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ch-scene - Re: Eh, Whatever!

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  • From: local506 AT gmail.com
  • To: ch-scene AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: Eh, Whatever!
  • Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:42:55 -0700 (PDT)

>>Let's see: REM, U2, Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne . . .

None of those acts might not be making music as vital as they were
twenty years ago, but none of them completely suck these days. In
fact, the REM show last years was one of the best live shows for me.

>>The reality is closer to "there are 15 or 20 shows this week, and we picked
>>12 that you might want to see, if you're going out anyway, andthis is one
>>of them" vs. "meh."

15-20 shows per week. Try, per night!* And I think its fine to say
'meh' to an acts live show or album but I can tell you first hand that
bands don't interpret such negative pre-press as 'whatever' when
they've just driven five hours to play a show in a new town, haven't
showered in days and starving, and then read how they are basically
unwanted. It's more like a punch to the gut! Especially when there
show is the only negative preview (touring bands have no idea this is
an ongoing section.) And that's why we stopped carrying the Indy: for
all the positive things the Indy says about bands playing here, that
one negative completely outweighs it (and I personally got tired of
having to explain or apologize or insure acts the show would do fine.)

* As mentioned in the other thread, I think a venue like 506 is
unfairly penalized for booking new/developing/touring acts that
ideally have something of a national profile. I think the Cradle and
506 combined get the majority of the 'Eh Whatever' coverage when I'd
like to think our booking is more consistent than some of the smaller
rooms in town. I mean, if Mt St Helens Vietnam Band had played Open
Eye Cafe instead, would they have gotten the thumbs-down by the
Indy...or just ignored completely.

In honesty, I think I would appreciate this section more if it was
more clear that they are basically critiquing bands that have some
type of buzz or national profile and instead of 'Eh Whatever' was
maybe called 'Proceed with Caution' - as in, we know you've been
hearing a lot about this band but we're not sure the hype is justified
for x reason. But, in it's current state, I think myself, many readers
and definitely the bands interpret it as you'd be better off going to
see any of the other 100 plus bands playing tonight than this show!




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