They Might Be Giants: Farewell to The Rat’s Nest

The house is a little rough around the edges, its white paint peeled dry after years of sun damage.

Forgettable is how some would describe the Arts and Crafts-style home at 468 Cecelia Rd., built in 1908 on what is now industrial land. And it likely would have stayed that way without the efforts of Gary Brainless, its tenant for much of the past 30 years. “As long as I cleaned up my mess, nobody gave a s--t,” said Brainless, 52. “So I made it a great place to hang out, drink beer and see good bands.”

The home has long been considered ground zero for Greater Victoria’s punk and metal community. Brainless regularly ran gigs out of his basement, dating back to 1985, in what eventually became known as The Rat’s Nest. The venue, with a capacity of just over 100, was in use until Saturday, its last day of live music.

The owner has decided to demolish the house. But memories of the place, which hosted everyone from D.R.I. and Nomeansno to Dayglo Abortions and M.D.C., won’t fade quickly.

“A lot of bands got up and going after meeting at The Rat’s Best,” said Dustin Schwam, who played the venue four or five times over the years, including an April 19 date with his Victoria band the Keg Killers. “Most of the guys I played with I met there.”

The Rat’s Nest often skirted noise bylaws, on account of its industrial zoning; the biggest problems were “the butts and the bottles” left after a show, Brainless said. Rat’s Nest supporters would always help out, which gave the performance venue-cum-recording-studio-cum-rehearsal space a community feel.

Brainless played there many times himself, both as drummer for The Resistance and singer for Micky Christ, among other acts. The Nest came by its name honestly. “When I first moved in here, there was rats the size of cats,” he said.

Brainless is moving July 1 to a new place in Langford, one that might play the same role as The Rat’s Nest. After all the goodwill shown in recent months, it would be a shame to let it go, Schwam said. “If anything, its closing has brought everybody together. All these people that hadn’t been hanging out for a long time, bands that hadn’t been playing together, were melded together for these past few shows.”

The interaction between music fans is something Brainless said he will remember forever. “More than anything, I’ll probably miss the hugs from all the people every time we had a show.”

Where were you born and raised?

I’m from Rochford, England. I came to Canada when I was six and grew up in Toronto.

At which point did you know the city was not for you?

When I was 17, a buddy said he was going to Calgary, so I sold everything I had and jumped in the car with him. I lived in Calgary for six weeks, then Edmonton for a year-and-a-half.

When did you arrive in Victoria?

1982. I think.

What brought you here?

Calgary wasn’t for me, but Edmonton was a great party town. That’s where I ended up meeting my [now ex-] wife, who is from Victoria. We moved to Vancouver for a year-and-a-half, and then she talked me into moving to Victoria.

What is your favourite thing about Victoria?

The water all around me, because I have a sailboat.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Raising my two kids to be respectful young men is probably the best thing I ever did.

First album you purchased?

Black Sabbath, Masters of Reality.

Favourite album?

I have a thousand favourites. I couldn’t put anyone on top of anyone else.

First concert you attended?

Rush, in the early ‘70s. I think I was 13.

Favourite concert you attended?

ZZ Top in Edmonton, on the Degüello tour.

If you had one motto, or rule to abide by, what would it be?

Have fun and respect everybody else, no matter what they look like or what they wear.