July 6th 2006

Houma live-music venue The Garage has closed after a nine-month run of presenting only area bands that played original alternative, metal and experimental rock material.

The last performances were June 24, a rainy Saturday night whose bill included the bands Within Rage and Reaching Silence along with Kiss The Cop from Mississippi.

Justin Parfait, manager of The Garage, said he did not want to comment beyond indicating that he is upset about the closure.

"It was a devastating hit to the local music scene in Houma," said Jak Locke, front man for a New Orleans band by the same name. "It will be harder now for out-of-area bands to get a gig there. Im not happy about it."

Jak Locke made several appearances at The Garage since it opened in October in a metal building at 1709 Havers St., at the corner of Magnolia Street near an old railroad bridge.

Zeth Dugas, front man of the band Gilgamesh of Houma, was among those disappointed by The Garages closure.

"I think it was the only place where it was all about the original music and not about the money. That was the greatest thing about it," Dugas said.

Jeff Hensley, owner operator of Houmaradio.com, an Internet radio station that plays only local acts on its music shows, said he was disappointed by The Garages closure.

"Its sad that the community does not do more to keep these venues alive, especially while these are local bands performing," Hensley said.

According to its Web site, The Garage had a strong policy against featuring bands that cover others songs. Its Saturday night music lineup usually included three and sometimes four bands.

"The Garage Is No More," the Web site at www.myspace.com/thegaragehouma now declares. A long list of blog entries on the site by the bars former customers lament its closing.

Vince Lapeyrouse, who was sound technician at The Garage, said he hopes to continue to work with local bands whenever possible.

Katie Kingdon of Thibodaux is DJ Troll of KNSU-FM 91.5 The Edge.