Must Be A Slow News Day...

[Jim Price]

I just saw on the Dime's 5 PM newscast, footage shot by a college student of a ruckus at Aldo's this past weekend. Since when do bar scuffles rate as news? The report even said that no charges were filed.

Is it just me, or does this smack of sensationalism? Yes, there were gunshots fired outside of City Limits two weeks ago. Does that make every bar scuffle suddenly worthy of television coverage?

I think we should drop a note to the Dime about the upcoming Rock For The Troops events, to see if they'll cover positive news that happens in the local music/nightspot scene.

[Primates]

You're absolutely correct jim.

[metalchurch]

Yeah, no doubt, I totally agree. Seems we have a new scapegoat for the problems of Altoona.

[Heartless_Mockery_Records]

I was kinda surprised to see that on the news also... I caught it on the 11pm last night (which was actually about 11:30). I liked the "EXCLUSIVE CHANNEL 10 FOOTAGE"... like it was some major life changing event or something.

The whole thing was pretty stupid and pointless to begin with, no need to broadcast it. But, I guess people only like to hear about murders, rapes, fights, and shit like that on the news.

[ToonaRockGuy]

I'm already in discussion with Carolyn Donaldson regarding our RFTT efforts. It helps that I've known her for almost a decade, thanks to working in radio here that long. She's pretty excited about it, and is pushing for a feature story.

One of the points that I made to her was the bad rap that we, as "bar musicians" get. I'm not pointing any fingers at anyone, because as long as someone's got balls enough to get onstage and play live, that's cool with me.

But it's a long held tradition for the "old guard" of Altoids to hate us musicians, and hold us up as long-haired, dope-smokin', boozin' punks, while they cater to their "pet" bands that are "safe" to play their little community festivals, and worry about upscale music at The Mishler. Fact is, the Rockpage community raises just as much money every single year as some of the "safe" charities, like Easter Seals, ACS, and the like. Want an example? Where were the "caring" Blair Countians when the house fire across the street from Davy's in Hastings happened? Ill tell you where they were: onstage after BadDazeRob organized "Helping Hands For Hastings". No news coverage, no TV cameras, just us. And we kicked ass, and raised money for a family and a town that nobody else gave a shit about. When tragedy strikes, Rockpage is often the first group to spring into action and help out.

Yet we're scum. We're just musicians who want to score some dope to get high. We're not good enough for the "upper crust".

Well fuck them. Rock For The Troops can be a great vehicle get our messages of love and hope to our troops overseas, and also to overcome stereotypes and prove that we're just as good as anyone else. We know it, and if TV10 comes through (and that's a pretty big if), maybe some other people will realize it too.

Sorry about the rant.

[oobie]

well said Kevin!!!

[Baceman Spiff]

Wow Kevin you should rant more often!

[BDR]

I like beans.

r:>)

[bassist_25]

I'm already in discussion with Carolyn Donaldson regarding our RFTT efforts. It helps that I've known her for almost a decade, thanks to working in radio here that long. She's pretty excited about it, and is pushing for a feature story.

One of the points that I made to her was the bad rap that we, as "bar musicians" get. I'm not pointing any fingers at anyone, because as long as someone's got balls enough to get onstage and play live, that's cool with me.

But it's a long held tradition for the "old guard" of Altoids to hate us musicians, and hold us up as long-haired, dope-smokin', boozin' punks, while they cater to their "pet" bands that are "safe" to play their little community festivals, and worry about upscale music at The Mishler. Fact is, the Rockpage community raises just as much money every single year as some of the "safe" charities, like Easter Seals, ACS, and the like. Want an example? Where were the "caring" Blair Countians when the house fire across the street from Davy's in Hastings happened? Ill tell you where they were: onstage after BadDazeRob organized "Helping Hands For Hastings". No news coverage, no TV cameras, just us. And we kicked ass, and raised money for a family and a town that nobody else gave a shit about. When tragedy strikes, Rockpage is often the first group to spring into action and help out.

Yet we're scum. We're just musicians who want to score some dope to get high. We're not good enough for the "upper crust".

Well fuck them. Rock For The Troops can be a great vehicle get our messages of love and hope to our troops overseas, and also to overcome stereotypes and prove that we're just as good as anyone else. We know it, and if TV10 comes through (and that's a pretty big if), maybe some other people will realize it too.

Sorry about the rant.

I'm bassist_25, and I approve of this rant.

p.s. The news sure liked to cover HHFH after the fact when WJAC wanted to make themselves out to be heros and that douche Rich Klindworth tried to turn something positive into something negative by reporting false information. Oh well, he gave us a good gimmick with the Snickers.