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Iconic Brisbane live music venue The Zoo will close after 32 years, in news that has rocked the local music scene.
Throughout it’s storied history, the Zoo global acts such as The Pixies, Lorde, The Black Keys and Nick Cave, the Fortitude Valley venue has also played a crucial role in launching the superstardom of thousands of emerging local bands such Silverchair and Powderfinger.
But the cruel cost-of-living crisis, which now means that young people literally cannot afford to get pissed and dance, has seen the venue “running at a loss for over three years” – and has prompted the owners to shut the doors on July 8.
Right around the Brown Snake today, former Valley Rats are pouring out a XXXX Bitter – as the reminisce on the good times they had at this Queensland cultural instition.
One bloke that has begun the period of mourning is Albion father-of-three, Bernard Saint, who has today sat his family down to educate them on the legacy of the Zoo.
“Listen here kids. We lost a piece of Brisbane history this week”
“Now, you might not ever get to smell the Champion Ruby smoke and stale beer that was The Zoo. But I’m making it my mission that you know what it sounded like. Now get comfortable, you are going to learn every 114 minutes of all three Butterfingers albums”
Yet another iconic local band that was able to permeate into the ear drums of rowdy Gen-X Queenslanders from the front stage of the Zoo, Butterfingers is known as the nation’s first Rap-Rock act. One that best represented the cannabis-infused humidity of late 1990s and early 2000s Brisbane.
“I don’t know where you kids are going to see the next Butterfingers, but it won’t be on TikTok” says a grieving Bernard.
“This is shit” he says.
“Pure shit”
“This shit stains the ceramic.