D Nuts || November 28, 2006

Not even two weeks ago, we were thinking about announcing the Amsterdam Bar as a new contender in the area's top club venues. We love the Exposition Park location, we love the outdoor space and seating, we put up with the sound system (which, admittedly, is improving gig by gig) and the space's booking was a bang-up mix of oddball and rockin'.


John Freeman (photo stolen from evilrose.net)

You could blame the last bit on John Freeman (Dooms UK, The Dutch Treats, other local music insanity for roughly a decade), who brought a great mix of experimentation and volume to the otherwise jazz-only spot as its newest booking agent. But the "House of Freeman" is no longer, as explained in this mass bulletin from the Free Man himself:

Hi,
Due to several circumstances beyond my control, I will no longer be booking at The Amsterdam. It was great while it lasted but now it looks like it has come to an end. I hope that I fulfilled my goal of making all the bands that played there feel like they were treated well and booked a few interesting bills that wouldn't have happened otherwise.
I will still be involved in booking around town and I have something planned within the next few months that will bring more rock to this town than a thousand crack dealers.
Any bands that are interested, please drop me a line.

Oh, John. You and your crack. It's been an interesting year for the Amsterdam, certainly; just months ago, the venue reclaimed its back patio from neighbors Bar of Soap, who had allegedly been using the outdoor space without actually owning it. Shortly after, Freeman rolled through and began working his unknown booking magic (his most notable gig was securing Pitchfork buzz act Beach House week before last). We'll venture a guess that either squabbling or money is the reason for this abrupt split, but we're more interested in this secret plan than any gossip. John, feel free to clue us in before you alert your freelance employers at the Observer. -SM