All the way live

>> Le Swimming celebrates 10 years of music on the Main

by RUPERT BOTTENBERG

Those of you who have been enjoying Montreal's infamous nightlife for longer than you can remember probably have more than one story about a club called Business. Owned by the Holder brothers, this legendary nightspot's closing ended a particularly memorable chapter of club life in this city.

In 1990, the brothers took their penchant for nightlife in a completely different direction, opening Le Swimming on St-Laurent. Set on a sprawling pool hall premise, Le Swimming also had the good fortune of being the only bar-sized venue on the Main that catered to live music. Patrons could sit on the "indoor terrasse" and enjoy any one of many local and international, new and established bands, or engage in a game of billiards on the other side of the room.

Well, here it is 10 years later, and Le Swimming has housed all sorts of bands in every genre of music. Whether it's the New Orleans funk of Galactic bringing down the house, the downtown skank of the Stomp All Stars working up a frenzy, the cultured reggae vibes of Inus Aso, or the live hip hop styles of the Pocket Dwellers, Le Swimming has been there for all of them.

Next Wednesday, Dec. 13, Le Swimming opens it's doors to celebrate 10 years on the Main with a host of local luminaries, all of whom have performed at the aforementioned spot at some point in their musical careers.

"When we started playing at Le Swimming," explains Jazz Pharmacy's Phil Clarke, "there was no scene for live music in Montreal at all. Now it's become a staple in the city, like Jailhouse." Even now, for any of the bands outside the rock umbrella, there's basically not much of an infrastructure of clubs in which to play. Jailhouse, Foufs and Café Campus all catering to a decidedly more rock and alternative point of view, but there's no real showbar for everyone else that wouldn't really work in those venues. That's why Le Swimming is key.

"It'd be great if there were more small clubs like Le Swimming that were willing to branch out," adds Phil. "We need places that will be a help to all the good live original music that is in this city, and visitors that play in this city all the time."

Ten years down the road, maybe the Holder twins (Richard and Maurice) will have invested into a few more places like Le Swimming, but for now, it's time to celebrate.

Le Swimming anniversary party is on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 9pm and will include performances by Carrie Katz, the Crazy Rhythm Daddies, Parkside Jones, Pigeon-Hole, Skyjuice and the Stomp Allstars. Admission is a non-perishable food item or toy