How do you perceive the music scene in Fayetteville?
A few months ago, I decided to ask the Fayetteville Flyer community one of the questions that I ask every person or band that we interview for this site; “What have you been listening to lately?”
We got some great responses, found out about a few new bands and we also found out that for the most part, you guys have some pretty good taste in music. Nice work.
Which made me think it’s time to ask another question that I ask a lot of the bands we interview. How do you perceive the music scene in Fayetteville?
I ask bands this question because it is always interesting to me to check the pulse of our local music scene by asking some of the folks who are arguably most invested in it.
But to really take the temperature of a music scene, you need to hear from more than just the bands.
There are basically three central components that make up a music scene.
- The bands
- The venues
- The community of people who participate in the music scene by going to shows, patronizing the venues, etc.
After that, there are all kinds of things to consider. Are there enough venues? How are they doing? Are they the right kind of venues to support the bands and the people who want to see the bands? Do they treat the bands well? Are they bringing in enough national/regional acts? Are they booking the local bands?
Next, do people in bands go out to see other bands? Do other folks go out and see local bands? How often? Do they buy their music, t-shirts, stickers, and buttons? Do they tell their friends about them? Do they talk about them at work?
And of course, in order for a music scene to thrive, you have to have some good bands. How are the bands associated with the music scene? Do they self-promote online and off? Do they work hard? Do they sound good? Are they relevant? Are they consistent?
One of the quickest ways to gauge a music scene’s vibrance is to take a snapshot of how the venues who specialize in music are doing.
In the last year or so, at least six new music venues have opened in Fayetteville. Off the top of my head, I can think of Greenhouse Grille, Froggy’s, The Gypsy, Smoke and Barrel Tavern, Cheers, and Rogue Pizza Company. There are probably more.
During that same time period, Froggy’s, The Gypsy and the Old Post Office have closed. Plus, Cheers definitely doesn’t do regular shows if they do them at all.
George’s, of course, seems to have been thriving for years.
There are lots of places in town right now doing house shows and that particular scene seems to be doing well. But why is that? Is it because there aren’t enough venues? Is it economics? Will people not pay to see music? Does Fayetteville simply prefer house shows?
From my perspective, I think there are a ton of great bands playing in Fayetteville right now. We have bluegrass, rock, metal, indie, cover bands, jam bands, hip-hop, country, DJ’s, singer/songwriters and more. And a lot of them are really good at what they do.
But that’s just a small part of the equation.
What do you think? Is Fayetteville’s music scene thriving or struggling right now? How are our bands? How is the support? Do we have the venues we need?
I’m not looking for band bashing or venue bashing or a “this guy sucks” type of discussion. I’m really just wondering how our live music community is doing. How do we stack up to where we were 10 years ago. Five? Last year?
Have at it?
Comments
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burgerboy
November 16, 2009
I think we need some more venues that are designed for bigger shows. All of the places now are too small for a real big show. I have high hopes for Rogue.
burgerboy
November 16, 2009
I wish someone would develop something downtown that is designed for bigger acts. We need our version of the Georgia Theater, only not burnt down. The old Uark Theater would be perfect for this if the owner would do it. I love Sidneys Emporium, but you can sell tie-die out of some other storefront.
I hope the recent construction boom hasn’t priced rents out of the ballpark for music venues. Dickson doesn’t have a true large room venue anymore since Dave’s got hit by the wrecking ball. Maybe the Mill District will develop into something cool. Somebody throw up a quanset hut and start selling beer.
mpetty
November 16, 2009
I think we’re seeing unprecedented growth in the music scene here, even compared to the Clunk Music Hall glory days.
It’s just we’re right at the beginning of it. We’ll have that bigger venue within 4 or 5 years.
Taylor Long
November 17, 2009
I think the house shows keep things pretty fresh. There’s no venue in town that really mashes people and music together like the house shows do. And, because there’s no money in it, it’s a free-for-all for the bands AND the crowd.
