TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Bakersfield all-ages music venue The Gate buzzes on weekends with the sounds of punk, emo, ska, indie and acoustic music while groups of young musicians and fans line the walls, wearing brightly-colored rock T's and trendy fashions. It's a welcoming scene, where area youth have found a place to socialize, dance and flex their independent spirit among peers.

To commemorate the downtown venue's 15th anniversary, the gang over at The Gate is planning a big two-day concert.

Owned by The Garden Community Church of Bakersfield, The Gate was the brainchild of director and associate pastor Rob Allison, who envisioned a musical outreach program for youth. A veteran of the local rock scene, Allison already had years of experience under his belt as bassist for Christian heavy-metal band Traxter in the late 1980s. But the group disbanded in 1991, and Allison abandoned all musical goals to focus on marriage, family and his burgeoning pool-cleaning business.

"I continued playing in church," said Allison. "But music tastes were also changing, and my life was just moving in another direction."

Allison actually has music to thank for making him the family man he's become. His met his future wife, Kathy, during their high school years at North High.

"I always liked that he was in a band, and I was always supportive," she said. "I was the band girlfriend with big rock star hair. We had fun together."

With his rocker past behind him, Allison never gave much thought to returning to the stage, but after a heart-to-heart discussion with Garden pastor David Goh, he said the message was clear.

"Pastor Goh told me about a vision he had about a new venue for local musicians before I came here, and that someone with my background would be bringing it together," Allison said. "I saw that as a sign to me from the Lord to get back involved in the music scene."

While it was unclear at first exactly how he'd get started, Allison said things started to fall into place in 1994, when The Garden purchased the old YMCA building located a few blocks from the church grounds downtown.

"We had the space," he recalled. "I went out and did some research, checking out shows at Jerry's Pizza that was doing quite well and some other places. My whole desire was to take my experiences with live music along with much of the basics of what it is being in a band: learning to tune your instrument, doing a proper soundcheck, promotion, help develop a business mindset if that was a goal, and pass it on to the kids."

After a presentation to church elders, Allison was given the green light to begin the project, and on Feb. 21, 1997, The Gate was born with a debut featuring local bands Grean, Crushing Violet and Jumping Trains.

"The church trusted everything to my hands," said Allison. "A lot of people had such a bad image of rock bands, but we had a plan."

That plan included a series of rules, not meant to cramp the style of teenagers, but to ensure safety. No drugs or alcohol allowed on the property, and no profanity onstage.

"I always go over the venue's policies before each show with the bands. The cursing is probably the hardest for the bands to handle, but they do pretty well."

Over the years, The Gate has hosted not only local shows, but big-name Christian and secular touring acts, including Unwritten Law, MxPx and Filter, and has been host to nearly every popular teen musical movement.

"The emo years in the '90s were huge for us. The kids who came were so devoted to the bands and the sound of the music, they would stay inside the venue for the entire show. We also don't let local bands play longer than 35 minutes, because audience attention begins to wander."

Punk rock shows were also all the rage at The Gate.

"Lots of kids blowin' off steam, moshing. I draw the line at violence, but for the most part, the kids are very respectful. A lot of the bands, even the non-Christian bands, feel great playing here. They're coming to a place with God's presence."

Allison added the state of the scene has always dictated what gets booked at the venue.

"It's all about supply and demand. There are some years we've had three to eight shows a month, then some we have to find ways to fill in spaces."

After a successful 10 years at the former YMCA location, The Gate moved to its current location, on the property of The Garden.

"We only stopped to remodel this space, but that's all," he said. "Our average crowds are still over 100 plus a show, and we max out at 200. Our sound has been upgraded, and the local community has helped buy all of it by supporting shows. A band's pay scale is still determined by how many people they bring in through the door. We always work with them."

Allison has expanded his production team, with help from event directors Emmanuel "Emanu" Fernandez and Mike Carlson. Kathy Allison, who works as a receptionist at The Garden, also runs the concessions during shows, selling sodas and candy.

Friday's show features bands Under City Skies, Promise of Restoration, The Rugged Spud, Running Scared, and Kady! Danger. On Saturday, pop punk act the Lebecs will have a special reunion show along with Omagarp Miguel, Say Yes or Else, The Volume, and Redadare.

Allison said the event is an opportunity for every part of the venue's extended family to celebrate the accomplishments of the past 15 years. Thousands of young people have used the facilities, and that kind of support helps provide even more opportunities for outreach within the community.

"With this anniversary, I think it's time for another transition. A lot of bands are now able to book their own shows here, instead of just me and the crew. I also believe someone new will rise up to take The Gate into the future."

Friday and Saturday's shows both begin at 7 p.m. Admission is $7 on both days, and all ages are admitted. The Gate is located at 2010 O St. For more information visit Facebook.com/thegaterocks.

B Ryder's to host reggae ska acts

Santa Barbara reggae favorites Iration will be stopping by B Ryder's on Wednesday. This will be the band's first show back in Bakersfield since selling out Fishlips last year prior to the club's closure. They're an amazing live band with a faithful fan base who follow their every show. Their single "Turn Around" is still getting major airplay and will snap you out of your wintertime funk. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at B Ryder's, 7401 White Lane, or at Vallitix.com.

Tickets are now available for a rare appearance by Roddy "Radiation" Byers, guitarist for UK ska band The Specials, also coming to B Ryder's Bar on Feb. 25. Byers will be joined by his band The Skabilly Rebels, and will be performing many of the songs he penned with The Specials, plus a collection of rockabilly originals. Also appearing will be locals Vanity Avenue, Kaptain Krunch and The Cereal Killers, Mento Buru, and Big Deal Fair Trade. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at B Ryder's only. For more information call 397-7304.