The first show was a free entry event on April 26th, 2013 with the lineup made up of locals from the area. (Video Below; Front Runner) and the last show, today (February 20th, 2016) will be the lineup below. We had a chance to speak with the owner, Jack Jallo, about what his outlook is on this final event for his venue.
“It is a big change, but for me it is overdue. I am excited. Surprisingly not emotional, at least not yet. Dreading the people who are going to do stupid things because it’s their last chance to do said things, but I think it’ll be okay in the end. I think it’ll be a giant show to close it out, which is cool because it mirrors the first show to happen here. It’s going to be a long night for sure.”
In response to being asked if he believed the venue brought more recognition or attention to Florida's scene he said "Definitely a little bit" but that the venue also had a role in bringing awareness to other things, outside of music.
“Definitely a little bit. I hear from other people that it did, but I don’t notice much. I think the venue had a role in raising awareness about things outside of music, though not what I wish it could have been, but it is what it is. The main goal of the place was always music, but every supplementary goal had to do with awareness and generating local push for matters that truly matter in life outside of even music.”
In the short video by Good Enough Film, the owner used the venue as a way to do food drives, in which the owner would receive canned foods to donate to a local food bank.
“With The Goat House, I had a way to book shows myself, and have a way of getting into these shows by bringing in cans of food. I would then donate these foods to a food bank. That has to be my favorite thing I’ve done with it. ”
The owner states he believes the venue would be thriving if people actually did what they said to support the DIY. Jallo took on three jobs coming into 2016 and has realized he cannot continue spending his resources on the "dead end", but his passion has not left.
“I hope whoever comes and does the next thing does it a million times better, and if I can help them do that, I’d be more than happy to do it.”
Those who have attended and/or performed in the venue in the past are also feeling a lot for this closing Goat House show. Below are words from both attendee Candice Montgomery, and Andres Hernandez, who will be performing this last show with his band, Apnea.
“ For the last two and a half years the goat house has grown to be my second home. Through out the years I have spent countless hours playing, practicing, and recording with both of my bands at the goat house. I have met hundreds of incredible people and I have countless memories that I’ve made with different bands and the amazing people in this music scene. After going to many shows the goat house became a place that I could go to to escape from the everyday bull shit that life brings. I was very sad when I heard that the goat house is closing but with everything in life, it all has to eventually come to an end. With that in mind I have a lot of respect for Jack and his decisions he made. I think everyone in the music scene, including myself, owes jack a million thank you’s for keeping the goat house alive for the amount of time that he did. With that being said, I hope something new comes along that will give people the same experience that the goat house did for me.”
“Over the last two years this place became a home for me. I’ve had wonderful times and have met great friends here. Tonight is the last show at the goat house and I feel like everyone should be there”
Below you can watch the short doc featuring Jack Jallo speaking of the DIY venue's opening and closing. The video is by Good Enough Films.
And lastly, R.I.P to The Goat House.