MIKE TOBIAS
BRIDGE CITY — It may be the best kept secret in town.
Taking a ride down Texas Avenue, one wouldn’t notice the Bridge City skatepark on the first or second pass.
Although on the weekend, drive by with the window rolled down and follow the sound to the high energy of the bands on stage.
Yes, bands — as in guitars, drums, and some serious mosh pitting.
Starting with an initial show in May of 2005, the Bridge City skatepark has transformed from a mere roller skating rink and ramps, to the place for local and national acts to perform in a smoke-free and alcohol free environment.
The music is run by SETX Records founder Danny Broussard, whose stable of artists is frequently featured on the skatepark stage.
“We did that first show in conjunction with a bunch of promotional events and pro skaters performing as well,” Broussard recalled.
“There were a lot of sponsors involved, and it went really, really well. Lloyd Vernado, the skatepark owner, and I got together afterwards and we were talking about how there really wasn’t a great, all-ages venue for live music acts and bands.”
“We decided to turn this place into what we envisioned would be a place for all of that, and perhaps a place where we could even get some larger, regional touring acts.”
From there, Broussard and Vernado began laying plans down and began creating the stage and the ambiance, with an impressive display of lights and a sound booth to run the public address system.
“We had originally planned this big New Year’s party which would kick off the skatepark as a venue, but the damage we sustained with the hurricane last September put a huge damper on that ever happening,” recalled Broussard.
Activity ceased in Bridge City after Hurricane Rita tore through Southeast Texas and suddenly, Broussard and company were not only working to transform the roller rink into a show venue, but they were working to rebuild the skatepark as well.
“The entire place reopened on Jan. 14,” Broussard said. “That was the first show and that was the start of something really big for us.”
From there, the skatepark and shows evolved from a show every other weekend to a show on every weekend as a result of the tremendous response and high crowd attendance.
“This is our home base. We totally love playing here because there is always a good crowd,” said Tyler Harrington, guitarist for the band Lionheart.
“Whenever we play here the house goes crazy. They’re hanging from the rafters, mosh-pitting...the crowd here is really hard-core and the more pumped they are the more we get into our music.”
“There is not a music scene anywhere else like there is here in Southeast Texas.”
“We’re constantly putting out bids for other bands,” Broussard said. “And we’re working on putting together “X-Jam.” It’s going to be on a weekend in September, and we have a huge skateboard ramp that was designed by a pro skater. It’s one of a kind. Eight dollars will get you into the show.”