I’ve been to some bar shows this year that were pretty electric, but I still get the feeling that a lot of people are just there to drink and meet people (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
I vote that we pool our money, buy the boarded up church next to the Maple St. Apartments, turn it over to the city as a publicly owned venue for music and art, and have all ages shows inside a creepy old church. Go!
Of course, it might need a little fixing up… Who’s with me?
Drew Laserdeath
November 17, 2009
I agree, Taylor. House shows rule. No cover, no age restrictions, no overpriced drinks, etc.
Aside from house shows, I think Smoke & Barrel is doing a great job bringing in a lot of awesome bands. I might even say they’re saving Fayetteville music. Gerorge’s is pretty cool sometimes, but I usually don’t want to pay a $10 cover and drink $4 beers. Don’t get me wrong though, I like George’s. They’ve got the space for larger crowds / bigger acts.. but I’d be broke pretty fast if I went there all the time.
Re-vamping that church for all ages shows sounds beautiful. Maybe a little improbable, but we can dream, right?
As far as the music itself goes, I’m psyched about all the new Fayetteville bands that are popping up. The more the merrier. If you’re not in a band, start one! Do something different, crazy, fun, or whatever the hell you want. We can never have enough music.
Logan
November 17, 2009
christ, I love Fayetteville Flyer.
The music scene is not exactly cooking, however I do agree with Matthew that it is ever-improving; and that has more to do with listeners than musicians. The majority of musicians that we see every week on the Flyer’s daily updates are the ones that are playing for a living (and this is not a stab at the Flyer by any means; they are just reporting the options, not the music scene). I am not knocking the dinner-hour musicians, but these are hardly a barometer for what represents the scene (and most of the folks who would be interested in this article already know this). They don’t HAVE to turn the heads of patrons or be creative; they just have to play /something/.
It sounds cliche to say, but I really do wish there was more of an underground feel in Fayetteville. You know, like the feeling that there is something musically amazing going on here that no one really speaks about in public places; grassroots music venues like dark basement clubs or barns outside city limits. That kind of feel can only come from the enthusiasts themselves bringing music in wherever they can. TL’s idea is absolutely brilliant. Buy that church! I think Fayetteville-proper NEEDS a place for music that is not monetarily motivated. House concerts are a good start (I could use more). A music shrine would be better, i.e. the church. Just remember that all of you listeners out there reserve the right to be picky; to not swallow what has been fed to you. I would also ask that you not neglect bands that play on Dickson simply because they are playing Dickson. If they are good, go see them. If not, let them be chewed up by the ignoring crowds in the Dickson machine.
Thank you. I yield the remainder of my time…
Tonya Janks
November 17, 2009
Handful of good bands. A plethora of bad. Horrible music venues, most of which could be better with a decent sound technician.
Pretty pathetic scene-wise. For a college town there should be at least a couple of real shows each night.
roger
November 17, 2009
fayetteville needs to get over it’s infatuation with getting BIG. this is an unimaginative goal.a childish fascination with size. we need the venues that currently exist to get better music,
we need the people that currently exist to occasionally pay to see better bands play challenging music. right now venues are ONLY interested in dance/djs/cover bands/BDS etc… right now houses are only interested in phony music, video game music, fake psych stuff that is horrid, etc…(occasionally something worthwhile happens, i’m speaking about mostly) the few bands in fayetteville actually trying to develop a sound of their own, say something, etc… need to keep doing it for a long time. in houses and in venues and anywhere they can. these bands need to release music and record for there to be a better, tangible underground culture. we need to consider an all ages venue that focuses on diverse music, and cater to people that don’t consider a couple bucks too much for a band to buy a van or pay to record, etc… we need people to write zines about in, make their own art about it, challenge it, try to make it better, and support it, or criticize it
if they have a better alternative.
Urk
November 17, 2009
Dustin, thanks for posting this. It’s like the flyer had a meeting and said “hey, what can we do now to help out Urk’s research project?” Seriously.
(since i don’t live in Fayetteville anymore I can’t give an informed answer. But since I think about music scenes all the time, I can’t keep my nose completely out.)
