[This article was originally published in The Brunswickan‘s November 2023 print issue]
Over the last 25 years, The Cap has become a staple of the Fredericton community and its music scene. The Cap, formerly known as The Capital Bar and The Capital Complex, has been a musical haven for locals and visitors alike, transcending its humble beginnings to become a cherished icon of the city.
Background:
For newcomers, whether they hail from other countries or other parts of Canada, The Cap often serves as a rite of passage. The question, “Do you wanna head to The Cap?” quickly ushers outsiders into the inner circle, connecting them to the vibrant world around them.
The essence of The Cap lies in its ability to foster togetherness. That is to say, entertainment enables sociability: it brings people together, even if for a few hours. The synergy of a concert, the hustle and bustle of a bar, the possibility to share a few drinks or just engage in playful conversation. It is a break from the sometimes mundane routine students or workers find themselves ensnared in.
Looking at The Cap today, it’s hard to imagine it any other way. However, in 1998, it was born as The Capital Bar, evolving into The Capital Complex and finally rebranding as The Cap in 2020 under new ownership.
To celebrate The Cap’s 25th anniversary, The Brunswickan had the privilege of interviewing two prominent figures closely connected to this beloved venue: Tim Rayne, the filmmaker behind a docuseries called “The Capital Project,” as well as Zach Atkinson, current owner of The Cap.
Interview with filmmaker Tim Rayne:
Prior to producing the docuseries, Rayne headed CHSR, UNB’s on-campus radio station, from 2009 to 2015. He highlighted The Cap’s significant role as a cultural hub, transcending the boundaries of a mere bar or music venue. “The Capital became a place where people started to recognize that the local artists were fairly strong in their own right,” Rayne stated.
“It was here, all-in-all, a place where relationships between local artists and other Canadian touring acts were forged,” Rayne continued. “It became a very important center for all genres, from punk to indie rock, hip hop, jazz, blues, all kinds of music.”
The innovative spirit of The Cap was clear from the beginning. Rayne noted, “The Cap started with some very passionate individuals,” including high school students who were not just musicians but were also building their own record labels. “They wanted to look at The Cap as a place where they could build the foundation for their own modest adult empires, their own beginnings,” said Rayne.“There [were] a lot of people who were investing themselves into [The Cap] and, as a result, they had some of the best sound technicians recording down there.”
However, what truly set The Cap apart from the rest of Atlantic Canada was its commitment to quality, be it in the physical space, sound quality, the bands it hosted, or the overall atmosphere. The excellence of the sound experience, despite the venue’s size, was a point of pride for The Cap’s crew. “Even though it is a small room, the quality of the sound was top notch,” Rayne emphasized.
Rayne also noted The Cap’s inclusive and progressive nature, where different music genres, personalities, and cultures intersected. The original owner and the venue’s early supporters were a diverse group, including rugby players who later became musicians and music lovers themselves.
So, what makes The Cap so different after all? “A combination of quality,” explained Rayne. Quality in the space, quality in the sound, quality of the bands that were brought in, and quality in the atmosphere. Having been to The Cap multiple times, I can attest to all of that.
(Note: Maybe the print can show a transition between the first half of the piece and the second half. I couldn’t find a way to make this transition smooth in-text, but hopefully it can be made graphically)
Interview with owner Zach Atkinson:
Zach Atkinson, the third owner of The Cap, shared his personal journey, which began back in 2003 when it was known as The Capitol Bar. Over the years, he took on various roles, including managing bookings, artists, entertainment, and eventually taking the reins of the venue.
It was a beautiful day when I sat with Zach Atkinson outside of the Student Union Building for an interview. Zach took over the business from Wes Ward in 2019; while the latter had succeeded the original owner, Ted Beach. Zach has a long and very personal history with The Cap, “I started working there in 2003 or 2004 when it was The Capitol Bar,” he said. “So yeah, [I’ve] been there [for] 15 plus years. [I] started as a door person.”
Zach’s connection with The Cap runs deep. “It was where I started seeing music live in the city,” he noted. “Whether I was playing there or participating in an event, [in the] early days it was a real discovery place for me.” Zach transitioned from music consumer to an artist, and now currently plays the drums for Kill Chicago, a band that, not too dissimilar from others in Fredericton, found its start at The Cap.
