There's been a bit more negativity on the Squawk lately, and I'll definitely take my share of the blame. I react quickly to nonsense, although I'm sure we all feel this way. I just wanted to know what everyone LIKES about the scene. I like that there are a TON of bands of all different styles, genres, breeds. I like that most everyone we've met has been cool as hell. I like that we occasionally receive POSITIVE constructive criticism not just, "I hate metal and youguys suck." I like that a lot of bands seem to be tight with one another, regardless of genre. I like that the club owners seem to be trying to give folks a chance. I like that we get gigs, no matter where, or with whom. I like the fact that so many bands are TRYING, and not giving up because of crowds (or lack thereof). I like the sound guys who also work their asses off. I like girls, and I like that the scene isn't, as the venerable Mr. Foodstamps puts it, just one big "sausagefest," (but as far as the metal crowd goes, he's right). I like that, for the most part, musicians are supportive of other musicians who are in the same boat, i.e., all of us. I like beer. Let's have some smiles today, kids. Let's hear some cool, kick-ass stories from the scene...

There is so much about our scene that I love. First off, people like Dandee and Levi impress me to no end. They give new meaning to DIY. Quite an inspiration, really.

The club owners are also first-rate, in my opinion. Here's a story for you:

We asked Joey from the Atomic if we could borrow his van for a couple of shows in Dallas. He said, "No, but I'll drive you." And he did. Took us and our drunken shenanigans on a 22 hour round trip for 2 shows. And he had a brutal cold, to boot. I don't have the words to describe what that meant to us. Bitch about club owners all you want. Not me.

All in all, I think that we have a cool little scene with great people. And it's unique. That's the best part.

wow. you guys get to work waaaaay earlier than I do. I have to second and third all your posts here, there is so much that I love and am so appreciative of here in this scene:
1. Quincy of Q! Productions, who gives us a sweet deal every time we want to record because he knows we are all broke.
2. Leonard of Atomic/Socyermom, who fronts us the $ to press our CDs, stores them in his garage, maintains a website, promotes the hell out of us, puts our album in his jukebox, invites us to his house for parties, and still gives us a free drink every now and then.
3. Melissa and Brian of Burts, who put so much thought into pairing us up with awesome touring bands.
4. All the sound guys who deal with our decrepit, ancient, and bizarre equipment.
5. Joe Anderson who gave me a job even though I knew shit about waitressing, and who includes us in all the sweet shows.
6. Every single person who stays and listens to us play, even though we are totally wierd and have waaay too much glitter on to be taken seriously.
7. Levi 11 who not only created and maintains our website for us, but has made us thousands of buttons, and always plays our shows.
8. The bouncers who hold the door for me as I am attempting to push a huge amp into the club with a snare and high hat in one hand, my amp head in the other, and my ID in my teeth.
9. Daniel (Simple, the Mindy Set), Joe (Dirt Heads), Rexx (RGTH), Tony & Chris & Bobby & Harry (U7d), who all stuck up for me that one night on the sidewalk.
10. My moms, who comes to 90% of our shows, and dances, even though she's almost 60 years old.

Isn't this town great!?

Ella / U7d
http://www.unit7drain.com

"Simfonik Mike is my hero"

It's nice to know the MAJORITY of U7D can be humble, even if one person doesnt show it. I'm really not into that kind of music, but I DO appreciate good musicianship, and your band has come a long way in a short time. Pass on some of your humility to the more arrogant member of your band.

i really like how I've been able to build up a business that has saved me from going back to work in the food service industry, almost entirely because of word of mouth..

I'm happy that I haven't had to buy myself a drink in... i can't even remember how long.

I'm glad that I've made friends because of my band, rather than the band getting fans because they are my friends.

I like that I can look like I am working, when i really just read Rocksquawk all day.

Yanno I was thinking about this thread and honestly was having a hard time thinking of something I liked about the scene. Perhaps I woke up on the wrong side of the bed (definitely NOT a morning person) but then it struck me.

