I had a really special musical experience Saturday night while visiting David Blaine’s The Steakhouse in the heart of Bushwick. DBTS is a residential space for several prominent young musicians who occasionally open their home to visitors of all ages for rock and roll shows. The lineup Saturday night included Bellows (pictured above) who were playing their first gig at the unique venue.

In deference to the somewhat off-the-books nature of the place – and to respect the notion that the future viability of DBTS probably hinges on maintaining a limited shroud of mystery as it relates to the show-going experience – I’ll omit a few details from the recap. Rest assured, it’s an amazing place and I love the spirit and mission of it.

You wouldn’t know there was a loud rock show full of life happening inside when you’re standing outside the building DBTS occupies. It was dark and quiet on the street as I stood there unsure of how to enter. The door was locked from the outside and a panel of doorbells offered no hint about which one corresponded with DBTS. I only learned of the building’s address by doing a little digging on the web. A few write-ups on previous shows indicated you could bring cold ones in so I bought a 25-ounce can of Bud at the lively deli down the street.

A couple minutes passed as I waited for someone to either exit or enter. Nobody did – and I wondered if I was at the right place. Next thing you know, Bellows drummer Felix Walworth came out of the door that was locked. I said hello and told him I was unclear about how to get in. He graciously offered assistance and pressed one of the buttons on the grid of doorbell options. I was buzzed in. It’s a little tricky navigating the path leading to the performance space but I found the main entrance and immediately noticed that LVL UP drummer Greg Rutkin was one of two guys working the door. Admission was five bucks. Rutkin was very warm and welcoming in a way that made you feel like a special guest at a party.

The band Pocket Hercules was playing already. Center of the Room sounded nice and I settled in. There’s a hang-out space one floor above the stage but I spent my time at stage level which includes a functional and clean restroom for visitors. The next band was Normal Person making their live performance debut. Fronted by Bernard Casserly, Normal Person included Rutkin on guitar and LVL UP’s bass player Nick Corbo on drums. Casserly has wonderful stage presence and howled beautifully on the great tune 1,000,000 Times. I had heard that song in advance via Bandcamp and wondered if his vocals were perhaps manipulated via the recording process but they definitely weren’t. Casserly reaches deep from the throat and has a naturally intense voice on that particular song reflecting on difficult life circumstances. I’ll be anxious to see Casserly and these guys again. Casserly’s song Scorched also sounded awesome. The only blemish on the evening came midway during Normal Person’s set when a couple guys standing near me heckled Casserly in terms that seemed to go a bit beyond good-natured ribbing.

Bellows was on after that and they were fantastic. Their usual bass player Henry Crawford is in the middle of a tour with his primary endeavor Small Wonder so Jonnie Baker covered his spot with aplomb. Walworth (on drums) uses the rim to great effect on several Bellows songs which on Saturday night came primarily (if not exclusively if I remember right) from their latest record Blue Breath. Singer/guitar player Oliver Kalb at one point expressed concern about the level of output from his mike which indeed seemed kinda low. Still, it was a memorable performance at a place that deserves major kudos for its very unique and hospitable set-up. Where is a show of this quality, at this price, with this vibe happening if not here? Maybe nowhere. There’s a few places. Shea. Maybe down the street at Silent Barn? I haven’t been to Palisades yet. The Knit hosted an Epoch heavy lineup a few months ago but really there’s a transition happening now what with the closure of the two great places down by the river.

It certainly must be a sacrifice for DBTS’s residents to allow a crowd to walk into its space and leave a mess but the clear return is cultivation (or carving out – in steakhouse terms) of a movement and spirit outside the restricted realm of entertainment venues limited in their flexibility to host such an event. In sum, TSR gives a rating of five steak-knives out of five to DBTS.