Looking Good for Its Age: The Lucky Dog Music Hall Turns 10 This Weekend

Photo of Erick Godin by Duncan Arsenault

When The Lucky Dog Music Hall opened, longtime Worcester music fans wondered if it could ever sustain the magic that was Sir Morgan's Cove. For years (and still), some people around here still called it The Cove. Of course The Cove fosters some memorable performances, and we all proudly boast of when The Stones rehearsed their Tattoo You tour there as The Cockroaches.

But if anyone could keep that magic alive, it was Erick Godin. A musician himself (at the time, he played bass for Chillum), part of the fabric of the scene, and an all-around likable bloke, he was an easy fit for live music club owner. Godin bought the club with two other investors, and officially opened it on March 5, 1999, making it one of the few venues around to consistently book live music more than five nights a week.

“Can you believe it's been this long?” says Godin. “I really can't. It flew by, but then again, that's life, right? I knew back then that it was what I wanted to do for the long haul. I'm thankful of every night that goes by and that my key still works in the door. We have had some of the best people walk in and out of our place, be it bands or the people who love them. We are very fortunate.”

Ten years is a long time, and Godin has accumulated countless memorable shows and moments at the Dog. He mentions the Green Street Music Series. Orchestrated by Greg Munro and Duncan Arsenault, the series now has its own Web site, greenstreetrocks.com, and the 9th in the series is coming back to the Dog on May 16 (celebrating the music of U2 and REM). “There have just been so many great shows here,” says Godin, “such as The Fixx, Jim Carroll, Michael Imperioli of the Sopranos, and even Korn showed up to play a couple of songs after they played the DCU Center. Some of the more ridiculous nights were always the Disco Hell shows. These guys had no filter whatsoever. From smashing TVs on stage to drinking 'Satan's Juice shots' out of toilets on stage, they set the bar for what's crazy. There was always a line out the door every Sunday, and they provided some of the best times I can remember here.”

This weekend, The Lucky Dog Music Hall celebrates those 10 years with a full lineup. On Thursday night, of course it's Flock of Assholes (in which Godin is the lead singer) along with their “sister band” Danny Dark and the Black Souls. Following Danny Dark are pals The Pathetics, and a rocking visit from one of Lowell's finest The Reverend JJ and the Casual Sinners. Friday's headliner is the Elton John tribute Bennie and the Jets. “This guy has a baby grand he'll be lugging up onto the stage,” says Godin. “I've seen them before and they will not disappoint.” Opening Friday's show is The Charles River Music Whores followed by the Cosby Sweaters, the local acoustic duo that covers '80s pop classics. Mullethead, the tribute to '80s hair bands that played regularly at the Dog for years, makes a triumphant return to headline on Saturday, March 7. Opening is Quintana's Revenge, Chyldz Play and Birch Hill Dam.

Today, Godin owns the club with Greg Petronio and Bill Luff, and attributes the success, too, to a great family of staff. Folks such as John P. Nelson, for instance, has been a valuable friend and asset to the plight of the club. Noelle, that happy face behind the bar, has been a steady allure to the place, too. And despite the economy, Godin has no plans of letting it go. “If I didn't own a bar, I'd probably be working in the art field in some capacity,” says Godin, who could perhaps tour as a pro-bowler, too. “It's a true release to create something from scratch and I wish I had more time for things like that. I have been working on a bunch of new art to install at the club. I originally wanted to have the whole package done by this time to really make our anniversary special. Alas, time did not allow, but it will be real soon. I want to do a complete overhaul of the interior decor.”

Listen to an interview with Godin on The Weekly Shuffle this Thursday, March 5, at noon on WCUW 91.3 FM, streaming www.wcuw.org with guest host Roger Lavallee.