The recent incident at the Becky Sheetz Building, the recent shooting at Fast Trax - and even the brawl between Finch and Disturbed at this past weekend's Rolling Rock Town Fair - all got me thinking about the uphill battle that our music scene - and live music in general, all ages and over 21 - faces in trying to present a positive image to the public and win support and new fans.
As we battle to try to get PLCB rules/laws changed, noise ordinances changed, etc., we need to be constantly on guard about situations that influence public perception of live music and bands in general. It is a constant uphill battle. When bands, shows and venues get attention from the news media, it is usually for the wrong reasons. The media usually doesn't pay attention when bands are staging charity benefit shows or otherwise doing things to help the community. But when something goes wrong, it does get publicized. Recent cases in point: Remember the hoopla from earlier this year when the state police and PLCB raided a reportedly skinhead-run show at the Duncansville Community Center? And prior to the Becky Sheetz incident, all ages dances already had a black eye from the teen murder outside of Mazz's teen club in Cresson last year. (Although that was a deejay dance, the publicity from that incident still tarnished public perception of teen events in general.) The local media was all over those incidents.
It happens on the national scale, too. What was everybody buzzing about after this past weekend's Rolling Rock Town Fair? Not how well Velvet Revolver or Sevendust performed...The buzz was about the fight between Finch and Disturbed. To the general public, the perception from that incident was another negative stereotype about bands fighting and promoting violence.
Conversely, on a local level, how often do we see the media show up to cover a charity event like the Rockpage Jam, the "End Of Summer Jam," "Rock The House" or other music scene-generated benefits? Rarely, if ever. And although I have sent press releases for benefit concerts to local newspapers in past years, it's like pulling teeth to get any space to mention that benefit rock concerts are even happening.
As I said on another post, I cringe any time something bad happens in a live music venue or with a live music event, whether it be a stabbing or violent incident, a drunk getting nailed by a car outside a venue, drug busts, "riots" at all ages shows, etc. - because it gives a darker black eye to live music in general, and makes it that much more difficult to improve public perception of the live music scene. And as I try to promote the area music scene and try to generate interest in it via my monthly Pennsylvania Musician article or the "Backyard Rocker," such negative incidents make it more difficult.
And the local media's reports on incidents are usually biased against bars, bands, etc. As several people pointed out in the recent thread about Jermaine Morgan, Fast Trax was shown numerous times in the television report, implicating that the bar was somehow responsible. I remember back in the early 90's, during the Foghat show at new Sebastiano's, when a drunk was struck and killed by a big rig on old Route 220 outside the club. The television reports showed shots of New Sebastiano's, visually implicating that they might have served the drunk who was killed. (As it turned out, the guy got drunk elsewhere, showed up at the door and didn't want to pay cover, turned around and stepped out onto old Route 220 and got nailed by the truck. New Sabs was not responsible.)
I guess what I am getting at with all this, and what I would like to open this thread to discussion on, is - your thoughts on how we present our music scene to the public in general, and ideas of how to work to improve the scene's public image. As we face struggles with PLCB issues, noise ordinances, and now, creating more opportunities for teens and under-21 fans to view live music in our area - I think this scene's ability to generate positive publicity over what it does now becomes more important than ever.
Your thoughts?
Public Perception of the Music Scene
I'm writing with ideas right off the top of my head, but I believe J.P. has pointed out that we are at a critical turning point. What can we do to present a more positive image? Some ideas...
1. Do more to promote the benefit shows and the cause behind them. Some publicity can be free, but if a little $$$ is spent with ads (PA Musician, Altoona Mirror, Ad Bargain, Traders Guide, mentions on radio stations, flyers on bulletin boards-not only in bars & music stores, but places like Walmart, etc) the media could be more receptive for providing some support (sponsorship, giveaway items, coverage, articles, etc.) Buy some advetising-get some free. Have a representative from the benefit organization go in person to the TV stations, newspapers, radio stations, etc. and ask to talk to someone there. Give a few free passes to the media outlets to give away or to get in to cover the event. Follow-up with results ($$ raised, etc) Take out ads to report the great event's results. Yes, all of this takes someone's time & $$$.
2. At larger events, have adequate security (and adult supervision if necessary) & plan ahead for what may happen. Have some kind of gameplan. (Easier said than done.)
3. Work with bands, venues, sponsors that have done these things in the past and insure all understand what is and isn't acceptable. (Swearing, substances, drunkenness, etc. whether onstage, backstage, or out in the crowd, isn't good in ALL circumstances, sometimes-maybe). Kids may be around, executives from the benefit, media, etc. Keep to the time schdule for all bands.
I hope some others on Rockpage can add more ideas to consider.
Although the band I'm in is not able to play at Rockpage Jam or End-of-Summer Jam, I plan to personally stop by, pay, and support both events. I have played & supported benefits in the past & I can think of many events the past 2 years that were very successful...many patriotic shows after Sept 11 tragedy, first Rockpage benefit for John McKnight, annual Neighborhood Jams in Altoona, benefit for Glenn at Beerbellies w/ Hair Force One/Silver Sunday, Toys for Tots at City Limits, many End-of-Summer Jams, Relay-for-life, etc. Plus, most shows every week/weekend
at area establishments take place with no problems. One or two bad incidents is small compared to the number of shows during the year.
Sorry this is so long.
