“I always decided that I would not play or participate in a venue that did not include everybody.“ “All ages has always been really important to me,” says Keele. He keenly remembers being the kid who had to stand outside a 21+ venue for three hours while trying to listen to his favorite bands. Having an all-ages venue has been a core foundation for Keele. “More than a concert hall, we’ve created a community space.” More importantly, it’s become an all-ages venue. The new site has a full kitchen, a third bathroom and an updated sound system. The Underground in turn made way for The Beehive. I really just wanted to have a place for my band to play.” “In 2010, in Salt Lake City, it was really hard to play shows as a punk band,” says Keele. In 2010, Keele opened what would be the first of several incarnations of the Underground. “Punk is about community organizing, changing your environment around you, doing things positive or negative, doing things for your community,” says Keele. “I don’t know if I would have ever understood the spectrum of punk rock if it wasn’t for The Clash and Joe Strummer.” The Clash’s music talked of unity amongst races and classes, workers’ rights, anti-police brutality, and highlighting the struggles of hard living. Keele found his punk roots heavily influenced by The Clash. My politics are directly affected by the bands I listen to - my diet, my habits, my whole lifestyle.” Speaking of his own transformative experiences, Keele says, “I’ve been changed through music. He seeks to empower his community and friends by providing access to music through his venues. Since 2016, he has owned and operated The Beehive Social Club, located on 666 South and State Street. Standing at about 6’ 2”, Keele dresses casually-not with studs and bristles- and speaks with a reserved, but confident tone. For almost 10 years, Konrad Keele has operated an all-ages venue for Utah’s punk, hardcore and Ska communities.
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