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The late September floodwaters that surged through Asbury Park's southeastern streets when Wesley Lake overflowed its banks caused an estimated $500,000 in damages that put the eight-year-old Cookman Avenue concert space out of business.
There was hope of just a temporary setback, but the owners announced late last week that the House is pretty much history.
"Everything kind of looks bleak right now," Eva Michelin, the venue's finance director, told News12 New Jersey. "It doesn’t make sense to reopen."
The House of Independents burst on the scene of a reborn downtown Asbury in November 2015 with a high-profile double bill of hardcore alt-rock veterans Fishbone and Murphy's Law.
It wasn't a big venue. The joint was narrow, with exposed brick and high ceilings, offering welcome vantage points from just about anywhere in the room.
The schedule also could get eclectic, featuring anyone from hip-hop artists to a performance by Jon Bon Jovi (during a campaign event for Phil Murphy) to even "an evening of jazz" with actress Molly Ringwald.
Others of various genres who played the House include punk rock icon Henry Rollins, a reincarnated Sugarhill Gang -- with the Furious Five -- Agnostic Front, Less Than Jake, Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze, singer-songwriters Steve Forbert and Willie Nile, Hoboken New Wave godfathers the Bongos and Nashville-by-way-of-Neptune country star Nicole Atkins.
The House's sudden death on Sept. 29 not only put more than four dozen people out of work. It also further reduces the number of Asbury's original live music venues.
Safety concerns forced the city to close the Paramount Theater and Convention Hall on the boardwalk in 2012. Down on Main Street, the Saint lost its lease in fall 2022 after 28 years in business.
Those who came to know and love the House were saddened by the news of its passing.
"One of, if not THE, best venue in Asbury," drummer Matthew Vlossak wrote. "I’ll cherish the times I got to play here and seeing some of my favorite bands here too. You guys will definitely be missed! Thank you for all the memories. Wishing you all the best on each of your next endeavors!"
"Thank you for your support of artists and artistry, and of course, the presentation of live music," read a post from the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank. "You have rightfully earned legendary status for generations to come."
Some upcoming House of Independents gigs have been moved to the Stone Pony and Salty's Beach Bar (in Lake Como -- aka: South Belmar), among other venues.
Among the sources of information about shows in Asbury Park:
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