177 replies to this topic

[Brodie]

a great man once said, "Ask not what your city can do for you. Ask what you can do for your city."

I think that's what I mean in this case. We ARE Phoenix. What can WE do?

And to answer mothrock... I think you've hit on a factor, too. Is low attendence an economy thing? Are we a poorer scene than other cities?

Hmm...

[nathan]

The mystery here is, why do bands here draw 100 one night and 5 another night? And sure, there are lots of factors... competing concerts on the same night, promotion, the venue, etc.

perhaps some bands feel inclined to play more shows in a period of time than is good for them, or good for the scene.

[Brodie]

perhaps some bands feel inclined to play more shows in a period of time than is good for them, or good for the scene.

I agree. Some acts play out too much. I don't know what the quota should be, though. Some bands like to play once a month or once every few months... I like to play every two or three weeks (not counting my regular Monday night appearence at Willow)... I really don't know what the limit an act should impose on themselves is.

[guitarduane]

what is the difference between phoenix and other scenes, if you will. not LA, there are too many other factors out there. but say an austin or omaha. i've never been, but i hear the kids in slc come out in force, why there and not here? maybe it's something that can't be repaired. i always see the same faces at shows, and they are all in bands. why doesn't the non-band people come out? are they chased off? how do you get the everyday guy to come to shows? maybe we should start offering free golf to the first paid people through the doors. haha, i made myself laugh out loud!

[Brodie]

what is the difference between phoenix and other scenes, if you will. not LA, there are too many other factors out there. but say an austin or omaha. i've never been, but i hear the kids in slc come out in force, why there and not here? maybe it's something that can't be repaired. i always see the same faces at shows, and they are all in bands. why doesn't the non-band people come out? are they chased off? how do you get the everyday guy to come to shows? maybe we should start offering free golf to the first paid people through the doors. haha, i made myself laugh out loud!

A friend of mine says that people here just aren't as cool as in other cities. That people show up to shows because they want to, here we have to work our asses off to drag them out reluctantly. That this is a place where people come to die, not to live. I don't know if my friend is right, but I see a lot of kids, a lot of music fans, and a lot of potential.

[Tony]

I agree. Some acts play out too much. I don't know what the quota should be, though. Some bands like to play once a month or once every few months... I like to play every two or three weeks (not counting my regular Monday night appearence at Willow)... I really don't know what the limit an act should impose on themselves is.

the more you play out, the better you get at it. pistols at dawn was way better at show #100 than at show #1. and the next band will be the same way. but i agree that it does more harm than good to play 5 shows a month. that said, if you're willing to play all sorts of ridiculous venues (i.e., a famous sams out in avondale in addition to places like the paper heart) you shouldn't have to worry about overexposure because you're probably not going to see any of the same people at those shows.

[nathan]

f u Tony Hope things are going well dude!

[chadk]

phoenix is a f**King spread out town. it's not a seattle or portland or san francisco ... it's not dense like--it's not a walking city--that so that's another strike against it.

right but it could be a walking town, and i think with all the new revamping of downtown and lightrail it will be. the more there is to do downtown the more people will go there.

i am down right excited to be able to walk to the light rail and take it to tempe.

(obligitory colorado statement) when i lived in colorado i would drive from my folks house in the suburbs and "hang out" downtown. whether it be a coffee house, bar, or show, irt didn't matter, it was the "city"

do the kids come to phoenix from the suburbs?

[nathan]

they come from the suburbs and go to Mill Ave. So maybe we could have some good shows at Long Wong's or Gibson's....oh, wait.

[guitarduane]

i also think local radio is part of the problem. one station does one hour of local music a day? and i'm not saying radio should be playing more local music, but would it hurt to do a local calendar or something? or is that the job of the promoters to get their shows announced on the air? i bet that is pricey. i know alot of people i work with often ask me after i tell them about a show i'm excited for, "i've never heard of them, what station are they on?". and when i say the band doesn't get airplay, they are not interested at all. how can people let the radio tell them what is good music, i don't get it?

[unluckycharm]

phoenix is a f**King spread out town. it's not a seattle or portland or san francisco ... it's not dense like--it's not a walking city--that so that's another strike against it.

right but it could be a walking town, and i think with all the new revamping of downtown and lightrail it will be. the more there is to do downtown the more people will go there.

i am down right excited to be able to walk to the light rail and take it to tempe.

(obligitory colorado statement) when i lived in colorado i would drive from my folks house in the suburbs and "hang out" downtown. whether it be a coffee house, bar, or show, irt didn't matter, it was the "city"

do the kids come to phoenix from the suburbs?

yeah i think the lightrail thing will transform shows to a certain extent. at least then all ages shows might be even better attended (if there *are* any then...hehe...bars seem to not like all ages shows). i actually think phoenix's 'scene' is pretty decent. what does it lack that could kick it in the ass? a record label or two that are thriving entities.

hmmm....seattle has subpop; chicago has thrill jockey--used to have wax trax; new york has tons of labels; there's merge in what, south carolina? see a pattern here? what does phx have?

i went to see Drums and Tuba last night at rhythm room. great show. very poorly attended....maybe 15 people there. at $8 cover, i can't imagine they will be playing here a lot more.

[weener]

do the kids come to phoenix from the suburbs?

Sometimes, but let me tell you, it is difficult.

1) Try to convince your parents that the Mason Jar isn't a dangerous place to hang out
2) Try to convince your parents that you're not going to crash their car
3) Yes, dad, I'll be home by 11. Wink wink, nudge nudge
4) No, dad, Meatwhistle never swears.

This is why a lot of kids from the suburbs (I was from Cave Creek) don't spend nearly as much time in Phoenix as they'd like.

[bob]

Haha. I remember when I made the mistake of telling my mom I was going to see a band called Naked Aggression.

I missed Green Day three times because my mom wouldn't let me go. At the Silver Dollar.

[weener]

Well, I'm sure she was just concerned that you were going to see some nudity.

[billy]

hmmm....seattle has subpop; chicago has thrill jockey--used to have wax trax; new york has tons of labels; there's merge in what, south carolina? see a pattern here? what does phx have?

woooooooooooooooooooooooord.