Dollarz-N-Sense / Backyard Rocker

[dnsrks1]

Jim,
We'd just like to say again thanks so much for having us on the Backyard Rocker. We had a blast and you really made us feel at home. It was nice to be somewhere where original music is appreciated and looked for. In the Indiana area that type of thing isn't taken so well. The bars are full of what I jokingly call "sheep": mindless creatures that thrive on hearing rehashed covers week after week from whatever band passes through. You slip in an original or two, and they get a panicked look on their faces because: GASP!!!
I DON'T KNOW THIS SONG!!
Although it's a bit of a drive for us, we know that Altoona & the surrounding area is more receptive to original material and by giving us an appearance on the show you've hopefully opened up some doors for us.

Buck

[Jim Price]

Thank you guys for the good tunes! That's what the show is about, getting the music of area musicians into the ears of central PA listeners. Hopefully some listeners were enticed into coming to catch one of your shows sometime soon, and perhaps investigate some of the other bands who got played as well.

As I said on the show, "You (and all other area bands/artists) keep making the music, and I'll keep playing it and writing about it!"

[bassist_25]

The bars are full of what I jokingly call "sheep": mindless creatures that thrive on hearing rehashed covers week after week from whatever band passes through. You slip in an original or two, and they get a panicked look on their faces because: GASP!!!
I DON'T KNOW THIS SONG!!

I know a number of bands who would like to break into the Indiana area, particularly at Del's and The Rayne Drop Inn. It's sad that hungry bands who appreciate playing in front of crowds have to wait in line while musicians who insult their fans play those slots instead.

[banditos]

Well put Paul,this is one band my flock and I will pass on if they come over the nob to Altoona.Baaaa!!!!

[DirtySanchez]

You fucking did it now dude. #1 Cardinal rule of Rockpage- If we want your opinion about covers vs. originals, we'll give it to you.

Hurry up and say how you were only trying to say something nice about blair county because you've become a little jaded with the scene where you are at. They'll tell you to pay your dues and forgive you. Or, you could just say fuck it. It's just music, something we do for fun and not take anything that is said on here seriously. Just remember if you're gonna bitch about the sheep, don't do it to the shepherds. Thank You, Tip your barmaids. Drink Heineken.

[BDR]

I didn't really see this as a crack on cover bands (although I suppose it could be interpreted as a back handed dis) but rather a really bad (and not so smart) way to entice potential fans to come check out your stuff. This site is frequented by a lot of "sheep" as they were referred to, both as lurkers and as registered members. How 'bout it, Bag?

I try really hard not to call people who come to our shows "mindless creatures." It tends to sour the rapport we try to build.

And for the record, I've never noticed the people in Indiana County enter a panic when we play our original material, on the contrary, a lot of them like to sing along.

Perhaps the gasps are for a different reason?

I think the best advice I could offer at this point is to pay your dues and tip your barmaids.

r:>)

[DirtySanchez]

Perhaps the gasps are for a different reason?



r:>)

Oh, no you didn't?

I agree with your whole post Rob. I think he was just trying to make altoona people seem like more open minded people.

I think most people feel that way about the town they live in.
I know Paul loves Houtzdale. Some bands are trying to get into the Electric Avenue or The Alley popper too.

All this talk about sheep has made me very horny though.

[DrumAndDestroy]

i'll just get it out of the way now...green eggs

[DrumAndDestroy]

All this talk about sheep has made me very horny though.

well you do have 'heavy petting zoo' on cd don't ya?

[DirtySanchez]

All this talk about sheep has made me very horny though.

well you do have 'heavy petting zoo' on cd don't ya?

You know it. Now, where'd I put those hip boots?

[songsmith]

Jeez, Dirty, that remark about paying your dues is usually cracking on me. It kinda bums me out that you don't think it's important for someone to use every rung when climbing a ladder. I just want people to realize that rock-star dreams have to be tempered with the reality that a vast majority of people aren't ever actually going to be a rock star, so have fun with learning your trade. The lessons you learn playing music are excellent life-lessons, and I use them every single day. The memories I have are priceless treasures. The reality is I work part-time in a music store for little pay, but on Saturday night, people treat me like I'm special, and say inexplicably nice things about me.

For the record, I've been playing original music in nearly every band I've ever been in. Since 1984. Not all of them were good songs, but it takes a long time and a lot of effort to learn the difference between good and bad, and a huge dose of humility to admit that not every song is good. The ONLY way to find out the difference is to play it to everybody and nobody, and if you play only originals locally, you're going to playing more for nobody than for everybody. Nobody says you shouldn't be an all-original band. You're just going to have to deal with empty seats and dead rolls until you've worked long enough to get people paying attention. The Marauders are one of my favorite local original forces. They pack them in nightly around here, but I know they've played a lot of shows to empty rooms all over the Northeast. They persevered and worked the system. They have a phrase for that... hmmm, what was that?...
I'm sure it'll come to me soon. ------->JMS

[DirtySanchez]

Songsmith- Wasn't digging on you at all. Just giving this guy a little welcome to RP insight if you will.

I am someone who totally understands where that phrase comes from.
I just hate to see the guy get his stones busted too badly until he gets at least into double digits on his post count. I really don't think he meant to come off as apathetic towards his fans in Indiana. BACKFIRE.

[YankeeRose]

I thought their tunes sounded GREAT! (I'm not busting on anyone for Genre or mode anality, but it would be nice if more local RockPagers actually LISTENED to the BYR.) I definitely plan on seeing this Band...although...did y'all ever consider writing a song about NORTHERN women???

