Comments

ivan the tyrant's picture

I agree with you in that we do end up seeing the same faces time and time again at shows. That's partially because there aren't so many bands out there that people want to pay to see on stage. I talked to a bunch of people about your student bands show, which I regretfully missed, and only heard consistent praise for one of the bands you chose. Nobody likes wasting their time and money not enjoying something. Can't blame a touring band's manager for trying to get the most popular bands he can to support his act. And for local groups, the same principle applies.

I think you're missing an important point, though. Surely all the blame can't fall on the band that books the show. You can whinge and whine here all you like, but so long as you keep accepting gig invitations from bands in the same circle you decry, you're passively approving and perpetuating the status quo. How about next time someone invites Pairs to play, you decline and recommend some of these disenfranchised bands you lament?

How about you list some of them here and link to their sites, so people can get some sort of idea of whatever else is out there? You made a good point, but took it only halfway down the path to completion. You know as well as I do how much of a kick in the ass people need to do something different. Your student bands show last Sunday was a start, and you got a lot of people to come. It's a first step. But you can also take strides to ensure that at least personally, you're doing everything you can do fight this problem you see the scene as having.

ivan the tyrant's picture

We did a show with Ann a little bit ago at Shanghai. Pretty cool stuff, def recommend them.

xiaozhong's picture

Fuck me, not sure why some of the links aren't showing up. But if you do the old mouse roll over - it will light on up.

xiaozhong's picture
Bistoo's picture

True enough, but I think we are mostly talking about YYT here, not the other venues (may be Livebar a little also). I did not even go to the DFG album release; I saw all the bands playing that night like at least 3 times this year (at YYT alone), so what's the point? If people stop going, problem solved!

In the end, everybody's guilty, the venue, the bands and the people going to the same show over and over again.

We'd like try these Orange amps some time though, but no plan in at least 3 months, next ones are at Logo and Kunshan.

ivan the tyrant's picture

Who're you?

The amps, as well as the new drums, are pretty sweet, btw.

Bistoo's picture

Played the drum set with Rank Moist Vegetation last week, nice, even I am not really a drummer, so difficult to judge. I also happen to play bass with Battle Cattle, and I really would like to try that new Orange thing.

There is a new trend also in venues (Livebar and YYT raise your hand) to put the drums, especially the kick, in front of everything else. They claim it's to make people dance, but I think it's to make them deaf...

ivan the tyrant's picture

Oh, hey there. In terms of your second paragraph, can I assume you're speaking regarding the mix? Cuz physically, stage setups look the same. I'm confused.

Bistoo's picture

Yes, mix, when you are in front. Two last gigs at YYT had a very loud kick drum.
Same at Livebar, I was playing in front of the stage, and the only thing I could here was the drums and the kick. May be they are planning to open a Muse 4...

ivan the tyrant's picture

It's always going to be tough to get a good mix when you're right in the front. The PA speakers are geared toward someone in the middle of the room.

Or perhaps its part of YYT's new "Dance Assistance" program...

Bistoo's picture

Well, we did not have this problem at Old what or Logo... Oh wait... they do not have PA speakers :o
May be they could just put the kick very loud, cut the rest. People would dance and drink cheap whisky with green tea... Oh wait... they do have this kind of venues in town already...

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