Hells Headbangers eyes expansion to Grace Lutheran Church
Hells Headbangers (HH Records), a heavy metal music distribution company based in Medina, is interested in expanding its operations to the Grace Lutheran Church building located next to the Madison Branch of the Lakewood Public Library at 13303 Madison Ave.
The Lakewood Planning Commission met on December 3rd to consider a request to allow HH Records use of the building as an auditorium for music events.
A representative from neighboring Mahall’s 20 Lanes cautioned the committee against approving the proposal. Kurt Brewdigam, who has been affiliated with Mahall’s for 30 years, said the area is ill-suited for such activity. “I’ve seen the neighborhood get worse,” he said. “I’ve seen how terrible the park has become.”
Brewdigam said the concerts he hosted in the past were more trouble than they were worth. He said he had to deal with underage drinking, damage to his facility and noise complaints from surrounding apartments. “I just stopped doing them,” he said. Brewdigam also felt the lack of parking could present a problem. “I just don’t see any upside for the city” in granting the request, he said.
The Planning Commission dismissed the request because no one from HH Records was present to discuss the matter. There weren’t any other items on the docket, so the meeting was adjourned.
Reached the following day, Chase Horval of HH Records explained his absence. He said he arrived at City Hall about 10 minutes after the meeting’s conclusion due to unfamiliarity with the area and poor visibility. Horval maintained his interest in purchasing the building. He and the building’s current owner will be present to clarify the facts of their request at the next scheduled Planning Commission meeting in January.
Horval said the church building would primarily be used as office and warehouse space. He estimated there would be one concert per month for an audience of between 50 and 100 people. The live bands would play in the basement of building, which is currently a cafeteria.
Horval emphasized he wants to be a good neighbor, and is working with a technician who specializes in soundproofing churches. If the situation in Lakewood doesn’t work out, he said, the back-up plan is to locate in a warehouse somewhere else.
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