To the right: Chris Idleman of 7 Days Torn at the Thunderdome in Maryland on March 21, 2003.
An over-due rant...
The more I think about this, the more it irritates me. I'm thinking, you know...This is the kind of stuff that kills creativity and diversity right at its heart.
It seems small. It seems innocent. It seems natural, but it's downright rude and unprofessional. What has my undies in a bunch this week?
I drove, along with Porter (who I asked to go with me last minute so I wouldn't be getting myself lost in downtown Philly or Camden, NJ alone...) down to the Tweeter Center to support and document Sceva opening up for UnLoco, Taproot, Chevelle, and Disturbed on the "Music is a Weapon Tour 2."
When we got there, we met the contact from the massive communications and media conglomerate who was to distribute the press passes we needed to get in. There were five of us there to document Sceva's performance, and one unknown photographer.
Two things peeved me off. First off, the unknown photographer hadn't a clue who was playing that night. As a music fan and a photographer, it kinda irks me when someone's taking photos just because they should, and not because they're enjoying music. The guy didn't know who ANY of the bands were... I can accept knowing only one band...but if you've never heard of any of the bands that are going to be at a show, you're in the wrong place. Go home. Well...no, don't go home...but at least pay attention. Gees...when I go out to shoot a show, I usually at least know the name of one of the bands...and if I don't, I'll find out. I listen to as many bands that I've never heard of as I can. I generally stay for an entire show unless there's a reason I need to be elsewhere. If offered the opportunity to see and photograph a band, even if I've never seen them before, I take it! To borrow a phrase I hear all the time... "But I digress..." or something.
This brings me to the other thing that peeved me off. This unknown photographer and the lady from the communications company were discussing when the photographer wanted to get in and take photos.
- Lady from C.C.: "Do you want the first band?..."
- Photographer: "Who is it?"
- Lady from C.C.: "Oh, just some band that won a radio station competition to play. Skivvies? How do you say that again?"
Ok, #1, regardless of who the first band is...you want them. You want them simply because then you're being exposed to music you may never otherwise hear! If no one ever saw a band they'd never heard of... no one would ever have seen anyone. (insert explicative here.) grrr.
#2, HOW RUDE IS THAT?! To say that a band is JUST anything is completely assinine. To say that a band is only there based on a radio station competition, first off, de-values the fact that they had to be better than someone else in order to be there. Secondly, to say it like that is completely contradictory to the point behind holding such a competition to expose new artists to larger groups of people. Thirdly, you don't say something like that to press representitives. Fourth, HELLO, there were FIVE of us that were standing there just for Sceva. Why would you say something like that in front of the band's potential fans?! And finally, get the stinkin' name right. Gees.
Why does this bother me so much? Maybe it has something to do with every little comment you make has a chance of hitting the wrong ears and causing damage. Even this little diatribe of mine is probably going to be read by just the wrong eyes, and it'll come back to bite me. Such is life...but there are some basic things that can keep you from being bitten.... like showing everyone just the tiniest measure of respect.
I understand the Lady from C.C.(I'm abreviating the name on purpose) was running around coordinating all sorts of things... I suppose I should cut her some slack for it....but then, it's also her job, and she's more than likely being paid to do it. I just have a thorn in my side on this one. It's one more thing to suppress music and music awareness beyond the multimedia conglomerate that decides what bands we're supposed to like. oop...did I say that? I need to be more careful about letting things slip out that could inspire a conspiracy theory and incite the masses to doubt the establishment. ooooh hehe... goodie... I get to use a big word now. Antidisestablishmentarianism! hehe. I feel better now.
Speaking of alternatives... I'll be at the Independant Musician's Conference in Philly this August/September.The DEADLINE is APPROACHING for involvement with the Independent Musicians' Conference in Philladelphia August 28th-September 31st. I will be one of the mentors at the conference this year... Check out http://www.imc2003.com/ and the Message Board for details.
Condolences to the band members, friends, family, and fans of Weapons For Peace on their recent breakup. My support goes with you in whatever you all choose to persue.
A special thank you and shout out to those who have been active on the message boards lately. I sincerely enjoy chatting with you!
I've been bad. I've been lazy. I've been down a bit for the same reason most Americans have been kinda pissy lately. BUT I'm getting out of it. I've grounded myself from CNN, and have gotten busy on the site again. I updated the band list (again...), moved the featured artist article to the archives, and cleaned out some of the message board. Newer photos from recent weeks are coming soon as well. I appologize to all the bands I've been neglecting lately. A big thank you and hug goes out to the fellas from 7 Days Torn and Eleven:54 for perking me up the last few weeks... I always have and always will fall upon music in times of sadness to bring a smile. If you can, join me down at the Recher Theatre in Towson, MD this Saturday for 7 Days Torn, Green Machine, Combination Lock, and Swift Holly. [Side note...Swift Holly was the recipient of the christmas carolling down the 4th floor hall at the Millenium Music Conference. All bands except for Combination Lock were at the conference.]
Be safe, have fun, and enjoy every moment... see you out there! - Ang
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