I will never, ever forget the first night I went to the Funhouse
I will never, ever forget the first night I went to the Funhouse. My girlfriend Lisa and I were sitting in my house on a Saturday, deciding what to do and where to go that night. After contemplating for a while, she looked at me and said “wanna go into the city and check out that new club everyone is talking about…The Funhouse?” I looked at her and said “yeah, why not”. We were so young…we had NO CLUE…lol. We jumped on a bus, hopped on the SI ferry and, since we REALLY weren’t too familiar with NYC and the subway system at all, jumped into a cab. At first, after we walked in, I have to admit, we were a little scared. We had NEVER experienced anything in SI like the Funhouse. Between the size of the club, the lights, the sound system, the music, and the way people were “dancing”…we were definitely a little overwhelmed. After that first night there, while leaving the club, we both looked at each other and said “we hated it”. We couldn’t figure out where the DJ even heard of the music he was playing…neither one of us EVER heard any of it on the radio..lol! I remember hearing “Sex Machine” for the first time that night and thinking to myself (while holding my ears) “what kind of song is this…all he is doing is screaming”! At this point, we REALLY had no concept of where we were and how far away the SI ferry ACTUALLY was…so, we decided to “walk back to the ferry and save the cab fare”. Well, we found our way to the West Side Highway and started walking…that “walk” took us almost two hours! While we were walking, we were accused of being prostitutes (remember, we had no clue of going out in sneakers and sweats and we were ALL dressed up with heals on), “flashed” by a homeless guy, stopped by a cop and almost run over by a carload of drunkin’ guys. When we finally got to the ferry terminal, we were STARVING…we stopped in the pizzeria and had a slice. On our way back to SI, on the ferry, we both agreed we were probably never going back to that club again. Next Saturday came, and guess what??…we decided to go back and “give it one more shot”. Slowly but surely, the club grew on us. The music started to sound better and we started to get a little more familiar with NYC (by this time, we learned the subway system and from the ferry, would jump on the #1 train, take it to 23rd street and walk from there). We also NEVER went back to the Funhouse “dressed up” or with high heels on again. Now we both carried duffle bags, filled with a change of clothing for “later on”. But, still…something, at that point, was missing. When we would leave the club and everyone would be in the street (in front of the Funhouse) hangin’ out and “buggin”, we would watch from down the block and we would look at one another with envy and say “One day that is going to be us. We are going to make friends with these people and become one of them”. And, again, slowly but surely, we did that too. The more we went to the Funhouse, the more people we started talking with. I think the first person who actually spoke to us one Saturday night was “Gazoo”. After that, it just snowballed and we started meeting new people and making new friends every weekend. Friday nights started to become a ritual also…we would either go to Brooklyn (Heat Wave) or Queens (The Triangle, The Money Clip or The Finish Line) to “meet up and hang with our new friends from the House”. Going to the Funhouse every Saturday night was always a new adventure, also…either running into an old friend, or seeing someone famous or hearing your favorite group perform. My life at that point consisted of high school and spending the rest of the week talking about going to the “House” and what I was going to wear there. I even started taking my sister (who was even younger than me) there every once in a while. She was really into drawing at that time and drew a Funhouse clown on the wall above each of our beds in our bedroom. She even drew one for a few of my friends…I’m sure they know who they are and still have them! At this point, our parents still had no clue we were going clubbing into the city every Saturday night. After we got off the bus (from coming home from the Funhouse), we would have to walk to the school yard and hang out there for a while (we told our mothers we were sleeping at a friends’ house) until it was a decent hour to finally go home. When winter started coming around and it was WAY too cold to hang in the school yard, I had no choice but to tell my mom the truth. When I told her about the Funhouse she wasn’t too thrilled, but she was happy that I was being honest with her. As long as we kept it from my Dad, we were ok; so, finally, Lisa and I could go right to my house after getting back from the club…no more sitting in the school yard…thank god!
