When my friend David Fagiolli convinced Tom to bring his ultra-Punk group The Atheists to the Hole In The Wall, the former Underground scene came full circle. The old Camelot Lounge was the center of what was progressive in Salt Lake again, and I even saw old patrons like Michael G. Cavanaugh in the place. One thing never changed, however -- they had the tiniest restrooms in town, located up a narrow stairway that backed up fast when the beer was flowing. The women had it worse -- their facilities were even more cramped than the men's room, and gentlemen like myself had to 'stand guard' when we let ladies in to alieviate the traffic. We wanted our dancing partners on the floor -- not standing and waiting on the damn stairs!
004 starred at the Utah Arts Festival two years in a row, validating their community-wide appeal. They opened for one of their favorite bands, The Blasters from Los Angeles, with the great New Orleans saxophonist Lee Allen. They also rocked the University of Utah -- warming up for the cold, reclusive, alienated, and alienating Bow Wow Wow from England.
Reaganomics made a bad economy worse as the 80's lurched forward. Tom Bullen had to turn the Hole In The Wall over to new owners for financial reasons, and the place began an immediate, perceptible decline without his good-hearted leadership. No more phenomena like Air Pocket or 004 brought the glow of potential star power with them. The Zephyr Club, a few blocks away, booked national acts like the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jack Mack and the Heart Attack, and even Robert Cray -- outcompeting places with small budgets. (They closed after the turn of the 21st century, though.)
004's last show was at the Utah State Fairgrounds, outdoors on a lovely summer evening, on a portable stage for a small crowd of about 200 dancing fools. I found out it was the last show when Doug started handing out individual 8x10 photos from a portfolio I had given him at dinner earlier. Everybody said they had plans for the future, but Elaine was in tears.