Is the bar scene dying/dead?

DickShackBass · Post by **DickShackBass** » Thursday Jun 21, 2012

I miss packed bars, crazy fun people, seeing people smiling, dancing and laughing with their friends, people relating to one another in ways that just cant be done via text messaging.

I dont know what would get people out again. I dont think it has anything to do with money. I think people are honestly forgetting how to relate to one another face to face anymore. Seriously.

Andrea

robinhood · Post by **robinhood** » Thursday Jun 21, 2012

Andrea, I totally agree with you, its sort of pathetic that with phones and the interwebs, we don't know how to have human contact anymore...it is quite saddening. I guess from what it seems like the common idea is to just sell it, as hard as you can. ::shrugs::

Jasaoke · Post by **Jasaoke** » Thursday Jun 21, 2012

We need to adapt.

Maybe stream shows live on them internets.

Wouldn't it be cool to have a screen onstage where people could post video/stills from their phones at the show?

I've been wondering lately if it would work to have a web-based band:
Musicians join up with A/D interfaces and rehearse/perform online, like skype.

DickShackBass · Post by **DickShackBass** » Thursday Jun 21, 2012

I hope youre being facetious! The goal is to get them out and away from the computer and out in the real world again

Andrea

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Friday Jun 22, 2012

No, I think I can see where he's going. Instead of blaming the greatest invention since the wheel, use it against it's own bad points. Perhaps not exactly what he had in mind, but I can see where thinking outside the box could be very successful. I really like the idea of having a website where audience members could send pics in realtime, and see them on a projector screen. If you could do it with video, that'd be even better. Freaking brilliant, really, if you could get it to work.
Mama Corn has a deal where, if you come up to me at a show and show me on your smartphone that you "liked" our Facebook page, you get a free sticker. Facebook "likes" are currency in the social-networking businessplace, and represent people who are likely to actually look at what you send out... laser-direct advertising that costs almost nothing. I'm constantly surprised by how effective it is.

bfoust · Post by **bfoust** » Friday Jun 22, 2012

Being a non-musician on a musician's forum, I, for one, don't like going to the bars. I used to go only to see a band, but that band has since split up and I don't miss the scene.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Friday Jun 22, 2012

bfoust wrote:Being a non-musician on a musician's forum, I, for one, don't like going to the bars. I used to go only to see a band, but that band has since split up and I don't miss the scene.

[font=sarcasm] Its a shame that there aren't any more bands left for you to see. [/font]

bsaller · Post by **bsaller** » Friday Jun 22, 2012

I've been doing the bar scene since 1967 and the most notable changes are: more bands than ever for a given area, less bars and clubs to play at ( due to various reasons), and the LCE and their Gestapo tactics.

whitedevilone · Post by **whitedevilone** » Friday Jun 22, 2012

My band clearly sucks.We usually open for opening bands who are opening for somebody else.We don't give a shit if you "friend"us or even "like" us.We play to 12 drunks for free and we kill that shit every time.Boo hoo nobody comes to bars anymore.I dunno i always thought the magic of playing outweighed the number of folks drooling over you.

tornandfrayed · Post by **tornandfrayed** » Saturday Jun 23, 2012

That's it right there Scott. If you want to go out and play then quit whining and go out and play. If you are looking to get famous then you need to take another route.

Pretty simple.

I don't drink and I don't really go to bars except to see bands.

bsaller · Post by **bsaller** » Saturday Jun 23, 2012

Personnally I like entertaining people not tables and chairs.

moxham123 · Post by **moxham123** » Saturday Jun 23, 2012

bsaller wrote:Personnally I like entertaining people not tables and chairs.

Ethan Allen and Ashley Wolf have become our biggest fans and seem to show up frequently where bands are playing lately.

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Saturday Jun 23, 2012

If your sole purpose is to be seen, put a video on youtube.

Hawk · Post by **Hawk** » Saturday Jun 23, 2012

I think of playing music as sharing music. I enjoy sharing music with band mates but it's more than about "being seen". It's about the incredible joy of sharing music with a crowd. Sharing the feeling of joy ! And the more (who are there to "share") the merrier !

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Saturday Jun 23, 2012

moxham123 wrote:
bsaller wrote:Personnally I like entertaining people not tables and chairs.
Ethan Allen and Ashley Wolf have become our biggest fans and seem to show up frequently where bands are playing lately.

LMAO!! that's f'n funny Duaine!

Pizon · Post by **Pizon** » Saturday Jun 23, 2012

I personally don't think the music scene is dying. We seem to have a
good crowd everytime we play. No offense to anyone, but maybe it's the
type of music you play. Kayla loves blues, but from experience, i know
that a lot of people don't want to hear blues for 3 hours. Case in point--
we've played the hardrock in pittsburgh a couple times-- a blues band was
on before us, and people were booing them after a while. That's not meant to be a cut, it's just a fact. You'd have to play venues where blues
are the thing. same with metal, oldies or whatever. I've been playing in
various bands since 1964, and music seems to go through phases. Disco
killed live bands in the 70's for a while, but after the phase passed, it was ok. A lot of you don't like beatlemaniac for being a "shameless self promoter" but he makes a good point. Get off your ass and promote
yourself. That's why he's been around for numerous years. No, i'm not
related to him. There are so many awesome bands and musicians in this
area, but you have to be realistic. You are not God's gift to music. The whole idea of going out to play live is to entertain and have fun. If $$$
is your main object, then you're in the wrong business. We all play because we love it. If you happen to get discovered and signed with a
company-- great!! That means you work hard and hone your craft. Prof is invaluable with his backyard rocker and promotion of local bands. Thanks to him, many of us get to be heard, but i'm sure he knows it takes
work on our part to promote our style of music. I've always loved the
fact that kayla is always trying to better herself as a musician and not
afraid to ask for advice. We've never met, but i hope we do someday.
It's always great to meet people who are passionate about what they do.
That in itself, is half the battle in my mind. Keep pluggin away!! I'm sure there are going to be people who disagree with what i said, but this is
just how i feel. No offense meant to anyone. I love playing and always
have. Music makes the world go round. Good luck and God bless to all
of you.

