930 Forums
=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: Driveway on December 18, 2003, 01:18:00 am
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Ive just noticed in the last few months... that I can't remember the last time I went to the club. It just seems that in the last year, ticket prices have increased greatly and the more 'alternative' and 'indie' bands that were once staples of the 930 club have vanished. The only show that appeals to me on the current calander really is My Morning Jacket. Shouldn't shows like Natalie Cole, FOUR nights of Melissa Ethridge, Maci Gray or Cyndi Lauper be reserved for other venues in dc? 930 use to be a place for up and comers, not 80's has beens or yuppie magnets. Just a thought...
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Open your mind.
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Originally posted by DriveWay:
The only show that appeals to me on the current calander really is My Morning Jacket.
then that's the only show you should go to
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think off all the money your saving...
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i have always remembered bad shows being at 930 club every so often.
wait, not bad, just bands i dont wanna see :)
but 4 nights of Melissa Etheridge is hard to believe. but hey, if they'll sell, why not!
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As a peroxide spiky blonde (http://u1.netgate.net/~mette/hair/) 09:30's roots always show.
Go, like, free your mind, dude, or something...
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The 9:30 Club long ago ceased being the purveyor of up and coming music, didn't it? I don't think this is something that happened just in the last few months is it? I mean the new club holds what...1000 people? Of course they will be skewed toward the more popular, established acts, while the newer bands will play Black Cat, Iota, etc...or maybe be the support band at 9:30 shows.
I can say that out of my top ten shows of 2003, NONE of them were at 9:30 Club. In fact, I only saw two shows (out of maybe 20-25 or so total) there all year.
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Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
The 9:30 Club long ago ceased being the purveyor of up and coming music, didn't it?
You're both wrong, in my opinion. Sure, the club is a bigger venue now, but I think there's a very, very healthy mix of up-and-coming/indie/for the kids shows, and established or even retro acts that pull in a lot of money. I'm 36, and in any given month, there's usually at least a third of the shows I don't know a thing about -- I've never heard of the band, or I've seen the name but have no clue. That usually means they're nu metal or post-punk or something else that the kids are listening to.
Plus, I've seen lots of bands this year for the first time (ore wanted to see them but couldn't make it), and the shows were NOT sold out because they're either fairly new or still building an audience (Idlewild, Hot Hot Heat, Juliana Theory, BRMC).
George Clinton has *always* come the 9:30 Club. Check out the listings at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC and you'll see the same overall mix of shows.
Man, if I wanted to go to every show that was at the club, I'd be dead by now.
And for that really really new band, there's Black Cat backstage.
I'm not quite sure what the problem is, Driveway.
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I don't think people like Natalie Cole, Syndi Looper, Seal, or Melissa Muffeater played the old 9:30 Club. Driveway is probably referring to the "spirit" of the old 9:30 Club which indeed was on the cutting edge.
And I'm not complaining. There are certainly a number of other live music venue options in DC. If 9:30 was the only game in town, and they had the list of acts playing that they do, then I'd whine. But it's cool. Seth's just giving the DC market what it wants.
Originally posted by Bagster:
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
The 9:30 Club long ago ceased being the purveyor of up and coming music, didn't it?
You're both wrong, in my opinion. Sure, the club is a bigger venue now, but I think there's a very, very healthy mix of up-and-coming/indie/for the kids shows, and established or even retro acts that pull in a lot of money. I'm 36, and in any given month, there's usually at least a third of the shows I don't know a thing about -- I've never heard of the band, or I've seen the name but have no clue. That usually means they're nu metal or post-punk or something else that the kids are listening to.
Plus, I've seen lots of bands this year for the first time (ore wanted to see them but couldn't make it), and the shows were NOT sold out because they're either fairly new or still building an audience (Idlewild, Hot Hot Heat, Juliana Theory, BRMC).
George Clinton has *always* come the 9:30 Club. Check out the listings at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC and you'll see the same overall mix of shows.
Man, if I wanted to go to every show that was at the club, I'd be dead by now.
And for that really really new band, there's Black Cat backstage.
I'm not quite sure what the problem is, Driveway. [/b]
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But Rhett, if the 9:30 were EXACTLY the same as it had been at the old space, would there be more shows you'd go to? You in particular are awfully alt.country and eschew most of the bands that would come through. Not all, but I'd bet as many as you do now. It's just that in that scenario you'd be eschewing small indie bands, and now you eschew both indie and more mainstream alternative or retro bands.
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
I don't think people like Natalie Cole, Syndi Looper, Seal, or Melissa Muffeater played the old 9:30 Club. Driveway is probably referring to the "spirit" of the old 9:30 Club which indeed was on the cutting edge. Originally posted by Bagster:
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
The 9:30 Club long ago ceased being the purveyor of up and coming music, didn't it?
