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Another Houston music locale is about to be razed to make room for "progress". The Gallant Knight on Holcombe has been a Houston institution for 3 decades. It's a modest little house that somehow was able to squeeze in a dance floor, a bar, a sitting area of sorts, and some bathrooms. Oh yeah, there was the "stage area" that was more of the side of the dance floor.

That was one of the greatest things about this place. You danced WITH the band. You could hear the musicians talk to each other. You could check out which chord inversions were being used (keyboards) or whether the drummer was using nylon or wooden tips.

Here's how I described the venue to a co-worker:

"Imagine an old house that's about to fall apart. The floors are uneven, you see no clear exits in case of a fire, and it's somehow possible to get lost in this very small space. What was probably the living room is now a dance floor, and it's packed with people who may or may not be able to dance... but it doesn't matter. 'Cos the music is loud and fast, and everyone is dancing. The band is within nose-picking distance, and if you're not careful, you will get hit with a trombone slide. In fact, sometimes you're dancing amongst the band when it gets too crowded. The bathrooms are beyond any kind of redemption, and the sitting area is filled with couples who should get a room."

OK, so not for everyone, but it was the best house party in town!

Alas, I saw that it had some sign out front, and the marquee had nothing legible. A few days ago, I saw this ominous-looking excavator-demolisher, ready to do its damage.

Farewell, good knight!

There are rumors of a new Gallant Knight, but in this era of building codes and smoking ordinances, it'll never be the same.