Bringing it back!

Moderators: Ron, Jim Price

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RobTheDrummer
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Bringing it back!

Post by RobTheDrummer »

Is it just me or is the local music scene starting to come back in a huge way. I've heard that 4D's was packed yet again, we packed City on saturday, Lost Ledney seems to have had a good crowd on hand....what were the other places like? Is the Scene coming back in 2005??? I think so!!!
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homerski
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Post by homerski »

Homer's Army played at Peter C's on Saturday, and even though this was a last minute gig, and they didn't do ANY advertising (save the marquis), we had a nice and very appreciative crowd.

One fan said, "Man, I feel like you guys are playing this show just for me!!"

It was one of those "magic" nights that make it all worthwhile.

P.S. And then we all showed up at King's restaurant to view the show going on there.
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

-- Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)
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Imgrimm01
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Cover

Post by Imgrimm01 »

I think for cover bands the scene never really went away, This is not a bust just a fact, people always will come out and see a cover band they love hearing what they know. The problem with the scene and it saddens me is that people don't seem to want to grow and learn musically and this is the disease that kills the original scene.
I'm glad I didn't have to fight in a war, I'm glad I didn't get killed or kill somebody, I hope my kids enjoy the same lack of manhood
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esa
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Post by esa »

Plus, you have to remember that the Holidays are basically over. I mean, as soon as my birthday is over, ( :lol: ) then the year starts calming down till easter and then the mad rush after thanksgiving to new years.

What with Christmas shopping/errands out of the way and a little comfortable jingle back in our pockets, we can start going back out and partying on the weekends.
~*~Esa~*~
I'll be the one left standing behind you, looking the other way as you glance back at what you've lost.
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songsmith
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Post by songsmith »

Yeah, and the cabin fever, I-gotta-get-outta-this-house-before-I-kill-these-freakin'-kids attitude takes hold. I love that.
I always said, in the winter a musician prays for cold and clear weather, in the summer, he prays for rain all day. A rainy Saturday down around Raystown Lake practically guarantees a good crowd at the bars... the campers venture out since there's no campfire drinking to be done.

I personally HAVE seen an increase in the bar crowds lately. I was hoping it was because we rock, but hey, whatever, as long as they come. I'm also finding myself not really caring if we have a huge crowd... of course, I love the energy of a large audience, who doesn't, but the Hurricanes have taught me the value of a few people PAYING ATTENTION, as well. Even if there's 4 people, I still have a blast kickin' the sh*t out of some cool songs onstage with my buddies... I have a pretty fun band. You know what I mean, you hit an obvious clam, look at the other guys and snicker; or the guitarist just KILLS on a solo you've heard dozens of times before; some nasty chick starts freak-dancing by herself (you know you've seen her); that kind of thing. It's kinda weird, I prefer that to a bunch of in-your-face-barking drunks. I used to love that... I must be getting old.
I'm glad MDK's doing well, that's a good bunch of guys right there. I need to go see them soon. Hell, I still haven't seen Bad Daze... that's a crime! Sure, their singer's a douche, but if you wanna see how hung he is, look at his avatar! "I'm sportin' this much!" (Really, that's funny if you check his avatar) Just yankin' ya Rob, you know I'm proud of your skinny ass. ------>JMS
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Jim Price
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Post by Jim Price »

I saw six different shows this past weekend in Altoona and Ebensburg; and it was about 50/50 - three of the shows had what I would term "good" attendance, the other three had people there but were by no means packed.

As I view it, every weekend is different, depending on who's playing, the weather, if it is a holiday weekend, amount of promotion for a given show, competing events and other factors. Saturdays still seem a better bet for crowds than Fridays, and people are more likely to pick and choose their bands and shows rather than take in a whole weekend's worth of live shows.

At least in Altoona, Fridays have been slow of late. Remember last fall, when Classic Attitudes, City Limits and Burgi's all started doing Friday bands at about the same time? Classics abandoned Friday bands after about six weeks. And the 4D's Lounge stopped running bands on Fridays starting this month, and have a deejay every Friday. The other places that are still running bands on Fridays seem to be hit or miss, depending on who all is in town.

I would suggest that the best way to help this scene "come back" is to generate enthusiasm and excitement about your bands and shows, and continue to promote and educate the public about who you are and what you do. Keep promoting and marketing yourselves, and keep generating a buzz about your music and shows.

I don't know if the scene can ever get back to the "crowds in every bar every night" scene that it was when I first started writing about it, as times have changed and conditions are different now. But I still believe that if bands and clubs take care of their business - generate a quality show, build enthusiasm and interest, and continue to promote and sell their shows on a steady basis - I think we can still attract more people to come out, and see more successful nights overall.
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