Ruthie's Inn was a small club on San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley, California that was instrumental in supporting the east bay punk scene and eventually spawned a thriving thrash/metal scene from 1983 - 1987. Many bands played their first gigs at this venue and helped pave the way and supported an incredibly vibrant community of social misfits and serious musicians who had something to say -- a great venue that has established itself in the annals of punk and metal history.
Wes Robinson, a visionary and infamous promoter, was responsible for providing this venerable niteclub to the second wave of new and established punk bands from Bad Brains, Dead Kennedy’s, Social Distortion, Bad Religion, Flipper, MDC and DOA to Code of Honor, Verbal Abuse, Fang, Special Forces, DRI and many others. Later on, this eventually segued into a weekly ritual that showcased such seminal thrash/metal bands as Metallica, Slayer, and Exodus.
Wes, now in his 70’s, is working on a documentary called “Remembering Ruthie’s Inn”. A reunion show is slated for September 23rd, 2006. There will be 12 bands, a tattoo art show, foto and vintage flier gallery, and display boards showcasing Ruthie’s Inn history. Interviews will take place and everything will be filmed for the documentary, so get ready to share some stories and meet up with some familiar faces and great bands that will take you down memory lane. All Ages Welcome. Please help spread the word. Read your bulletins for updates.
Who I'd like to meet: All of you aging punks and metalheads who paved the way for today's thriving bay area scene, and the next generation keeping it alive. Come to the show at NIMBY on 9/23/06. It's an all ages show!!!! See the above flyer. Thanks for your support!
This is what I would have said at the memorial of Wes Robinson. It was too difficult .
This day December 30th 2006 I lost one of my best friends, Wes Robinson. He did so much for the bay area music scene. He owned Ruthies'Inn and later he was a big supporter of the rave scene. He was part of my daily life for 3 years up until his death. I miss our talks. We shared ideas and food together. He was a very healthy eater. The tough days at the warehouse when we both starving and penniless, I wouldn't trade for the world. It takes the worst of times to become the best of friends. He was the only person that called me on my shit and at the same time he was the only person that knew where I came from, where I was and where I was(and still am) going. A year before he died he had a close call with his health and he basically gave all the signs that he was dying. I made a 30 foot sign that said WE MISS YOU WES! for everyone to sign. I remember Paul Bostaphe was the first to sign it. Exodus was still rehearsing at the warehouse at that time and Paul was going to record and tour with the band. In the next 24 hours, I was amazed that almost every band in the warehouse had practiced and more than the usual amount of passerbys passed by and signed the card. You could just feel the love with all the signatures of people whose lives he had touched. Dan Clarke went to the hospital to give him the huge card. The doctors and nurses were so amazed because they had never had a card that big for any of their patients. Wes said everyone seemed to treat him differently like they were dealing with a King. They were. I remember crying myself to sleep because I didn't go with Dan to the hospital. I couldn't handle seeing my good friend in a dying state.I thought I probably wasn't going to see him again. I cried myself to sleep and was awaken with the news that Wes was coming home. He made a complete recovery in record time and was in the best shape that I had ever seen.
good things will come in your memory, dear friend. you will never be forgotten. we have utmost repect for you and your family who stood by you. we miss you. -twinz
I can't believe it has been almost a year since you have passed. I still have your # in my phone. I think of calling and I can still hear your voice in my head. I thank you so much for all your inspiration and encouragement.
MetalFest! STONE VENGEANCE to perform for: Bands4Bands Presents; MetalFest! Saturday, October 13th 2007. At Hayward Memorial Park, 24176 Mission Blvd., Hayward, California 94541. 12-Noon to 4:00 PM...Then an after party. This is a FREE Show and charity food drive...Bring a metal can and see your favorite Metal Band. Featuring: Stone Vengeance, Mystic Rage, Darque Carnival (from Reno), Psyatica (from Ireland), Devils Walk, OTTO, Mudsoc. WWW.STONEVENGEANCE.COM
