When Offering74 started out, we reached out to the owner Brian and let him know we could be available on short notice. He ended up doing that, if he had a band cancel for a show- he'd call us on a few hours notice and we'd show up. That built up some trust which eventually let us doing weekends with bands like Buzz Bomber and The M80's, who I loved.

The place was dirty, but in a good way. I'll say that they let everyone who could play have a chance. That was not so great on occassion, depending on when you went there.

The Cricket was the ultimate musical melting pot. You could get folk music one night, then King Rat and Wanker's punk rock act would take the stage the next night. On Sunday nights, they had an open stage hosted by Baggs Patrick who had a song called "Don't take my penis when you're gone". One particular Sunday night there was a guy who played simple notes on a keyboard kind of like the theme from "The Young And The Restless" and just screamed one thing "AH-AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!". On monday nights, they had a guy named Denver Joe. I only saw him once, and I'm sure others around here can offer a much more informed opinion regarding what he meant to that place.

The Cricket to me, was Denver's version of Mos Eisley. If you remember Star Wars, you'll get the refrence point.

The Cricket was in a time before the state of Colorado enacted it's ban on indoor smoking. They were exhibit A on why it passed.

I moved here from Sacramento and my first order of business was to find an open stage which was The Cricket. I also met alot of people who helped get my CD going through there.

This is what rock and roll was all about. A true dive bar classic, complete with sticky floors, stale cigarette aroma, darken interior, and even an 8 channel Peavy (only 4 channels worked) PA, installed in the wall, for bands to utilize. This was Joe C. Wails first stomping ground, lots of great shows with Offering74, Dame’s Rocket, etc… And who could forget the ending night announcement. “If you are not in the band or f*cking the band, you need to leave”. The sounds and memories still reverberate!