Vulcan Gas Company

60s-70s Texas music venue

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Vulcan Gas Company" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

|

Vulcan handbill for December 26 & 27, 1969.

The original Vulcan Gas Company (usually called Vulcan) was the first successful psychedelic music venue in Austin, Texas. The Vulcan opened its doors at 316 Congress Avenue in the fall of 1967, and closed in the summer of 1970.[1] Gary Scanlon, Houston White, Don Hyde, and Sandy Lockett started the VGC. By 1969, management was primarily by White and Lockett, along with Jim Franklin. There was a substantial sound system installed by Sandy Lockett. Charlie Sauer was the principal audio engineer for the last year of operation.[2] Bobby Hedderman and Marty McDermott managed the club for the last few months. Underground cartoonist Gilbert Shelton became their art director in 1967 and drew their weekly posters.[3]

## History[edit]

In an interview with Don Hyde by Eddie Wilson in 2010, Hyde said that the landlord had tremendous pressure from everywhere to throw them out. He went down to the VGC a couple of times, unannounced, on a Saturday night, walked around and said “I just don’t see what everyone is so upset about. It just looks like young people having fun. It is loud! But to each his own.” He told Hyde that as long as the rent was paid--$350 a month—they could stay.

A name plaque for the Vulcan is still on the front wall of the historic W.B. Smith building, named after the dry goods store which first occupied the building in 1884.[4] In 1967 this end of the street leading to the Texas Capitol was not particularly prosperous and rents were relatively low.

The Vulcan provided a concert stage for unconventional bands of various genres, most notably the 13th Floor Elevators and the Conqueroo. By 1969, Shiva's Headband became the de facto house band, and in the first half of 1970 the Hub City Movers played frequently at the Vulcan.

The club had homemade benches and old church pews for the audience. The main floor, in front of the stage, was used for dancing. The club owner(s) always wanted all ages to attend and even gave passes out to Jr. High kids who would pass handbills out at lunchtime. Smoking marijuana inside the club was discouraged and rare. Alcohol was discouraged, but common. For some time, the Vulcan used space in the adjoining building to the north for selling sandwiches and soft drinks and as office space, but this auxiliary space was eventually abandoned to reduce rent.

Since there was no liquor license and beer could not be sold, almost all of the income came from gate receipts, typically $1.50 per person. That was the main cause of the club's ultimate demise. Johnny Winter, as a favor to White and Lockett, played a benefit concert, along with the Hub City Movers, March 10 & 11, 1970. Even that concert was not enough to offset ominous financial difficulties.

The elevated stage at the northwest end of the hall was rustic, but the psychedelic light show offset that appearance. The light show was operated from a suspended platform on the south side of the room and near the ceiling - reached by a ladder. There was a large horizontal drain pipe across the back of the stage—that pipe is prominent in many photos of performances at the Vulcan.

There is one feature that most customers never saw, but is still a part of the Vulcan legend: the freight elevator. It was in the back, next to the doors that opened onto the alley. Made of wood and powered by human muscle via a rope that worked a reel of steel cable. The ride up was difficult, but the ride down could be precarious. The cable often got snarled and had to be unsnarled by hand.

For much of the history, concerts were advertised with both large posters and letter-sized handbills, similar to those produced for concerts at the Avalon Ballroom and The Fillmore. Gradually, the larger posters were sacrificed to save cost, and eventually the handbills were abandoned for the same reason. Comprehensive collections are available online.[1][5]

## Present day[edit]

The new Vulcan Gas Company at 418 E 6th St which opened in 2014 adopted the name, but is otherwise unrelated to the original venue.[6][7] The club features stand up comedy and EDM shows. The club is owned by Nick Franceschini. [8][9] The venue is 9,500 sq feet, spans over 2 floors (658 person standing room capacity) and features a green room, catering room, 7 men’s & 7 women’s bathrooms, 2 large bars, and an outdoor terrace.[10] The outdoor patio features a mural of comedians drawn by a local Austin artist.