@Tonya Janks – I know that Fayetteville has some good soundpeople, but I also know that the market for hauling sound systems into bars was collapsing before I left. Do most of the bars now have their own systems? Are the bars just not willing to pay much for anyone with the expertise to mix?
@houseparty fans – are these totally free parties or is there ever a (small) cover? I loved playing houseparties and I do like the feeling that happens when you’re playing for free, but playing rock music costs money and always and only playing (and cleaning up and doing all the other stuff that makes a show possible) for free can be draining, making a scene burn bright but short. Also makes it hard to bring in out of town bands & restricts the kinds of presentations that a band can put on.
There’s a fine line to walk here. I love and respect working musicians, and I think that even with “dinner hour” musicians something holy can happen between the players and the audience. but the attitude of the Venue towards the music changes things, and there does need to be a place where the music isn’t, in the management’s mind, an extension of the beer tap. On the other hand, volunteerism can really wear people and limit the lifespan of a given house/space. 25 years ago or so we rented a warehouse on West Ave. for $150.00/month and brought in touring punk bands that our bands could open for. We had packed houses for 8 months but got kicked out of there by the police and fire depts. We continued booking at bars and rented spaces for another year or so, and brought in bigger and bigger bands, (Flaming Lips, Black Flag, Camper Van Beethoven, Dinosaur Jr. etc.) but opposition from the city and stresses related to handling money and being in bands made it impossible to maintain much longer.
Anyway, DO buy the church, DON’T give it to the city to run, run it yourselves. IMHO. But whatever you do, be smarter about it than we were.
Me
November 17, 2009
I think our music scene in the last 5 years has gone from good to bad and is hopefully turning good again. I was in a band that was playing around here 3-5 years ago and it was a dismal scene. Right after the fall of Dave’s and Chesters and the rise of bars like Stir and 411 things were as bad as I have seen. My band was pretty good, but we could only get bad shows that were sparsely attended and we were lucky to recoup our gas money… and we lived in town! $150 was the most we got for a gig and considering we were a 4 person band that would work from 8-10 setting up and checking sound, then play from 10-2 with a small break… it was tough to justify what we were doing. People like to say that bands should just be all about the music, but most musicians are poor and need to budget their time and money well. It is a tough fact to swallow that a mediocre DJ can get paid 4 times that amount for playing music from his laptop for a couple of hours.
The good news is that lately I have seen more attendance at shows (including places that charge a cover) and more and more places popping up that I would have loved to play at.
I like what Urk points out about the venue’s attitude toward the music… I felt like we dealt with a lot of BS while playing gigs and the management’s only care was to keep the beer taps pouring (hence the 4 hour shows that should have been 1-2 hours).
I can’t say there are really any local bands that I dig at the moment (other than Ben Miller Band), but I think our scene is ripe to produce some good ones eventually.
Urk
November 17, 2009
You know, I think that Dave (from Dave’s on Dickson) did more to hurt the Fayetteville Music Scene than any single person in my memory. He rented the DOD space out from under the JR’s guys, who were trying something more ambitious there than what he did. They might not have stuck with it at the level they were, but they certainly would have booked more imaginatively than he did. AND then he bought Chester’s and turned it into a non-music bar. sorry for the interruption, end rant, back to the present.
Laurie
November 17, 2009
I may get smacked for this, but it seems to me that this is a perfect example of why it would be GREAT if Walton Arts Center built a larger facility north of the county line. They need a larger stage and increased ability for sound and technical stuff in order to bring in the “larger” Broadway and performance groups, and it would free up their current theatre with 1200 intimate seats for those mid-sized bands that aren’t ready for an arena but have outgrown a plywood stage in the corner of a pool hall.
It seems like all the music I love plays on the coasts in the little antique theatres there… makes me sad.
