Lets all take a deeeeep breath and think about Rockpage....

[4_the_pocket]

First, a little qualifier. I don't want to come off as an anonymous poster.

My name is Steve, and some of you may know me from my past screen name as "nightcrawler_steve". I had been a long time member of this forum. 4-5 plus years I think. I grew tired of the "crap" on Rockpage and asked the mods to delete my account because I felt it was no longer a place I could contribute to or expect "much" support in return from the Rockpage community.

It felt good to be away and take a break, though I continued to check in periodically to see whats what on the board. It seemed there was a shifting of the tide for a short while in which new members were joining and there seemed to be a swell of real debate and concern for the areas music "scene". So I decided Id try one more time to be a productive member and lend support to an effort to bring some credibility and relevance to Rockpage. This use to be a really cool place

Good ol Jim Price has been busy today locking and deleting threads and the last few weeks have seen a flurry of flagrant disrespect, petty bickering, name calling, threats and you know the rest.

So Im asking the board, "what is the purpose of Rockpage and how do you see it benefiting the area scene"?" I mean this seriously, though I have no doubt some jackass will make a big joke out of it or make fun of me for posting this. Ive got thick skin....so let er rip.

But this is the thing that got me thinking about posting this. There are a lot of people like myself, who would like to have and use a site like this without having all the childish bullshit, who can share an opinion or try to make this a good community based on unity and building a presence in Central PA. Ya know, a respectable place where musicians, fans, club owners, music insiders and the like can debate and share without being belittled, disrespected and taken seriously. I think most of us take our music seriously to a certain degree. Why not take this place a little more seriously and demand a certain civility.

I would never suggest we all agree on everything. Some of us are clowns, some are all about business and there are many in between. Can a balance be struck so that more folks, who wont participate here because of the circus like behavior, can start to feel welcome and contribute? This is a local board and most people know everyone here in some way, so the "this is the internet stupid, dont take it so seriously" is a pretty lame argument.

So Ill close by repeating the question: What is the purpose of Rockpage and how do you see it benefiting the area scene?

Thank you for taking the time to read. Please discuss.

[The_Underground]

Lori & I were just talking about this today. I try to stay out of everything and just post information. I say what band I like to hear or a place I like to go and that is about it.

i thnk RockPage can be a very usefull tool. As long as it's used for what it was intended for.

[4_the_pocket]

Lori & I were just talking about this today. I try to stay out of everything and just post information. I say what band I like to hear or a place I like to go and that is about it.

i thnk RockPage can be a very usefull tool. As long as it's used for what it was intended for.

Chris, good to hear from you on this, man. I always enjoy keeping up on the Underground. You provide a real service and avenue for area bands to get some real good exposure and you all support other community efforts. I have personally benefited from being on the Underground. Thanks for weighing in.

[MOONDOGGY]

You may have missed this thread a few days ago:

http://www.rockpage.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=22865

[4_the_pocket]

You may have missed this thread a few days ago:

http://www.rockpage.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=22865

I didnt miss that That is not the question I am posing.

EDIT----was hoping for a bit more of a substantial and meaningful discussion about it. Maybe Im a fool. Guess we'll see.

[Banned]

I can agree to disagree on some of your post....bet your A Tom Brady fan too huh?

[4_the_pocket]

I can agree to disagree on some of your post....bet your A Tom Brady fan too huh?

Of course you can agree to disagree, man Is it possible to do it in a civil and respectful way? Are you a musician....a fan?

But the question at hand is, what does this site mean to you and what do you feel its purpose is?

Im not going to even touch the Tom Brady thing, dude. Im a Chicago fan myself. This thread isnt about football if you know what I mean. Please dont take it there. Once was enough

[Banned]

I can agree to disagree on some of your post....bet your A Tom Brady fan too huh?

I think brady is better than big ben!!!

[thebattle]

I enjoy coming to rockpage its a frequent visit every day at least 3 times daily. Its cool to meet new people read different information. Thanks to rockpage my house stays warm in the winter b/c i found a wood stove on here and installed it this past winter (Thanks Jason-jaybird). But the bickering and I'm better than you attitude on here is getting terrible. Come on guys for those who haven't heard this saying "If you don't have anything good to say don't say anything at all!"

