Groups like Mongolia's The Hu & thrash vets Testament are all feeling the pandemic's effects. About 320 nights of the year, Saint Vitus Bar -- a 200-capacity venue in Brooklyn -- hosts performances by such bands as Gozu, Witch Taint and Pentagram giving their all for a room of headbanging, concert-shirt-clad fans.
When Saint Vitus co-owner/booker David Castillo extrapolates, he figures close to 1,000 bands a year pass though the nearly 10-year-old club.
All over the world, up-and-coming as well as major club-level bands make a living touring venues like Saint Vitus, Nashville’s The Basement East and Minneapolis’ Turf Club.