Big Jim
1. Do more to promote the benefit shows and the cause behind them. Some publicity can be free, but if a little $$$ is spent with ads (PA Musician, Altoona Mirror, Ad Bargain, Traders Guide, mentions on radio stations, flyers on bulletin boards-not only in bars & music stores, but places like Walmart, etc) the media could be more receptive for providing some support (sponsorship, giveaway items, coverage, articles, etc.) Buy some advetising-get some free. Have a representative from the benefit organization go in person to the TV stations, newspapers, radio stations, etc. and ask to talk to someone there. Give a few free passes to the media outlets to give away or to get in to cover the event. Follow-up with results ($$ raised, etc) Take out ads to report the great event's results. Yes, all of this takes someone's time & $$$.
2. At larger events, have adequate security (and adult supervision if necessary) & plan ahead for what may happen. Have some kind of gameplan. (Easier said than done.)
3. Work with bands, venues, sponsors that have done these things in the past and insure all understand what is and isn't acceptable. (Swearing, substances, drunkenness, etc. whether onstage, backstage, or out in the crowd, isn't good in ALL circumstances, sometimes-maybe). Kids may be around, executives from the benefit, media, etc. Keep to the time schdule for all bands.
I hope some others on Rockpage can add more ideas to consider.
Although the band I'm in is not able to play at Rockpage Jam or End-of-Summer Jam, I plan to personally stop by, pay, and support both events. I have played & supported benefits in the past & I can think of many events the past 2 years that were very successful...many patriotic shows after Sept 11 tragedy, first Rockpage benefit for John McKnight, annual Neighborhood Jams in Altoona, benefit for Glenn at Beerbellies w/ Hair Force One/Silver Sunday, Toys for Tots at City Limits, many End-of-Summer Jams, Relay-for-life, etc. Plus, most shows every week/weekend
at area establishments take place with no problems. One or two bad incidents is small compared to the number of shows during the year.
Sorry this is so long.
Big Jim
Here is a new look on this issue
A few weeks ago while shopping in the Garden section of our local Kmart, I overheard the conversation of two women who were easily in their fifties. The ladies were speakng about what to do for the weekend the first woman made a mention of Raystown and that The Hurricanes were playing there. You could see that woman number two was clearly stoked about going to see a band in a nice place, fairly early in the evening.
What does this mean? Well here's my spin on it. With certain crimes such as drugs (Herion) and d.u.i. on the rise in town. Just read the Altoona Mirror District Justice section. People are less inclined to take an evening out on the town. NOT because of less interest in local music but because they may associate bars in town with Trouble and yes thats with a capital T.
Things that are fun in Ole Toona Town unless itsa church bake sale, have been snuffed out or so over policed that fun is a bad thing. Maybe if the police would spend More of their time chasing down drug dealers, rapists, murderers, people would feel safer going out in the dark. I mean no respect to our police force i just think they could be spending their time better finding trouble rather than making it.
This also falls on musicians. Zero tolerance for heroin and asshole behavior is a good thing. Make the streets safe and people will fill them.
A few weeks ago while shopping in the Garden section of our local Kmart, I overheard the conversation of two women who were easily in their fifties. The ladies were speakng about what to do for the weekend the first woman made a mention of Raystown and that The Hurricanes were playing there. You could see that woman number two was clearly stoked about going to see a band in a nice place, fairly early in the evening.
What does this mean? Well here's my spin on it. With certain crimes such as drugs (Herion) and d.u.i. on the rise in town. Just read the Altoona Mirror District Justice section. People are less inclined to take an evening out on the town. NOT because of less interest in local music but because they may associate bars in town with Trouble and yes thats with a capital T.
Things that are fun in Ole Toona Town unless itsa church bake sale, have been snuffed out or so over policed that fun is a bad thing. Maybe if the police would spend More of their time chasing down drug dealers, rapists, murderers, people would feel safer going out in the dark. I mean no respect to our police force i just think they could be spending their time better finding trouble rather than making it.
This also falls on musicians. Zero tolerance for heroin and asshole behavior is a good thing. Make the streets safe and people will fill them.
If Freedom is not free then I will use my credit card.
Well Jim, it's about 11:25 and a few minutes ago I was watching channel 12 (23) whatever. The very breathless anchorwoman was telling the story of a brawl and an assault on a police officer at the Saloon in State College by a 22 year old "man". Yes. the only footage shown was that of the Saloon's signage. AND no interviews at all with the staff of the Saloon to tell the real story. The media loves death, mayhem, and as Don Henley said, dirty laundry. That's about it. As far as media coverage goes for positive things, pffffft. The band US Sound Theatre has raised thousands of dollars for the Relay for Life over the last three years. Media coverage:zilch. (Except for JP thankfully). We played a benefit for the Altoona Community Theater helping to raise thousands of dollars. Media coverage:zilch. I don't give a damn if there's a shot of the band on the news, but the hard headed producers of the news should give coverage to positive efforts of musicians young and old to better the community. They will, unfortunately, always focus on the negative. I guess that sells commercials.
I think first, that WE have to be aware of public perception. News people like warm fuzzy stories too and when we do a benefit, we need to bug Channel 10 until they show up. Any benefit, TV should be there, The ol' rear view mirror needs to be there too. and if, God forbid, something bad should happen, then we should spin it.
For example, "We're horrified at the events that took place at the Sheetz plaza and we think it's a shame that a few bad apples have to spoil what would otherwise be a nice wholesome event."
If the organizers of the Sheetz thing has stepped up and released something like that it would have colored the Mirror article a little more favorabley toward the musicians.
it's easy to see the media as villians but I think they can trained, maybe not tamed but trained.
For example, "We're horrified at the events that took place at the Sheetz plaza and we think it's a shame that a few bad apples have to spoil what would otherwise be a nice wholesome event."
If the organizers of the Sheetz thing has stepped up and released something like that it would have colored the Mirror article a little more favorabley toward the musicians.
it's easy to see the media as villians but I think they can trained, maybe not tamed but trained.
Blooz to Youz