[BDR]

Hey Steve, at the risk of sounding like I'm kissing your ass, I've always had a great deal of respect for you, your talent as a musician and your viewpoints. I too, took a somewhat lengthy, self-imposed hiatus from posting in general forum, mostly to take a hard look in the mirror. I decided that a lot of the stuff/posters I tended to respond to weren't worth responding to. My personal tendency is to respond to retardation in an effort to bring some sensibility to the table. Again, most of the time, those who post retarded/destructive things won't ever get a clue anyway, so what's the point? Still, sometimes it's hard to pass up. And if anything since coming back to the board, I've tried to make solid, intelligent points in a respectful manner. After this week tho, I'm going to return to biting my tongue when it comes to a lot of this stuff. Although, I'm not going to apologize for anything I've posted, especially things that were in defense of people being unjustly ripped on. That being said, I'm here for promotion, networking, info and entertainment. It's been said by many that they've met a lot of quality people here. I definitely have. Some of my best friendships are the result of being a member of Rockpage. And I have no problem with pointless, non-music threads. A lot of it is very funny stuff and a great diversion from the mundane. There are a lot of characters here and I enjoy many of them. I've always said our Rockpage personas are exaggerated versions of ourselves. Frankly, if everyone was dead straight-faced serious on this board, I'd never log on. It would be boring. But there are posters here that only hope to tear others down and you know who they are. Usually, when someone gets ganged up on, they asked for it, in my opinion. Sometimes, it does go too far, tho. That's my take in a nutshell. r:>)

[CrossfireRadio]

Ive read alot of posts on here at Rockpage for awhile now. Some I do not take part in, others I will. Ive met a few bands from Rockpage, met some cool people too.

"My point of view" on "what is rockpage", is its a place to sell equipment, talk about venues, post info about Benefits, and a place for Bands and friends and bands fans to chat amongst themselves.

Rockpage is also a place for people to "speak their mind", which I think can be a fun thing, but it can also be a bad thing. But due remember, every person has a right to give their opinion(although, as we have all seen, sometimes its not always the truth).

How many "bands" are on Rockpage? (Alot of course)... How many bands "fans" are on rockpage? (not as many?)


Arguments, Controversy, Opinions, and Facts is the main factors based on Rockpage. But how would rockpage be with out all of that mixed in with the rest?

Some say they leave rockpage because of all the gibberish posted on here. One person calling this person names, and this person talking how bad a bar is or a bar owner or a bar tender. Its like reading a suspense book that never ends. Its great stuff for Radio gossip..

Have I ever taken anything off of Rockpage, and put it on the air? No, never did that.. But I might lol however, I wouldnt do it just to do, I would get permission from the posters of whatever thread it was...

Sometimes its fun to read some of these threads.. but on the other hand, some of the threads have no point at all and shouldnt even exist.


Music, Bands, Equipment, Venues, Benefits, Arguments, Controversy, Opinions, and Facts. Theres my "opinion" about what Rockpage is about.


(Joined: 18 May 2005) Ive been on here for 4 years...

[DirtySanchez]

Rockpage to me is a resource that works great.
Found Band Members here.
Got shows Here.
Made friends here.
Put together benefits here.

It is also very entertaining sometimes.

It seems this topic gets covered every month and I always give the same answers.

As far as the bickering and stuff goes, that's life. People are not gonna agree. People are gonna be assholes, myself included. You're not gonna get total scene unity because of some website. You may as well forget it. Christ, you're never gonna get total scene unity anyways. I've met musicians, and seen bands that do nothing but shit-talk every other band/musician around, you can't unite with those dildo's. Fuck'em!

Also, some people are too sensitive and some are too insensitive, just the way it is. Passive people, Aggressive people, Passive-aggressive people, all in one place.

I think some people are looking for some musicians utopia, good luck!

[bfoust]

I just think a lot more topics should be moderated before they get out of hand, but there's only two mods here so it's a bit hard to keep up with them. I will add that JP just closed a few of the worse topics, thanks!

I don't think there should be topics like "Dissed at ___________" in the general forum, but that's just me. A lot of crap gets posted here, but then again, a lot of BENEFITS and actual MUSIC NEWS also gets posted. It's like a 50/50 chance if you click on a random thread that it'll be useful information.

A lot of musicians like to screw around, and post things like "Guess how many cigarettes I can smoke in my ass" and "My $5 hooker stole my wallet but sucks for her, I only had $0.25 in it." You just gotta ignore those threads I guess.. It's hard to do

So, in closing, I don't like the way it is, but it'll always be that way with the current and future local music community.

That's what gives ROCKPAGE it's flavor apparently.

(This POV is from strictly a fan with no musical talents whatsoever.)

[hicksjd9]

There's a lot of wisdom in what you've said Sanchez. I think we have a great place here for things that have been mentioned--buying and selling, meeting other musicians, getting help with technical questions, etc.

I think I've been beating around the bush at the question Steve just posed in several of my posts over the past few days. I'm far from innocent in all of this, but I do get concerned when people just spout an insult for no reason. I don't mind if a post is "mean" if there is something constructive written in it. Call someone a douche or a pussy or whatever, but make sure it's something that that person can change and try to help them find a way to make that change happen. That's being constructive. Insults are useless especially if there's no reasoning behind them. They just divide us and break down all meaningful communication.

