Second Chance Music Store hosts final weekend of shows in downtown Laredo

Ralph E White, formerly of Austin's the Bad Livers, will close off the downtown chapter of Laredo's Second Chance Music Store on Sunday night. Ralph E White, formerly of Austin's the Bad Livers, will close off the downtown chapter of Laredo's Second Chance Music Store on Sunday night. Photo: Courtesy/ralphewhite.com Photo: Courtesy/ralphewhite.com Image 1 of / 27 Caption Close Second Chance Music Store hosts final weekend of shows in downtown Laredo 1 / 27 Back to Gallery

Like all good things, all good music must eventually come to its end. When the last note of a live performance rings out and decays into the gentle hum of amplifiers, a noticeable realization hits all those in the crowd — the night is over and noticeably absent is the music that gave them life and took them away from the troubles that inhabit their world.

That same realization will befall the customers of downtown music shop Second Chance Music Store, 406 Flores Avenue, later this weekend, with the locally-owned store closing up shop for the foreseeable future after Sunday night.

Owned by Alberto Lucio, the record shop is known for not only for its deep collection of used records, CDs and tapes, but also for its reputation as a launching spot of many an upcoming band here in Laredo. Lucio, who is a huge music fan and a proponent of the local music culture, was happy to open his shop to many a struggling artist trying to stir up buzz in the town.

To that end, Lucio was even able to self-fund and create his own DIY two-day music festival called 780Live Fest that featured an endless set of music stretching from day to night.

Additionally, when everyone’s favorite Austin-based psych jungle rock trio Migrant Kids — who have seemingly adopted Laredo as their home away from home — first played in the Gateway City, they did it at Second Chance.

READ MORE: Austin's Migrant Kids premiere locally-shot music video at Old No. 2

And when SledgeTV and Santo Vicio were looking for place where they could shoot their newest collaboration — a music video for “Marmalade” — the venue chose itself, with the groups realizing Second Chance was the perfect locale to record at — with the shop’s then Arkansas Avenue location acting almost like its own character in the video shoot.

So when the shop shuts down due to Lucio's recent health issues, it's easy to recognize that Laredo won't be the same. Sure, you can get your CDs from Best Buy and your records from 2nd and Charles, but Second Chance was the only downtown music shop owned by and made for locals — and one that would happily open its doors to bands from far and wide and show that Laredo hospitality whenever and wherever it was needed.

Like the new and used records the store sells, though, they'll keep the music going until the record finally hits its inner groove, with Second Chance hosting their final nights of live music through this weekend.

Saturday will see a huge amount of local acts come out to the shop for Cynthia Golden’s birthday show. Golden, a local promoter, books a number of in- and out-of-town acts regularly at Second Chance and the Cold Brew, always showcasing Laredo groups on the bills.

She’ll bring out locals Fatal Descent, the C-Section Babies, Bettermeant, Just Cuz and Earth Again for the Saturday night show.

Music won’t be the only thing on the bill during the night, though, with sideshow acts Filth the Terrible and Zen Wildfire also slated to appear.

Both are performers talented in a variety of ways, with skills including fire breathing and dancing. They’ll perform a stage show that pushes their bodies to the limit, with a bed a nails only one of the many props the performers have at their disposal.

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Sunday’s show will feature locals Vinnie Peyram (Lyon Jefferson Bridge) and Sergical (Santo Vicio, La Mata, Chivato) opening up for Austin bluegrass/punk pioneer Ralph White.

White is a founding member of the Bad Livers. The ‘90s group was unique, with instrumentation that was hard to duplicate. Banjos, guitars, accordions, violins, mandolins, bass and even a tuba regularly featured in everyday gigs in Austin, with White mainly responsible for playing the fiddle and Cajun and Mexican accordion.

With the huge variety of instruments, their setlist was eclectic as can be, with the group picking up songs from Slayer, Iggy Pop and the Misfits, along with standards from Mississippi John Hurt, Monk and the Carter Family and working them in their own style.

White eventually left the group in 1996, after recording four albums with the Livers.

He then started his solo career with a long road trip on his bike, adventuring through Africa. Armed with only his trusty banjo on his back, he toured the country, picking up and playing gigs with local musicians influenced by imported American classics.

The Saturday show starts at 7 p.m., and will run you $5 at the door, with music planned to run all the way until 1 a.m.

On Sunday, the music starts up at 5 p.m., with no cover at the door.

BYOB is open for those 21 and over with proper ID, with no corking charge levied at the door.

And while the Second Chance’s reign in downtown Laredo might come to an end this Sunday, Lucio has said it’s not the last you’ll see of him, saying that as soon as he’s back at 100 percent, you’ll see Second Chance back in business.

While the store is on his way out, though, he wishes to thank all Laredo for the continued support of his store, and wants to stress that the city should continue supporting local music in the Gateway City.

You’ll definitely be missed Beto.