RANA will make its final appearance at CBGBs this Wednesday. After the closing of Wetlands Preserve, RANA made the downtown Manhattan room its home, offering two consecutive New Year’s Eve shows and performing a benefit for the ailing venue in August 2005. RANA will appear as a trio (keyboardist Matt Durant is sitting out this gig due to personal matters) while a number of fellow CBGB-alumni will be in the house. Speedsters and Dopers/The Wooden Soldiers’ Greg D will open the show with his Sounds of Greg D band, which includes Dave Dreiwitz (Ween), Jack Petruzzelli (Rufus Wainwright / Joan Osborne / The Fab Faux), Arne Wendt (Como Drive / The VooDudes) and Ryan Thornton (Sam Champion / RANA).
CBGB has also confirmed a handful of additional farewell shows. On Wednesday, CBGB’s Gallery will air the new film Gonzo Music Diaries. On September 25, Dub is a Weapon will open for Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. A few days later, on September 28, longtime CBGB/Wetlands employee Rodney Speed, best known for his performance at the 2001 Wetlands Power Jam, will open for Fishbone and Dub Trio with his Rodney Speed Experience. Other new additions include the Metrosexuals on October 3 and the club’s final ska show, the Piestasters on October 4.