Vulcan Gas Company has been home to the Kill Tony podcast on Monday nights since May 2021 when the podcast moved from Antone's Nightclub. The podcast spotlights stand up comedy. Joe Rogan has hosted multiple shows per month at the club alongside other local Austin stand up comics. Big Laugh Comedy produces several stand-up comedy shows per week including hosting headliners and stand up comedy showcases for local and touring comics. Several stand up comedians including Rocky Dale Davis, Matt Rife, and Willie Barcena, have filmed their stand up specials at Vulcan Gas Company.

## Acts that played at the Vulcan (Congress Ave)[edit]

This section on a place of local interest may need more verifiable and notable information. Please review the essay guide and help improve the article. (May 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

|

* 13th Floor Elevators
* 1948
* Afro Caravan
* Angela, Lewis and the Fabulous Rockets
* Austin Suburban Loan Co
* BB King
* Birth
* Blues Bag
* Bubble Puppy
* Big Joe Williams
* Big Sweet
* Canned Heat
* Captain Beefheart
* Children
* Conqueroo
* Consolidated Smoke House Limited
* James Cotton
* Endel St. Cloud in the Rain
* Eternal Life Corp.
* Sleepy John Estes
* Fat Emma
* Fugs
* Georgetown Medical Band
* The Golden Dawn
* Good Humor
* Grits
* Tony Hinchcliffe
* John Lee Hooker
* Lightnin' Hopkins
* Hub City Movers
* Jomo
* Freddie King
* Mance Lipscomb
* Liquid Marble
* Lord August and The Visions of Life
* Lost and Found
* Fred McDowell
* Moby Grape
* Mother Earth
* Mustangs
* Naked Letus
* New Atlantis
* New Moan Hey
* Night Hog
* Ohio Express
* Onion Creek
* Poco
* Ramon Ramon and the 4 Daddyos
* Jimmy Reed
* Rubaiyat
* Salt
* Sex Swing
* Shepherd's Head
* Sherwood
* Shiva's Headband
* Sky Blues
* South Canadian Overflow
* Space American Eagle Squadron
* Strawberry Shoemaker
* Steve Miller Band
* Sunnyland Special
* Swiss Movement
* Texas, with Jimmie Vaughan, Denny Freeman, Paul Ray
* Texas Pacific
* Texas Rangers
* Zakary Thaks
* Thingies
* Big Mama Thornton
* Velvet Underground
* United Gas
* Untouchables
* Water Brothers
* Muddy Waters
* Wild Chickens
* Big Joe Williams
* Johnny Winter
* Zig Zag Quartet

## See also[edit]

* Music of Austin

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b "The Complete Illustrated List of Vulcan Gas Company Posters and Handbills". Faculty.missouristate.edu. Retrieved 2014-05-29.
2. ^ "Glimpses from the Vulcan, 1969-70". Notes.technologists.com. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
3. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Gilbert Shelton reveals some Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers secrets, new collection extracts!". Downthetubes.net. Retrieved 2017-11-05.
4. ^ "Patagonia to open retail store downtown". Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
5. ^ "Vulcan Gas Company Poster & Handbill Images". Technologists.com. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
6. ^ "Vulcan Gas Company - The Austin Chronicle". Austinchronicle.com. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
7. ^ "Vulcan Gas Company to add to dance music scene on Austin's Sixth Street". Bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
8. ^ "Nick Franceschini". LinkedIn.
9. ^ Renck, Lizzie (2016-04-18). "Austin music venue Vulcan Gas Company has been sold to owners of Bat Bar and Lux". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
10. ^ "Vulcan Gas Company". 6th Street Austin, Texas. Retrieved 2023-02-16.

## External links[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Austin, Texas

Slogan: Live Music Capital of the World

Attractions|

* Austin Zoo
* Circuit of the Americas
* Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium
* Dell Diamond
* Driskill Hotel
* Frank Erwin Center
* NLand
* State Capitol
* Texas Governor's Mansion
* Treaty Oak
* UFCU Disch-Falk Field
* University of Texas Tower
* Zach Theatre

History|

* 1839 city plan
* 1928 city plan
* Austin Dam failure
* Capitol View Corridors
* COVID-19 pandemic
* French Legation
* Greater Austin
* Stephen F. Austin
* Texas Archive War
* Timeline
* Treaty Oak
* Waterloo, Texas