Through all its different iterations, The Cap had a hand in changing the music scene in Fredericton. Back then, as Zach explained, touring acts were much more likely to play at the university’s venues than at those that were off-campus. The Cap became a welcoming platform for emerging artists, a commitment that has remained unwavering even through the changes in ownership and rebranding. “As we grew, we traveled and saw how other venues operated. We wanted to bring these positive experiences back and implement them in our business,” stated Zach.
The most recent rebrand in 2020, on the heels of Zach’s acquisition of the Capital Complex, was challenged by the unforeseen arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We rebranded and did not get a chance to see what that would look like,” he said. Despite these difficulties, The Cap adapted. “We took all of the things we purchased, like records and merchandise, and we put it all on the internet,” noted Zach.
The rebrand also brought about significant changes, including the addition of a nano-brewery in the venue’s basement, making its own products and transforming the space from a music venue by night to a record store by day. “The intention is to have a daytime and nighttime space,” Zach explained. This dual-purpose approach caters to various tastes and preferences. “I think it all played out together as best as it could,” opined Zach, The Cap had a lot of support as it enacted those changes through such a hard time.
Given the significant student population in Fredericton, The Cap has collaborated with many student organizations. “Over the years, we have had Student Union events on-site,” he mentioned. “It was kind of like trivia nights or socials, things that we did during the early stages of the pandemic.”
“We hold concerts at the market from time to time, and we’ve worked with the UNB Student Union to develop student pricing.” In fact, on the day of this interview, Zach was on-campus for a meeting with the Student Union that would touch on this matter. “We’re always looking for those opportunities to work with student groups and work with the universities,” he said. Zach recognizes the importance of providing after-hours public spaces for students, making it a sought-after location for both entertainment and community engagement.
As The Cap commemorates its 25th anniversary, a series of celebratory concerts have filled the air with music throughout the summer, continuing into autumn, and winter. “We just had Yukon Blonde, [which] was one of the first bands we got to bring in, and they would come back year after year,” said Zach. “We have got The Dirty Nil from Ontario also coming in December, and we’re also working on a New Year’s Eve Event,” he teased, “that is all meant to ring in our 25th anniversary.”
“It is great to celebrate 25 years, but what we really want to celebrate and work towards is 25 more years,” he concluded.
Memories Created:
And, of course, 25 years of history will carry a lot of memories. Zach recounted one of those to me.
“One of the first shows we ever promoted there was this group called The Most Serene Republic.”
“They came through and we had put a $6 cover when it used to be two or three,” he said.
“So we were told we were taking a huge risk doing that, [that] people won’t come.”
Turns out the concert was a success. “Everyone [was] telling us that we made a terrible mistake, and then within 15 minutes the place was packed.”
“And we showed them we knew what we were talking about,” concluded Zach.
Tim Rayne also recounted a memory from The Cap to us. “I remember watching Josh Frogner and the Hypochondriacs play in the Wilser’s Room,” he said.
That night, the house was packed: “I could feel the whole floor vibrate and move up and down because people were so into it.”
“I was actually so upfront that the band allowed me onto the stage.” Other members of the audience were also allowed onto the stage.
“They could feel everybody there singing Johnny Cash. I remember they were doing a cover and everybody was singing on with it. The energy was incredible.”
I have some memories of The Cap myself. In the last Winter term, the UNB Undergraduate History Society held its 1st Duckie Awards in The Nest. That night, not only did I win the Marc Bloch Memorial Award (shoutout to French historian Marc Bloch), but I also terrified everyone with a karaoke interpretation of Burnin’ Up by the Jonas Brothers.
Another time, one of these Thursdays, I watched the PEI band Gizmo debut their tour. They were very good. My date for the night yawned in the middle of the show, and some of our fellow concert goers stared at us as a result. It was very embarrassing for him, but just as hilarious for me.
The Cap isn’t just a music venue; it’s a hub of cultural significance, a haven for artists, and a space where music and community converge. The memories made within its walls are precious, and as we celebrate 25 years of its history, we can only hope for 25 more. But while we are not there yet, the best we can do is live in the present; music is all about living in the moment, and a music venue lets one experience that sensation with many others.
The Apologist 
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