Hammerjacks was a music venue in downtown

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which operated from 1977 to 2006. It was founded by Louis J. Principio III. The club attracted many big-name national acts, but also showcased many rising stars in the music world. The bands ranged from

punk Punk or punks may refer to: Genres, subculture, and related aspects * Punk rock, a music genre originating in the 1970s associated with various subgenres * Punk subculture, a subculture associated with punk rock, or aspects of the subculture s ...

, glam,

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and heavy metal acts most commonly associated with the venue (e.g.,

Guns N' Roses Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1985. When they signed to Geffen Records in 1986, the band comprised vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKa ...

, Kix,

Ratt Ratt is an American glam metal band formed in San Diego, California, in the 1970s, that had significant commercial success in the 1980s, with their albums having been certified as gold, platinum, and multi-platinum by the RIAA. The group is bes ...

Skid Row A skid row or skid road is an impoverished area, typically urban, in English-speaking North America whose inhabitants are mostly poor people " on the skids". This specifically refers to poor or homeless, considered disreputable, downtrodden or fo ...

, Extreme or

Wrathchild America Wrathchild America was an American heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in Martinsburg, West Virginia, in 1978. Before settling on the Wrathchild America name in 1988, the band had performed under the names Atlantis, Tyrant, and Wrathchil ...

) to pop (e.g.,

Badfinger Badfinger were a Welsh rock band formed in Swansea, who were active from the 1960s to the 1980s. Their best-known lineup consisted of Pete Ham (vocals, guitar), Mike Gibbins (drums), Tom Evans (bass), and Joey Molland (guitar). They are recog ...

) and alternative rock groups (e.g.,

Goo Goo Dolls The Goo Goo Dolls are an American rock band formed in 1986 in Buffalo, New York, by guitarist/vocalist John Rzeznik, bassist/vocalist Robby Takac, and drummer George Tutuska. After starting off as a cover band and then developing a punk sound, ...

). The club was often frequented by hard core patrons and musicians donning big hair, leather, lace, spandex, and heavy makeup, and was considered a "hard rock shrine."Piccoli, S. (1997, May 18). "Just take those old rockers off the shelf upstart label specializes in second chances for recording artists eclipsed by pop trends." ''Sun Sentinel'' (Fort Lauderdale), p. 1.D Hammerjacks, however, attracted audiences with other attire as well.Considine, J. D. (November 10, 2000)
"New Hammerjacks is not an 80s place. Nightclub: The music and bar venue, lost to the Ravens' parking lot, rises again. Hammerjacks' third incarnation."
''Baltimore Sun. ''Retrieved December 21, 2010. Hammerjacks initially operated from a converted rowhouse on 1000 S. Charles St, then moved to an old brewery building at 1101 S. Howard St in 1982. The building was torn down on June 12, 1997 to make way for an

M&T Bank Stadium M&T Bank Stadium is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the home of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). The stadium is immediately adjacent to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the home of the ...

parking lot.Morgan, Jon (April 01, 1997)
"Moag sets deadline for Hammerjacks Stadium authority expects deal next week or takeover."
''Baltimore Sun.''Retrieved December 21, 2010. Hammerjacks was billed as "The largest nightclub on the east coast." In 2000, Hammerjacks reopened at 316-318 Guilford Ave, which had formerly been used as a car wash. It was then put under new management in 2004, and closed in 2006.Mirabella, Lorraine, Hiaasen, Rob, & Sessa, Sam (May 24, 2006)
"Baltimore nightclub is to close Saturday: Hammerjacks, heavy metal, rock icon, has been sold to developers."
''Baltimore Sun. ''Retrieved December 21, 2010.

In media

The club was featured in the

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' 1994 film ''

Serial Mom Serial may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media The presentation of works in sequential segments * Serial (literature), serialised literature in print * Serial (publishing), periodical publications and newspapers * Serial (radio and televisi ...

'', with grunge band L7 playing the band Camel Lips. It was the location where

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's character Beverly Sutphin was arrested for murder. Interior and exterior views of the club have been featured in music videos, including the band Kix. An image of a sign for the club appeared on the Iron Maiden album " Somewhere In Time".

A New Beginning

In the fall of 2021, a new Hammerjacks location opened at 1300 Russell Street. The new ownership group decided to construct the outdoor portion of the facility first due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The newly constructed facility hosts concerts, special events, private events and Baltimore Ravens tailgate events. Plans for an indoor facility are not yet announced.

References

External links

Hammerjacks.com
{{Authority control Music venues in Baltimore Downtown Baltimore Nightclubs in the United States Demolished buildings and structures in Baltimore Buildings and structures demolished in 1997