Graffiti, Thefts, Neighbor Complaints Force Dixon Rock Studio Closure

Back in May Octavio and Marisol Portugal, owners of , celebrated a grand opening ceremony as members of the for their rockin’ establishment. The ceremony signaled a new place for local musicians to record music, play shows at and rehearse. It was a boon for the local music scene and Dixon musicians and music lovers came to know the studio as one of the only all-ages venues for music in Dixon.

On Wednesday afternoon however, Octavio Portugal announced on the studio’s Facebook page that he was closing the studio.

“There has been a lot of pressure from the neighbors,” Portugal said. “They keep calling the cops. It’s pointless to have a place to do this and have the cops called on us.”

About twice a month, the rock studio hosts live music shows featuring up-and-coming bands from Dixon, Vacaville, Davis and farther cities such as Sacramento and Stockton. The music at these shows consists of mostly rock and metal music and draws teenagers to the neighborhood. The music also drew a bevy of noise complaints from neighbors, Portugal said.

Apparently, the studio also drew some unwanted elements that have also contributed to Portugal’s decision he said.

“Someone broke into the studio a couple of weeks ago and they stole some merchandise,” Portugal said.

Thieves broke a window and made off with a studio amplifier and guitars, causing a loss of over $1,000 to the studio. The rock studio has also been the target of taggers, Portugal said.

“When I have to paint the back wall and dealing with the neighbors, and the thefts, it just got too much for me,” he said. “It kind of sucks because I was there for the kids.”

Many in Dixon’s small but vocal music scene are upset that the rock studio is closing. Some of them posted message on the studio’s Facebook page moments after Portugal announced the studio’s closure.

“I’m pretty bummed it kind of sucks because like … that’s the only thing to do in Dixon is go to the shows,” said Dakota Fry, 18, who helped promote shows at the Dixon Rock Studio.

Fry, who is a member of the Dixon-based band Crush the Adversary, said the closure of the rock studio is a big blow to the Dixon music scene. It’s a scene that’s had its ups and downs in Dixon with two recent highlights being the opening of the and the commencement of live music at .

But Fry said there are many music lovers in Dixon who are unable to attend the Teen Center – the center caters to only those who are between the age of 13 and 18 – and those who cannot enter bars. He said the Dixon Rock Studio however is an all-ages venue that even allows parents to attend shows alongside their children.

“It was attracting a lot of people to the town,” Fry said. “It’s getting well-known as a good venue. It’s hard to play a show at the Teen Center when a lot of your fans aren’t teens. Not that the Teen Center is not doing awesome stuff.”

Portugal said he’s attempted to do everything he could to be considerate to his neighbors. The Portugals even went before the Dixon Planning Commission in December 2009 to make a presentation about the rock studio. At the time, no residents spoke up with objections to having a rock concert venue in their neighborhood. The neighboring did however request for the music to be turned off during Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings, the times of their services.

But things have changed since then, as the is constantly called out to the studio during its concerts and events said Officer Jeff Jacques, the acting sergeant Wednesday night.

“We did get several complaints about noise,” Jacques said. “There were private events there as well. But we responded out there several times. I’d drive past there several times. There have been quite a few complaints. I know last weekend we got called out there twice for a birthday party.”

Jacques said noise complaints are prevalent through Dixon, not just from the Dixon Rock Studio. He said the complaints are generated from bands, and also from cars with big stereo systems and neighbors playing their music too loud. Although the studio generated a lot of complaints from neighbors no citations were issued, both Jacques and Portugal said.

The rock studio served as rehearsal space for many of the bands in Dixon, Portugal said.

“Now they are going to have to find another garage and go find another place to practice,” Portugal said. “I have a few clients I had about three bands coming in every week. And then I was getting bands from all over.”

The business side of things was not the issue, Portugal said. Most of the money generated from the studio came from the rock shows and the rehearsal-space rental. Portugal said he made his decision based on the complaints from neighbors, problems with graffiti and thefts at the studio.

“It doesn’t work out for me when I have to deal with all this other stuff,” Portugal said. “I’m kind of speechless, I’m really hurt by what I had to do.”

Portugal, who owns and operates Octavio’s Towing, said before he closes the doors on his studio, he will host one final show on Saturday August. 13. Dixon Patch will have details on the show as soon as they're available.