Bailey
November 17, 2009
10 years ago, when I first moved here, Fayetteville’s live music scene was all but non-existent. If you wanted to see a band at a bar, chances were that you had two options. A cover band or a jam band. No offense, but no thanks. No diversity. Same bands, same tired old cover songs from the 60’s and 70’s. 5 years ago, bands like Six Hung Sprung and Phase 1 started doing shows of mostly original music. To me, that’s when things really started to turn around in this town. All of the sudden like a wild fire, original bands pop up and spread. A thriving Metal scene got started at the Gypsy when it was still on Dickson, proving that you don’t have to play any covers to get people to come out to see your band.
As a member of a band here in Fayetteville, I can say that the music scene here is doing very well. The venues and bands here know how to properly promote a show. The community is still supporting and excited about seeing shows. Further more, bands from all over the state are moving here to make Fayetteville their home. Awesome!!! We do need more venues. Venues of substantial size to compete with George’s and to bring in higher caliber shows. The rebirth of music in FAR is in it’s infant stages still. It’s up to the community to keep it alive and well.
Musician
November 17, 2009
As a musician I’d love to play both house shows and Dickson. I think there are great things to take from both. But unfortunately being newer to the area I have little knowledge of which houses are the ones to play at, when they’re going on and who to get into contact with. Any one want to help?
Axle.Evil
November 17, 2009
I’d say the scene is pretty good if we get to see Molly Hatchet two or three times a year. Dang!
*ducks*
musicinthepark
November 18, 2009
Gulley Park Summer Concert Series! FREE, all summer long!
Milton
November 18, 2009
I miss JR’s. I miss Clunk. I even miss Dave’s. I was at JR’s last Saturday night looking at the posters on the wall of bands of yesterday that had come through our town to play and I felt old, reminiscing about the glory days. JR’s brought in good music.
I agree with D. Laserdeath about George’s. They have two stages, which allows for bands big and small, expensive ticket prices, usually because of the name they’re bringing in and expensive drinks. It’s just downright expensive to have a night out on the town that includes George’s (especially now that we also have to pay for a babysitter).
But, I get it because bands have to make a living somehow. We have to make it worth their while to stop here and see why they should not only fall in love with silly us, but tell their music-making friends how great we are, too, so they’ll also come and make good music for us to hear.
Smoke & Barrel wins my heart for the local scene, hands-down. They offer $1 beers (but also the finer labels if you’re feelin’ extra saucy), it’s unpretentious and I think Evan does a great job of communicating who’s coming and I like that because it helps me plan around something I REALLY want to see. However, it’s true … it gets tight in there, which is not always a bad thing, but it can really feel, well, tight. I also agree with the technical issue mentioned above in that some nights, I can only hear the drummer when I’d really like to hear the lyrics.
So, that leads me to talk about today and technology. It helps, kids. That’s how we find out about goings-on nowadays. Use to, we kept a 4×6 flier in our pocket for a week to remind us that we needed to remember the date for that certain show we wanted to see. And then there’s mother MySpace. It lets you sample a bands’ goods before you pay the money to see a band and for some bands this is really good, or really bad (Know what I’m sayin’).
About that old library/church … I know that at one point, they’d wanted to tear it down and put a multi-use building there. My past-serving Planning Commissioner husband tells me that they want to tear it all down and fill that area with leed-certified condos. Hmmph. How great would that spot have been for music? Someone should contact the owners and pitch that. Just sayin’.
I think Fayetteville will always struggle musically, just like it does as an organism of a city, to find balance between staying small, funky and college-town-ish and not trying to be too big for its’ britches. That said, I love our local bands and want them to keep coming out for us. Let’s help them want to. Word?
zh
November 18, 2009
RIP Clunk and JR’s (figuratively). Fayetteville is just now recovering from the loss of these venues and bookers that had ties and connections with large indie booking firms all over the country.
I think it is close to recovering qualitywise, but it always seems to splinter itself. Many bands in town measure themselves by their criticism of their peers or the scene in general. I think some people just want more bands, so they can bash them to make themselves feel better. There is some god awful **** out there. We all know that, but dont worry about that. Go out and support the good stuff even if it doesnt fit in your slim category of acceptable indie rock or whatever your looking for.
