Club Notes

Let the hippy bands return

By Sam Pfeifle

Here we go again. Nine months after the Basement’s initial closing when Glen Gaudin gave in to Joe Soley and moved out, and six months after Sean Wishart’s attempts to reopen the Basement as the Tunnel were thwarted by leaky pipes and badly placed speakers, another suitor has come calling.

On October 2, FNG No More, Inc. was approved for a business license for the property at the corner of Fore and Exchange streets in Portland’s Old Port, says Jonathan Pratt in the city’s licensing office. “Health and fire inspections have not gone through yet,” he says, so it is unclear whether the sewage and egress problems that brought down Wishart’s effort have been solved. And he notes that with the building’s history, getting ready for opening day may be a long, drawn-out proposition.

Shaun Durfee, known for working the door at the Better End, hopes it doesn’t take that long. He’s listed as president of FNG No More, Inc., an entity that applied for incorporated status October 6, and is still awaiting approval from the Bureau of Corporations. Apparently rather optimistic — they always are with the Basement — Durfee and company are already buying advertising space promoting an opening on or near Halloween. Keeping with the Better End ties, former Better End owner, and current manager, Scott Orchow will be booking bands into the Basement, which will retain that name.

So, does this incarnation have a better chance of success with the inspections folks? “They’ve at least spoken with them,” says Pratt.