The small San Francisco venue Backside Of The Hill has been a staple within the indie rock touring world for many years, so folks had been understandably bummed to be taught that it was shutting down. Again in January, longtime house owners Kathleen Owen, Ramona Downey, and Lynn Schwarz introduced that 2026 can be the membership’s remaining yr. However now, it appears to be like like Backside Of The Hill will maintain going below completely different possession.
SFist reviews that the biotech scientist Michele Bronson has purchased the venue from Owen, Downey, and Schwarz and that she “reportedly plans to retain the prevailing workers and protect the membership’s popularity as an unbiased venue for rising artists.” The membership will shut down for a month for wanted kitchen renovations, in addition to an replace of its web site and ticketing system.” The earlier house owners had been reportedly touched by the outpouring of affection for the venue, and that is why they reconsidered their determination to shut it reasonably than promoting it.
In keeping with SFist, Brunson moved to San Francisco to get a PhD in molecular biology within the early ’90s, and he or she’s been a daily at Backside Of The Hill for the reason that early ’90s. Over time, she has helped launch or run 5 biotech startups. The present house owners will maintain the property, in addition to its upstairs flats, whereas Brunson will take over the venue area and the identify. She additionally plans to e-book the membership herself, and he or she pledges to maintain the membership’s coverage of not taking a reduce from the artists’ merch cash. She’s wanting into bringing again the Sunday barbecues that the venue used to host in its early years.
Earlier than Brunson takes over, the present house owners will say goodbye with a week-long run of reveals on the finish of the yr, together with appearances from indie veterans like Shannon Shaw, Man Or Astro-Man?, and Mark Eitzel.
