The Mr. Roboto Project is a Do It Yourself (DIY) nonprofit volunteer-run cooperative venue and show space in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The structure of The Mr. Roboto Project was modeled partially after the 924 Gilman St club in Berkeley, CA,[1] combined with elements of the East End Food Co-op in Pittsburgh, PA.
In 1998, the scene began to grow, the idea to create a collectively run venue in the spirit of 924 Gilman or ABC-No-Rio was hatched.
At this meeting some of the basic structure of Roboto was formed including choosing to be set up as a cooperative with a Board of Directors rather than a strict collective.
This led to the group meeting up with Mark Smith, the head of the local Chamber of Commerce, and checking out an empty storefront location at 722 Wood Street.
At that time, Local promoter John Fail was looking for a venue for the second incarnation of his ADD Fest (an event with approximately 10 bands all playing 10-minute sets) and it was decided to make this Roboto's opening show.
[3][4] Prominent bands to play the original Roboto space include Karate, Ted Leo, Engine Down, The Blood Brothers, American Nightmare, The Nerve Agents, Taking Back Sunday, Anti-Flag, Count the Stars and Against Me!
Roboto II featured larger touring acts including Atmosphere, Converge, Thursday, American Nightmare, Thrice, Bane, Piebald, The Lawrence Arms, Destroyer and many others.