Flyer
Cyprus Tavern
29th March 2003

I knew this place as the Mumbo Arts Centre (Princess Street, opposite 5th Avenue), but it was previously The Granby (also listed as Granby's on here) and before that The Cyprus Tavern. Today (2016) it appears to be a restuarant called Middle Kingdom. In 2003 it was being run by some kind of charitable group that gave young people a performance space and IT facilities. They also let various people put on gigs, even though the space was far from ideal; any crowding around the stage would cut off the two areas which the charity staff worked between and there was an obvious disconnnect between the aims of the venue space and DIY gig promoters which was bound to end badly (however, you can put up with quite a lot for a near-free city centre venue with in-house PA).

The first gig we booked there used the stripped-bare lower basement floor, so it looked very much like it could be the successor to the Redhouse. But this then became the IT space, so The Capitol City Dusters gig stands as the only gig in that room during the Mumbo Arts era.

The 'Dusters were generally regarded as one of the least exciting bands on Dischord, but in actual fact had just the ability and attitude that you'd expect from that scene.... super-nice guys and great set. Such was feeling of positivity at the time we suggested for FLAMINGO 50 (Liverpool) to play last to try and do away with the idea of "headliners".... I think the order worked well wherever the bands happened to be from and I'm sure a few people were happy to make their trains with ease. Leeds instrumentalists THE DRAGON RAPIDE opened, Jon from Cowtown/Brown Owl/Hookworms played in them.

Flyer by Anthony (reluctant early effort, from tour poster graphic).