Burger City Rock n Roll
Tiffany Diane | Food & Drink,General,Music,Nightlife | Wednesday July 28 2010
Burger City, August 2
In this city, where there are countless concerts, parties, events, art shows every night of the week, it is hard to keep track of every single one. One lesser known weekly event is Burger City Rock ‘n Roll, a party and show held at The Grand (4631 Airport Boulevard) every Monday. DJs spin classic rock records, bands play live and service industry folks play pool for free.
Ben Tipton, who works making hamburgers (and listening to rock n roll) in a kitchen by day, started this event in May 2008, originally calling it “CitySlang,” which also used to have a Thursday weekly at Sidebar. Tipton DJs under the moniker Ben Blackout. Tipton’s friends also DJ Monday nights as Angel the Ripper, Al G, Bonehead and more. Burger City has hosted local acts such as Cowabunga Babez, Diagonals, Learning Secrets and Flesh Lights.
After hearing a bit of buzz about the event and seeing the eye-drawing DIY fliers, made by Tipton, I decided to check it out for myself. I was definitely not let down. The speakers blasted old school music all night, but nothing you couldn’t hear your friends over. The pool was free and endless, if you (or your opponent) work in the service industry. The drinks are inexpensive, at $3.50 for a well, and the waitresses are friendly. Also, because The Grand is a neighborhood bar, there is never a lack of parking.
Because I so enjoyed my nights at Burger City, I thought I would catch up with its creator and learn more about it.
Tipton: I used to go up to The Grand a lot because it was so close to work and in the neighborhood. KC from Liberty used to run things around there, and I guess one night we had a brief conversation about playing records up there, and like six months later, he asked me to do it. By the way, I liked the jukebox a lot better when KC was there. Anyhow, I’m off work Mondays, so I figured ‘why not do it Mondays?’
I don’t care for downtown either. It’s nice not to have to leave your neighborhood and have a place where all your friends can come party and listen to the kind of music they want to listen to and host their bands and have their own spot. To me, it’s like a big party every week with my family.
Tipton: They already were doing the service industry night there with free pool, and it just seemed to work. Most all my friends are service industry, anyway.
Tipton: As far as choosing bands, I listen to who other people want to see. I want people I want to see. I like rock n roll. We play a lot of power pop, KBD (Killed By Death Records) stuff, NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal), glam, bubble gum and boogie! I like playing records with people who can show me some great new shit to me I haven’t heard before.
Tipton: I don’t know where it’s all going, but it’s been a lot of fun so far. I will ride it till the wheels fall off!
Tipton: If I could get anybody to play it would be Dwight Twilley or Paul Collins.
Tipton: The best part about Burger City is all the rock n rollers who come out every Monday and make it what it is. SEE YOU IN BURGER CITY!
Next week’s edition (Aug 2) features Ben DJing, along with Sara O, with special guests The Spooks, a garage band from Philadelphia.
