No Local Musician Support

[Finger_Bang]

I just want to comment that it's sad that there's only a few that support this cool music forum. I'm not even from here and I post from time to time but read it often. Musician's in the Sault seem to have way too much attitude judging from that horrible Musician's Central forum. I give you credit for hanging in there Freq because it seems like a lost cause. You have more drive than I'll ever have. I'll still support the effort though.

[hotdoggravy]

The Freq is a rare breed, he's one of the only musicians that I've played with that seems like he has a genuine love of music, he just likes to play, It's not that no one else doesn't love it, he just seems like he puts everything into it all the time, he knows his stuff and he never seems to be half-a$$ed when it comes to music. Thats pretty obvious when you look at how much time he spends playing, or talking music. I heard some horror stories before I jammed with him, about him being hard to play with, but he is by far the easiest musician I have ever played with, as well as the most professional. Well I think I've made my point. Did I have a point? (freq, you now owe me a fin)

["The Freq"]

hotdoggravy said:

The Freq is a rare breed, he's one of the only musicians that I've played with that seems like he has a genuine love of music, he just likes to play, It's not that no one else doesn't love it, he just seems like he puts everything into it all the time, he knows his stuff and he never seems to be half-a$$ed when it comes to music. Thats pretty obvious when you look at how much time he spends playing, or talking music. I heard some horror stories before I jammed with him, about him being hard to play with, but he is by far the easiest musician I have ever played with, as well as the most professional. Well I think I've made my point. Did I have a point? (freq, you now owe me a fin)

Thanks HDG. I do love all aspects of music. I think it's a sickness now.. ;-) I appreciate the support amongst so many Freq haters ..
Here's your fin...

["The Freq"]

robonikki said:

I just want to comment that it's sad that there's only a few that support this cool music forum. I'm not even from here and I post from time to time but read it often. Musician's in the Sault seem to have way too much attitude judging from that horrible Musician's Central forum. I give you credit for hanging in there Freq because it seems like a lost cause. You have more drive than I'll ever have. I'll still support the effort though.

Musician's Central started off with good intensions but then it went bad fast. I never thought of the negative side when I started that forum. I was naive, yes. I learned all too quick that there are people who just enjoy trying to wreck things others or myself are proud of or have interest in. Some may call these people d.i.c.k.heads. Others may say they are envious or jealous because they lack any creative ability or talent what so ever. I just call them bored people with no ambition but to hurt others. Musician's Central is dead and buried in my opinion and with it are those negative personalities that festered within it. The good ones on there faded away long ago with the odd one posting to this day but that forum IS dead. This Music Planet forum is for my pure enjoyment, nothing more, nothing less. It's linked to other sites outside of the Soo and lots of people do visit. That's totally fine by me. Membership isn't why I do it. I do it for a creative outlet. I'm like hotdoggravy.. very snooty.. haha

[BEARsaysPLAY]

I think you're doing a good thing here Freq.

I hope you keep it up for a long time to com!

["The Freq"]

Thanks a bunch Bear. You and I are running similar courses with our sites so the comments you posted for me, go the same for you. It's all about fun and enjoyment and I guess the challenge of promoting music in some way shape or form..

It's the Freqin' Bear shows ;D

[floyds machine]

robonikki said:

Musician's in the Sault seem to have way too much attitude judging from that horrible Musician's Central forum. I give you credit for hanging in there Freq because it seems like a lost cause.

freq rules_ f@#k the rest of them
Most of them can't even feather their rod let alone
play an instrument
f@#k them all
Keep doing what your doing freq

[Finger_Bang]

floyd said:

robonikki said:

Musician's in the Sault seem to have way too much attitude judging from that horrible Musician's Central forum. I give you credit for hanging in there Freq because it seems like a lost cause.

freq rules_ f@#k the rest of them
Most of them can't even feather their rod let alone
play an instrument
f@#k them all
Keep doing what your doing freq

You're a nut floyd but in your own way you are correct. I like this forum's look. I know it's tough for freq to update a lot being he's a busy guy. It would be nice to have a little support. There's so many regular forums around you'd think a music one would draw some interest. Poor freq. No one loves him but a select few of us. We still love you freq baby.

["The Freq"]

awe thanks Finger_bang. It really doesn't bother me. People do view the site even if they don't post. I've said that before. It's linked to MySpace through my personal website and that's fine and dandy. My old forum on Soonet ain't doing any better. It's just the good ole music scene around here. El lamo.. ;D

[floyds machine]

freq_you and hotdogravy are f@#kin spent.
I'm catching up on past posts. you 2 are a riot
No wonder soonet kicked your asses out.

["The Freq"]

Why thank you Floyd Machine. I think.. ;D Hotdoggravy is
a lot of fun most definetly. As for me.. I'm just a sarcastic little bastard..

