In the Free Times today the reason behind the Fire Marshal shutting down the Sheds for practice was revealed as so
“Basically, that’s a storage facility,” Spivey says. Any other use, she adds, is unallowed.
“We would describe [the current situation] as … a storage-use occupancy. But they’re using it as … a multi-use, mixed-business operation. So short of you moving yourself in and taking yourself out, there’s nothing in the code that allows a person to be able to occupy it for a period of time other than housing equipment.”
I know of at least 3 other “storage facilities” that bands practice at. Will they be subject to the same shutdown by the Fire Marshal? And if they are not, why aren’t they?
As of 10 PM November 30th bands that practice at the Sumer Street Storage facility will have to find a new home. This is not an “eviction”, but the Fire Marshall has deemed band practice as a violation of county ordinances.
I have a little better theory though and it leads back this person. In a September 24th article published by The State title “Rockin The Sheds” real estate developer Clif Judy had this to say about bands playing at the sheds.
But real estate developer Clif Judy, 69, objects to “vulgar” lyrics and the noise that rattles his windows and disturbs his sleep.
“It drives me batty,” he said.
He also said that he was going to research county land laws to find a way for owners to stop renting to bands.
It was also noted in that article that no zoning laws are being broken and that there have been zero noise violations in the last year.
This summer a rule was made that bands could not practice after 10 PM. Apparently this wasn’t enough.
For almost 29 years Rosewood Storage has been renting to bands. It is where Hootie and The Blowfish wrote “Hold My Hand” and “Only Want to Be With You.” For years it has been the heart of the Columbia music scene, but no longer.
The wall on my shed says “Play Faster Mother Fucker” Thats all I have to say.
sumter storage isn’t the only place, its just romanticized,
there is a uhaul storage place between St. Andrews and Piney Grove on the frontage road that several local bands like us, diavolo, almost jason, and a few others that i don’t know the names of use.
-Its climate controlled.
-no practice before 6pm
-option for 24 hour access
-gated
-no drinking on site
-no smoking in units
-there are bathrooms
-they ALLOW bands
i wouldn’t call Sumter Storage “romanticized”
that place is a zoo.
by no means did I mean my post as a dis towards those bands that do practice @ sumter. It can be a zoo AND romanticized.
I know alot of people hang out down there and have a great time but I personally feel that things like that are a distraction towards playing and writing music. Its gotta be ABOUT the music first. Thats just me though.
this humble bunny wonders: how soon ’til your practice space, precious punks, gets the same shaft from the fire marshals? or is bulldozed to make room for a super wal-mart?
I’ve practiced at Sumter Street Sheds for the last 5 years. The mosquito’s are terrible, people pee everywhere, it is ridiculously hot during the summer time, a lot of rats. It’s still messed up that everyone is being forced out. I know one band that has had the same Shed since 98. In all reality it’s not that big a deal, we just went and got a shed in Cayce today that is cheaper.
I still think there was a more political motive behind the Sumter Street Sheds closing down. I’m doing some investigating on that right now.
Oh yeah and Fuzzy Bunny, do you really think they will build a Wal-Mart there? Doesn’t seem smart since there is one at Harbison and Bush River. Feel the sarcasm.
The “precious” punk retorts: in all seriousness, we just want to play music and don’t want to get dragged into silly internet arguments with people/animals who don’t know us, that we don’t know either, over misinterpretations.
I’m sorry if you think that I was attacking you or anyone else involved in Sumter Street Storage but I know thats not what I meant by any of my comments.
If you want to say something to us, we’ll be @ new brookland December 28th. It’d be great to see a new face in the audience and we’d be happy to have conversations about the local music scene with you.
Don’t feel the need to respond to people you don’t know in such a spiteful matter because it just comes off as immature internet bullying instead of a constructive retort to someone who was expressing a personal opinion. Have your own opinions and express them yourself, I was offering a solution, the RICHLAND county fire marshall shut that down, we’re in LEXINGTON county so those units are a realistic alternative.
precious dstring! this bunny means no sarcasm! i’m referring to the sheds they bulldozed to make the bush river wal-mart. which, like the precious punks’ practice shed, housed many a band that didn’t practice in the “popular” sheds. many of those band’s moved over to the st. andrews space currently occupied by you, me and us.
precious you, me and us punks, forgive this humble bunny! however could you feel so threatened by a little cuddly bunny? this bunny strives to be naught but clear and concise, and does not wish to entice unfriendly internet hand-wringing and chest-puffing! i offered not spite, but precious forest empathy to those now without a home! this humble bunny was merely trying to spark debate by suggesting that such things have happened before and will happen again!
poor sumter street woodland creatures! where will they go? it makes this humble bunny sad!
rats, david? i’ve never seen a rat in my shed. perhaps i’m one of the lucky ones.
also, to which shed in cayce did you move? i’m (obviously) in the market.
P. I’ll be honest I’m not sure if I saw a rat. Something ran by our shed about a month ago. My band said it was a rat, but I swear it was a beagle or some sort of small fast dog. Maybe even a fuzzy bunny…Speaking of that Wal Mart off Bush River. I can’t believe they bulldozed that Bottoms Up Strip Club right there. The nerve some people have.
Honestly guys, I’m more worried about the people that live in a couple of the sheds than the bands. But I guess as long as they live in the shed without playing an instrument they will be alright.
It is off Knox Abbott in Cayce. I heard 110 a month 10 x 20. Our guitarist went and got it today so I’ll find out more and let you know.
yeah, they bulldozed that entire area. i used to practice there. shared a space with lights for nero.
10×20 for $110? holy shit.
Allright Sen. Bunny, I’m glad we’re on the same page then!
What other punk bands practice off of St. Andrews? I’m not sure that I’ve ever heard them play?
I hope everyone finds a place to practice but if you all move to cayce don’t you run the risk of being shut down by the same fire marshall who had pledged in the story to shut it down in richland county?
Our organization is considering philanthropy options for Spring of 09. Would the bands effected by the Storage Unit shutdowns be interested in a concert, perhaps battle of the bands style? Big venue, big crowd, proceeds to the bands in a Save the Music style benefit? If ya’ll would be interested, ill exchange emails for further details, i think it has great potential and benefits for both sides.