BDRob, I know you tend to be introspective on this stuff, but I've seen a lot of your posts which have been GREAT at giving constructive criticism or trying to get someone to see someone else's point of view. I've seen more of you being helpful and courteous than I have anything else. I really do think you help to set the tone for this place and you do get a lot of (deserved) respect.

On another subject, I'm a little bummed when I defend someone and they turn around and give back exactly what I was pointing out others were doing. That wasn't cool and it made me feel like an ass. But hey, what can you do?

There's a bible verse in Proverbs that says, "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps his mouth shut." Talk about brilliant. I need to take that advice, but I think that goes for all of us every once and awhile. Remember that what you say on a board like this never goes away.

I'll do my best to keep my mouth shut about venues on a public forum in the future. That is more of a private matter that you share with people you are closer to not blab all over a site that is viewed by everyone. I apologize for the offensiveness of some of my last posts. I do stand by the things I say, but sometimes I could say them with more tact.

[Hawk]

Rockpage is like politics, the pendulum swings back and forth. Always has.

If you ride out the bad threads, good ones are going to follow.

The bigger the community, the less they may act / react like you (plural) would like them to.

[Herman]

Smart people won't spend there time here.....

[Colton]

Smart people won't spend there time here.....

This is a civil conversation. Why must you stick your nose in here for one second and say something that's most likely going to sidetrack this thread and start another damn flame war?

EDIT----was hoping for a bit more of a substantial and meaningful discussion about it. Maybe Im a fool. Guess we'll see.

To try to keep on subject here...

We need a place like this page so we can collaborate as a community on things like PLCB, talk about venues, find musicians, sell our crappy gear, and things like that. Sometimes we just like to bullshit about absolutely nothing, which I just love. Trolls and flamers happen. Its a forum. Its been happening since the internet forum was invented. Were not special in that manner, we just have some extra special people.


I've also been lucky enough to have a full band of great, down to earth musicians come together because of this site. The "Looking For Musicians" section works, contrary to popular belief. I think I might just go ahead and use that again.


Everyone should spend some of their time here. Except me I guess, cause Brian will yell at me for not spending every waking moment practicing.

[RobTheDrummer]

I think the problem with Rockpage as of late is that we are letting the trolls get their way. How about we ignore them, and get back to normalcy.

Anyway, about Rockpage....I've always had my little arguments and opinions here and there, but we've always had our points and agreed to disagree. I agree with Sanchez. This page has helped me meet tons of great musicians, play clubs, find musicians. All kinds of benefits came out of this. The many jams we have and the many great people I've met at those jams. We could argue on here all day, but when we get together, we find a lot of good in each other. Many people take me too serious on this page. Most of you pretty much know me. You know I'm not an asshole in reality. I do look forward to a little daily rockpage drama from time to time. I know a lot of you do. Political posts are always a good time for me! Anyways, that's all I'll ramble on about right now. I think this is a great thing for the scene and area musicians as a whole.

[Killjingle]

It seems this topic gets covered every month and I always give the same answers.

I agree with this.

The reflection upon this and that about music and its purpose in life is getting a little bit stale to me. I asked why there there was so much vulgarity and hate and half of the posts were ppl showing their ability to use an fbomb and why its cool.

Stale as a 90 yr old virgin.

I come to ROCKPAGE to network with ppl over the mountain and talk music; gear; and whatever else comes up.

[Eldorado]

There are a lot of sharp minds on this site. It only makes sense to try to absorb the stuff that might be beneficial without wasting energy on the crap that floats by from time to time.

It's like Yin Yang or something. Without the bad how can you appreciate the good?

Besides, If there were only awesome threads being posted, some of us might get burnt out from trying to sound smart all the time.

Thanks for the thread Steve. Please stick around this time.

[Dragan Kalasa]

At the risk of starting something, I must say that it is my opinion. I speak for no one but myself. If you disagree then so be it. Don't try and tell me your opinion is right and mine is wrong.

I personally think Rockpage's usefulness is slowly diminishing. I actually PM'd Ron to delete this account and I'm still on here. Maybe he didn't read it or whatever what not. I think that although it had it's usefulness a long time ago, it just seems to me that there is no networking outside of rockpage. I mean, if this site is so great why isn't more people posting stuff on here? Or why does nine bands out of 10 that I talk to have no idea of what rockpage is? I've told every band I met about rockpage and to check this site out. Did they? Don't know.

I've seen postings about rockpage jams and what nots... are they to spread the word of rockpage or for the veteran players on here to show off their skills to other rockpage people?

I'm a nobody and maybe I just don't know what I'm talking about. But why isn't rockpage advertised more? Like in PA musician? (not sarcastically asking, I don't get the PA musician, so I don't know) Or on local radio? JP, do you talk about rockpage at all during the homegrown rocker or your former radio show? (again not sacastically asking, I just never heard the radio show)

I don't think of rockpage as a networking site. I think of it as a giant online musical classified ad and for people within a tightly knit small circle to talk about stuff like bashing different genrés, how shitty our political system is and so forth. But like previously stated by other people. There is always that one good topic. Unfortuntely for me, that's not good enough.