You're both wrong, in my opinion. [/b]
[/b]
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Since when have you taken a look at my cd collection or a list of shows I see? I see as many "indie" bands at the Black Cat as I do alt-country bands elsewhere. I don't "eschew" indie bands, I see them at the Black Cat. It seems like the up and coming bands that DO play the 9:30 are usually schlocky overhyped junk (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Hott Hott Heat, etc). Whereas the cool bands (Beulah, the Shins) play the Black Cat.
And if 9:30 Club were the club it once was, it WOULD cater more to the smaller alt-country market. When Uncle Tupelo came to town, they played the old 9:30 Club. Now bands like that play Iota.
Originally posted by Bagster:
But Rhett, if the 9:30 were EXACTLY the same as it had been at the old space, would there be more shows you'd go to? You in particular are awfully alt.country and eschew most of the bands that would come through. Not all, but I'd bet as many as you do now. It's just that in that scenario you'd be eschewing small indie bands, and now you eschew both indie and more mainstream alternative or retro bands.
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
I don't think people like Natalie Cole, Syndi Looper, Seal, or Melissa Muffeater played the old 9:30 Club. Driveway is probably referring to the "spirit" of the old 9:30 Club which indeed was on the cutting edge. Originally posted by Bagster:
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
The 9:30 Club long ago ceased being the purveyor of up and coming music, didn't it?
You're both wrong, in my opinion. [/b]
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How dare anyone presume anything about that great unknowable sphynx, Rhett? Shame on you Bagster! May your firstborn be shut in a sweatlocker with an insurance salesman. A thousand lashes...
<img src="http://www.imbiss.dk/car.gif" alt=" - " />
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Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
Whereas the cool bands (Beulah, the Shins) play the Black Cat.
thank you for telling us what the "cool" bands are. you sound like such a cool guy. :) (cough,hipster,cough)
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If I am not mistaken, the 930 Club isnt straying from its Roots.....arent they playing there in a couple weeks?????
<img src="http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/americasbest/profile.images/profile.roots.jpg" alt=" - " />
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Originally posted by sonickteam2:
If I am not mistaken, the 930 Club isnt straying from its Roots.....arent they playing there in a couple weeks?????
<img src="http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/americasbest/profile.images/profile.roots.jpg" alt=" - " />
Thanks for the clarification. I thought we were discussing Roots the tv mini-series.
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its not like if the bands that used to or "should" come to 930 don't come to dc anymore. the club still blows most town's equivalent venues away, and smaller bands come to the cat or iota. sounds like a good deal to me...and i have gone to the black cat many more times than 930 since i've lived here.
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Originally posted by DriveWay:
Ive just noticed in the last few months... that I can't remember the last time I went to the club. It just seems that in the last year, ticket prices have increased greatly and the more 'alternative' and 'indie' bands that were once staples of the 930 club have vanished. The only show that appeals to me on the current calander really is My Morning Jacket. Shouldn't shows like Natalie Cole, FOUR nights of Melissa Ethridge, Maci Gray or Cyndi Lauper be reserved for other venues in dc? 930 use to be a place for up and comers, not 80's has beens or yuppie magnets. Just a thought...
Who do you want to see come to the club? Remember too their schedule is dictated by who is touring at any one moment. If they are not on the road, they won't be at the club. Also if a band draws 150 people they really can't show them alone, so in that respect the club has changed. Other clubs have taken up some of the slack, but the 9:30 also uses the opening slots to bring in new talent.
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also, its not like Seth and Co. just sit around and think of cool bands and then call them up and fly them into town. Bands have to be touring, they have to be coming somewhat nearby DC in the first place, they have to want to play DC, they have to be able to sell more than 200 tickets (i would think), they have to be in town on a night that no one else is scheduled at the club.
All these things come into factor.
I have spent time helping book DJs at a weekly club and its not easy and you dont ALWAYS get all the acts you want, whenever you want them.
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i think me and SirHC posted at the same time, sorry for the redundancy again.
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I was amazed that Death Cab For Cutie played at the Black Cat and not the 930 club... as well as the Twilight Singers. Both of these acts could have filled the 930 Club easily. I don't know, it is just hard to believe that a club that use to house bands like Velocity Girl, Hum or Smashing Pumokins is now on a Melissa Ethridge kick. I'm not complaining per say because I enjoy going to the black cat, just an oberservation that the club has changed dramatically and has basically nothing to do with the original club, or how the new club was in it's first couple of years.
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Hmmm... I do recall seeing Jewel at the old 9:30
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One oddball booking doesn't completely discredit his argument. Look on the schedule at any time now and there are a half dozen nights of Jewel-calibre performers.
