Monthly Mixtape: Clunk Music Changed My Entire Life and I’m Serious

Ohhhh, Clunk.

I’ll never have the right words to express just how pivotal Clunk Music Hall was to so many of us 20 years (!!!) ago, but here goes.

Monthly Mixtape: Clunk Music Hall

Oh look there I am with my old band!

That wasn’t it. I just got distracted.

Clunk. I can’t imagine WHAT I’d be tormenting my ears with today if it weren’t for Chris Selby and his life-altering idea to open up an all-ages venue in my hometown of Fayetteville, AR in 1998 for all us youngsters to see live indie bands play. But he did it. And it changed us forever.

In an unassuming cinder block building next to a strip club and behind an old Chinese restaurant, some of the to-be biggest bands in the world were dropping in to play to a warehouse full of crusty kids, night after night. AFTER NIGHT.

Seriously, I remember an era when we went to Clunk at least three times a week. And even then it wasn’t nearly enough.

Monthly Mixtape: Clunk Music Hall

Clunk (okay his name is Chris, but everyone called (calls) him Clunk. It is the way of my people.) booked everyone! It was there, in his warehouse of a hall that I discovered bands like Les Savy Fav (insanely incredible show), The Dismemberment Plan, Ted Leo, The Paper Chase, Sean Na Na, Modest Mouse, Superchunk, Built to Spill, Ida, The Spinanes, The Sea and Cake, Tortoise, Enon, Bright Eyes, Lucero, Cat Power and a hundred million more.

Monthly Mixtape: Clunk Music Hall

If we weren’t seeing the bands play at night, we were hanging out at the record store portion of the hall by day, obsessing over new 7 inches and full lengths of this band on Saddle Creek and that band on Merge. It consumed us. For five entire years, we ate, lived and breathed the Clunk Music Hall lifestyle.

Monthly Mixtape: Clunk Music Hall

And get this, the shows were cheap! You could drink a PBR before the show for a buck (not that we did or anything), pay five bucks to see an incredible indie rock show, and end the night with Taco Bell across the street for another two bucks (not that we did or anything).

Monthly Mixtape: Clunk Music Hall

Yep, that would be Modest Mouse playing at Clunk Music Hall in September of 2001. To an obscenely packed and hungry crowd. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen. And this was way before they got weird. The good stuff. Lonesome Crowded West era.

Try not be jealous but, we totally partied with the band after the show. I mean, I didn’t say a single word to Isaac because I was a complete star struck lunatic, but I did stand next to him and dribble cheap red wine down my blouse. You know, just keeping it classy.

Monthly Mixtape: Clunk Music Hall

This is the thing. Clunk EXCITED everyone. Not only was Chris single handedly shaping our musical tastes forever, there wasn’t a single person who wasn’t psychotically enthused about promoting, attending and/or obsessing over a show. This is Roger ^, a super cheerleader for Clunk back in the day, hanging flyers around campus. That’s what we did! We hung actual paper flyers on campus! Who would have thought we could live life without Instagram.

Monthly Mixtape: Clunk Music Hall

If you were under 21, you played house shows. But then Clunk came along and gave tons and tons of locals bands an actual place to play music. And eventually even be the opening band for some of your heroes. Everyone supported everyone. Bands like The Paper Hearts, Tyko, Kung Fu Grip, Fizzgig, Two Dean Crew, Hundred Years War, Gals Revenge, Bella Sera and countless others played constantly at Clunk, and became the main pulse of the Fayetteville music scene. Thanks for that, Chris! YOU MADE THAT HAPPEN.

Clunk Music Hall shut its doors in 2002, and while I totally want to say, “the magic will live on in our hearts forever” I won’t because I like having human friends. (but it does. it does live on.)

And guys, this is why I make you mixtapes. Back then, the way you shared music with your friends was to make mixtapes. (even way before the Clunk era!)

On this particular mixtape, every single band (minus Bright Eyes but I did see them in concert because of Clunk!) I saw at the music hall. Hence the onslaught of photos above. My shoegazer band Tyko even got to go on a mini tour with Dismemberment Plan and Ted Leo! HI, life highlight.

And now, I give you . . . the “Clunk Music Hall Changed My Life Forever and I’m Serious” mix.

TELL ME, were you at any of these shows? The world is so small, I wouldn’t even be surprised if you were.

Here’s an even better piece written on Clunk’s legacy if you’re interested!

Monthly Mixtape: Clunk Music Hall

Also, that’s me with Har Mar Superstar himself. Try not to be jealous of our raging duck faces.

This time last year.

Two years ago.

Three years ago.

Four! The very first mixtape! Holy cow.

