Click on image for full set. Photos by Jack Diablo.
You'll notice I didn't take any pics of the crowd. That's because you weren't effing there! Something's gotta give Jacksonville.
Since you missed the show, I'll go ahead and let you know that bigbearlittlebear, a new local band, played their first show and it went really well. They use some rad visuals in their set as they play a rack of synths, MacBooks, and various other doodads to create their electronic shoegaze magnificence. Bryan told me they should playing some more shows at Jack Rabbits soon and hopefully some other (cheaper) places as well. Keep an ear to the ground.
But here's the deal...
I recently got into an argument about which bands to support. First of all, I am all about the local stuff. I love free (and cheap) shows and getting to see new acts and old favorites. But the Jacksonville music scene will never truly thrive until it becomes a desirable location for at least smaller touring bands to stop at. This allows for opening opportunities for local acts and as a result, increased exposure.
So the question is, why aren't you going to shows? If I had to guess I'd say it's ticket prices. During the week, shows start on time and end usually before 12:30 so it can't be that. So are the venues overcharging us to meet their bottom line in these tough economic times or are the bands getting greedy. Gas prices aren't out of control right now so in my opinion they need to lower their ticket prices to get people out.
However, I went to a show (Dr. Dog) in St. Augustine and it was packed! How the hell is St. Augustine attracting better bands than Jax and drawing huge crowds? Are the venues not doing enough to promote the bands that do come through? Sound off and tell us what you think!
Posted by Jack Diablo.
5 comments:
to show my age i seen low with small factory in i believe the late 90's at stetson university . it was a good show i remember sneezing when low was on and everyone turning around and snarling at me cause they music was so quiet.
but yeah the band scene in j-ville or lack of is one reason jaxscene was started. a few things you don't have going for you, the bands them self don't support each other, and shows aren't fun if you can't share it with others. someone how you got to get people to love show more then just going out to a dance night and have bands go out to see other bands to form a community of bands that support each other. something like that. if your in a band and your not so selfish about saving to put out your album and you go out to a lot of other shows somehow that makes me like who you are.
Tom speaks the truth. IMHO very very few bands in Jax support one another. As with many other scenes, any group that has even a modicum of success will be shit talked into the ground. I guess, I am an old guy too, so maybe I am cranky. But, honestly, at this point, I have no love for the Jax "scene" and would rather play out of town. The crowds are larger and ten times more supportive.
As for Jack Rabbits, I think it is a combination of a location that people don't particularly want to go to and overcharging their patrons. That said, they usually get good sound there.
Lastly, Tom makes a VERY good point when he mentions people would rather go to some dance night. It amazes me that people would rather go see a "DJ" hit the cue and the play button then to see an actual show. A couple of these nights are basically oldies by another name. I think we all like some nostalgic songs from the Einstein's or Art Bar eras, but music didn't stop happening in the mid 90s. YOU just stopped caring about it.
So, the next time you make fun of your parents old bands and oldies radio, be aware that you are doing what amounts to the same thing.
Support some new stuff! Support your local bands, art shows, etc. OR quit your bitching when nothing comes to Jax. YOU made it this way and only YOU can change it.
I will post this anon as not to reflect on my band mates, friends, etc. But, there you have an honest opinion.
There is a place that features smaller touring bands (and pretty large ones as well) + gret up and coming local acts, for cheap (5-10 bucks) and every week of the year. friday night is a guaranteed good show.
It's called TSI, its downtown.
Oh, and the turn out for these shows is at least 70 people. or in the case of last friday, SOLD OUT.
there's a huge list on the website right now.
www.clubtsi.com
I guess I should have mentioned what an awesome job places like Shantytown and TSI do for local bands. Both of these venues have shows for either free or as cheap as what you'd pay to get in to aby club.
I personally just want to see more out-of-town bands make Jacksonville a stop on their tour.
I think it's the fact that all the venues suck.
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