By Jake Steinmetz:
It’s almost impossible to find a good jukebox in Buffalo. And by good, I mean a CD jukebox. My journey to find the best non-internet jukeboxes in Buffalo has had its twists and turns, but my greatest discovery thus far is that CD jukeboxes are almost entirely obsolete. It’s entirely understandable, but I would have assumed that more bars would have kept them, at least for nostalgic purposes.
Fortunately, a few local taverns north of downtown have not only maintained their outmoded CD jukeboxes, but have compiled excellent collections. Given how archaic these jukeboxes are, it’s no surprise these relics have some unique stories.
Perhaps the most well known CD jukebox in Buffalo is Mackey’s Essex Street Pub. Warning: if you believe in free love and the magic of the sixties, this jukebox is not for you. The pub has been dubbed ‘Best Jukebox’ by Artvoice for the past several years, and with good reason. According to Mackey himself, the answer is simple: “The success of the jukebox is mostly due to the abundance of… compilations… like best ofs, soundtracks.”
You can find greatest hits for the Dead Kennedys, Talking Heads, Buzzcocks, or Hellcat Record’s Best Of. If you’re more into the whole being British thing, there’s the Smiths, The Clash and the newly added Total: Joy Division to New Order. There’s even some R&B and dirty blues, with the cult-classic Pulp Fiction soundtrack, and the best of B.B. King and John Lee Hooker. Bartender and Record Theatre employee Valorie also claims that a Phil Spector album will soon debut.
What’s more, the cozy atmosphere at Essex is perfect for indulging your musical demons over a rye and ginger.
If you’re feeling more nostalgic and hungry for Italian, you can visit Faso’s on Niagara Street. The establishment houses a surprisingly good jukebox—of old ‘45s no less—where you can listen to Roy Orbison, the Beach Boys, or Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass and pay just a quarter for two songs. The jukebox was originally acquired with the restaurant, and, when asked how old it was, one owner answered: “100 years.” It’s a gem and I hope he wasn’t lying.
I am musically nostalgic—though not hungry for Italian—and one of my favorite oldie’s jukeboxes was at the Sterling Place tavern on Hertel Avenue. Two summers ago, I stumbled into this corner bar (which has an impressive beer and wine selection, by the way) and spent my night with Spaten drafts and the likes of Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Elvis, and even some classic jazz legends. When I recently decided to write this story, Sterling Place was among my first destinations. When I walked in to ask some questions, I was utterly dismayed and terrified to find that not only had they replaced the jukebox with a digital one, but had junked the old one due to malfunctions! I was too distraught to stay for even one beer.
Which led me to my next, and final destination, Gordon’s Tavern on Delaware Ave. I visited here last year, and remembered perusing the catalogue with total affection. On my most recent visit, I was not disappointed.
Owner Corey Gordon has gone to great lengths to both compile his selection and, as I found out, protect the machine. The jukebox was purchased with the bar in 2005 and, among Gordon’s first priorities was updating the jukebox: “[we] went on a shopping spree at Media Play when it was still open.” Media Play!
This jukebox contains all things good about rock: the 90’s. Allow me to list just some of your options: Jane’s Addiction’s Nothing’s Shocking, Sloan’s A-Sides Win, Weezer’s Pinkerton, Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique, and Modest Mouse’s Good News for People Who Like Bad News.
For Gordon, it seems like selecting CDs for the jukebox is an art form, mainly in preventing people from getting pissed off at you. When he first bought the bar in 2005, former regulars were upset with his new selection, and complained regularly: “It’s crazy because people are very sensitive about what people take and put in.” When asked if there were any recent objections of disc changes, his response: Patsy Cline. “We had it for 8 years… and of course… a day later people were like ‘what happened to the Patsy Cline?”
Gordon’s jukebox is admirable, not only in its pristine selection, but in the owner’s courage to endeavor against the temptations of the internet jukebox: “We get asked that all the time. [People say] ‘you should switch to internet.’” Gordon claimed that eager jukebox entertainment companies even solicit him with offers every few months.
When asked why he chose to keep his jukebox, Gordon’s answer was simple, but bred hope: “It’s the nostalgia of the CD.”