A Delayed Milestone for Fort Useless

 

The Unsacred Hearts, one of four bands playing Sat., Sept. 24 at Fort Useless' two-year anniversary show. (promotional photo)

Fort Useless, the little multimedia DIY space with the self-effacing name out on the south end of Bushwick, Brooklyn, has been operating for two years now, presenting a diverse range of full-band shows, a monthly standup comedy series, rotating art exhibits, a regular singer-songwriters’ circle and a The Moth-inspired storytelling series, all in an intimate, well-lit loft space. Fort Useless’ two-year run is pretty remarkable considering it’s essentially a one-man operation (drummer and videomeister Jeremiah McVay being the one man) and considering the plight of larger, higher-profile DIY spaces in the same neighborhood (The Market Hotel lasted just over a year, while XPO 929 has undergone at least one period of closure and one name change over a year and a half). But the small scale of things is key to the Fort’s longevity: We’ve seen bands get pretty loud here, but the space is probably too small for a crowd to get legitimately rowdy. Plus, the room draws a respectful audience — usually friends and acquaintances of friends and acquaintances. We at More Drive are consistent supporters, and we’re game for pretty much anything going down over here: Every time we’ve shown up, it’s been fulfilling and fun.

Fort Useless’ official two-year anniversary show was supposed to transpire about a month ago, but the Tropical Storm Irene-imposed city-wide shutdown forced a rescheduling. The new date is tomorrow, Sat., Sept. 24. On the bill: Shark?, the melodic, bashy ’90s-indie revivalists who are currently more or less ubiquitous in Brooklyn and lower Manhattan; The Unsacred Hearts, whose recorded output ranges from wild garage rock to ghostly avant-folk, who recorded an album called In Defense of Fort Useless long before the venue existed and who have recently reunited after years of inactivity; Gold Streets, with their moody, wide-angle, post-punky and assertive dream-pop; and Weird Children, whom we just told you about, like, three seconds ago. Comic George Flanagan hosts; check the venue’s website for more on the artwork currently on display. Doors open at 7 p.m., and these shows tend to wrap by midnight. You’ll find the space at 36 Ditmars St. in Brooklyn.

–B.L.