Bloomberg Supports Punk

NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg is lending his hand in trying to help save CBGB, the birthplace of punk rock music. Bloomberg showed his support today by holding up a "Save CBGB" shirt at a Staten Island news conference. The club's lease expires tonight at midnight. The Mayor said that if the lease expires at 313 and 315 Bowery, he hopes that the club can find another location in New York. Bloomberg said he will help in the negotiations. Club owner Hilly Kristal is considering moving the club to Las Vegas if there is no agreement. The Bowery Residents' Committee-- a non-profit organization that gets its money from homeless services, and which owns the building in which the club is located-- wants to increase the rent from $19,000 a month to $41,000. CGBG's said they won't pay that amount.

A rally of club supporters, with Little Steven Van Zandt of the E Street band and Sopranos fame, is scheduled today at 3 P.M. in Washtington Square Park. Blondie, Gavin Rossdale's band Institute, and the Bouncing Souls, are scheduled to perform.