Stuart
November 18, 2009
Speaking of House SHOWS!
http://thegroj.notlong.com
Marty Party
November 18, 2009
Quantity is not quality and there is no accounting for taste.
As Roger said previously, Fayetteville’s not going to get big any time soon. And if it does, I think, we’ll not like it so much, for what’s great about this town is the amount of art relative to its size. In this sense – that is, in terms of volume – the music scene is undoubtedly thriving. But I don’t have to tell anyone that quantity and quality are two different things, or that the only real evaluative question – that of quality – is invariably one of taste: “Do you personally like the music that is played in Fayetteville?”
We should judge a music scene not by it’s size and diversity, but instead by how much we enjoy it.
So how is the music scene in Fayetteville? Well, it depends on whom you ask.
roger
November 18, 2009
i think a collective record label would be a good idea. and a collective space like taylor mentioned. obviously these things would take money and input from a few (or many) people. i have put out a 7 inch and it’s expensive. i’m funding 2 more records next year.(my band’s and real live tigers)… if fayetteville had it’s own label (think max records in little rock or dischord in dc who put out hometown records and support local bands in other ways too) i think we could really get a lot going. i would like to put this idea out there because personally i would like to hear albums by Memphis Pencils, Color Club, Perpetual Werewolf, Auger, FMS, Egyptr, The Radio Sky, etc. by this i mean albums recorded really well and that look great with local art, etc… i have demos, or cdrs of a lot of these bands but it’s not the same. i’m sure there are bands i’m forgetting… you can already buy deadbird’s “twilight ritual” at sound warehouse. it rules.
Barter House
November 18, 2009
I’m currently planning on building a small, but well-to-do studio in a house I do not yet have, but will hopefully (and most likely) have here in Fayetteville next year. But instead of money I’d like to try bartering with local musicians to record them. Because I’m in need of some things just as local musicians are in need of recording their songs, but I don’t feel like taking their money. I’d also like to invite local artist to perhaps donate some small prints or pieces of theirs to have around the space so when the bands are recording they might see something they like and talk to the local artists about doing the artwork for their album. It all sounds really idealistic right now and probably wont’ work out that well. But hey, it’s a dream. I’m going to start building the studio sometime soon, since Christmas sales will be nice to benefit from. And I’d be happy to take any help or advice from anyone. I’d also be up for doing house shows. But I just figured this would be a nice thing to say since Roger recommended a collective label, which this probably wouldn’t be, though Barter House Records has a nice ring to it. But I really just want to mesh with the rest of the scene around here, I’d like to experience making music with a lot of different people and I think this would be good.
Stuart
November 19, 2009
As someone that has set up a lot of shows, I know that most places are willing to try just about anything. The problem is the people that step up and really make things happen are usually horrible. Its the squeaky wheel that gets the the grease. They take whoever approaches them. If you aren’t happy with the music scene, but you actually have an idea or know a band that is awesome then try and get them to come and talk to venue owners about it, and make it happen. It’s really easy to sit back and groan and complain and it’s really hard to start a “collective” or whatever, why not just start by making an effort. I have thought for a long time that it would be a good idea to get some kind of listserv or something that people could relay bands looking for places to play to. Some place you could tell everybody that books bands in town that Band X needs a show on this date. I know lots of people that talk to bands from out of town all the time but often have to turn them down and don’t have an easy way to refer them to others, I’ve experienced that myself playing out of town myself.
Tonya Janks
November 19, 2009
The fact that Fayetteville Flyer is the best website for finding out what’s going on music wise and there are only 20-some comments shows that the music scene in Fayetteville is not thriving.
If there isn’t a buzz, then there isn’t a scene.
Andy Roo
November 20, 2009
There are many great bands in town, but honestly there are very few great bands that travel through Fayetteville. Often, the closest that touring bands come to us is Tulsa, Dallas, or St. Louis. When bands choose to come through Fayetteville or Little Rock, they are often adding a few days to their tour for shows in relatively smaller cities that won’t be able to guarantee a fair gig price. That is the sad truth that won’t magically change overnight.
