Shooter's in J-town

Possessed · Post by **Possessed** » Tuesday Oct 07, 2003

I just wanted to get on here and let everyone know about the way the new Shooter's in J-town has dissed the hard rock/heavy metal scene in the area. The owner has refused to let most of the top HR/HM bands play there. The scene in this town is really hurting because of this. Bands like Rennis, Deviance, Pivot, NE146,and Flap Jack'n Jill to name just a few, have not played there yet because the owner wants more pop,dance, and DJ's. He thinks that the heavy bands won't draw as well. All of these bands have a good local following and I have no doubt that they could pack the place. I know one of them used to be the house band at the old Shooter's, hosting jam nites and filling in at the last minute when another band cancelled and packing the place. That's gratitude for ya. Anyway Shooter's gets a good crowd no matter who or what is going on there. It is definitely the coolest club in the area and by not letting the heavier bands in he is helping to bring down what is left of a once strong scene. These bands play every other club in the area and do a good job bringing people in. With the exception of Retroactive and Skell, Stept On(on a Sunday nite, Blah) no band at the Rock the House benefit concert has ever played Shooter's. This is a matter that the bands in question shall persevere to resolve.
Just an angry rant from a hardworking METAL MUSICIAN.

onetooloud · Post by **onetooloud** » Wednesday Oct 08, 2003

Just a small note there is someone at shooters pulling for ya !! I'm sure you know who that is!
After the investment they've made there they can't afford to make any mistakes and are just feeling things out. Get your fan base behind you have them request you play their stage. If enough people ask perhaps I't happen.

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Wednesday Oct 08, 2003

musicians are effected by crowds but I do believe a club has the right (and does) choose the type of crowd that it gets by the type of music they pick. Maybe they don't want the metal crowd, if thats the case then the metal bands should look at making another venue a hotspot for them. I think you'll have to remember also that its a new club so its a novelty right now. In time the novelty will wear off and the other clubs and the scene should fall in to place.
If they want a dance crowd they have that right but that doesn't mean its the end for the metal crowd, maybe another club should step up to the plate.

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Wednesday Oct 08, 2003

I like onetooloud's advice. When somebody asks why you don't play there, tell them to call the club and ask. Word of mouth is the absolute best advertisement there is. When patrons want something, a businessperson would be foolish not to at least check into it... give the people what they want. Another approach would be to make a deal. "I know I'm not what your club usually books, but I think I'd do well here. If you're willing to take a chance, I'll play for this discounted rate,$_____, the first time or two." That way the clubowner doesn't feel like he's the one taking the risk.
Personally, I like that the shiny people have a place to go and dance. It leaves more room for the ones who want to rock out with their c*ck out.

Possessed · Post by **Possessed** » Thursday Oct 16, 2003

That's good advice and I'll take all of your comments into consideration.
One thing I definitely can say is everytime my band RENNIS gets in front of a crowd, heavy or not, we gain fans. A lot of people going to shooters for the "novelty" of it would not hear us otherwise because they don't go anywhere else. I'm not saying that the club should go completely metal. That would just hurt them. Maybe just one or two nights a month on a Friday or Saturday for the Rock crowd. I know the ownership has a lot invested and they don't want to lose out but RENNIS has the pulling power to bring a decent crowd especially with an opener like Flap Jack-n-Jill.
We are now in negotiations with the club for a three band bill. Rennis, Pivot, and Deviance. Shooter's wants to do it on a Thursday but we'll work with them to get a weekend gig. Thanks again for the advice.