Trax (nightclub)
Encyclopedia
Trax was a nightclub
in Charlottesville, Virginia
most notable for being a frequent gig
for Dave Matthews Band
during their early years. The band first played at Trax a few months after forming in 1991. Because their local and regional popularity grew, they secured a standing gig at Trax every Tuesday night from late 1992 through the end of 1993. The band became a national touring act on the verge of mainstream stardom by early 1994, so they only played at Trax four times after 1993.
Another popular local band, Ibiza, frequented Trax every other Thursday from 1990-1996. Their hit song "Isle of Ibiza" rocked the local music scene.
Trax originally was an industrial building adjacent to the CSX train tracks
(thus the name). The building also housed a country and western nightclub called Max. The complex was located along 11th Street SW near the University of Virginia
. With a capacity of around 900 people, Trax played host to George Clinton
, Ziggy Marley
, Sonic Youth
, They Might Be Giants
, and other popular acts in the early 1990s. But after the rise of the legal drinking age and the decision by operator Coran Capshaw
to spend more time with Dave Matthews Band, whom he managed, the venue fell into a slump. Trax closed around the middle of 2001 and was demolished at the end of the following year.
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
in Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
most notable for being a frequent gig
Gig (musical performance)
Gig is slang for a musical engagement in which musicians are hired. Originally coined in the 1920s by jazz musicians, the term, short for the word "engagement", now refers to any aspect of performing such as assisting with performance and attending musical performance...
for Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is a U.S. rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. The founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer/backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Boyd Tinsley was...
during their early years. The band first played at Trax a few months after forming in 1991. Because their local and regional popularity grew, they secured a standing gig at Trax every Tuesday night from late 1992 through the end of 1993. The band became a national touring act on the verge of mainstream stardom by early 1994, so they only played at Trax four times after 1993.
Another popular local band, Ibiza, frequented Trax every other Thursday from 1990-1996. Their hit song "Isle of Ibiza" rocked the local music scene.
Trax originally was an industrial building adjacent to the CSX train tracks
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
(thus the name). The building also housed a country and western nightclub called Max. The complex was located along 11th Street SW near the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
. With a capacity of around 900 people, Trax played host to George Clinton
George Clinton (funk musician)
George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and music producer and the principal architect of P-Funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and launched a solo career in 1981. He has been cited as one of the foremost...
, Ziggy Marley
Ziggy Marley
David "Ziggy" Marley is a Jamaican musician and leader of the band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. He is the oldest son of famed reggae musician Bob Marley...
, Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
, They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants is an American alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years Flansburgh and Linnell were frequently accompanied by a drum machine. In the early 1990s, TMBG became a full band. Currently, the members of TMBG are...
, and other popular acts in the early 1990s. But after the rise of the legal drinking age and the decision by operator Coran Capshaw
Coran Capshaw
Robert Coran Capshaw is the manager of Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Alicia Keys, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, and Trey Anastasio, among others. He also is the founder of Red Light Management, co-founder of ATO Records, former CEO of Musictoday LLC, and a real estate...
to spend more time with Dave Matthews Band, whom he managed, the venue fell into a slump. Trax closed around the middle of 2001 and was demolished at the end of the following year.
External links
- The Dave Matthews Band FAQ version 5.1 from nancies.org. Section 2.9: "What is Trax?"