Also, it’s difficult for local bands to successfully tour for the same reason. They just need to exert a lot of effort, or book one big show with a crowd that is guaranteed to pull a big crowd for whatever their scene is. What we’re often left with is great bands that play often and people get tired of seeing the same music (well the people that show up to actually see the band).
I think there is a lot of potential for a healthy music scene, but it’s going to require a lot of involvement from our community. If you feel the scene should be or could be better, just find a way to bring music here or share your music.
milky
November 20, 2009
I keep trying not to compare the scene now to the Clunk/JRs days… Chris and his establishment had a massive role in forming my little high schooler brain. I love that there are more and more house shows popping up, I hope those keep happening through the frigid months. But it’s going to take more than conversation to make a really intense and diverse scene again. Who wants to get together to try and make this happen? Roger, you would be an extremely valuable resource here…
roger
November 20, 2009
i would be willing to do whatever. but really only focus on my own projects that are unpopular. i still book shows i think are worthwhile. but i’m old and burned out and like wade and clunk i’ve probably lost thousands of dollars booking shows. i have some contacts with booking agents that book a lot of bands so if a space materializes i could help pretty easily. this really won’t happen unless local bands bring in bands and open for them to get a crowd. my old band had to do this a lot to get bands shows, we did this for many years and it’s hard to convince most bands to lose money and promote shows to get bands to come. i still do this but like i said i’m old and young people are getting really strange to me, and most likely wouldn’t show up unless it was free and there was free beer, and it was ironic in some way.
milky
November 20, 2009
Hey Rog, what’s your email addy? I have more to say but don’t want to lose my anonyminity here.
roger
November 20, 2009
eagle.blood@gmail.com
roger
November 20, 2009
you mean your real name isn’t milky?
jc
November 24, 2009
Simple facts about great scenes:
1) MANY people are fanatically motivated to promote and attend shows.
this is not the case here.
2) There is a geographic area that houses young, poor, idealistic, and fanatic art lovers and artists. (and drugs.) (hugs too.)
this is not the case here.
3) There are tired (not old) artists and scenesters like Roger that forgo family life and wealth to open dirty bars.
thank god for those guys… you know who you are.
4) There are usually oppressive social and economic problems.
funny enough, this is where its starting to look up.
The kids need to go a little crazier here. IMHO. craziness will follow.
Infidel
November 24, 2009
Doesn’t some of this lay in the hands of the citizens of Fayetteville? It seems like it takes a lot to get anyone out to a show. At Son Volt last week, which to me is a pretty well-known act, barely half the inside stage at George’s was full. The same thing about the Mcleod/Burson Jazz Trio. They’re on hell of a group, but I bet you won’t find more than 10 or so people on any given Tuesday. I agree that de-Chesterfication of Fayetteville led to a downward spiral in the music scene, but at the same time, if no one is going to come to the shows, how do we expect to build a great music scene?
Nate
November 25, 2009
Smoke and Barrel and house shows are saving this town, or at least trying to. Maybe other joints will start following suit. I do, however, agree with Roger on his point that many folks refuse to come out if there’s nothing ironic about the act performing. It seems like serious talent and/or creativity is being phased out in favor of pretentiousness and sarcasm.
djstorms
December 1, 2009
STS9 is coming to Fayettenam 3.3.10. Its time to get weird folks!http://sts9store.com/Store/ChooseTicket.aspx?sid=10303
Sinistayne
December 3, 2009
The lack of a “real scene” in this town has very little, if anything, to do with the venues and/or city policies. It’s the bands.
The fact of the matter, quite simply, is that bands have gotten lazy. Sure, they rehearse, sure they scrounge up their pennies for merch and do their best to play as often as possible, but there’s a reason, at least for me, that many people don’t go to shows anymore: They’re boring.
There is an assumption within a band that just because you’re on stage, you are entertaining, and by pure definition you are, but only as a verb, not necessarily what you are actually doing. To BE entertaining is a lot different than simply “entertaining”, if you catch my drift.
