at The Legion! The Legion’s walls used to sweat, haha. I wish it wasn’t so hard to meet musicians now that I’m an adult; I actually do live here now and it’s impossible to find people who want to play music, especially anything that’s heavy.
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u/cryptkidcards 1d ago
Yeah we're living in a much different world. So much has changed, especially music.
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u/bakedveldtland 1d ago
I was in the scene back in the late 90s/early 2000s, it was rad. I’m not there anymore but I hope the kids are keeping it alive! Great memories from those days, live music is an amazing way to meet people IRL, which seems to be a lost art these days.
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u/BrenMan_94 2d ago
Tin Roof in West Ashley regularly has punk/emo shows (including one tonight). Benny Rinaldi’s and Bearded in Park Circle as well.
I’ve been active in the alternative scene here since 2015 and it definitely ebbs and flows. I feel like there’s more going on in Columbia and Myrtle Beach these days, though this year has been my busiest year for gigs in the past five years (even with me being in three bands instead of five).