The Stomach

The Stomach is a music venue, recording studio and rehearsal space, located on Lombard Street in Palmerston North, New Zealand. It is Palmerston North's longest running and only current all-ages music venue. The Stomach is operated by Creative Sounds Society Incorporated, represented by a volunteer governing body 'The CSSI Management Committee', CSSI employs two full time staff to deliver it services. Normal operating hours are 10am til 10pm, 7 days a week, 50 weeks per year.
CSSI is funded in part by the Palmerston North City Council, on a three yearly contract, with a set of agreed Key Performance Indicators (number of events, recording hours, people assisted etc)
Creative Sounds Society is also the main organizer behind the local musical showcase Swampfest.
The venue is virtually the only place in Palmerston North that gives young artists a chance to play in front of an audience. This is due to the regular shows set up by the organisation where bands from the city are recruited. The Stomach is also a recording studio and rehearsal space. The recording studio is among the cheapest to book in the Southern Hemisphere and uses the recording programme Pro-Tools. The rehearsal space allows bands to practice playing in a live setting at a very cheap hourly rate.
History
The Stomach was founded in 1988 by a group of local musicians together with the Palmerston North City Council. It was initially begun as a place for bands to practice and play at while avoiding noise control laws. (These laws are averted because the stomach is situated in the Industrial zone.) The Stomach remains much the same as its 1988 beginnings aside from various upgrades and improvements.
Redevelopment
In 2004, CSSI began the process of fund raising to redevelop the existing premises, which largely consisted of one room, making multiple activities impossible.
With the Palmerston North City Council's contribution of $250K towards a projected cost of $650K, CSSI raised the remaining required funds from Eastern and Central Trust, Central Energy Trust, The Lion Foundation, The Dept. of Internal Affairs and some of its own cash reserves.
In July 2008, construction began on the redevelopment of The Stomach. Which will feature separate Control Room and Studio for Recording, a Live performance space, and two sound proofed rehearsal rooms
On March 29, 2009, the Stomach held a Re/Open day to show off its refurbished building.
Notable Acts
*State Of Hate
*Snus
*motorsheep
*Foizemaster
Many notable tours have been through The Stomach. These include:
*A Low Hum Tours
*Nomeansno 1993 Moose Droppings Tour
*All
*The Evens
*Pungent Stench
*Brutal Truth
*'s 2007 Tour
*So So Modern & Cut Off Your Hands 2007 Tour
*The Mint Chicks 2005 Tour
as well as many more.
 
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