THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 4, 1996 TAG: 9604030125
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Long : 103 lines
THE BUILDING at 425 E. Pinner St. once housed the offices of Environmental Technology of North America Inc. For the past two years, its environment has been smoke and beer.
Shuckers is cozy. Make that small. You can walk the aisles if you're built like a pencil.
Still, the waitresses find their way around and - unlike at some clubs - there is no long wait for your order.
A night at Shuckers is like a night at a large party with 20ish friends, and strangers who are about to become friends.
About 100 folks were on hand Friday. ``We can hold about 185,'' said Mike Justice, owner of Shuckers. ``I've always wanted to have a club.''
The Suffolk High School graduate left a decent position with Moon Engineering in Portsmouth to do the American thing - pursue his dream.
He opened Shuckers two years ago and keeps it open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday thru Thursday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
``I close at two,'' Justice said, ``no earlier, or folks will go to another bar.''
Folks were coming and going Friday. It was not a party-all-night crowd. Several left before midnight, some noting they would be back Saturday.
They were well-mannered, with the possible exception of a man who pushed up from his chair to shake his booty. Ignored, he gave it up.
Shuckers' patrons are not what you might picture as a country music club crowd. Only one cowboy hat was visible and, wouldn't you know it? - the guy is from Texas.
Typical of the Lone Star State breed, Charlie Coggins of Victoria spoke slowly. ``The club's a lot smaller than the ones in Texas,'' he said, ``and there ain't no dance floor.''
That will be remedied. Justice has expansion plans. Friday, four couples managed to do the one step - not enough room for the two step - in the space between the tables and the bandstand.
Woiziow was on the bandstand Friday and Saturday. Shuckers concentrates on country music. Woiziow concentrates on `70s-80s rock.
``It's sure not country,'' said Danny Short, bass player for the country group, Driver, ``but it is great.''
Woiziow was particularly impressive when they went the Allman Brothers route.
The band is a crowd-pleaser - vocally and instrumentally exciting, its decibels rising through the low roof, heading heavenward.
It was their first appearance at Shuckers, an appearance with a bonus.
Unadvertised, they came: Amy Selby and Lydia Talley, the wife and daughter of two band members, offering some excellent vocals, particularly on ``I Shot the Sheriff.''
``You've heard of ``Star Trek: The Next Generation? We're gonna have Woiziow - The Next Generation,'' one band member said.
``Woiziow will be back,'' said Justice, who is trying to narrow his bands to a top five. ``I keep weeding out those that don't attract a crowd.''
The bands are only part of the attraction. Another is the food.
``I like the hot wings here better than the ones at Hooters,'' said Kenny Crofton of Suffolk. ``All the food here is good.''
He is a Shuckers regular, noting, ``it's friendly and convenient.''
Very convenient for Crofton, who lives a mile down the road.
A more formal recognition of good food is found on a plaque on the wall noting that, in 1994, in The Virginian-Pilot's Best Under the Sun competition, Shuckers was voted as the place for ``the best shrimp'' in Hampton Roads.
The club's name refers to one who opens shells of oysters, etc.
``There was a place in Virginia Beach called Shuckers,'' Justice said. ``When they closed, I picked up the name.''
It is a name that has gained respect locally. Several of Friday's visitors were members of other area bands.
``I heard ``Blues Music'' and ``Hard Hearted Woman,'' musician/plumber Sam Morgan said, as he exited after the first set. ``That's what I came for.''
Debbie Hall of Carrsville, explained why she came to Shuckers.
``For the doorman,'' she said as she hugged Greg Cook. ``I like the atmosphere at the club. It's really nice. I only go to places that have good music.''
What brought the man from Texas to the club?
``Boredom,'' drawled Coggins, who is with a construction company working at Allied Colloids. ``Nothin' to do in this town.''
Coggins has no complaints about the Suffolk women. The tall Texan found himself a local beauty who is now thinking of leaving the city to move to the Lone Star State.
One young lady left the club for awhile, telling the doorman she would come back.
``Okay,'' Cook said. ``I know who you are.''
``Who am I?''
``I don't know your name,'' he said, ``but I remember a pretty face like yours.''
Shuckers - good food, good drinks, good music, good doorman. MEMO: AT A GLANCE
What: Country music by TROUBLE; Beach, reggae, oldies and country by
Island Boy
When: 9:30 p.m. April 5 and 6, TROUBLE, April 12 and 13, Island Boy
Where: Shuckers, 425 E. Pinner St., Suffolk
Hours: Open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m.
to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Serving full meals. Call 934-2822. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by FRANK ROBERTS
Moody Smith sings with Woiziow, a band that played '70s and '80s
rock music at Shuckers last weekend.
by CNB