We had the cops called on us last night.  Of course it was a noise complaint.  Apparently after 3 years of rehearsing in the same place, we are all of a sudden TOO FUCKING LOUD! So the nice cop, she was very cool about the whole thing, told me either "turn it down, turn if off, or get a ticket".  I told her well then I guess we're done, because there's no way in hell we can turn down, and I'm not taking a ticket. 

Now I know who called the cops to complain about the music.  It was the wannabe loser fucks that live next door.  They are the newest ones here, and they can't stand any type of metal.  They will get what's coming to them.  People in glass houses should not throw stones.

With all that said, we are shut down until we are done remodeling the jam room, AGAIN.  More sound proofing, and some additional interior walls.  We should be back up and jamming by the weekend. 


Thanks for the continued support....


Keith












 

First off let me say this,

SELF INFLICTED IS NOT FROM OKLAHOMA CITY OR THE OKLAHOMA CITY AREA.

That is for all of you that group us or categorize us as an Oklahoma City band. We are from Enid. And Enid is NOT a suburb of Oklahoma City. No where even close. If you don’t believe me or really want to know where Enid is compared to OKC, then get a map and look it up. I only mention this because those of you who are going to categorize or group an Enid based band as an OKC band, then you need to include all the bands in Tulsa & Lawton also. It just as far to OKC from those two cities as it is from Enid.

Now having said that, I really have no place talking about the OKC Metal scene, except for the fact that we still play more shows there then anywhere else, and I have to admit, I have noticed a lot of bull shit going on between the metal bands there. This is not a competition. Or at least it’s not to me or to us, and when I say us I mean Self Inflicted. We don’t give a shit if you think your band is better than ours. We don’t give a shit if your band can sell more tickets. We don’t give a shit that you won some "battle of the bands". We don’t fucking care! PERIOD!!! We play the music we play because we love it, because we want to, because it’s in our blood. We don’t do it to prove we're the best tickets salesmen, or to be some winner of a battle of the bands, or to prove anything for that matter.

Now I’m not dogging anyone that sells tickets or that participates in battle of the bands. Although we have never played a battle of the bands, we have done the pre-sale ticket thing. Not to make any excuses for it, but we only do it for national acts now. And it’s only because we want to open for those bands, not because we need to. Does it make it right that we have to sell tickets, NO, but I understand where the promoter is coming from. They do it because most bands won’t get off their asses to promote the show, or the bands have the attitude that they are better than that, and it’s all the promoter’s job. I have got some news for all of you; it’s all of our jobs to promote the show. And just because you post a bulletin or two on myspace or wherever doesn’t mean you are promoting the show. Myspace and the internet is just another tool to use, it shouldn’t be your only means of promotions. I think it is really arrogant and snobbish of those of you that assume all metal fans, hell all people in general, have a computer and they all have the internet. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not letting promoters off the hook, they have to promote the show just as much as the bands do. It’s their money after all. Some of them do a good job, others don’t, but we all need to be held accountable for this. Not just the promoter or the bands. And for those of you that think that the lights, the PA, sound guys, light guys, stage hands, security, bartenders, doormen, etc., etc., are free to the promoter then you are a fucking idiot. There isn’t anything in life that is free, including death.

So, is having bands sell tickets a necessary evil nowadays, probably, but that doesn’t mean it is right. However, I don’t really think the pre-selling tickets is the problem. If anything I think the problem lies with selling tickets for slots. I think all that does is pit band vs. band, which in turn tears the scene apart even further. Open your eyes, it’s happening right now.

And another thing on ticket selling, it is not just an OKC thing, it happens everywhere. Well since I’m talking about ticket selling, I have this to say to all of you who text me, call me, e-mail me, send me messages via myspace or facebook or what ever wanting me to buy tickets from you and come to OKC to show my support for your band, and then you or not one of your band mates come to one of our shows in OKC, YOU CAN SUCK A BIG FUCKING DICK. You actually expect me to buy a ticket to your show, spend at least $50 just in gas, drive 90 plus miles one way, to come & show my support for your band, and then you won’t do the same when we play in the city, and you live in the metro area. Fuck you, I don’t need you, we don’t need you. And don’t ask me for anything, because the answer is NO!!! 

Now I’m not saying be at every Self Inflicted show. But if you want me or my band mates supporting your band, then your ass’ better support us in return. That support thing is a two way street.

You know, Self Inflicted played a show in a little town outside of Lawton this past weekend. It was an all ages and it was over early enough that we had time to stop by the Railhead in Lawton to see a friend of ours band play. And what did we see when we walked in the door, but all the Lawton bands that we just played with. They were all there together, drinking, socializing, and having a good time, TOGETHER!  That’s what I don’t see out of the OKC metal community, bands coming together to support each other, no matter who they are. The things I see are bands leaving the show right after their set; bands telling everyone to follow them to their house because they have a free keg or whatever; bands canceling on the day of the show, then not encouraging their fans to come out anyway, and not show themselves; bands talking shit about one another behind each others backs; bands just not supporting other bands, and then getting butt hurt when no one supports them. It’s all a bunch of childish bullshit. Enough already and grow the fuck up.