I’m not saying there are oodles of options for bands, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. If you get disheartened every time you play for a less than packed house or an unenthusiastic crowd, maybe you need to look at what you’re doing and up the ante a bit. Promote harder, play better, be challenging and interesting. Or go play covers at Rogue. Nothing against cover bands, it can be a very easy way to justify the cost of your gear, and yes, the crowd will always respond to songs they can already sing along to, but it doesn’t do anything for “the scene”. No challenge there, just another cover band.
Easy to blame the crowds, but the fact of the matter is that people, for the most part, either go to a show because they truly enjoy that band, or they want to be seen at what is sure to be a viable social gathering. It’s the monkey in us. However, it is entirely feasible as a band to achieve both: Create interesting, original music, but work hard enough to insure that you will draw a profitable crowd, both for your band and the venue. Put on a good show, interact with the crowd, schmooze before and after. Be charming, be mysterious, be different. If you look and act low-rent, chances are that is exactly how you will be perceived. There’s a demographic there, yes, but not one that is a worthwhile investment in Fayetteville.
Just some musings based on my own experiences in a costly local band. I do love this town, but if the bands don’t change, the crowds certainly won’t, and neither will the price of beer.
Madness Prevails
December 5, 2009
How are the venues for supporting metal acts, the band i play in madness prevails will be doing a summer tour. send info to metalforever_2007@rock.com we would like some feedback, our ep will be out in march 2010
Travis
December 17, 2009
I know this thread is old…
But the Boom Boom Room on Dickson is going to be adding a PA system soon, around the first of the year. Full truss of LED lights were added just yesterday. My name is Travis and I will be doing the booking. I will not be focusing on specific genres, but on original music. I am taking inquiries for shows right now. If any of you guys have a band, or your friends are in a band, and your willing to promote your show and help things around here, email me! Love the flyer, good to see that at least others are sharing the same frustrations as I am.
TravisSmithBooking@gmail.com
vax
December 26, 2009
georges has definately been bringing the names that I want to see the past few years, and I understand the complaints, but good bands cost good money. for the nay sayers.. they usually have pbr for 2 bucks or old style for 2, so really, a buck more a beer to see a national act isnt the end of the world. I love the smoke and barrel too, great atmosphere, packed house most the time, it just feels like an eclectic party in there every time.
As for this DJs making four times the 150 your band made, thats just not the case, unless your talking about someone like bassnectar (who is technically more than a DJ since hes doing on the fly remixes and mashing up stuff while mixing in his own tracks, which is technically a live PA) As a DJ, I cant count how many times I’ve played for a tab at the bar, or for a minimal amount. It would be nice to get paid more but I’d rather pick the gigs where I have more creative freedom and less money than dropping a bunch of top 40 hiphop at stir (who probably does pay the DJ decent) another thing is, alot of times a DJ makes decent money they have to supply a PA, and well renting or buying one costs money so that needs to be considered in the “DJs make too much money” rant too.. though I get it bands should get more, I agree, but from a bar perspective its crowd draw and not always quality that wins everytime.
I’d like to see a thriving underground scene in fayetteville again. Opal flys new place is going to be interesting for the after hours shows since they can stay open to 4am, and without alchol, the younger kids will be able to come out and see live music again so that might facilitate the scene a bit, I havent been to a house show in awhile, but its good they are around to keep the indie side of things going in the town. A church venue sounds interesting but without an angel investor unlikely. it costs alot of money to setup a venue let alone maintain one.. and unless you like the heat and cold, electricity bills are high too
bottom line, we have the best scene in arkansas in my opinion, we have the most variety and I think the shows I’ve seen go off the most were always in small venues. theres just something about being crammed in georges watching a band that packs out wayyy larger venues everywhere else, that just feels intimate and awesome. and the bands like it too and always want to come back. I think fayetteville is on the right track and I like to see that its diversifying.
sorry for the novel guys thats my two cents
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