One year here

Thank God for The Skinny

By Sherie Dyer

Thru the Wires, the Popsicko, the Taxis, Extendo Ride Starship, Rubyhorse, and Seratonin play The Skinny’s One-Year Anniversary Party Feb. 11, with shows at 5 and 9 p.m.

NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE: Mellow and Johnny Lomba behind the bar.

It was cold, the middle of winter, and I was excited because of The Skinny’s opening night. I was on my way to see The Amazing Crowns and Johnny and Mellow Lomba’s doors open for the first time. Yes, I do remember, I remember it well. It was February 11th, 2000, exactly one year ago.

It seems that as long as I can remember, the community has embraced The Skinny. Even as far back as when they signed the lease for the space in August of 1999, people from all walks of life were donating their money and time to keep the renovations going. It took six months and a loan from the city of Portland to complete the project.

The loan came through during a difficult time for the Lombas. Money was tight to non-existent, and the length of renovation was taking its toll. Due to the fact that The Skinny is located in the Arts District, the couple became eligible for an economic development loan through The Downtown Portland Business Corporation. A true blessing in the end, and the real final financial factor for the club actually opening. And since its start The Skinny has contributed a vast amount of events to Portland’s entertainment calendar. Whether it was a play by Tennesee Williams, a premiere of John Waters’s Cecil B. Demented, an opening of Colleen Kinsella’s feminine watercolors, or a live band from L7 to Catpower, the Lombas’ venture has proved to be not only a success, but an important part of our ever-changing downtown culture. The Skinny has become an asset to people geared towards a more creative lifestyle.

These things can be easily seen from the outside, but what I wanted most to convey was Johnny’s opinion at this one-year mark. Does he — as an owner, as a person, as a musician — feel successful?

“It’s definitely strange,” he says. “So much has happened in live music, and every other area of the city for that matter. I think we’ve been able to slowly attract a consistent crowd. During the week it feels like a neighborhood bar. But it’s such a strange feeling at this point. It took us six or seven years to get to this point, and yet this past year feels like five.”

When I asked him about the opening night, or any other special professional moment he could recall, he lit up and smiled.

“At the end of the first night I was so happy I wouldn’t let anyone else sweep the floor,” he says. “The place had actually been lived in, and it was the first mess that had nothing to do with construction.”

The real attraction to The Skinny lies in the fact that it can’t be pigeonholed. It’s not always a “rock club,” and it’s sometimes a smoke-friendly theater. It’s occasionally an “intellectual” art gallery, and constantly a conversation-oriented bar. The Skinny to me is a dark cozy bar, where I can go with a friend and not be hassled by drunks. A place where I can see my friends’ bands play and still hear the next day. Productions there may not always be what you expect, but they generally will pique your interest.

On top of being committed to diversity, the space also does a considerable amount of all-ages events. Earlier show times allow them to still have a normal bar night and live music events from funk to hardcore. Our local heavyweights Twitchboy and 6gig recently played a “doublebill” there: 6 p.m. show-time for kids, 9 p.m. for adults, and everyone is happy.

“We try to treat the kids like young adults, with respect,” says Johnny. “They want to go out and see shows just like the rest of us, and besides they are the future of this place. From the time they walk into the door we give them the benefit of the doubt.”

That also gets at Lomba’s belief that it’s important to have a lot of people skills under your belt before you attempt to own a club.

“I have said a number of times that retail is a good background to have,” he says, “because you learn how to talk to people. You figure out ways to diffuse potential problems quickly and with words alone.”

The one-year celebration, happening this Sunday, will be a barrage of talent and friends. Johnny’s own band, Thru the Wires, is on the bill, along with local pals The Popsicko (the description is in the name), Extendo Ride Starship (Ween when they were kids), and young Ska boys The Taxis. Irish rock bands Rubyhorse, from Boston, and Seratonin, from Connecticut, will make the trip up as well. The small staff of seven including the Lombas are preparing to blow the place out.

The Lomba’s are confident about their future, and are going to start putting money towards buying the building as soon as they brake even; provided the owner will sell. This will not only ensure the permanence of their operation, but their retirement as well. The process will, of course, be ongoing. They’ve yet to actually break even, but are closer than they expected. One year down, 20 to go.

Sherie Dyer can be reached at sheriedyer@netscape.net.