moxham123 · Post by **moxham123** » Sunday Jun 24, 2012

Pizon wrote:The whole idea of going out to play live is to entertain and have fun. If $$$
is your main object, then you're in the wrong business. We all play because we love it.

Felix and I were just discussing this last night. You have to love playing to do it because most of us will never get rich at it and he and I both have been doing this a very. very long time.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Sunday Jun 24, 2012

moxham123 wrote:
Pizon wrote:The whole idea of going out to play live is to entertain and have fun. If $$$
is your main object, then you're in the wrong business. We all play because we love it.
Felix and I were just discussing this last night. You have to love playing to do it because most of us will never get rich at it and he and I both have been doing this a very. very long time.

Yes, but I have had bigger crowds in my living room with my solo show than some nights in bars with a band. May as well just do that without all the heavy lifting!

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Sunday Jun 24, 2012

Pizon wrote: A lot of you don't like beatlemaniac for being a "shameless self promoter" but he makes a good point.

Actually, it was just a playful jab. I have no problem with people who promote their product, craft, etc.

sstuckey · Post by **sstuckey** » Monday Jun 25, 2012

bassist_25 wrote:
Pizon wrote: A lot of you don't like beatlemaniac for being a "shameless self promoter" but he makes a good point.
Actually, it was just a playful jab. I have no problem with people who promote their product, craft, etc.

NaildriveR ....... BUY OUR SHIT! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA sorry couldn't resist! And I'm just kidding....we have nothing to buy....unless you want to bid on Scott Bush's recently chopped off ponytail!

CHICKSINGA · Post by **CHICKSINGA** » Monday Jun 25, 2012

What I feel was a healthy music scene has given way to greed, cliques, and the need for fame (attention)

The greed is from the State of PA making DUI and PLCB noise violations a new revenue source. The powers that be give no creedence to the lives they ruin or the clubs they shut down or the jobs lost.

The cliques are evident, same old bands get the gigs, Its rampant in State College & Altoona. We play Pellys because Robin & Harry actually care about music. There is no point bothering with the rest. The outer areas seem to embrace bands for their talent more. I have met wonderful people who open their doors readily, knowing that when people walk in the door they stay when we play.

Society is so caught up in stardom, fame and attention it has unleashed an attitude of "why not me?" In saying that I mean essentially that everyone wants to be a ROCKSTAR & very few want to be musicians. it ranges from bands offering karaoke pickings, rockband contests & ok, I'll dare to say it, people who have no business onstage calling themselves musicians.

Am I cynical? Jaded? pissed? I might be if I was younger. But I was lucky to be a part of the time when music comeraderie was alive & clubs thrived. I'm blessed to have a great career & do it for joy & love.
I care very little for being a ROCKSTAR.

nakedtwister · Post by **nakedtwister** » Tuesday Jun 26, 2012

lonewolf wrote:
moxham123 wrote:
Pizon wrote:The whole idea of going out to play live is to entertain and have fun. If $$$
is your main object, then you're in the wrong business. We all play because we love it.
Felix and I were just discussing this last night. You have to love playing to do it because most of us will never get rich at it and he and I both have been doing this a very. very long time.
Yes, but I have had bigger crowds in my living room with my solo show than some nights in bars with a band. May as well just do that without all the heavy lifting!

Jeff, your cardboard cut-outs of Axel Rose and Ozzy don't count. I know what you are saying. Some times we have more people at practice like the other night. But the fact that I get to hang out with some of the best musicians in the USA makes it all worth the while. B

By the way, are you back in Pa.?

ZappasXWife · Post by **ZappasXWife** » Wednesday Jun 27, 2012

nakedtwister said

Some times we have more people at practice like the other night

Dude, seriously...that was PRACTICE?

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Wednesday Jun 27, 2012

nakedtwister wrote:
lonewolf wrote:
moxham123 wrote: Felix and I were just discussing this last night. You have to love playing to do it because most of us will never get rich at it and he and I both have been doing this a very. very long time.
Yes, but I have had bigger crowds in my living room with my solo show than some nights in bars with a band. May as well just do that without all the heavy lifting!
Jeff, your cardboard cut-outs of Axel Rose and Ozzy don't count. I know what you are saying. Some times we have more people at practice like the other night. But the fact that I get to hang out with some of the best musicians in the USA makes it all worth the while. B

By the way, are you back in Pa.?

Yes, I'm back. I'm not talking about practice...i'm talking about saturday nights after the bar closes, lol. Party at Jeff's!!

If I had an Axel Rose cutout, it would be for throwing knives, not music.