Education|

| Tertiary|

* Austin Community College
* Concordia University Texas
* Huston–Tillotson University
* St. Edward's University
* University of Texas

|

School districts|

* Austin ISD
* template
* Del Valle ISD
* Eanes ISD
* Hays CISD
* Leander ISD
* Lake Travis ISD
* Manor ISD
* Pflugerville ISD

State schools|

* Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
* Texas School for the Deaf

| Closed|

* Texas Blind, Deaf, and Orphan School

|

Libraries|

* Austin Public Library
* Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building

Government|

* City Hall
* Camp Mabry
* City Council
* Fire
* Health
* Police

Industry|

| General|

* Amy's Ice Creams
* Golfsmith
* Keller Williams Realty
* Schlotzsky's
* Whole Foods Market

|

Creative arts|

* Alamo Drafthouse Cinema/Drafthouse Films
* Collings Guitars
* Devolver Digital
* Gunfire Games
* Inner Sanctum Records
* Powerhouse Animation Studios
* Retro Studios
* Rooster Teeth
* Troublemaker Studios
* Waterloo Records
* Western Vinyl

Technology|

* Advanced Technology Development Facility (ATDF)
* Cirrus Logic
* Dell Computer
* Freescale Semiconductor
* Luminex Corporation
* MCC
* National Instruments
* Silicon Labs
* Valence Technology

Museums|

* Arthouse at Laguna Gloria
* Arthouse at The Jones Center
* Austin History Center
* Austin Museum of Digital Art
* Blanton Museum of Art
* Bullock Texas State History Museum
* The Contemporary Austin
* Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
* Elisabet Ney Museum
* French Legation Museum
* George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center
* Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
* Jacob Fontaine Religious Museum
* Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
* Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum
* Mexic-Arte Museum
* Neill-Cochran House Museum
* O. Henry Museum
* South Austin Museum of Popular Culture
* Texas Memorial Museum
* Texas Military Forces Museum
* Texas State Capitol Visitors Center
* Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum

Music|

* Antone's
* Armadillo World Headquarters
* Austin City Limits
* Austin Opera
* Austin Symphony Orchestra
* Cinematic Symphony
* Emo's
* Germania Insurance Amphitheater
* SXSW

Neighborhoods|

* Allandale
* Anderson Mill
* Barton Hills
* Blackland
* Bouldin Creek
* Bremond Block Historic District
* Brentwood
* Bryker Woods
* Canyon Creek
* Chinatown
* Circle C Ranch
* Clarksville
* Congress Avenue
* Copperfield
* Crestview
* Dawson
* Dove Springs
* Downtown Austin
* The Drag
* East Cesar Chavez
* East Riverside-Oltorf
* Easton Park
* French Place
* Galindo
* Granada Hills
* Hancock
* Hyde Park Historic District
* Jollyville
* Montopolis
* Moore's Crossing Historic District
* Mueller Community
* North Burnet–Gateway
* North Shoal Creek
* Northwest Hills
* Oak Hill
* Old West Austin
* Onion Creek
* Pemberton Heights
* Rainey Street
* Rosedale
* Saint John
* Scenic Brook
* Shadow Lawn Historic District
* Sixth Street
* South Congress
* South Lamar
* South River City
* Spyglass-Barton's Bluff
* Swedish Hill
* Tarrytown
* Travis Heights
* Waters Park
* West Campus
* Westgate
* West Line
* Willow-Spence Streets
* Windsor Hills
* Windsor Park
* Wooten
* Zilker

Parks and
recreation|

* Auditorium Shores
* Barton Creek
* Barton Springs
* Big Walnut Creek
* Bull Creek
* Colorado River
* Deep Eddy Pool
* Emma Long
* Hippie Hollow
* Lady Bird Lake
* Lake Austin
* Lake Travis
* Lake Walter E. Long
* McKinney Falls
* Mount Bonnell
* Pease Park
* Republic Square
* Rosewood Park
* Walnut Creek Park
* Wild Basin
* Zilker Park

