Liverpool Erics

Eric's Club, Liverpool, England, is a renowned music venue that has played a significant role in the city's music scene. It opened on 1 October 1976 in the basement of The Fruit Exchange in Victoria Street before moving around the block to its long-term site on Mathew Street opposite The Cavern Club where The Beatles and other bands of the 1960s played, and became notable for hosting early performances by many punk and post-punk bands.[1]

The club was started by Roger Eagle and Ken Testi (manager of cult Liverpool band Deaf School) and joined later by Pete Fulwell (owner of a small record label "Inevitable" and later to become manager of Liverpool bands It's Immaterial and The Christians).

The building, which is situated in the basement of The Fruit Exchange on Victoria Street, was instrumental in the rise of the 'Merseybeat' movement in the 1960s[10]. The name 'Eric's' came from Ken Testi as an antidote to disco clubs with names such as 'Tiffany's' and 'Samantha's'

Eric's Club has hosted numerous notable bands and artists over the years. One of the most significant events in the club's history was The Clash's performance on May 5, 1977, as part of their White Riot Tour[1][4][5]. This gig is often credited with sparking a transformation in Liverpool's music scene. The Clash's performance was described as a turning point, with Pete Wylie, who later formed the band Wah!, famously stating, "That day everything changed… nothing in Liverpool was ever the same again"[4].

The Clash's performance at Eric's Club was not only a memorable event for the audience but also inspired several attendees to form their own bands. Among those in attendance were Jayne Casey, Julian Cope, and Ian McCulloch, who went on to form Big in Japan, The Teardrop Explodes, and Echo & The Bunnymen, respectively[4][5]. The gig also marked the formation of The Crucial Three, a short-lived band consisting of Julian Cope, Ian McCulloch, and Pete Wylie[5].

Wikipedia - Eric's Club - - - Museum of Liverpool - - - Spotlight: Eric's Club - - - Super Weird Substance - - - Eric's Liverpool, Mathew Street & the Pool of Life Punk - - - Louder Than War - - - Liverpool Eric's: A Look Back Through Time - - - Confidentials Liverpool - - - Eric's Regulars Reunite After 35 Years

- -

Eric's Demise

The club's co-owner Pete Fulwell blames Ericís demise, in March 1980, on mounting debts and patchy attendances. Plus there was the old joke about how many people does it take to change a light bulb at Ericís? Thirty. One to change the bulb and 29 on the guest list. Finally, keen to be seen ìcracking downî on Liverpoolís gangster-ridden clubland, the police picked on the softest target available. A huge raid on the night of a Psychedelic Furs show dealt the fatal blow.

Despite its significant cultural impact, Eric's Club closed in March 1980[11]. However, it reopened in September 2011 in its original location[11][12]. Today, Eric's Club continues to be a vibrant part of Liverpool's music scene, hosting both established and up-and-coming acts[12].

Read more here

Links - - - 1977 The Clash Live Gigs - - - Eric's Live Official Site - - - Eric's Live Liverpool Reviews on TripAdvisor - - - The Clash Play Liverpool Eric's - - - Sun 13 Article - - - Crucial Three - - - Wikipedia - - - Eric's Club - - - Wikipedia - - - Eric's Mathew Street Liverpool on Pinterest - - - Spotlight: Eric's Club at Museum of Liverpool - - - The Clash - - - Wikipedia - - - Eric's Listing on Visit Liverpool - - - Mathew Street Liverpool - - - Heather Shimmin Photography - - - Eric's - - - That Was Then, This Is Now - - - OMD Messages - - - The Clash at Eric's, 40 Years On - - - Getintothis - - - Liverpool Loves Eric's - - - The Guide Liverpool - - - Eric's Mathew Street Music Venue - - - SkyscraperCity - - - Eric's -Dieing to Live Blog - - - The Clash, The Jam, Buzzcocks White Riot Tour - - - Far Out Magazine - - - Liverpool Eric's: A Look Back Through Time - - - Louder Than War - - - Celebrating Liverpool's Musical Heritage - - - Heritage Calling - - - Top 10 Gigs at Eric's Liverpool - - - Liverpool Echo - - - Eric's May 5th, 1977 - - - Liverpool Eric's Blog - - - Eric's - - - The Police Wiki - - - Pennyblackmusic Article - - - Eric's Club - - - Wikipedia - - - Liverpool Eric's: A look back through time - - - Louder Than War - - - - or archive PDF

New location early 1977

Facebook - Link

Eric's club moved here from its original location around the corner in 1977. The club usually had a Saturday matinee at 5pm for those under 18, followed by an evening gig. The Clash at Eric's on 5 May 1977 was voted the most important gig in Liverpool's punk and new wave history.

There was before Eric’s and there was after Eric’s...

Andrew Cooke | Facebook

Andrew Cooke - On the 3rd June 1978 Eric’s introduced Saturday matinee shows for under 18s.