TJ's was a nightclub located on Clarence Place in Newport, South Wales. [1] It opened in 1985 and has become a live music venue, particularly for rock music. It is also an integral part of the so-called toilet circuit. The club advertises itself as "The Legendary TJ's".
The venue started in 1971 as a restaurant named "Cedar's Rest" before becoming a burger bar named "The Pittsburg Diner". John Sicolo bought the premises in 1973 and extended into an adjoining property to form the nightclub "El Sieco's", during which time a variety of musical artists, including local folk acts, performed at the premises.
Sicolo established TJ's as a live music venue on the premises in 1985, the name TJ's representing John and his late partner Trilby.
Catatonia filmed their single "Mulder and Scully" at the venue. It is allegedly the place that Kurt Cobain proposed to Courtney Love. [2]. Other bands which played at T.J's early in their careers include Oasis, Manic Street Preachers, Green Day, The Offspring, Lostprophets, Primal Scream and Skunk Anansie.
TJ's was voted one of the top 50 'Big Nights Out' in the world by FHM in December 1997.[3]
In 2002 Jeff Killed John (forerunner band of Bullet for my Valentine released their EP You/Play with Me through radio airplay on BBC Radio 1's broadcast at Newport's T.J.'s.[4]
John Sicolo, owner of the club throughout its period of popularity, died on 14 March 2010, aged 66. [5] A tribute concert in his honour, headlined by Goldie Looking Chain, was held in the city's John Frost Square on 10 July 2010.[6]
On 15 September 2011 TJ's was sold at auction for £242,000 [7].