The 231 House of Muses was a great place for the youth in the community to go and watch live bands play in Marquette. But after it burned down in January 2007, the music scene suffered significantly. However, another venue is trying to step up and take its place.

Cornerzone Youth Center on Lincoln Street has been a consistent place for local and regional bands to play. It used to be a place for high school students to hang out during their lunch break and after school, but when the economy is down like it is now, nonprofit groups suffer. Because of this, it’s now almost strictly a music venue for high school and college students.

Even though it is a Christian organization, and sometimes book Christian bands, it doesn’t preach its message at all of its shows, said senior art and design major Alex Parent. Parent, who plays guitar in the band The Final Fall, and is in charge of booking shows at Cornerzone, said it was important to establish a venue where the youth could hang out in a clean environment.

“We want to bring bands that were associated with 231 over, and show them we’re not shoving Christianity down their throats,” he said. “I personally look at it as we’re there to guide people who are looking for that. To this point, I don’t think we ever shoved Christianity on anyone.”

Jason Machamer, who volunteers at Cornerzone and is also in charge of booking shows, says sometimes it’s hard to get bands from 231 because it’s a Christian organization and some people don’t want to be around that.

“People think us and the House of Muses are mortal enemies . but I think what (231 did) is great,” Machamer said.

Cornerzone normally aims to book hardcore bands, but it occasionally has an acoustic show and it always likes bands from the area, Machamer said.

“We love to showcase local talent as long as they can play an all-ages show,” he said, adding that they also try to contact larger bands, but being a smaller venue makes it difficult.

“We can’t offer a lot of money, so we try to get them when they’re close,” he said.

Sophomore media production and new technology major Mike Wilkins is the bass player for the band The Final Fall, and appreciates all the work Cornerzone is doing.

“We don’t play for money there,” Wilkins said. “It’s out of respect because they do so much for us.”

Cornerzone’s latest event is going to be a metal show on Halloween called “Night of the Living Shred.” The show will feature Milwaukee band Sleep Serapis, Sleep; Gladstone’s You’ll Never Know; and Marquette’s The Final Fall and The Relentless.

The Final Fall has played with all the bands on the bill before, and Wilkins said it’s going to be a great concert.

“Sleep Serapis, Sleep is awesome,” said Wilkins. “They blew the roof off our place last Halloween.”

Sleep Serapis, Sleep is a band that plays all over the country. Machamer was happy they were coming back for another show.

Another big band everyone involved is excited about is You’ll Never Know, and Parent said they have a great following in the U.P.

“They’re drawing bigger crowds than some professional bands,” Parent said. “They came up here last October and shocked everyone.”

Machamer said they are hands down the best hardcore band in the U.P., and thinks they even have a shot at getting signed.

“They have a chemistry on stage that will blow your mind,” he said. “They could hit the scene big in a few years.”

Machamer said the two hometown bands should put on a great show as well. He said The Final Fall has a lot of energy on stage.

“Their singer, Darin, draws in a crowd like no other . and their drummer, Stefan, is still in high school and rocks,” he said.

The Relentless is a heavy metal band, and Machamer said they also have a great presence on stage.

“They have a really good front man,” Machamer said. “His name is Bryce and he brings it.”

Wilkins just hopes it will be a good show and the audience has a lot of fun and gets involved.

The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $8.