So, as time passed and we got more familiar with the club, we also got more familiar with the people. We became friends with Jelly Bean and his cousin Ricky and they started calling Lisa and I “Love and Desire” (that was the nickname they gave us after we constantly requested they play that song.) After leaving the Funhouse, there was no more “going straight to the SI Ferry” anymore, either. It was either the donut shop or, if it was summer, to the beach. We would all go to Manhattan Beach and “bug” on the boardwalk. By, this time, we sometimes would convince my dad to let me borrow his car, so it made things a little easier as far as traveling was concerned. There were even a few times (after the Funhouse) when everyone came back to my house in Staten Island. We had a bar-be-que in the summer and a “house party” in the winter.
Now, looking back on those days…they were some of the best I had. Not a worry in the world, dancing all night long, making new friends and enjoying life to the fullest. I even took one of my “new” friends from the Funhouse to my Senior Prom!
But, like all things, the Funhouse also came to an end. I remember the last night the club was open. It was almost like being at a funeral when the lights finally came on and the music stopped that one last time for good. It was the end of an era. The end of a “part of history”. Not that we knew that then, but we know it now. Everyone who took part in that time will always know and remember. Those who didn’t, have no clue. Now, when I go on this site, names start filling my memory and there are SO many that I do not see…Steve Skate, Peter Maletta, Anthony “Plugger” & Deb-Deb, Nicky Scotti, Louis Martinez, Sal Sex Machine, Eric Botz, Vinny and George, Anthony & Frankie Corona, Looney, Joe & Jason Natland, Ralph, Chip & Lori Balantic, Jennifer, Rob OZ, Eric Probst, Joey Geracchio, Mike Green, Robert Cosmo, “Baby Hughie”, Gazoo & Charlie, Denise, Marina, Marlena, Roxanne, Francine, Dina, Liza, Mimi, Robin…I hope and pray all of the people I mentioned are ok and doing well. I also hope if any of you do read this and see your name mentioned, you log on to this site and give a quick hello. It would be so great to hear from you. We were such a BIG part of one another’s lives back then…it’s nice to get back in touch!!!
Thank you for the memories and for some of the best times of my life!!! Oh, and, if I neglected to mention someone in particular, please don’t take it personally…it’s been a long time!!
Gina
Gina,
Thanks for sharing that story, it’s Great! In many was it sounds like my story, except for the high heels and such, lol.
Wow Gina. I too remember the first time I went to FUNHOUSE. I was 15 going on 16. There was no way my mom was gonna let me go, and if she did I would have had to been home by 2am. LOL. So my girlfriend Lori at the time said sleep over. Well that became a Saturday night ritual. All we did all week was talk about what we were gonna wear. I see some of the pictures now, Oh my, We thought we were so cool. And we were! One Saturday night Lori wound up leaving me and going home with some guy, (that was just like the little slut) and leaving me to fend for myself. Now, I have to get in my room without my mom hearing me. That didn’t go over very well. I caught the beating of my life. I was punished for 2 weeks. I never thought I would get over it. Well, I must have had some line of shit, cause next thing you know, there’s Lori and myself sitting at my kichen table trying to persuade my mother to let me go. It took forever. She finally caved and said ok, be home by 2am. I started to cry. You don’t understand, It dosen’t even get good until about 5am. I thought she would have a stroke. Then I replied, I can’t travel on the subway at 2am, it’s not safe. It’s better when we get out in the morning and we all take the train together in the day light. Well that did it. I was allowed to go from then on and come home and sleep in my own bed; Of course that was only in the winter when we couldn’t go to the beach. I spent so much time there I finally took a job in the coat check room and worked with Debbie & Mimi for about 6 months. Jellybean, Ricky, Carmen we all became fast friends. I even met up with people that I went to grammer school with. Who new that place would change our lives forever. I have made friends there that have been with me through out my life. And now, because of this party I have reconnected with so many other people that I have truly missed and have not seen in about 23 years. THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. BUGGAS FOR LIFE!!!! I look forward to seeing and BUGGIN with each and every one you. Peace.
