A monumental part of my youth is being destroyed this week as reported by The Tucson Weekly: Demolition Begins On Former Downtown Performance Center/Mat Bevel Spaces.

RIP DPC, photo by Tony Lightstorm

The Downtown Performance Center was a downtown-Tucson warehouse, owned by the Arizona Department of Transportation, and leased to artist Steven Eye. It existed in the early/mid 90’s, primarily hosting punk/underground shows. Eventually it was shut down as a venue due to neighborhood complaints, and was reborn as The Mat Bevel Institute, retaining an artistic and unconventional aesthetic.

Entrance of the DPC, photo by Matt McCoy

While I was in high school many of my weekend nights were spent driving the 25 round trip miles from the exurbs of East Tucson to see bands at the DPC. The shows were an incredible outlet for us kids growing up in the suburban Arizona wastelands: DIY, under $5, all-ages, and refreshingly tolerant.

Among the dozens of shows I attended, a few highlights were NoMeansNo, Steel Pole Bathtub, Treepeople, Green Day, Citizen Fish, Jawbreaker, J-Chuch, and the bacchanalian insanity of Crash Worship. That’s not even going into the rich tapestry of local music that was showcased at the space.

I left Tucson 16 years ago, so can’t comment much about what’s going on there now, but I can say definitevely that the 1990’s music scene in Tucson was strong, and the DPC was largely responsible.

If you were around during the DPC’s glory days, and don’t yet know about its Facebook group, check it out over here: I Hung Out at the DPC.

Thanks a million to DPC founder Steven Eye, and the others who helped build the vital community that shaped my adolescence so profoundly.