Originally posted by Moon Mulllens:
Hmmm... I do recall seeing Jewel at the old 9:30
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Originally posted by DriveWay:
I was amazed that Death Cab For Cutie played at the Black Cat and not the 930 club... as well as the Twilight Singers. Both of these acts could have filled the 930 Club easily. I don't know, it is just hard to believe that a club that use to house bands like Velocity Girl, Hum or Smashing Pumokins is now on a Melissa Ethridge kick. I'm not complaining per say because I enjoy going to the black cat, just an oberservation that the club has changed dramatically and has basically nothing to do with the original club, or how the new club was in it's first couple of years.
Some bands have a "Black Cat" connection, Death Cab being friends with D Plan would be a good case and point. Some bands have a 9:30 connection, some will play both (Luna for example). I like having all the different clubs as you can get to see some shows or bands that would otherwise escape you, only problem is when they all book something killer for the same night.
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Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
One oddball booking doesn't completely discredit his argument. Look on the schedule at any time now and there are a half dozen nights of Jewel-calibre performers.
Originally posted by Moon Mulllens:
Hmmm... I do recall seeing Jewel at the old 9:30
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That would be an opinion of personal taste. There were tons of bands that played at the old 9:30 that I didn't care for, as there are now.
With the exception of a few mainstream music acts, the booking doesn't seem to be any different than what was playing at the old venue let's say, 10 years ago.
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That's because there ARE other clubs now (of the old 9:30's size), and 9:30 is three times the size. I believe that if Uncle Tupelo could sell out the 9:30, they'd play the 9:30.
Hey, question -- where are the Old 97s playing?
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
And if 9:30 Club were the club it once was, it WOULD cater more to the smaller alt-country market. When Uncle Tupelo came to town, they played the old 9:30 Club. Now bands like that play Iota.
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Originally posted by Bagster:
That's because there ARE other clubs now (of the old 9:30's size), and 9:30 is three times the size. I believe that if Uncle Tupelo could sell out the 9:30, they'd play the 9:30.
Hey, question -- where are the Old 97s playing?
I am pretty sure if Uncle Tupelo were to play 9:30 now, the show would sell out.
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Originally posted by Dupek Chopra:
How dare anyone presume anything about that great unknowable sphynx, Rhett? Shame on you Bagster! May your firstborn be shut in a sweatlocker with an insurance salesman. A thousand lashes...
Right, because we never hear about the bands or the shows he likes here on the board. I'll never say I know what Rhett listens to on a comprehensive basis, but I certainly know the highlights.
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Originally posted by DriveWay:
I was amazed that Death Cab For Cutie played at the Black Cat and not the 930 club... as well as the Twilight Singers. Both of these acts could have filled the 930 Club easily. I don't know, it is just hard to believe that a club that use to house bands like Velocity Girl, Hum or Smashing Pumokins is now on a Melissa Ethridge kick. I'm not complaining per say because I enjoy going to the black cat, just an oberservation that the club has changed dramatically and has basically nothing to do with the original club, or how the new club was in it's first couple of years.
See Pollstar Melissa Etheridge is doing several dates at larger clubs across the country. Perhaps she is tried of playing arenas but doesn't want to lock people out from seeing her in the smaller venues. So her dates are not unique to 9:30 club. The club also books lots of indie bands in the punk/emo vein, it maybe not the indie you want to hear.
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Originally posted by Bagster:
[QB]
Hey, question -- where are the Old 97s playing?
Evidently the same venue that now only books old washed-up, Jewel-calibre artists. Very fitting don't you think?
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Originally posted by sonickteam2:
also, its not like Seth and Co. just sit around and think of cool bands and then call them up and fly them into town.
So funny...that appears to be what the Jane's Addiction fan wants. "Hey Seth, will you call Perry and get his butt to the club?"
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Originally posted by Sir HC:
Originally posted by DriveWay:
Ive just noticed in the last few months... that I can't remember the last time I went to the club.
Other clubs have taken up some of the slack, but the 9:30 also uses the opening slots to bring in new talent. [/b]
Very true, HC. Opening bands get great exposure. Look at Detroit Cobras, who then played Iota a couple months later.
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Originally posted by Bagster:
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
also, its not like Seth and Co. just sit around and think of cool bands and then call them up and fly them into town.
