CBGB was founded on the Bowery in New York City by Hilly Kristal in 1973. The New York music venue became a forum for American punk and new wave bands such as the Ramones, Television and Patti Smith Group. In 2013, the former location of CBGB was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Expanding to create a second performance space and art gallery, CBGB has named Epic Rights as its global branding, licensing and rights management representative to manage the brand development of the most valued symbol for rebels, misfits and music fans around the world. Epic Rights is developing a dynamic global branding campaign for a new generation of rebels that captures the CBGB experience.
The New York music venue was known for hardcore punk as bands like Murphy's Law, Cro-Mags and Gorilla Biscuits
CBGB became closely associated with bands like Beastie Boys, Helmet, SoundGarden, Living Colour, Rollins Band, Tool, Green Day and Guns N' Roses with GNR's Duff McKagan acting as an unofficial ambassador of the CBGB attitude around the world. CBGB is known for its groundbreaking music, youth, adventure, rebellion and extreme expressions of individuality and together with Epic Rights, they will develop the brand a dynamic global branding campaign. The campaign is targeting a new generation of rebels that captures the CBGB experience with a broad selection of unique high quality products, including fashion apparel, accessories, footwear, electronics, spirits/beverages and themed entertainment that embody the classic punk, post punk, glam rock, new wave, and grunge with a flair style that defined CBGB.
Additionally, the new CBGB program created by Epic Rights will include opportunities that can be associated with and will promote the annual CBGB Music and Film Festival, which kicks-off its third year this October in New York. Five days of festival events from October 8th - 12th include performances by Jane's Addiction, Devo, Macy Gray, We Are Scientists, Robert DeLong and others. The Festival will premiere and screen over thirty music-themed films and will include talks with music industry insiders, performances by up and coming and established acts and other exclusive events taking place in theatres, clubs, galleries, private spaces, rooftops and hotels throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn.
"We are developing a global campaign that honors and reflects the brand's dynamic heritage, combining the pure grit and glam that defined the CBGB experience," said Juli Boylan-Riddles, Executive Vice President, Global Strategic Partnerships & Licensing, Epic Rights. "We look forward to working with Tim and the CBGB team, as well as our vast network of licensing and retail partners around the world to deliver a uniquely cool program that crosses cultural boundaries to an all new audience."
"CBGB was the home for countless artists, misfits and rebels. No one cared what you looked like and everyone took care of each other. In a way, CBGB became a tightly-knit international family of musicians, artists and fans," said Tim Hayes, President of CBGB. "The same strong spirit of CBGB continues today. We are excited to be working with Epic Rights as we expand the CBGB attitude around the world."
With their retail partners around the world Epic Rights will deliver a uniquely cool campaign
"True music fans worldwide know CBGB as the birthplace of some of the greatest rock and punk bands in history," said Kym Furano, Executive Vice President Brand Development, Epic Rights, in making today's announcement. "What made CBGB so special was the fact that it was gritty, real, hardcore - everything that rock is supposed to be. Musicians, actors, artists all wanted to hang out at CBGB, and today, they all want to be associated with its raw, unadulterated and non-conformist, anything-goes attitude."
Expanding to create a second performance space and art gallery, CBGB extended its music style to showcase many popular bands and singer-songwriters who performed acoustic, rock, folk, jazz or experimental music, such as Ani Difranco, G Love, Mark Ribot, Medeski Martin and Wood and Toshi Reagon, while the original club continued to present mainly hardcore bands and post-punk, metal and alternative rock acts.
