The Anthrax

The Anthrax was an all-ages music venue that hosted punk and hardcore shows during the early/mid 1980s. The actual club was located in the basement of a makeshift art gallery on the then dilapidated west side of Stamford, Connecticut. It was founded by Brian and Shaun Sheridan. In 1986, The Anthrax closed its doors in Stamford, and within 3 months reopened at a larger location (41.1360°N 73.4279°W / 41.1360; -73.4279) in nearby Norwalk, Connecticut, which flourished in a similar manner until November 1990, when a neighboring apartment complex won the decision in a zoning dispute.

To the many national touring acts that played there, The Anthrax was as essential a stop as punk rock landmarks like New York City's CBGB or 924 Gilman Street in Berkeley, California. Among the many influential bands that frequented the establishment were Black Flag, 7 Seconds, MDC, Descendents, Government Issue, NOFX, Die Kreuzen Fugazi and Dag Nasty. The book Everybody's Scene by Chris Daily is about The Anthrax.[1]