The basement of METROPOLIS VINTAGE was once again transformed for the most unique of events –  a showcase for an upcoming auction of one-of-a-kind RAMONES and rock memorabilia. Presented by RR Auctions, the room was filled with plenty of amazing artifacts, including leather jackets worn and signed by Dee Dee and Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone’s guitar and sneakers, rare flyers, original paintings, the “GABBA GABBA HEY” sign held aloft by the pinhead during live proceedings, and most importantly, and almost impossible to miss, a massive 35-foot-long “Adios Amigos” banner that hung behind them onstage during the Ramones final tour. The event even landed METROPOLIS VINTAGE a cameo on CNN as seen above and in the footage below!

https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2023/06/17/exp-ramones-prince-memorabilia-auction-061702aseg2-cnni-us.cnn

Most were from the collection of Andrew D. Gore, who also displayed his own artistry – quite amazing stained glass interpretations of classic punk album covers and icons, From DEVO to THE CLASH and NIRVANA and MINOR THREAT.

Check out some of the items on display! Our good friend, artist John Holmstrom collaborated a bit with some images of and by the great Arturo Vega, who also designed the Ramones’ ADIOS AMIGOS banner. John will be back soon with an exhibition of his own design.

A good time was had by all, and we’re looking forward to seeing what happens to these artifacts come auction time! Here’s to another great exhibit at Metropolis. Gabba Gabba Hey!

Metropolis opened up our basement for a big party to celebrate the release of the new Iggy Pop solo LP, with a sneak preview of the accompanying all-Iggy issue of Punk Magazine by our long-time pal, artist John Holmstrom.

Selected pages of Punk #22 were on display, various East Village luminaries were in attendance, and the beer and fun were flowing.

We caught famed rock photographers Godlis and Roberta Bayley, and a motley assortment of rockers, artists, cartoonists, DJs and punks. EVGRIEVE swung by to cover the event, we’ve included some photos by Stacie Joy below, but you can check out the entire article HERE. Thanks to everyone for hanging out!

Iggy‘s new LP, “Every Loser” will be out in January and you can pre-order it HERE with a copy of John’s new issue of Punk.

https://evgrieve.com/2022/12/a-punk-magazine-iggy-pop-holiday-loser.html

JOHN and AID signed anything and everything available and a great time was had by all! DJ DREW REDMOND kept the music going while the drinks were flowing. We even had a surprise appearance by MONTE MELNICK, famously known as the RAMONES longtime, long-suffering tour manager and author of the book ON THE ROAD WITH THE RAMONES, which, coincidentally, is featured on the walls of our new dressing room in several editions.

We’ve really missed having events and now with our new location on Broadway, we finally have the space to make it happen in a big way. Stay tuned for more in the future!

THE VILLAGER showing off the new JOHN HOLMSTROM DRESSING ROOM and some photos and interviews from the HEPCAT T-Shirt Release Party with John and Aid last Friday! CLICK BELOW for the FULL article:

https://www.thevillager.com/2019/10/this-east-village-artist-eyes-reviving-comic-strip-while-also-looking-back-on-covering-ramones-albums-and-high-times/

METROPOLIS VINTAGE would like to give a HUGE THANKS to JOHN HOLMSTROM and everyone that came out to help us celebrate yesterday.
Things kicked off quickly with local NYC customers and international visitors lining up before the event even started, and John was more than happy to get the ink flowing early and things underway. This was a dual celebration – commemorating the 40th Anniversary of THE RAMONES classic ROAD TO RUIN LP, which John illustrated the cover to, and the launch of his newest ‘zine venture – THE STONED AGE. THE STONED AGE “intends to bring back the fun of 20th century marijuana culture, when it was the choice of hipsters, beatniks, jazz musicians, hippies, and other misfits,” and METROPOLIS was soon packed with many such characters, including members of THE NEW BOMB TURKS, THE GORIES, KILL THE MAYOR, WOLFMANHATTAN PROJECT and THE ART GRAY NOIZZ QUINTET, to name just a few.

Seated in front of a large banner of THE RAMONES, John had an impressive selection of merchandise on hand, from high-quality prints of the map poster he’d drawn for THE RAMONES exhibit at the Queens Museum, to a reprint of the very first issue of PUNK, and of course a big stack of THE STONED AGE to give away. Our limited edition, specially designed METROPOLIS JOHN HOLMSTROM STONED AGE PARTY T-Shirts flew out the door, and even after raiding the back room to find a few extras, they remained in high demand. There MAY be a few more stocked away, so watch this space and we’ll let you know when we have any more to offer.

Speaking of rarities, one of the main highlights of the day was RICHARD COLLIGAN, proprietor of METROPOLIS VINTAGE, displaying his massive collection of vintage CRAMPS and RAMONES T-Shirts acquired throughout the ages. Spanning three decades, this awe-inspiring collection bought a tear to the eye of the most hardened rock fan, partly due to the sign displayed alongside them: “NOT FOR SALE, PUNK!” Nevertheless, everyone left happy, with a piece of history of their own signed by the one and only JOHN HOLMSTROM.
Three hours had sped by in a blur of fun and free beer, all soundtracked to the rarities of DJ DREW REDMOND, and many continued the party by heading over to the JOEY RAMONE BIRTHDAY BASH just down the block at The Bowery Electric. Thanks once again to all who came out to celebrate with us, and for BEDFORD & BOWERY and EV GRIEVE blogs for covering the party, which John says was his most successful signing to date. Check out these photos from our party and stay tuned for our next event!