The Pound: SF's Gritty Metal Venue

0:00Back in early 2001, a rundown truck stop-diner at Pier 96 in San Francisco got transformed into the pound, a Gritty 500, capacity venue for metal, punk, and hardcore shows. Chef Tony Karachi dropped $20,000 to build a stage and sound system there, teaming up with promoters AJ Cardinal and Sip Sip Riano. It kicked off February 8th with Jerry Cantro from Allison Chains, filling a gap since bigger spots shunned those rowdy bands. The remote industrial spot near railroad tracks had zero neighbors to complain, making it perfect for heavy acts. They booked early buzz bands like My Chemical Romance, Paramore, Avenged Sevenfold, Lamb of God, and Kill Switch Engage Groups that blew up huge. Later plus vets like Anthrax and Danzig, fans and musicians love the raw vibe. Even if Taxi's dodged the foggy gravel lot, and Mooney Buses stopped blocks away. All ages shows with booze flowed legally from its diner roots, giving teens a safe spot

1:00to mosh, martens, and all. Local players like bartenders and openers, game cred opening for legends, building resumes that launch careers. It ran strong for five years until the Port Authority acts the lease in fall 2006. Promoters tried a West Oakland reboot but shifted gears. Sip Riano books at DNA Lounge now. Karachi ran a spot in Point Richmond till it closed this. Here. The pound-spark San Francisco's underground heavy scene, proving risky bets on fringe bands pay off big. Its spirit echoes in spots like Killawatt and Eli's Myo High Club, keeping that sweat-soaked up close energy alive for the next wave. From your city, powered by AI, this is California News Today. I'm Corey with The Story.