Not far south of the Polish Villa and east of the ‘Kids Escaping Drugs’ center, there once was a club that aspired to be as great as its name called, New York New York at 935 Harlem Rd.

It was a Saturday night in August and this show was the last show the band played at New York New York. The club stopped hosting live bands not long after the end of summer. … or, was this yet another venue mysteriously burnt down to the ground, not long after Parousia played there?? Somehow suggesting the band schemed a twisted revenge, as if to say “Ya’ shudda paid us more! Heh, herh, heh”, Ah-h-h, dreams…

PAROUSIA: “Good band… bring earplugs”

Overall, it was a good show and Parousia’s massive multi-instrument sound completely filled the place up and then some. Once again the band came in first at “the largest rock band in the smallest club” competition.

Here are but a few of the many cover-tunes Parousia cranked out at insane volume levels: “Hocus Pocus” by Focus, “Pinball Wizard” by the WHO, “Ridin’ the Storm Out” by REO Speed Wagon, “White Punks on Dope” by the Tubes, “Hold the Line” by Toto, “Surrender” by Cheap Trick and “Train Kept a Rolling” by Aerosmith and “Cross-Eyed Mary” by Jethro Tull. Plus original songs like, “Lucifer’s Lament” “Myron” and “Revelation”.

Parousia live at Riverside Park. July 3, 1981

Last night on Friday, the band played a last round at a long-time venue, The Holland Willows in Holland NY. The club was just too far away from Buffalo for most of our fans to come out to see us play. Two nights ago, on Thursday, we had got a good laugh when the Riverside Review published a complaint about the band from a gent who didn’t appreciate Parousia’s on stage banter intended to rouse the audience at a free Fourth-of-July concert in Riverside Park.

August 20, 1981 The Riverside Review – Parousia concert review July 3, 1981

At the end of the third and final show at New York New York, the band was paid $200.00 as pre-arranged by contract. Expenses were high. Gregg Filippone came-out to run sound and was paid $50.00. Mike Carroll ran lights and was paid $40.00. Roadies Keith Huels and Tom Miller were paid $10.00 each.

Parousia financial statement – New York, New York 08.22.1981

Assistant head roadie Steve Styn pulled in a whopping $18.00 and then the truck rental fee of $87.00. The band incurred an unfortunate and unexpected extra-expense for speaker repair. That cost us another $140.00. Backstage Productions showed sympathy for our situation and reduced their 15% booking fee to 10% ($20.00). All in all expense for the gig totaled $380.00, plunging the band $180.00 in the hole.