Hamilton, Ontario –

This Ain’t Hollywood

For more than a century, the building that became This Ain’t Hollywood was part of Hamilton’s working-class and cultural landscape.

Originally opened in 1893 as the McKenzie House, the building evolved alongside the city. By the 1930s, its proximity to the CN rail yards and Hamilton’s docks made it a popular gathering place for railway workers and sailors. In later decades it became the Turbinia House and eventually Copper John’s.

Then, in 2009, This Ain’t Hollywood rocked onto the scene.

Named after a song by Hamilton punk band The Forgotten Rebels, the venue became a beloved part of the city’s independent music scene, welcoming musicians, artists and music fans through its doors until its closure in 2020.

About the Artwork

This vintage-inspired illustration is my tribute to the wonderfully gritty character of This Ain’t Hollywood and the people who made it much more than an oddly shaped old building on James Street North.

I wanted to capture the feeling of arriving for a show: the glowing windows, the weathered exterior and that unmistakable sense that something loud, strange and interesting was probably happening inside.

The building itself was perfectly imperfect, which somehow suited the eclectic mix of musicians and patrons who spent countless nights there rockin’, drinkin’ and keeping Hamilton’s independent music scene alive.

There’s another personal connection to this piece as well. The illustration is featured in the revival of the animated series Sons of Butcher, bringing a little piece of Hamilton music history into another distinctly Hamilton creation.

The venue may be gone, but the memories, music and stories created there remain.

The heart of This Ain’t Hollywood will keep beating long after the bricks and mortar are gone.

Art Print Details

Prints are sold unframed.

11" × 14" Art Print

Printed on 100 lb matte cover stock with a 0.5" white border, ready for framing.

16" × 20" Art Print

Printed on smooth 8 pt C2S stock with a matte finish.

Choose between:

• 2" white border for a more traditional, gallery-style framed presentation
• 0.5" white border for a larger artwork area

Limited Edition Fine Art Prints

Available in 16" × 20" and 24" × 36"

For collectors, a limited edition of just 15 signed and individually numbered prints is available in each size.

Each limited edition is printed on premium 300–320 gsm fine art paper, made from acid-free, 100% cotton rag with a beautiful matte finish.

Limited editions include a 2" white border and are personally signed and numbered.

Only 15 available in each limited-edition run. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Canadian Shipping

Prints that are not currently in stock are produced to order. Please allow approximately 10–15 days for printing and delivery within Canada.