So funny...that appears to be what the Jane's Addiction fan wants. "Hey Seth, will you call Perry and get his butt to the club?" [/b]
small difference. If Jane's was already planning on doing a tour, and then the arena tour cancelled, they may still go out on thier own, on a club tour. i am sure its been done before
but still, unless Seth and Perry have built Zen gardens and smoked opium together before, i dont see him just callin up Perry :)
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Originally posted by Bagster:
Very true, HC. Opening bands get great exposure. Look at Detroit Cobras, who then played Iota a couple months later.
unless I am completely mistaken, I believe the Detroit Cobras were part of the package tour, so 9:30 had little to do with that
it seems it is only some of the tours that dont already have their own opener, in those cases the club does a great job of getting local talent to play, like the carlsonics with the buzzcocks or the put outs with idlewild
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And remember the club also uses Fletchers in Baltimore to work for bands with smaller followings. The 9:30 club is just one part of their network.
IMP has a long Janes history, they even did some good Porno for Pyros stuff, so maybe he could give Perry a call, but for some reason I would think Perry has a medium with a crystal ball to get his incoming psychic messages.
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Looking at the 9:30 Club ad in today's City Paper, all I see is a diverse, eclectic range of acts that cater to every type of audience, size and musical genre. Of all the venues I have been to, 9:30 easily is the most enjoyable place to see a show. Thanks!
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I HAVE A GREAT IDEA (and I am SO bummed I'll miss the discussion, if it happens, plus any goodies exchanged).
You can continue this debate at the Forum Gathering, because so many of the schedules from 20 years ago are on the walls down in the Back Bar. I'll bet you find that there were many "oddball" bookings back in the day as well. I agree with Moon on that...
One thing of note -- it's even different comparing the club in the very early 80s and the early 90s before the move. They'd reached a pretty substantive level of success by the late 80s.
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At the old club they booked the Bay City Rollers.
nuf said.
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but its hard to judge bands from then, now...... I mean, I dont think I would recognise the olden days hot hot heats....Or Jewels, for that matter.
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Oh, I'll bet you can. If not, have Kosmo, er, I mean evilsanta, give you some background!
Originally posted by mark e smith:
but its hard to judge bands from then, now...... I mean, I dont think I would recognise the olden days hot hot heats....Or Jewels, for that matter.
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Jeez, I wouldn't expect the suck ups who post on the 9:30 board to ever say anything bad about the club anyway. Except me and Cranky Mankie, and we're off in our own little middle aged worlds anyway.
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The club must be lovin' the scene nowadays. Stadium acts are gone, and most arena acts have downsized to clubs... preferably bigger clubs. That's 9:30. So before, big pop acts played arenas... now the club is fair game. And now that I think about it, I have been venturing out the opposite end of the U-street metro en route to the black cat much more recently. I think the last time I was at 9:30 was the grandaddy show. That was ages ago.
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I agree w/ Kosmo. Also, I'd much rather see a show at the 9:30 club than a larger venue such as MCI or Patriot Center, or MPP (pre-Seth).
Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
See Pollstar Melissa Etheridge is doing several dates at larger clubs across the country. Perhaps she is tried of playing arenas but doesn't want to lock people out from seeing her in the smaller venues. So her dates are not unique to 9:30 club. The club also books lots of indie bands in the punk/emo vein, it maybe not the indie you want to hear. [/QB][/QUOTE]
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Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
Jeez, I wouldn't expect the suck ups who post on the 9:30 board to ever say anything bad about the club anyway. Except me and Cranky Mankie, and we're off in our own little middle aged worlds anyway.
yeah, it's been worth all the free tickets and VIP treatment I get at the club....
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elvis costello was on conan o'brien a while back. he told a story that i can't quote verbatim, but the gist of it began with him in new york at an indian food restaurant in the late 1970's. he was at a table by himself, and the place was empty except for one other table where he saw david bowie sitting at a table by himself. he said that they talk about that day now and laugh at themselves for thinking they were too fucking cool to say hello to each other.
it is just music. at the old club, you may have seen helmet, or tony bennett, or terminator x. in the current space, you might walk in and see my morning jacket, or melissa etheridge, or the roots. nothing has changed in terms of attitude except for the people who think they are precious and too fucking cool. get over it - or david bowie and elvis costello will laugh at you!!
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Oh, who gives a rat's ass? I've been to a crapload of clubs (although mostly in the NE USA) and the 9:30 Club is the best by far, for more reasons than I care to mention. No, wait, I'll mention a few - great sound, great service at the bar, cool staff, and always a great view of the stage - even when its packed. Although I'm fairly new to this area, I've already seen great live shows by bands that no one will ever know about AND established artists there. It doesn't matter who plays there, its a great club. If someone is going to condemn the club for not having super-duper hip bands, I advise that person go somewhere else. I would too. The club is fairly large. Its going to have successful acts play there. get over it.
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PigIron aned UrbanSprite: word.
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bitch bitch whine whine moan moan...you know there are starving children in ethiopia?
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Originally posted by Samantha:
bitch bitch whine whine moan moan...you know there are starving children in ethiopia?
I thought they all moved to Sudan.