Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

“Plans call for a five-story mixed-use building with 12 apartments and a bar or restaurant on the first floor.” This is getting old.

When the news hit that the popular live music club at 379 Somerville Ave. Thunder Road might be closing, it sparked a symphony of memories for me and my friends. My bands The Tools, and Delfusion played there when it was Jaspers. Before that I hosted karaoke when it was Choices. It was also called Radio for a while.

When it was Jaspers it was one of the trio of great local musical “J’s” along with Jumbos and Johnny D’s, also now gone.

Jaspers was quite the rock venue in its heyday. It was usually packed solid and if you didn’t get in no problem. Underage kids would sometimes climb onto the roof “standing directly above stage feeling the quakes around 1979.”

Former owner Bob R recalls, “We owned and ran Duffy’s Pub in the front half, and a disco in the back half. I can’t remember the name off the top of my head (Night Stage?). We gutted the building and created Jaspers around 1978-1979 and it became Choices after we sold it in 1982-1983.” Bob mentioned the “wall of drumheads.” He also has old booking calendars that are nothing less than a Boston rock history book.

As usual, my stories sometimes come with a list. This is a partial list of bands that played Jasper’s (I think!): Fire Dept, Robert Ellis Orall (with our own Dave Stef!), The Joe Perry Project, Luna, Berlin Airlift, with (Joe Pet), The Neighborhoods, Tommy James, Balloon with Charlie Farren, Robin Lane, The Flying Pirroni Brothers, The Dream/ Extreme, The Atlantics,

The Stompers, The Fools, Lizzie Borden, James Montgomery, The Grassroots, The Nervous Eaters, Pastiche, Face to Face, John Butcher Axis, David Johansen (I think), Sass, Private Parts, Rage, France, Wavelength, Pictures, The Guitars, Image, The Rave, Emit Dooley and Bad Habits, Needles, Lazers, Sods, Boys Life, New Models, Orbits, And First Street.

At one time I lived a (rolling) stone’s throw from Jasper’s on Somerville Ave. It was next to Caesar’s Pizza in a studio apartment with three other friends including The Tools sound man, my pal, the late Dave E. Also living in that small box was the lead guitar player of the band Thunderhead, Eddie C.

Most meals in that cramped one room apartment consisted of beer and leftover pizza. For a while, I even had a part time job cleaning Jaspers. I remember one of the owners Mike R saying, “Jimmy, your band sounded great last night! By the way don’t forget to get the cigarette butts out of the urinals.” Ah, the good old days!

My pals’ band, The Billy Connors Project, performed at Thunder Road recently. I feel bad for the musicians who are losing another local place to play their music. Hopefully I’ll get to check out Thunder Road before it becomes just another memory.

A story about Jaspers wouldn’t be complete without mentioning my good pal Jerry J. We have stories and memories that are absolutely priceless! Jerry remains my buddy to this day as does Dave Stef, and Bobby D, Phil L, Richard C, Teddy B, Charlie V, Donny A, Dan C, Al F, Billy O, Pat O, Hutch, Chuck F, Bobby B, Wayne S, The Power’s Brothers, Dave T, Tom S, and so many other Somerville rockers. A shout out to the late greats: Dennis O, Willie M, Tony D, Andy M, David T, Bernie M and Joey G. Rock in Peace.

Seems like Somerville developers want to cram as many people into any space possible as long as it’s “within walking distance to the T,” and it boasts granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. Lots of the friends I grew up with are enjoying much more bang for their buck far away from the madness going on in our city.

Rest in peace Eddie Money and Ric Ocasek. Thank you for the music. Rock on.