omg looking back how did we get away with itlol our poor parents. i have a teenage daughter i could only imagine her coming to me and tell me she is coming home from a club in the morning. but when we did it , it just seemed so normal:-)
i remember in the summer i would just go straight to the beach my mother didnt see me for days, then i’d go home and eat and sleep and not even get yelled at.
i cant wait to see everyone next week!!!
xoxoxo
patty
Patty - It’s a generational thing.. My mom is 19 yrs older than me. Also, it was the sign of the times and the neighborhood. Were you and your parents from Bklyn? I used to beg my mom to come to the funhouse and just see it all for herself. She used to laugh - but ya know I think she wanted to! At first, it was difficult to stay out late ( I mean like 2 am/3 am) and then because I was very responsible and she knew everyone I went with - I would come home around 6 am? With people!!!
Now, I have a 14 yr old daughter and let me tell you….I wish she could experience certain things that we experienced BUT ONLY WITH OUR maturity. I don’t think these kids are mature as we were. Thoughts??? Also, we went to Patches and Silver Street and never did we worry that some pervert was there to take advantage of us, etc… Today these places do not exist and I feel sad for my daughter to have missed out on that.
kathi
Lil Al from OZ told me that Baby Hughie passed away a few years back.
for real……..oh my god how did he die?….thats sad….
Each day I drop by this site brings a smile to my face. Reading Gina’s remembrance of her first time at the Fun House and how the addiction just grew is much like many others, including mine. Each time I read a post or get an e-mail from someone, something is said that helps to bring back other memories of that time that seems so long ago… I already talked about my first time, and how Frankie Blue and Jimmy from the Bay extended the invite to come check it out turned into my own addiction. The music grabbing you as you came in, and the friendships that were made there were all so amazing. Being in the Navy at the time and pretty much a loner when it came to getting out…. The majority of the friends I grew up with were into “Heavy Metal Rock” music and not much into the club scene…. at least not the Fun House type of club… left me alone after the Fun House closed with not many people to reminisce with over the good times we had there.
I can remember my weekends so vividly, as well as the time during the week up in Connecticut where I was stationed or in Holy Loch, Scotland where my submarine (boat) was out of and we did month long refits.
During the week up in Connecticut, while in off-crew, my time consisted of about two hours of training on the boat’s systems, to help keep us sharp for when we were back as the on-crew. After that, the day was my own, and was spent in the barracks, watching TV (All the Soaps on ABC), playing video games (Asteroids and Defender), shooting pool, or going in the phone room to practice my Breakdancing moves. Now remember, at this time, outside of New York, for the most part…. Breakdancing was unknown and I would constantly have people walkin by the room, (There was a large window in the door) and watch me thinking I was nuts…. Practicing spinning on my head, hand and back… Most did get used to it over time… LOL I guess the part that hurt me the most in my abilities was that I seemed to be the ONLY Breaker up there in Groton, Connecticut and didn’t have anyone to get advice from on how to improve. I would sometimes go down by the Base Commissary, break out the refrigerator box and do some breaking right there in front of the store. That was where I had a few others, mostly kids, younger than me, who knew what Breaking was and would join in with me… With that being said, the reactions over in Scotland were even crazier… The only thing I had going for me over there were the videos, like Buffalo Gals, Hey You – The Rock Steady Crew, and of course Confusion, which were able to be played on a video jukebox they had in a few of the bars in Holy Loch. So, when a song would come on and I would do a Breakdancing move, people at least knew that I was not the only person who did this type of thing… but I still got plenty of looks. I do remember at some point, other people trying some break dance moves… I wonder if I had anything to do with influencing them…
My weekends however, during the off-crew, consisted of very little sleep. From the moment I arrived back in New York, sometimes carrying my “Ghetto Blaster” pumping out Fun House music, where I would head off to a few record stores in the city, searching for the latest tracks I heard the previous week at the Fun House to the time I climbed up in the luggage rack on the bus to get a few hours of sleep on the way back to Groton, Connecticut, I was, for the most part awake. Friday nights was Hot Skates night and Saturday nights, I lived for the Fun House. The night would start on the train into the city, drinking a “Pink Champale” or two, or three along the way and where I would often run into some other Buggas headin to the House. Arriving at the House by 10:00, getting inside, dropping my bag, where ever it was that I was hanging at the time, but mostly at the backstage area, meeting and greeting all my friends and then working on some moves and floorwork to get the night going…. and going all night long… Once in a while, I would take a mini “power nap” on the backstage, right by the speakers, sometime around 3:00 to 3:30 or so… but those were few and far between…. Leaving when the lights came on and walking out in the bright sunshine of a Sunday morning.
