Interview with Stu Ginsburg of Platorum

September 2024

BGN: Hey Stu, I know what you want to get to is the list of shows you have coming up, but, before that let’s rummage around in you old T shirt draw. You’ve been a key figure in the punk rock scene for at least a couple of decades. How did you first get involved in booking and promoting punk shows?

Stu G: Yikes! I didn’t consider myself to be locked into one genre, I started booking and promoting in the early 90’s. Rock n roll and the Jam band scene was my thing. Once I went back to college, I found a home ... and love of college radio. I was a DJ, Music Director, and Manager at the great WMWM at Salem State where so many great music industry people got started. I did not just stick to Mass., I did shows in every New England state. As a DJ, I worked under some awesome humans as mentors that led to branching out in all genres and multiple venues from coffee houses to amphitheaters and everything in between. Music was my obsession.

BGN: What was the punk scene like when you first started?

Stu G: When I started doing Punk it was just another genre but one I personally loved. I learned from high school roommates and college radio DJ’s but most of all my biggest Punk influence is Al Quint, who I met for the first time at his wedding. I immediately read every copy of his Zine Suburban Voice. I did some writing for a smaller Zine to cut my teeth. To this day, I try to listen to everything Al plays on Sonic Overload. I followed the Punk and Hardcore scene as a fan and learned from Sean McNally as well. Those guys are Rock Godz to me. They were important to the Boston scene but also to the New England scene and beyond. When I began doing shows at venues, my goal was be like them.

BGN: Over the years, how have you seen the punk scene change?

Stu G: God yes - both good and bad. The good was that so many great bands were coming out of our region. It was hard to go to see them all in a week and wasn’t just punk. Boston and Providence exploded with sound! I was honored to have worked with some of them. Too many to name but, when I opened the Pond, I met so many awesome bands in all genres but the Punk scene was my favorite. I totally dug Providence’s The USM. Rocco’s lyrics and Gurley’s bass lines. Bob Kadlec is one of the greatest guitar players in New England history. He still rocks on today in the McGunks who, in any formation over 20 years, kick so much ass.

Now the bad. There is way too much drama. I hate it. It makes me sad enough to not wanna do shows. It is almost 100% crap. It can ruin the scene. People need to stop being douche hats and work together to create a better scene and world.

BGN: What’s the most memorable shitstorm show or event you’ve booked?

Stu G: Yikes. Too many to name but. As for Punk I’ll choose one as the band reached out to me this week and that was a show I did when I was booking the legendary Living Room in Providence. No, not the first or second locations - which were amazing - but the third location at the old Spaghetti House. It was a real deal rock'n'roll dive. I still miss the smell of it. So, the band I never heard of was Leftover Crack. I went to the USM’s front man, Rocco, and said I had booked them and he said I wanna be on it and I will add The Skels from NYC (by far one of the greatest bands I had the honor of working with a buncha times) and then this VT band. River City Rebels as requested by LC. The day started of with the late great Randy Hein - owner of the Living Room calling me to say there is good news and there’s bad news. I asked what the good news was, he said its 11 am, and there is a huge line at the door already so it looked like a sellout. I said awesome, what’s the bad news. He said “I forgot to pay the electric bill”. So of course, I sped down from Salem to find a huge crowd waiting to buy tickets. A phone call to. my buddy Randy got the power on by 2pm and the show was on!

Now like I said, I’m interested in all kinds of music. To me punk was punk and I kind of thought it was all the same. I learned that evening I was way wrong. After one member of the first band started flapping at me about how they should be direct support for LC and I was not having it. They went on did ok then the USM, who had over 100 people there to see them, blew that stage up. Then the Skels came on and killed it. LC took the stage and hung the American flag upside down as they were 100% opposite of the other bands and, while being amazing and rocking hard, a member of the Skels went on stage and took their flag down. All hell broke loose.

The lead singer Leftover Crack (Scott) said. “We heard what you had to say now it’s our turn.” I didn’t know the Skels had a retired NY cop and the DA of Brooklyn in the band. It became an issue and the crowd went crazy. Everyone made a mess of the venue and pushed it all out into the street. The anger grew. Fights and mayhem ensued. The Dunkin Donuts in the parking lot was nearly destroyed. It was anarchy. In the morning it was still smoldering. Graffiti all over it. The internet went crazy. Why did a promoter put left wing and right wing punk on the same bill?? The more things change the more they stay the same. It’s still talked about….. so maybe I’ll try LC again. Ha! What a mess.

BGN: What are some challenges you’ve faced as a punk rock booker and promoter?

Stu G: I welcome challenges, but when clubs compete with each other on same night its tough. So many bands and styles of punk. It’s hard to pick just one. I do like to mix it up.

BGN: How do you stay motivated and inspired after so many years in the business?

Stu G: I LOVE MUSIC of all kinds. I’ve promoted Reggae, Punk, Folk, Blues, hippie crap and world music. I’ll do it till I can’t anymore. I know I can throw a charity show, pay the bands and still raise money for noble causes.

BGN: Any advice for young promoters or bookers looking to get into the scene?

Stu G: Be honest. When people say you aren’t, prove them wrong. Show them your books and tell them to fuck off. Make shows different. Mix it up. Bring different, like minded crowds together. Keep the scene going. Take chances. Make a difference in people’s lives

BGN: I know you have a busy calendar for the next few months. What’s on you’re your plate and why should people add them to their plans?

My next show means a lot to me as it has some amazing bands The SuperSuckers are truly one of the greatest bands ever! And, what’s better, add great openers like The Down Hauls, who are, by far, one of the best bands from our state right now. Add TJ Welsh of the Welsh Boys side project, TJ Welsh and the Wasted to the undercard. They are awesome. Throw in the premier of Speed Teeth - a Boston All-star band, which has Jesse Mayer, who has way too much talent for one human being on drums. Andy Excuse and a few others opening the show.

My next big one is Deer Tick, November 9th with special guests Other Brotherdarrell featuring Dan Nickland AND Chad Raleigh (from Marblehead but also one of the greatest guitar players ever from the ShangHi Los and the Rationales to name a few opening. It’s all for charity to help special need kids and their families. it's All Ages at in Marblehead at Abbot Hall.

OH and ... The return of the Dreadnoughts with special guest the Hub City Stompers that was October 3rd. October 4th at at Fete in Providence and on the 5th at Sammy's Patio with the Pourmen opening.

In addition, I help out my pal, Bootleg Dan with shows like the Cocktail Slippers and Stupidity. We are also bringing The Rumors from Iowa/Chicago for a Northeast swing.

There are so many people I want to thank! But I really want to thank everyone who supports local (and national) music in New England. We can make the world a better place if we just try a lil harder.

SUPPORT LOCAL VENUES ... KEEP THEM OPEN !!!! If anyone wants to open one with me or do shows or get involved in some of the Festivals get at me!!

One love ….be kind

Platorum.