Transportation|

| Public|

* Austin–Bergstrom International Airport
* Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
* Capital MetroBus
* Capital MetroRail
* Capital MetroRapid
* Capital Area Rural Transportation System

|

Freeways|

* MoPac Expressway
* Interstate 35
* Pickle Parkway
* SH 71
* US 290
* US 183

Streets|

* Congress Avenue
* Guadalupe Street
* Sixth Street

Bridges|

* Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge
* Lamar Boulevard Bridge
* Larry Monroe Forever Bridge
* Montopolis Bridge
* Pennybacker Bridge
* Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge
* West Fifth Street Bridge
* West Sixth Street Bridge

Culture|

* Keep Austin Weird
* Leslie Cochran
* Occupy Austin
* Spamarama
* Weird City

Sports|

* Austin Aztex FC
* Austin Bold FC
* Austin FC
* Austin FC II
* Austin Gilgronis
* Austin Huns
* Austin Lightning
* Austin Lady Lone Stars
* Austin Lone Stars
* Austin Outlaws
* Austin Rise FC
* Austin Spurs
* Austin Thunder
* Austin United FC
* FC Austin Elite
* Round Rock Express
* Texas Stars

* v
* t
* e

Music venues of Texas

Outdoor venues|

* Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
* Dos Equis Pavilion
* Germania Insurance Amphitheater
* Miller Outdoor Theatre
* Toyota Music Factory
* Zilker Park

Theaters and clubs|

* AT&T Performing Arts Center
* Anhalt Hall
* Aztec Theatre
* Bass Concert Hall
* Bass Performance Hall
* Bayou Music Center
* Billy Bob's Texas
* Cactus Cafe
* Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts
* Chautauqua Auditorium
* Emo's
* The Factory in Deep Ellum
* Fitzgerald's
* Gas Monkey Bar N' Grill
* Gas Monkey Live
* Gilley's Club
* Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts
* Granada Theater
* Gruene Hall
* Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
* Jefferson Theatre
* Jones Hall
* Julie Rogers Theater
* Long Center for the Performing Arts
* Main Street Crossing
* Majestic Theater
* Majestic Theatre
* Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House
* McFarlin Memorial Auditorium
* Moody Performance Hall
* Moody Theater
* Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
* Music Hall at Fair Park
* Paramount Theatre
* Plaza Theatre
* San Angelo Performing Arts Coalition
* Smart Financial Centre
* Texas Hall
* Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie
* Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
* Trees Dallas
* Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center
* Warehouse Live
* Will Rogers Auditorium
* Wortham Theater Center

Arenas|

* Amarillo National Center
* American Airlines Center
* American Bank Center
* AT&T Center
* Beaumont Civic Center
* Bert Ogden Arena
* Credit Union of Texas Event Center
* Comerica Center
* Convention Center Arena
* Dickies Arena
* Don Haskins Center
* Frank Erwin Center
* Freeman Coliseum
* Ford Arena
* Fort Worth Convention Center
* El Paso County Coliseum
* H-E-B Center
* Kay Yeager Coliseum
* Lubbock Memorial Civic Center
* Moody Coliseum
* NRG Arena
* The Oil Palace
* Payne Arena
* Toyota Center
* Sames Auto Arena
* United Supermarkets Arena

Stadiums|

* AT&T Stadium
* Alamodome
* Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium
* Ford Center at The Star
* NRG Stadium
* Toyota Stadium

Historic venues|

* Armadillo World Headquarters
* Bagdad Supper Club
* Balinese Room
* Cheatham Street Warehouse
* Cherry Springs Dance Hall
* Dallas City Limits
* Dallas Sportatorium
* HemisFair Arena
* Houston Music Hall
* Fair Park Coliseum
* Liberty Hall
* Liberty Lunch
* Lubbock Municipal Coliseum
* Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon
* Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe
* Raul's
* Reunion Arena
* Sam Houston Coliseum
* Sam Houston Hall
* Sand Mountain Coffee House
* Skyliner Ballroom
* Southern Star Amphitheatre
* Texas Stadium
* Real Life Amphitheater
* Vulcan Gas Company

Festivals|

* Astroworld Festival
* Austin City Limits Music Festival
* Thin Line Fest
* Kerrville Folk Festival
* South by Southwest
* Denton Arts and Jazz Festival
* Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival
* Fortress Festival

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States

Geographic|

* MusicBrainz place

30°16′03″N 97°44′18″W﻿ / ﻿30.26739°N 97.73846°W﻿ / 30.26739; -97.73846
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template