This, my friend, is hard to stand

god bless the bands that play SLC on weekdays.

If lil' "g" doesn't bless them, who will?

I just witnessed an amazing show. As a witness, I count myself among a minority. The worst part is, at one point, there was a reasonable crowd. Sadly, they came out to see the one local band that whined their way into playing before the touring bands and left before the bands that mattered ever played their first chord. I can't say I blame them... I myself was getting tired.

As a local band, they broke some pretty basic rules.

Sorry for any of you that are tired of my preachifying:

Rule #1:

Unless the band has a dediciated following, they rely on the local band to bring out the crowd. This often requires that the local band play at the end of the night. Even if said local band has to work, or go to school, or jerk off in the morning. It doesn't even matter if your band will sound like dull drillbits, drilling into your rotten teeth, after the tour band. The locals do what they must to create the best possible crowd for the touring band.

Rule #2:

Bands should set up and tear down quickly. This is especially true for local acts, and even more true on weeknights. It's a fact. On a Wednesday night, everyone in the bar is probably concidering the wisdom of their being at a show/bar, when they have to work in the morning. The sooner you allow the other bands to play, the better. The better for you, because your friends will be happy to see some great touring bands. The better for the touring bands, because there are poeple there to have fun, cheer and buy merchandise. The better for the bar, because people don't get bored and leave; and finally, the better for the fans, because they were able to experience a band that they had never heard, but fell in love with, before they decided that they should be in bed.... or what ever else they think they should be doing...

I hope Turdus Musicus (latin for swallow song) plays in Utah again. They are an amazing band from Norway. They certainly don't need to play here. I'm pretty sure they lost money to play tonight... I also hope that Underminer plays SLC again. The "promoter" who will go nameless, made no metion that a Mr. Karl Alvarez (of The Decendants and ALL and, let not forget, the Massacre Guys, among others) is the frontman of this band. One of the true legends for punk rock played in SLC to, maybe 5 people beyond his friends and the staff. It made me want to cry...

So

To any members of any local bands out there:

Support the touring bands you play with. Think of your selves as supporting bands, not openning bands.

Be okay that you may play to a hand full of your most devoted fans, because the rest of your fans just discovered their new favorite band, before than whimped out and went home to sleep.

Don't rely on the bar, or a promoter. The bar does what they can, but let's be honest, most promoters survive by taking money that should go to the musicians. Hell, tongith the promoter didn't show he ugly face. It probably a good thing. I would have been tempted to kick it where it resides... deep up his own ass...

Love,

Nate