Landmark Montrose nightclub Numbers getting the mural treatment
If you’ve driven east on Westheimer lately you have probably noticed a few new faces popping up on the side of popular dance club and music venue Numbers in Montrose.
Artist Rene Fernandez is currently painting a mural on the west side of the club featuring the faces of some of the most popular punk, glam, and goth artists to ever come pulsing from the sound system at the club. Some of the artists even graced the stage of the venue on their way up the ladder of fame.
We had just repainted the whole building a few weeks back and a local artist and patron of the club approached us about a couple of projects that he wanted to do for the club and this was one of them,” said Wes Wallace, who has been with the club since 1986 when owner Robert “Robot” Burtenshaw hired him on.
Burtenshaw died late last summer and his loss is still felt in the goth community in Houston. Wallace says that the club has plans for a permanent mural inside Numbers to honor the late owner.
Right now the mural features The Cure’s Robert Smith, Siouxsie of Siouxsie and the Banshees, Morrissey, late Joy Division singer Ian Curtis , the Depeche Mode flower logo, “Aladdin Sane”-era David Bowie, Joey Ramone, Debbie Harry, Al Jourgenson of Ministry, and Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor.
There are a few more to come, says Wallace.
How did the Numbers team decide on the artists that Fernandez would include?
“That was a tough one, as there is limited room. Rene brought us some sketches, and the final decision was his, but as the mural progressed, it changed a bit to fit the wall and best represent the history of Numbers and the alternative music scene in general,” Wallace says.
The mural is just a smattering of the artists that some people probably discovered at the club over its storied history.
The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, and Ministry all played the club on their way to worldwide fame and arena shows. The venue has kept a substantial list of all of the acts that have played its stage since 1979. Wallace was there for all of those historic shows too.
Wallace saw NIN, The Cure, and Ministry all at the club over his 28 years on staff. “I saw all of them but Siouxsie in 1980; I missed that one,” he says.
Right now there looks to be only room for two more faces on the mural wall.
“There are many more that could go on there but the wall is just not big enough. We all have personal favorites that did not make it on there,” Wallace says.
Friday nights at Numbers is still a must-do for anyone looking to get the full Montrose experience. Dancing to New Order, Public Image Ltd., and The Normal (“Warm Leatherette”) is a rite of passage for anyone claiming to be a true Montrosian. And braving those strong Long Island Iced Teas.
The mural should be completed within the next week or two, says Wallace. As for the future of the club, Wallace says it is wide open.
“We are continuing to upgrade and improve the building inside and out. We plan to be open as long as the community will support us,” he says. “We’ve been open for 36 great years and we’re hoping for many, many more.”
Artist Rene Fernandez is currently painting a mural on the west side of the club featuring the faces of some of the most popular punk, glam, and goth artists to ever come pulsing from the sound system at the club. Some of the artists even graced the stage of the venue on their way up the ladder of fame.
We had just repainted the whole building a few weeks back and a local artist and patron of the club approached us about a couple of projects that he wanted to do for the club and this was one of them,” said Wes Wallace, who has been with the club since 1986 when owner Robert “Robot” Burtenshaw hired him on.
Burtenshaw died late last summer and his loss is still felt in the goth community in Houston. Wallace says that the club has plans for a permanent mural inside Numbers to honor the late owner.
Right now the mural features The Cure’s Robert Smith, Siouxsie of Siouxsie and the Banshees, Morrissey, late Joy Division singer Ian Curtis , the Depeche Mode flower logo, “Aladdin Sane”-era David Bowie, Joey Ramone, Debbie Harry, Al Jourgenson of Ministry, and Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor.
There are a few more to come, says Wallace.
How did the Numbers team decide on the artists that Fernandez would include?
“That was a tough one, as there is limited room. Rene brought us some sketches, and the final decision was his, but as the mural progressed, it changed a bit to fit the wall and best represent the history of Numbers and the alternative music scene in general,” Wallace says.
The mural is just a smattering of the artists that some people probably discovered at the club over its storied history.
The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, and Ministry all played the club on their way to worldwide fame and arena shows. The venue has kept a substantial list of all of the acts that have played its stage since 1979. Wallace was there for all of those historic shows too.
Wallace saw NIN, The Cure, and Ministry all at the club over his 28 years on staff. “I saw all of them but Siouxsie in 1980; I missed that one,” he says.
Right now there looks to be only room for two more faces on the mural wall.
“There are many more that could go on there but the wall is just not big enough. We all have personal favorites that did not make it on there,” Wallace says.
Friday nights at Numbers is still a must-do for anyone looking to get the full Montrose experience. Dancing to New Order, Public Image Ltd., and The Normal (“Warm Leatherette”) is a rite of passage for anyone claiming to be a true Montrosian. And braving those strong Long Island Iced Teas.
The mural should be completed within the next week or two, says Wallace. As for the future of the club, Wallace says it is wide open.
“We are continuing to upgrade and improve the building inside and out. We plan to be open as long as the community will support us,” he says. “We’ve been open for 36 great years and we’re hoping for many, many more.”
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