Is that even a word? Well, now it is. Everyone's always complaining about the Pittsburgh "scene", and stating what the problems are or what-not... Okay... not everyone... just people involved in it who like to complain I guess. Well, I have another complaint to add to this mysterious master list that bites my ass... and I don't know how to put a tag on it other than "Unprofessionalism". Really, before you pick the term apart... I realize that most bands on the local level & most bands that we deal with aren't doing this "professioanlly" per se... they're not making a living at it, they're doing it more as a hobby or fun activity. Well, good for you... I do it because I love it too. Sometimes, some people (musicians & booking people) make it hard to love.
People, unintentionally or not... can be assholes. Now, I'm a very laid back kinda guy (ask anyone). Although, I guess I get uptight at certain things... like when I can't get striaght answers... and when things that my name (or my bands' name as an extension of that) are attached to go otherwise than according to plan.
Two ball-breakers hit for this weekend's double header.
First one, not so big of a deal, but annoying as all hell in my eyes. We're put on a last minute show. Okay. No biggie. No notice? Someone pulled out? Okay. All I ask is that I get the detials, as I guess I'm the self-appointed show-pimper(-nazi). When I mean details... I mean time, cost, address, website and/or phone # of venue, name of venue, name(s) of band(s) playing, and said bands' website url's. Not particularly toilsome information to provide, right? Well, apparently this is the most difficuilt task to ever assign anyone who calls themselves a musician, booking agent, or club owner. No one ever knows the fucking answer to anything. The 'confirm the date and I'll get back to you' shit is stupid... they get back to you the week before hand, and expect you to have a place packed with your fans and friend s. People need to know what the hell is going on before they commit to something. People (me) need to know what the hell is going on before the show... a month before... so they can advertise, flyer, talk about it, get the word out.
Why are the other bands important? Well... people are more likely to go out to a show if there's 3 bands they like vs. just one. Which brings me back to the point where I think I was going before I got to a rant inside of a rant inside of a rant... The early show at the Spider Lounge... we were given a list of bands that're playing. I start promoting on last minute notice that there's a show going on, we're playing, & this is who else is playing... The Abbitoir Murders see said advertising... and they're like... "Hey, we're not on that..." Apparently, one guy is even going to be out of town, so there's no way they could. Turns out they were asked the vauge 'wanna play a show' question, never heard anything as far as details, and assumed it went kaput. Now, this is n ot their fault. It's the fault of whoever set up the show. Who did set up the show? I dunno. I thought we had set up a central booking guy in order to keep all of the shit in line... so all details & info could go through him and he could ask the right questions... but apparently no one passes show info to him other than me. There was a reason for my madness that apparently no one else sees here. The way I see it though, I'll play anywhere... so I go along with this, even though I have no idea what the fuck is going on. Don't blame me if we can't bring any people out because I can't answer any detailed questions. One thing I hate more than other people being dumb, is looking dumb myself. I get word out on everything I know... then everything changes, and I look like an idiot that doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground.
In with this gripe goes websites... I ask for band or venue urls.., and I'm surprised at how many have none or incredibly out-dated information. It's 2005. Everyone knows someone with the internet. There are free sites out there, like this one, that can get information about your place up & out. Message me if you want help with this. I'll do it gladly. That way... when people are like "I don't know", we can go to the website to check out times, directions, schedules, lists of bands, etc... but even at that, the shit changes so often because bands are pulling out, or people are saying the so-and-so band is gonna be there when what they meant is that they were thinking about asking that band to maybe play... so what's the f'n use I guess? Then I get the band's "too new" to have a website. Well, if you're too new to have a website, you're too new to play a show. Get word out abotu th ere before you play. Start some hype. Tell people about yourself.
In with all the above is what I call the AMC/Club Angel's Phenomenon. This includes some strange practices indeed... the AMC part is where you book three bands after telling the club you'll take care of it... then you get there and 3 more bands have been added to the show, yet it's set to start at the same time as previously advertised... and somehow, the bands that were added go on 1st, take way too long to set up, play for 45 min., and the bands you've booked & your bands get fucked into short sets and playing after PA's teen-driving curfew time so no one's left to watch you anyway... not even the fans that were pissed that they came out too see you & had to leave before you went on, or face the possible wrath of a bored state trooper, or irate parent.&nb sp; The Club Angel's side is where they call you and put you on a show... tell you the names of 2 other bands that're playing... so you advertise those bands... get there, and find there's five other bands on the show... none of which are the two you've been advertising.
Wow... all of that ranting and confusion from one little show?
The next show... we've had planned for how long? I dunno... a long time. Us, Moment of Tragedy, & the Have Nots. This show? Jason booked it so we have all the bands set, all the detials set, things were confirmed, flyers were made & put up, and all is good to go. No problem, right?
Well, today... (the day before the show) We're informed that the Have Nots are no longer a band. Okay. The Have Nots are a great band. They've put us on shows before. I love to watch them play. They all seem like nice guys. But, seriously... WHAT THE FUCK? I know, shit happpens. You might not get along anymore. You might not have practiced a lot lately. All things that don't happen overnight... so this falls under "Things that should have been brought to our attention prior to yesterday" (to paraphrase Robbie the wedding singer). And... again... this show has been planned for a while. Is there no such thing as being honor-bound to play, or finding someone to take your place? We still haven't gotten "official" word. Were they just gonna be a no-show tomorrow had Mi ke not talked to Ed?
I've only ever backed out of a show one time... that's when Boner & Ben quit AiXeLsyD the morning of a video shoot that we were to have at Angry Johhny's for "Stand Up" in order to appear on Pittsburgh cable show The Venue. There was a whole lot of chaos going on that day, so it was understandable IMO. Other than that, any time shit arose... we either played w/o a band member, got someone to replace a band member & learn a set within weeks (Thanks Jake, now of the Last Hope, for helping form the Fismits and opening for the Undead when AiXeLsyD couldn't do it!), and An-Die and I have even played acoustic sets when a drummer bailed . The Rally Ally loved that shit. Even that day we cancelled... I called like a mother-fucker tryign to get someone out who knew our drum parts... and then, eventually called everyone putting the show together and told them we couldn't make it. I'd never just bail & not pass the word on.
Is there no code of honor among musicians? No common bond? No feeling of being on the same team or striving for the same goal? Get some convictions, people.
The whole booking thing before... I could get involved in our whole deal with Shadrag's Entertainment, but I digress... and we'll save that story for another day.
So... in conclusion (you were following that I was making a point here, right?) maybe all the Pittsburgh scene needs is for all of us to get our shit together. We need to plan, organize, and follow through. It's not that hard. Well, I know it's hard for artists of any type to do anything so regimented... but if you stay regimented in this facet, maybe it will push you to be even more free on the artistic side. Who knows? Try it, you might like it. If we all got our facts staight before we anwsered questions, if we all advertised the same shit for the same day & time, if we all stuck to our commitments, and if we all communicated better... we'd have a hell of a lot more fun in a less stressful environment.