Flux Capacitor Defies the Odds, Marks Two Years as a DIY Venue in Colorado Springs

When Flux Capacitor opened the first week of December 2014, no one thought it would last more than three months. But the DIY venue has become a staple of the Colorado Springs music scene, with a national reputation for quality, wide-ranging shows and good times.

The diversity of musical styles in its booking was reflected in the two-year-anniversary shows, on December 2 and 3. The first night focused on the heavier end of music, the second on punk, indie, hip-hop and experimental.

Tucked into the back of an industrial building in the eastern Springs that houses practice spaces for bands, Flux looks like an obscure warehouse from the outside. Nothing ostentatious marks its existence, and there are no signs or artwork indicating it's there. But the artwork, done by local artists, on the walls of the interior makes the space feel welcoming. And friendly people run the place, to boot.


With Bryan and Sean Ostrow as de facto ambassadors for the venue, Flux has drawn underground bands from all over. As members of Blighter and 908, among other projects, the brothers Ostrow have spent years on tour cultivating relationships with local, national and international bands. They understand what it means to have a solid place to play with a decent sound system run by positive and supportive people.


DIY spaces are labors of love with few rewards beyond maybe having a place to throw the kinds of shows you want. They can be a chore to run and maintain. But in a place like Colorado Springs, which has a small number of bands, music venues and media outlets, Flux has been critical in nurturing the DIY scene. Whether Flux lasts another two years is anyone's guess. So far, though, it's beaten the odds.

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