This weekend, legendary Downtown music hall The Launchpad (618 Central Ave. SW) celebrates “28 Years Later,” a two-night anniversary shock fest featuring over 20 of the city’s favorite bands. The milestone proves nothing, not even a fire, has been able to kill the music at one of Albuquerque’s most delightfully debaucherous venues, and we’ve got decades of hair-raising anecdotes from some of its creepiest, cutest and most articulate alumni.
Channing Concho (drums: Suspended)
When Amanda (guitar/vocals Suspended) and I first started out as a band, we were teens and couldn’t get into the 21+ shows, so we would hang out outside of the Launchpad and wait to see all the rockstars. One time Overkill played, and we were out back hanging out, and they invited us in for their soundcheck. I think we were about 17 or so. Then, later that evening, they knew we were still out back, so they asked the door guy (which was Lucky at the time) to keep the back door open for us so we could watch. And DD, their bassist, handed us his Gatorade from the stage. The coolest encounter we had growing up watching our idols.
It’s been a family affair. My dad (Buck Concho, drums: Goo Nee Nees) has played on the Launchpad stage as well as my two sisters, who have grown up watching us play on that stage opening up for bands. My other sister, Chanté, is in the local all-female band Nocturne. It’s a great feeling to be a part of the Launchpad familia!
Mike Trujillo, (host/producer “Zero Hour Squared Show” Community Cable Public Access Show on Channel 27, 1992-2012)
One night the Reverend Horton Heat played, and it snowed. A bartender named Robert rolled in on skis, and a huge snowball fight ensued. Many lost memories as a result of heavy partying.
Beck did a special show there after he played at the Kiva Auditorium, (a private, special show, I believe). The Metal God himself, Rob Halford, played there as some type of warmup show. I ran spotlight. I don’t know how or why. I sucked, but the show kicked ass! I even found love there as my girlfriend Andrea was playing in local badasses Cultura Fuerte, and I asked her out on Cinco de Mayo 11 years ago. Regarding more Launchpad love, I filmed Ashley propose to Laura Marich from The Gracci. Launchpad even allowed me to do some benefit shows there for Public Access, the Rock Fights, where legendary bands from Burque participated from all genres like Laughing Dog, Abominant Race, The Surf Lords, Left Unsaid – the list goes on and on. Debauchery ensued. The late Michael Henningsen was even on stage making anchovy sandwiches with a George Foreman grill and handing them out, and people were eating them. I could go on and on, but the bottom line is I will forever love Launchpad as it has been a crucial and fun fixture of my life in Albuquerque!
Krystle (guitar/bass/drums: Malicious Torment; guitar: Stygian Rot, Fuego Eternal, Incest; bass: Gallows Call, Die by the Sword)
Launchpad has been a huge part of my life, both on and off stage. It’s more than just a venue; it’s a cornerstone of the Albuquerque music scene. Launchpad consistently brings big acts through town, and the sound and vibe are unmatched. I’ve worked on tours across the country and experienced a wide range of venues, and every time I come back, I’m reminded how lucky we are.
I’ve been working at Launchpad since 2016, and I genuinely love my job. The staff has become like family, and over the years, I’ve met so many amazing people. It never really feels like “work” when I’m there; it’s something I truly enjoy.
Through Launchpad, I’ve also had the opportunity to work at other amazing venues across Albuquerque — like Sunshine Theater, Moonlight Lounge, El Rey, Inside Out and events at the KiMo Theatre. Each place has its own energy, but Launchpad will always be home.
Josué Urrutia (guitar/vocals: Los Domingueros)
When we opened for Save Ferris, it was a fan’s first show ever, and I got the whole Launchpad to sing happy birthday for her. The look on her face was priceless, and everyone kept high fiving her all night. Another one was a Night of the Living Cover Bands when we did a Latin [version of] Real Big Fish, and I did the whole set in a lucha mask. Or Kill Lincoln and the Slackers in 2022 when all of a sudden the band was on the stage and the horn section went up and played from the balcony.
Vanson Mendoza (guitar/vocals: Power Toke, Echoes of Fallen, Broken Cuffs, Dope Riddle; bass/vocals: Cambodian Death Squad)
I worked there before it was Launchpad as a 15-year-old runaway, it was called Timeout sports bar. My first band that played Launchpad was called Broken Cuffs. We used to play with Koatic State, 86ed, Stoic Frame, Minus 7, End to End, Demogorgon, Los Losers, Noisear, Vale Of Miscreation and Hemlock. We changed our name to Echoes of Fallen because our friends and fans were too rowdy, and we wanted to rebrand to get higher profile shows. We threw a 6-6-06 show with Suspended and Torture Victim. It was our first show as Echoes of Fallen, which was also Suspended’s first show at Launchpad.
I’m currently in Power Toke and Echoes of Fallen, and a highlight was opening for Suffocation and having them give huge props to us and our incredible drummer, Lucas Bailey. Another highlight is selling out Launchpad on one of the first nights open after COVID during the ArtWalk. Launchpad is the premier venue in Albuquerque after all these years and will continue to be so. Joe Anderson books all your favorite bands before you hear of them and Roman, Barney, Andrew, Marc, Tige, Mike and Melissa all come together as a team to make sure everything comes together properly on a nightly basis.
Ray Cordova (vocals: Smug, Roadside Memorial, None Of The Above, Skulldron, Fallen Prophets)
The summer of 1997 was a great time for Albuquerque’s underground music scene. Launchpad had just opened, and the first show was Scared Of Chaka, The Eyeliners and Bovine. I still have the poster. Their second live show was my former band Smug opening for The Mail Order Brides, who were on tour. Joe Anderson along with RB and Zippy gave us many great shows from the start. That venue had so much fun that was irreplaceable. Everything from getting to open for FEAR, DI, Raw Power, Duff McKagen’s Loaded (Guns N Roses), NOFX’s After Show Party with El Hefe and Eric Melvin in the crowd. Even a great after-hours party with Vinnie Stigma with lots of beer and classic New York hardcore stories. I saw killer metal bands like Kreator and Destruction and got to sell merch for Word Salad for their show with Logical Nonsense and Bay Area legends Neurosis.
Kyle Erickson (bass: SuperGiant; bass/vocals Space4Space)
Launchpad is a workhorse of a venue, I’ve been going there since high school. I’ve felt the concrete shake from someone’s head-first fall in the pit. Many nights have been spent moshing, dancing and otherwise enjoying great music in a venue that rivals most that I’ve had the chance to play across this country. I’ve been there for gun shots on the patio and watched flames from the Golden West lick out over its roof. Needless to say, Launchpad has been a heartspace for Burque’s music scene for 28 years. My previous band SuperGiant played there countless times.
Launchpad 28 Years Later Birthday Party
Aug. 15, 8 p.m.
Aug. 16, 6 p.m.
Launchpad
618 Central SW
$10-$15