I understand there's more to life than music. And that's what General Discussion is for, but when a thread becomes someone's blog and then someone posts "...Discuss???" at the end of it. That's telling me, "Wow, there must not be anything to talk about on here if we have to make a thread to discuss someone's opinions." Which usually ends up in someone getting kicked off.

Then...you got people who start a topic in relation to music, and then another person posts a link to a previous post that talks about it. "Wow, there is nothing left to talk about when you just start repeating old topics."

I must give props for the classified section because well that's how I found my first "gigging" band. Sad to say though it's not working as well as I thought this time around (Thanks to Brian for his help though). And I must also say that the reason that I met some of the people from rockpage in person wasn't because of these posts in General Discussion. Again it all started with the classified section. If I didn't join that band, I wouldn't have met anyone from all the bands I've had the great opportunity and pleasure to share the stage with.

I would almost (hate to go this route) compare Rockpage to an underground government agency. There's a whole lot of people involved but no one outside of it knows anything about it.

With bars closing down, karaoké, guitar hero (you may laugh but you know it's true), and DJ's. The cover bands, the live bands, rap groups, rock groups, acapella, instrumentals, country gospel, hardcore death metal are cutting each other's throats instead of working together to find a solution.

Yes...we all know there isn't a huge call for our music, for what we do...no shit, this isn't New York or LA. For me, this is Bedford County and guess what, the only people who dig my kind of music (hardcore/death/nu-metal) are people 21 and YOUNGER, and I'm fine with that.

If you're one of those people who are complaining because you're not getting paid enough, you're not playing to crowds of your liking or not enough people or whatever. Hang it up, and move over, because I'm more than happy to play for free, to an empty chair, out in the middle of bumfXck Egypt. It's not because I set my bar for success low. It's because I'm grateful for any and every opportunity.

We're all in this together. The only reason Rockpage exists is because of everyone who is on here, but keeping it to yourself and not promoting what everyone here is involved with is just as counterproductive to the scene as reading a thread about republicans/democrats. I think rockpage could be a huge contribution, if we were all here to contribute something of worth.

Now I want to scream "CAN... YOU... DIG IT?!"

Andrew

[BDR]

Smart people won't spend there time here.....

Part of the solution or part of the problem? After remaining silent and objective on the Herman topic for several weeks, I'm starting to form an opinion. I'm pretty sure Steve was looking for constructive input. Guess I just black balled myself. Damn. r:>)

[Killjingle]

because I'm more than happy to play for free, to an empty chair, out in the middle of bumfXck Egypt. It's not because I set my bar for success low. It's because I'm grateful for any and every opportunity

Dude; I cant agree with that part of your post. You are not wrong; and I am not right; but the idea of just being happy to be alive has to be more meaningful than that to me. If the time comes and the seats are empty; there is no cumulative reward to the band... I think its time to rethink what I am doing.

Its not necessarily an opportunity if there is nothing to gain.

[tornandfrayed]

Yo Steve, good to see you back.

I come to Rockpage less and sometimes find myself here more.

I like the people that I know and the ones that I don't know I expect to like once I meet them.

The topics are mostly cool and I love music. I am above and beyond all else a fan. That is why I do what I do, not only on this page but in my life.

I think that smart people do come here, you posted again Herman!

I think that fights break out and people get banned, sort of like really cool bars.

I believe in the diversification of people and that the very thing that creates havoc also brings us together. Our passion and our love of music.

People are gonna be jerks, I usually just ignore them or make fun of them. I, contrary to some beliefs have some major downfalls. people are also gonna be awesome and do awesome things, U know who U R!

So, I come here to communicate with like minded individuals, to see what is happening and to smell the roses.

Peace...

[Banned]

I can agree to disagree on some of your post....bet your A Tom Brady fan too huh?

Of course you can agree to disagree, man Is it possible to do it in a civil and respectful way? Are you a musician....a fan?

But the question at hand is, what does this site mean to you and what do you feel its purpose is?

I'm not going to even touch the Tom Brady thing, dude. I'm a Chicago fan myself. This thread isnt about football if you know what I mean. Please don't take it there. Once was enough

L.o.L!! I was just funnin' man. I agree with you. As far as what Rockpage means to me. Well, I log in everyday not knowing what to expect. Sometimes I get some education, sometimes I have a laugh, and sometimes I've gotten mad over a thing or two. I've even had my ass handed to me on here too for some of my own bullshit, but hey I deserved it. I love this forum and wouldn't change it for the fucking world. Rock On Bro!! Peace.

***Chicago....

Really? L.O.L!!

~Steve