VENUE SPOTLIGHT: Dean's Parkade Lounge (Cedar Falls, Iowa)

I thought I might MOG a bit about venues that stand out in the highlight reel of concerts past. From 1985-1987 I spent a lot of time at "Dean's Parkade Lounge" in downtown Cedar Falls Iowa. We typically came in the back door by the bathrooms and pool table (singular) to the sounds of country music and the company of country leaning compatriots. But then we went through "the magic black curtain" and suddenly we were in the punk rock bar (or as punk rock as we could get in Iowa in the mid-80's). The local flavor included bands like the Burlap Els, The Singing Teens, The Drednex, The Hollowmen, Full Fathom Five, The Shy Strangers and my band HKS (Hellen Kellers Senses). We also got bands on SST, Alternative Tentacles, Enigma and other indie labels who were passing through. Roger Miller (Mission of Burma) brough in a Yamaha grand electric and stuck pins and needles in it to make the most amazing music. The Muskrats came through with their brand of punk hillbilly. The Dead Milkmen made an appearance. As did many more. Bigger shows found places outside of Dean's. Hardcore shows like BGK--or the infamous Black Flag show at the Cedar Falls, Boathouse.