Downtown music venue still thrives after fire damage

Joe Anderson, the owner of the Launchpad, wants to 'get back to the music'

by DESIREÉ POLONIS

One of the best places to hang out in Albuquerque could be described as a hole in the wall, but just because it isn’t pretty, it doesn’t mean it’s not filled with great people and countless memories.

Photo courtesy of launchpadrocks.com

The Launchpad's mural on the wall behind the bar

The Launchpad is a music venue and bar located in downtown Albuquerque on Historic Route 66 between Sixth and Seventh streets. It opened in 1997, and since then, it has been a local favorite.
Currently, the Launchpad is closed due to fire damage, but that hasn’t darkened anyone’s spirits as it undergoes repairs. Joe Anderson, the owner of the Launchpad, was “hoping for the best” when he heard the Golden West Saloon was on fire Feb. 28.

“I just stood there and watched the Golden West go up in flames. It was very surreal. I had no idea what damage, if any, the Launchpad had suffered,” Anderson said. “I walked over and got a shot of espresso from Flying Star and waited for AFD to extinguish the fire.”

Just one year after opening, the Alibi voted the Launchpad as the best venue for live music in 1998. This trend continued through 2007, and in 2008, it was voted best rock bar. In addition, The Launchpad has received awards from the Daily Lobo, Albuquerque The Magazine and Local IQ.

So what is so great about the Launchpad? Jake Pacheco, the lead singer of the local metal band, Anesthesia, said he loves the Launchpad because it’s a friendly environment that welcomes all walks of life.

“What’s cool about the Launchpad is that it’s a place where everyone knows each other — whether you are an employee there, a music fan, a band member, or the dude who just hangs out in front smoking cigarettes. And the cool thing is that it doesn’t have that country club vibe where when someone new walks in everyone is like, who is that? What are they doing here?” Pacheco said.

In a city where bar brawls are common, the Launchpad is relatively peaceful. Pacheco said he’s never experienced conflict at the Launchpad.

“In the five years that I have been hanging out and jamming there, I have not once seen a fight, and that’s always a plus. Everyone there is there to rock out, have a drink and just have a good time,” Pacheco said.

The Launchpad offers plenty of options. If you don’t really like the band that’s playing, you can always take a seat at one of the restaurant-type booths in the bar and have a drink. Or you can go upstairs and chat with your friends on the comfortable, but tattered couches. And if the couches aren’t cozy enough for you, there’s always the option of playing pool with a few buddies. There is only one pool table, but everyone is usually willing to share.

If you do want to watch the band that’s playing, there are options also. When Pacheco isn’t playing a show, he also attends them frequently at the Launchpad and said he likes the options to choose from because he’s always in a different mood.

“You have a floor area that is awesome for dancing, moshing, or just good old fashioned toe-tapping. And the balcony up top allows the less aggressive people to mellow out and have a drink,” Pacheco said.

However, you might not be able to tap your toes at all of the shows at the Launchpad. If it is an all-ages show, there’s most likely going to be sweaty teenagers packed together like sardines trying to get a glimpse of their favorite punk rock band. But, it’s all in good fun.

The Launchpad is famous for hosting its local bands, but there are also many national acts that come there as well. Some examples include Ours, Authority Zero, Static X, and The Wailers.

As a musician, Pacheco knows the importance of music, and he said he loves that the people who work there do, too.

“The Launchpad has a killer sound system with sound guys that enjoy what they do and love the challenge of making every band sound as good as they can,” he said. “And last but not least, the Launchpad is not afraid to promote. You always know what’s going on at the Launchpad.”

Local bands, including Anesthesia, are willing to do anything possible to raise money to help rebuild the Launchpad and make it look good as new. Anderson said the venue should be re-opening in June while changes are underway.

“I hope to make a few changes, but most people won’t notice the differences. I really don’t want to alter much. There may be a stretch of new booths upstairs similar to the ones downstairs,” Anderson said.

But Anderson said he isn’t too worried about these changes. He just wants to “get back to the music.”

“The process has just taken a ridiculous amount of time,” he said. “I cannot stand all the red tape.”

Just because Anderson is the owner, doesn’t mean he doesn’t enjoy what the Launchpad has to offer.

“One of my favorite things is that you can either stand in back and see a band, or you can go to the bar and socialize. You can actually escape the music if you need a minute to chat with friends or avoid a band that just doesn’t do it for you,” Anderson said.

The Launchpad has a belief “that music is an art, and that art needs a gallery.” Though Anderson snickers when he hears the phrase because the Launchpad’s ex-business manager, Carl Philpot, came up with it, he still believes the saying is true.

That’s exactly what the Launchpad is — a gallery for music.

Written April 15, 2008

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