The hardest part for me back then was that I was in the Navy, like I said and when I was out at sea, I felt I was missing out on so much… I was taken away from the Fun House for three months at a time and I felt I was always missing everything… the latest new song, or new dance move…
Today, when I tell someone that I used to be out partying at the Fun House till 8:00 or 8:30 in the morning, they look at me like I am crazy and must have been on way too many drugs or something… You had to be there to experience it to fully understand what the Fun House was all about and how it affected us… and I know you all understand that… Seeing the pictures here of people I knew and people I recognize is the best and has helped to bring back the memories of a time I never thought I would get to re-live again, cause, like I said, when the Fun House closed, so to did most of the friendships I had from there. The hardest part now is seeing pictures of people I do recognize yet not remembering the names… I have always been bad with names anyway, so putting 20+ years in there doesn’t help much… As I have been since I have been on the site, I look forward to getting to talk again with those I knew and forging new friendships with others who went thru the Fun House experience.
I agree about the kids today… it is such a different world…. They don’t have a place like the Fun House… they just don’t exist anymore… I have a 15 year old daughter and 10 year old son… and I can see how different it is for them… I trust my kids… it is the rest of the world that I am worried about…
Lee,
Sorry to hear about Baby Hughie, it made me really sad. Iam sure all who knew him remember him as a gentle soul always nice and kinda protective like a big bear.
Maria
I guess the 10yr Reunion was the last for him. Very sorry to hear the news. I can still see him smiling and shouting ROOF!! ROOF! as he stood in front of the DJ booth that night, he gave me the thumbs up and ran back to the OZ side of the stage.
I also would like to say RIP Baby Hughie. I remember him the same way, as a big gentle teddy bear. He used to hang with Lil Al, Eddie, and Anthony Russo, I wonder if they’re doing ok and if they know about his passing. The down side to all this, is finding out that some of our old friends are no longer with us. So, on their behalf we should keep posting our memories, especially the ones that included them.
it’s a shame that we loose some of our close friend but it’s great that we all can bring back them with memory from the past i know i miss some of those f==ker an we’ll all way’s have them in our heart when we here those certain song’s
Hey Gina
r u talking about gazoo from OZ? he is my uncle and turned me on to the funhouse. the first night i went with him back in 81, I was wearing a grey sweat suit with red trim. I had a red bandana around my neck and a roach clip feathers hanging from my pocket. I got on line, and when i got up to the door i couldn’t get in. we both got off the line and sat a little bit away from the enterance. Gazoo told me to take my bandana and wrap it around my head and take my feathers and hang them from the back of the bandana and let’s get on line again. we did , and i walked right in. i’ll never forget that night. walking through that maze and hangin by the center stage. changed my life forever.
hey betty boop,
i see anthony russo from time to time. i will let him know about baby hughie
joe,
Do you know what happened to Baby Hughie? just wondering what took away such a gentle soul. How’s Anthony, did he and Paula ever get married? Please give him or them my regards and let them know about this site and June 23rd. The more of us the better!
Please tell them I am doing great, married and have three beautiful children. It would be great to see them make a post here, and come to the reunion on June 23rd.
Gina what’s up’ I remember U and lisa, infact I dated lisa for a little while, U were two very nice girls;I recently found out about this site and I would love to hear from u, my name is Johnny Danca from OZ…..