Alchemy holds the record for the longest weekly party in NYC’s gothic history. For almost 10 years, Alchemy was held in CBGB’s 313 Gallery every Monday with DJ Jason spinning purely Gothic music. (No VNV, no Depeche Mode, no the Smiths,etc.) Goths aged from 16+ (and in later years, 18+) danced to the most cutting edge goth tracks and the very best of the old Classics. DJ Jason brought over 1000 CDs with him. He always played a wide variety of the genre and included many rare songs that could not be heard elsewhere. Unlike the NYC weekend goth events, each Alchemy night had a different and particular selection of songs that matched the atmosphere and feeling of each unique night.
Over the years, hundreds of bands played at Alchemy. Most current and touring goth bands would play at Alchemy. Alchemy had many “first shows”, including the first NYC shows by The Crüxshadows, Bella Morte and Das Ich. Alchemy remained a high quality night, popular and unchanged in format from 1996 to 2006.
Unlike most club nights, Alchemy ended due to a relationship breakup between the 2 promoters and not because of a failing like poor attendance or not enough liquor sales. It was a really strong party throughout and most scene events in NYC were going well around the time it ended. Sadly, the end of Alchemy, and subsequently Albion, spelled the end of NYC’s goth band scene and the whole gothic scene in NYC suffered a terrible and rapid decline until 2009 when the bounce back from rock bottom started.
Note: This is the very first Alchemy flyer. It was designed by Clifford Hartleigh Low (later of NYCgoth.com) as a favor to Althea and DJ Jason. Thank you, Cliff, for your lovely design work at a time when few people had such tools.
This is the very first Alchemy Flyer!