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26 Responses to Monthly Mixtape: Clunk Music Changed My Entire Life and I’m Serious

  1. Shannon July 2, 2019 at 10:19 am #
    Modest Mouse has always been weird. ???
    • Andy January 20, 2022 at 6:33 pm #
      Modest Mouse & !!! It was one of those shows that changed my perspective on music. Very special night.
  2. Michelle Hedegard July 2, 2019 at 10:36 am #
    Oh my heart! This post makes me teary eyed! Thank you for this and cheers to Clunk! <3
    • Meghan M July 2, 2019 at 11:25 am #
      Ok I went to the Har Mar show. I had no idea what I was getting into as I was a JBU freshman ?. It was fun. Shoulda gotten one of those thongs ?. Lots of fun shows. Lots of good times. Lots of dodging traffic running to Taco Bell.
      • Bev Weidner July 2, 2019 at 11:50 am #
        Hahahaha, OMG the THONGS. Lord, Har Mar. :) And yes, dodging the traffic on College was a daily life occurrence!
    • Bev Weidner July 2, 2019 at 11:49 am #
      I KNOOOOW! Where did we see Bright Eyes? We drove - was it Omaha?!
      • Alana Romund July 2, 2019 at 9:26 pm #
        It was OKC! I remember running into you guys there. Also, Steve Malkmus and the Jicks opened. :D
        • Bev Weidner July 3, 2019 at 6:42 am #
          Yes, exactly! OKC. Thanks for the reminder!
  3. Nicole July 2, 2019 at 10:48 am #
    Punk as fuuuuuuck. Such a great song.
    • Bev Weidner July 2, 2019 at 11:49 am #
      Suuuuuch a great song.
    • Tara July 2, 2019 at 9:23 pm #
      I was at the Modest Mouse show! Loved going to Clunk. AVAIL was my all-time favorite show there!!
  4. Rynne Roark July 2, 2019 at 6:11 pm #
    Oh my lawzzz!! I love this post and I remember you whipper snappers and be how amazingly cool you al were. And you just keep getting better! Chris Selby is a legend, someone everyone should know, listen to and laugh with. Best post I’ve ever read! Cheers!!
  5. Amanda C July 2, 2019 at 9:13 pm #
    OMG OMG. All of this mix! This may have to be my soundtrack this weekend as I introduce my husband and oldest to Fayetteville. I haven’t been back in 13 years. Thanks for making this JUST FOR MEEEE! ✌️?
    • Amanda Baldeneaux July 3, 2019 at 8:38 am #
      I was Fayetteville High class of 2002 so got in with Clunk as part of my life right at the last few years. We lived here on weekends, practically. So many memories - thank you for this and the photos!
  6. Alana Romund July 2, 2019 at 9:24 pm #
    Welp, I’m usually pretty good at spelling, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been psyched-out in a record store by a band named Tycho, thinking it was you guys (who have apparently always spelled your name Tyko). It all makes sense now! The point of this comment is: I remember really liking your band (s, but that one especially). Did Tyko record an album? If so, can I buy it? P.S. Please don’t tell Clunk I’m cutting out the middle man. Thanks!
    • Bev Weidner July 3, 2019 at 6:44 am #
      Haaa! So yes - what happened WAS - we were originally spelled Tycho. And then another (bigger) Tycho was like, "pick a new name or we sue." So we said, "Uhhhh okay. Tyko it is!" And we were Tyko for a few years. Put out one album at Tycho, and two more as Tyko. (are you confused yet?) I wish they were on Spotify! That would be the easiest for everyone. I'll see if Matt Kesner can get on that already. :) OH AND - there's another big band out called TYKO so everyone is confused again.
      • Alana Romund July 3, 2019 at 10:51 am #
        Aaaah! Okay, thanks! Now I feel 90% less looney than I did yesterday. I would love to hear you guys again, so I will be on the lookout for some genuine Tycho/Tyko tracks on the Spotify. So many imposters!
      • Jabobrich November 13, 2019 at 8:14 pm #
        https://youtu.be/CWu8P56xfaI I can still smell the heat and sweat of that place when I listen to this.
  7. MC July 2, 2019 at 10:17 pm #
    Memmmmmmorieeeeees!!!!! Good times were had and Rock Star moments were etched in our brains. Loved all of it that I got be a part of!
  8. Kelly Brook July 11, 2019 at 11:23 am #
    Track number two has to be our favourite, we listen to that track almost every day in the car. Thank you for the memories.
  9. JOHN ANDREWS July 24, 2019 at 9:32 pm #
    What’s a party without excellent music? Thank you for sharing this article. very nice and informative and please keep posting the amazing article like this.
  10. Karen White October 26, 2019 at 7:59 am #
    Lovely mixtape, you could hear every single quality instrument being played from every band member.
  11. Joseph December 18, 2020 at 7:39 am #
    For recording, we use modern equipment that helps to create real hits in professional recording studios. A team of professionals-qualified sound engineers, arrangers and musicians will make you look at your work in a new way, giving you an unforgettable experience.
  12. Paige January 13, 2021 at 5:06 am #
    Bev! This is Paige Schrock! From the old days! I need more pics of our life then, in and out of clunk!
  13. Milania November 30, 2021 at 2:42 am #
    I like it, I think everyone loves high-quality music, and enjoying it live is a special pleasure. I advise you to find tickets for the next event here http://www.cheapconcertseats.com/ right now
  14. zac March 17, 2022 at 11:24 am #
    This was the only place i could go to see shows when i was young. The people and the music had a profound impact on who i am. I had some of the best times of my life here. The bands i recall seeing were: PMToday, the cities below, maylene and the sons of disaster, the agony scene, and rider on the white horse.

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