Ever since I've known about Faith No More and have had access to the internet, I've known about the famous "Mike Patton's first gig with Faith No More" video - Bogart's, Long Beach - 12th March 1989. Back before the reunion, the only confirmed gig from 1989 before their European tour in July was this video.
I started my Faith No More Gig Database partly in response to actually researching when Patton's first gig was. After many years it seems it has been confirmed as being at I-Beam, San Francisco on 4th November 1988.
In the last decade I've also confirmed they played many gigs in early 1989 including a gig as early as 3rd February at River Theater, Guerneville. The list includes
- 3rd Feb 1989 - River Theater, Guerneville (with Victims Family, The Garden and Mind Over 4)
- 10th Feb 1989 - The Scream, Los Angeles
- 11th Feb 1989 - Bogart's, Long Beach (supporting Dead Milkmen)
- 24th Feb 1989 - I-Beam, San Francisco (with Pandoras)
- 11th Mar 1989 - Night Moves, Huntington Beach
- 12th Mar 1989 - Whiskey A Go Go, Los Angeles (with Color Bind, Charisma, The Felliacs, M-Pulse)
- 18th Mar 1989 - Cactus Club, San Jose (with The Gathering)
- 24th Mar 1989 - Fender's, Long Beach (with Motorcycle Boy)
- 31st Mar 1989 - Berkeley Square, Berkeley (with Nag Nag Nag)
- 7th Apr 1989 - I-Beam, San Francisco (with Primus)
Steffan Chirazi's "The Real Story" Faith No More biography talks about an I-Beam gig where Mike Patton badly cut his hand requiring surgery. I believe the 7th April 1989 gig above is the gig this occurred. The band took a break after this gig to allow for Patton's surgery, as well as for Jim Martin to have back surgery.
I've been unable to confirm any Faith No More Bogart's gigs other than the Dead Milkmen support in February.
I've looked at many other videos claiming to have been filmed at Bogart's and none of them appear to have similar decor as that seen in the video, particularly the distinctive vinyl record albums on the walls.
I've also contacted the club band bookers for Bogart's at the time (David Swinson and Stephen Zepeda) and neither think the video looks like Bogart's.
So it seems there is nothing true about the description "Mike Patton's first gig - Bogart's 12th March 1989". It's not Patton's first gig (that's I-Beam), it's not 12th March (they were playing Whiskey A Go Go that day) and it's not Bogart's.
So where is it?
Based on the video contents (the way Patton sings, the fact they don't play the end of Epic) makes be sure it is definitely early 1989. I've ruled out a number of venues listed above as not looking like the venue in the video but not all of them.
A YouTube commenter suggests the gig was actually from the 11th March. That would make the venue Huntington Beach's Night Moves. There are only a few videos I can find of gigs at that venue and they don't show the sides of stage. Night Moves renamed and remodelled in late 1989/early 1990 due to noise complaints, eventually becoming Club 5902.
Did you frequent gigs in Long Beach in 1989? Do you recognise the venue?
