The Continental Posters (1982–83) – Selections from Dean Brownrout

Fitz Books presents a selection of concert posters from Dean Brownrout’s personal archive, highlighting the early years of Buffalo’s iconic music venue, The Continental. This collection offers a unique window into a transformative era when punk, new wave, and the emergence of MTV reshaped the musical and cultural landscape. Brownrout, whose 25-year music business career began in Western New York, cut his teeth booking and promoting shows at The Continental before moving to New York City in 1983. Featured posters showcase rising and critically acclaimed artists—including The Damned, Billy Idol, and The Dream Syndicate—capturing a moment when underground music was breaking into the mainstream. Also on display are posters from other regional venues where Brownrout staged concerts, including a legendary local appearance by Velvet Underground icon Nico, above a pizza parlor. Brownrout’s recently published memoir, “No Big Deal: Chasing the indie music dream in the last days of the record business” (Guernica Editions), traces his path from promoting concerts as a teenager in Buffalo to working in the international punk, new wave, and metal scenes. In the early ’90s Brownrout founded the Big Deal record label. He spent nearly two decades in NYC before returning to Buffalo in 2002.

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