What I like about the scene is that it isn't quite as cliqued out as it used to be. Yeah there's still a fair share of transparent trite, and pompous scenesters but as a whole it seems (at least to me) that there is a little less, *who the fuck are you* mentality going on and a bit more humility & togetherness. Perhaps I just got older, meaner and bigger, so maybe I am just scary. Who knows. I also appreciate that there are venues who support the local rock while supporting themselves at the same time.

Ok, good stuff so far. Mr. BRZRKR Joe, anything you like about the scene in general? hmmm...So I started this thread 'cause we recently had to let go of a band member and I was feeling down about it. The individual in question is now fucking pissed, and I'm pretty sure we lost him as a friend. It sucks, but for me the music MUST rise above fleeting things like friendship. The music just wasn't happening to its full potential, and we tried to convey this in the 'letting go' process, but he took it personally. So how have you all dealt with this? Have you ever kicked someone in your band out? Have you ever been kicked out? Was there any personal reconcilliation, even if you wouldn't play with them again? Has anyone ever been in a situation where the personalities REALLY clashed, but it didn't matter because the music was so strong? Lots of questions, I know. Just wanted some thoughts.

BRZRKR Joe,
This is not the first time that I have responded to something negative that you have written about who I think you are writing about.
I really have to ask you, that if something was said or done to you that made you feel this way, that we try really hard to work it out.
I know that the individual you wrote about last time is confident and assertive, but arrogant? I don't think that any of the rest of our band would put up with arrogance, not to mention his many other musician friends (Levi?!?!?). Without his confidence and assertiveness, we would be a lot less successful, prolific and focused.
I have asked him about this thing with you, and he cannot remember having ever insulted you.
Please take some time to consider why you feel so negativly about him, and what it is accomplishing for you. And when you figure that out, please just come out and deal with it. With him. Rather than this bullshit.

Ella / U7d
http://www.unit7drain.com
"Simfonik Mike is my hero"

quote:

Originally posted by Simfonik Mike:
we recently had to let go of a band member and I was feeling down about it.

Sorry Mike, I am new to all of this, but I can imagine how difficult that must have been, for everyone. Sucky.

Ella / U7d
http://www.unit7drain.com
"Simfonik Mike is my hero"

BRZRKR Joe,
Are you talking about me? (harry)
Because if you are, I've seen you out 100 times and you've never said a thing to me, to my face. If you've got a problem with me, bring it up to me the next time you see me. That would be the adult thing to do.
Harry/U7d
http://www.unit7drain.com

oh oh oh! I have had to let many people go, have had many people quit, and have been cut before so I can speak to Simfonik Mike's question.

First, no matter how "amicable" the split is it still hurts. It hurts for many reasons.

Maybe its true you dont quiet cut the mustard. Thats a hard pill to swallow no matter how true it is.

Maybe its that personailites clash. No one wants to be the ass in the band or in life. Well maybe Jim likes to be that guy.

Its like breaking up with a guy/girl. "Its not you, its me" never really makes anyone feel better.

But the truth is if you try your best to do it the right way and keep a fiend and it doesnt work, then you were never friends to begin with.

Oh and I love Levi! There I said it.
And Rexx. Its out, and I feel better about it.
And Rachel, shes good people.

Other great things about this scene:

Brett: A true fan of music. And he is not affraid to tell people about it.

Lenny: How many bands would never have had a record out with out his help.

All the bartenders: If it wasnt for these guys no one could put up with Jim. Nolan - He makes the Vodka Sodas tall and mean! Maria at the Launchpad, she has a sixth sense and always seems to know you are coming. Melissa @ Burts, I always seem to end up with a few extra tickets when we play. Migs @ Atomic, he aint takin' no shit and wont put PBR in a glass.

The fine people that allow me to play in their clubs and those people that I bug to get it done. Brian, Melissa, Lenny, Joe and Luis.

Not getting thumped by Rhian. Have you seen that man! I want him on my street fighting team.

And that dude that came up with the idea for RockSquawk. That guy is a brilliant lad. I hear he is quite the charmer as well. Everyone buy that man a drink.

And Finally, I love running this town!