[songsmith]

Songsmith- Wasn't digging on you at all. Just giving this guy a little welcome to RP insight if you will.

I am someone who totally understands where that phrase comes from.
I just hate to see the guy get his stones busted too badly until he gets at least into double digits on his post count. I really don't think he meant to come off as apathetic towards his fans in Indiana. BACKFIRE.

Point taken, my friend. I must have missed my anti-pissy pill this morning, and got uncharacteristically defensive.
My apologies!---------->JMS

[bassist_25]

I didn't really see this as a crack on cover bands (although I suppose it could be interpreted as a back handed dis) but rather a really bad (and not so smart) way to entice potential fans to come check out your stuff. This site is frequented by a lot of "sheep" as they were referred to, both as lurkers and as registered members. How 'bout it, Bag?

I try really hard not to call people who come to our shows "mindless creatures." It tends to sour the rapport we try to build.

And for the record, I've never noticed the people in Indiana County enter a panic when we play our original material, on the contrary, a lot of them like to sing along.

Perhaps the gasps are for a different reason?

I think the best advice I could offer at this point is to pay your dues and tip your barmaids.

r:>)

Bingo! My reply really had nothing to do with covers vs. originals. I was just pointing out the stupidity of the remark; I really can't fathom how any musician would wish to alienate fans or potential fans.

We also play one of the same Indiana venues that the original poster plays at, and if I ever called the patrons of that establishment "mindless creatures" or "sheep," I better run because I know that I would be getting my ass boot stomped.

[bassist_25]

I know Paul loves Houtzdale. Some bands are trying to get into the Electric Avenue or The Alley popper too.

Actually Brian, if Justin were to book us and give us a resonable rate, I would be more than happy to play Electric Avenue. I really don't think it's an issue of where you're from, but rather, just being professional about what you do. We've played venues where people literally stared at us like we were from Mars. We figured that those venues weren't working, shook hands with the club owners, and moved on. We didn't feel the need to publicly slam those people who weren't into what we were doing. Perhaps I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill.

I just think that some people have an attitude that whatever you do should automatically be respected by everybody. Unfortunately, that's just not reality.

[tornandfrayed]

I think that all of you suck! except for teamtransylvainia and spellboundbymental.

covers or originals, who cares if you sound like shit!

I think that it is really funny that the guy who posted this will probably never come on and read these comments.

I think that 99% of us take ourselves way too seriously, myself included. The other 1% don't post...

Get the fuck off of rockrage and go see a band!

PS: wholly shit paco, that was my 774 post in only 4 1/2 years! beans, beans, beans, beans!

[DirtySanchez]

Get the fuck off of rockrage and go see a band!

It's 9 am. Denny's isn't running the Punk Rock grand slam breakfast special anymore.

[DrumAndDestroy]

Get the fuck off of rockrage and go see a band!

It's 9 am. Denny's isn't running the Punk Rock grand slam breakfast special anymore.

booo

[old Skool]

I've known Buck since high school and he's a pretty good guy (actually haven't seen him in years and just ran into him at Guitars-n-Stuff a few months ago). However I don't think calling the crowds "sheep" and "mindless creatures" is going to help build a fan base. With any music, cover or original you have to know your audience, what they want and how to deliver to them. Don't set up a hot dog stand outside of a vegetarian convention and then bitch because the "idiots won't buy my food!". People come out to be entertained, not to grace your presence. As far as "the guy that posted will never read these comments" I think other people that read this may be able to take something from it. Rock on!

[DirtySanchez]

I've known Buck since high school and he's a pretty good guy (actually haven't seen him in years and just ran into him at Guitars-n-Stuff a few months ago). However I don't think calling the crowds "sheep" and "mindless creatures" is going to help build a fan base. With any music, cover or original you have to know your audience, what they want and how to deliver to them. Don't set up a hot dog stand outside of a vegetarian convention and then bitch because the "idiots won't buy my food!". People come out to be entertained, not to grace your presence. As far as "the guy that posted will never read these comments" I think other people that read this may be able to take something from it. Rock on!

Kenny,
I love the analogy. And you're right about other people taking something from this thread. I've already ditched my plans for opening my viking themed alcohol free vegan restaurant VEGHALLA!

Paul- wasn't saying you made it about covers vs. originals. OP just mentioned it in his 1st post. I know that you're better than feeding into that bullshit. As far as people staring at you like you're martians. Well Rob is your singer. All frontmen can't be blessed with natural beauty like me. He is very charming though.

[bassist_25]

Paul- wasn't saying you made it about covers vs. originals. OP just mentioned it in his 1st post. I know that you're better than feeding into that bullshit. As far as people staring at you like you're martians. Well Rob is your singer. All frontmen can't be blessed with natural beauty like me. He is very charming though.

Ahh, cool! I just don't like to be misunderstood.

In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have jumped the original poster like I did. If old sKool says he's a cool cat, then he's probably a pretty cool cat. As Dave pointed out, sometimes we all take ourselves way too seriously here. I'm pretty critical of people taking themselves way too seriously, but I do it too. Oh well...insert cliche' phrase that implies rocking out of your choosing here

[YankeeRose]

Baa, baa.

[Mistress_DB]

Baa, baa.

I wouldn't do that Donna. Seems those Lies, Inc boys have a fondness for farm animals.