Wake up Cincinnati! (The story of Skull Lab)

While the Cincinnati music scene discusses all the numerous ways Alchemize deserves to shut down, not many are thinking about a little place known as SKULL LAB. But they should.
For those musicians who are a touch "exploratory" in nature, it's a venue that has offered a unique stage for The Land of the Lost to express themselves - experimental bands, noise bands, and generally musicians with a decidedly more DIY nature.
People with Animal Heads may seem stuck on promoting experimental rock this month, but there is a reason. It's because most Midwestern forms of traditional rock have been abused. Instead of forging new ground, local musicians take what is popular and drive it into the ground. There are just as many trying to create something new and original.
That is why getting to know Skull Lab is important.
The venue is located at 271 McMicken Ave. and doubles as an art gallery and musicians collective.
"We are just getting on our feet but I think there is a lot of potential here. We are not gearing ourselves towards anyone in particular. Hopefully Skullab will break down some of the barriers in the city by bringing unlikely acts together in one place, and by creating a space where artists and musicians can interact. This venue could be Cincinnati's much needed enema. If only we believe," a recent release stated.
For the past year, Skull Lab has provided a spot for these bands to come together and perform for the love of performing. This place isn't about grandstanding, as it is about pushing boundaries and creating new ones.
According to co-owner Jon Lorenz, the problem is that more people need to be aware it even exists.
"The problem is that I think there are a lot of people, at least in Cincinnati, that I have talked to that are into noise that were never aware that there was a noise scene... people just need to be aware of it," he said.
In a town like Cincinnati there is already a thriving indie rock scene, Lorenz said, so show goers have trouble venturing into the ghettos to check out new forms of music.
"I think this is where the underground/indie/noise scene can thrive. I don't think anyone could afford to open up a place in a nice part of town and do noise shows where no money is made. It has to be in the ghetto or in someone's basement because the scene is so small. This is how I think indie rock started. All of these bands played in houses or warehouses, or whatever. This is also why they played in small towns. Because honestly, I think if a noise band plays in a small town where people never get music, more people will come out for the chance to see something," Lorenz said.
In Cincinatti there is so much going on, he said, creativity can get lost in the shuffle.
To get in contact with the venue, book a show or just to discuss music and art you can reach members of Skull Lab via email at: lazyeyedjack@aol.com or exdilemma@gmail.com or skulllab@gmail.com.
Check out the Myspace link to the venue in the top of the article.