The local scene has come a long way since i can remember it. When the Kronic first formed in 1998 it was actully alot different than it is now! Now we have more venues to play, alot of talented bands have emerged. and better yet back in the day we had to beg to get shows! any shows! its like we'll pay you if you let us play!LoL.. but now its the present,and as mentioned already people like Brian and Melissa, and Joey from atomic, Joe Anderson have all contributed and made local scene a heck of alot better, and it keeps getting better!and as I've said there's so many good bands now, I'm suprised we're not like Austin now (hahaha) but maybe one day we will be the new Austin. untill then lets keep on supporting each other, and Very Big PROPS to the people that come out each night to give us bands support and buy beer, they're the ones keeping this thing going. Peace out

quote:

All the bartenders: If it wasnt for these guys no one could put up with Jim.

That was not designed to make me feel good about myself, now was it? Mmmmmmmmm . . . bartenders.

quote:

Brett: A true fan of music. And he is not affraid to tell people about it.

For my money, Brett is the best thing that our scene has going and shame on me for leaving him out of my post. I think that he hung the moon.

quote:

Not getting thumped by Rhian. Have you seen that man! I want him on my street fighting team.

I wouldn't mind Rexx on that team, as well.

Now . . . if we're all done giving eachother hand jobs, can we stop queering up this site and get back to the Negativity?

Thanks a lot to Wig Wam Bam, Unit 7 Drain, and Lousy Robot. They've been relentlessly boosting us (the band and the buttons and everything) for a while now. I don't know if anyone would have noticed us without them.

Joe and Harry: what is the deal there? (it started here, right?) I hate to see two of the very few people who like us fighting. Harry really isn't arrogant. Unit 7 practically carried our band through our first two years, and set up our recording and assisted recording and mixing us for free. it was really a nice thing to do, and he isn't going to get anything out of it except our gratitude. I think he deserves some props. And Joe will tell anyone who listens good stuff about us.I was going to say something about misunderstandings and shit-talking vs. constructive critiscm vs. negativity vs opinions. But that might be too handjobby? So instead: CAGE MATCH. Or are you both pussies?

Once Rexx and I decided to fire our drummer. he was a drunk and other shit. We were just about to drop the axe when he turned to us and said he had to quit, because he wanted to be a drunk full time. We were like, "Oh!...uh...sorry to hear that...I guess..." totally dodged a bullet.

When Lush Rustler broke up, Mike quit and then started a new band with all the same members excet for me. I guess I would have been hurt, if they didn't suck.

well this has turned into some kind of hippie love-fest.

I'd like to take the time to thank Sean and his Oktober Cohorts for helping my bands out with a practice space and recording. Mostly Sean though. I can't believe how much time he spends recording bands for next-to-nothing. We should have a 'Sean-Fest' sometime.
Oh, and Rhian for any surgical procedues my bass has required.

The venues are all good to us. Except the GW. and maybe they're good now, but do people even go to shows there?

No doubt about Sean. Gets no better. Dude suffered years of my crapass music, and despite it, rox like fuck. Suffered years of crapass ME, and, again, despite that still spreads the good stuff around. First, best pick for anybodys squad anyday.

Left out so many: Gil, Noelan, Lucas, Fuzzy, Chris, Richard, Dave, Bobby, Alicia, Roger, Ian, Rachel, Jenny, Leonard, Neal, Kimo, Jeff, Jeff, Travis, Johnny, Liam, Miguel, Jack, James, Jason, Jason, Ben, Patrick, Pat, Erin, Aaron.
Crap. Starting to sad out. Too many missed. You folk are so good; i never deserved you.

I've got to third the Sean love-in. He's as generous as they come--time, talent or Tecates, Seamus McGillicuty always has some to spare on rubes like me.

Thanks for the kind words Ella. I appreciate them.

Wow! This thread is kicking ass! Except for the Joe/Harry bit, but we're all musicians, therefore we're all a bit...what's the word?Let's keep it going, we need to hear from ALL Squawkers about what they like in the scene. And if this thread really HAS turned into a hippie lovefest, I'm really glad that it doesn't SMELL like one.