[Sgt. Bilko]

WOW it's been ages since I've been here. I haven't had
the internet in so long. Glad you're still here Freq. Site
looks good. I like the changes especially the video music
area. Still luke warm support eh? Hopefully that will change.

["The Freq"]

Hey Bilko.. wow.. it's been a while for sure. Yup.. I'm still pluggin' away at this. And yes. the music scene is crap. We should be playing soon but really, all the main bands kinda vanished.

[robfrules]

There is a segment of people in this town who support all the local bands and go out to shows. Then, there's the ones that only go to concerts if their friend is in one of the bands. I've met those types.

I hate sounding preferential to my favourite genre, but in terms of metal bands, the only active ones who can consistently pull in major crowds as headliners in Sault Ontario are Woods of Ypres and Garden of Bedlam. There's tons of great bands in this town, but the turnout for most of their shows is often lacking. Example, Cattle Decapitation, a major death metal band from California, barely got 100 people at their show at The Oddfellows this spring.

At least the people who DO go to shows are supportive and care deeply about the music scene here. Like myself, I still have preferences to specific bands, but I at least go to shows, I pay for tickets, buy CDs, buy shirts, and not just cause I'm obligated to on my blog. I'm a fan first and foremost, and I support local bands because I care about the scene. I wish more people saw it my way. I can understand if people don't like bands that come here, but here's the thing: If you don't go see the bands that DO come here, what reason does that give promoters to book more bands that you actually would like?

Bands aren't gonna get bigger without support. By not going to see a band you barely know, that doesn't help them raise their profile. The internet only does so much, people have to go to concerts too. In some cases, sure, it's not always the fans' fault (The horribly overpriced Jackyl concert at The Essar Center comes to mind), but really, a good audience is a major factor.

Word has to be spread, shows have to be advertised (You almost never see posters anymore), and people need to know why they should go. Not just because their friend's playing, or because it's convenient, because these bands are good musicians that want to succeed and spread their music to a wide audience. Some of us already do support local music ardently (I even support Sault Michigan bands, most people here don't even know they have an active scene), but there has to be more people to care about local music before things get too bad.

["The Freq"]

Oct 10, 2009 15:21:34 GMT -5 robfrules said:

There is a segment of people in this town who support all the local bands and go out to shows. Then, there's the ones that only go to concerts if their friend is in one of the bands. I've met those types.

I hate sounding preferential to my favourite genre, but in terms of metal bands, the only active ones who can consistently pull in major crowds as headliners in Sault Ontario are Woods of Ypres and Garden of Bedlam. There's tons of great bands in this town, but the turnout for most of their shows is often lacking. Example, Cattle Decapitation, a major death metal band from California, barely got 100 people at their show at The Oddfellows this spring.

At least the people who DO go to shows are supportive and care deeply about the music scene here. Like myself, I still have preferences to specific bands, but I at least go to shows, I pay for tickets, buy CDs, buy shirts, and not just cause I'm obligated to on my blog. I'm a fan first and foremost, and I support local bands because I care about the scene. I wish more people saw it my way. I can understand if people don't like bands that come here, but here's the thing: If you don't go see the bands that DO come here, what reason does that give promoters to book more bands that you actually would like?

Bands aren't gonna get bigger without support. By not going to see a band you barely know, that doesn't help them raise their profile. The internet only does so much, people have to go to concerts too. In some cases, sure, it's not always the fans' fault (The horribly overpriced Jackyl concert at The Essar Center comes to mind), but really, a good audience is a major factor.

Word has to be spread, shows have to be advertised (You almost never see posters anymore), and people need to know why they should go. Not just because their friend's playing, or because it's convenient, because these bands are good musicians that want to succeed and spread their music to a wide audience. Some of us already do support local music ardently (I even support Sault Michigan bands, most people here don't even know they have an active scene), but there has to be more people to care about local music before things get too bad.

I've found over the years that the cycle of popular music will bring in the crowds while other styles on the way out will have their audiences fade with them. In the 80's, local bars like the Eastgate, The Vic (now gone) and the Royal (later called Riverrock) were packed almost 7 nights a week. It was crazy and a wonderful thing to experience. When grunge came into the picture, the bar scene changed almost overnight. Grunge music may have been a breath of fresh air to the younger audience, but it was the kiss of death for the glam rock metal 80's. The bar scene really hasn't recovered from it. I agree that certain bands have loyal fans and they can sustain the numbers and I also agree that most "rock" bands locally can't pack a bar on every gig they play. It's the style of music that is popular at the time that brings on the best crowds. Heavy music is popular and Prog rock is surging forward too. It's nice to see really. Unfortunately in the 80's, almost 70% of an audience was women. These days, the term "sausage rock" follows a lot of these heavier bands. That's just a slang term meaning the audience is mainly all male. Women favour dance music in most cases. The 80's metal music merged both male and female tastes in the same way the 60's music did.

You're correct in saying that only a few bands seem to get consistently good audiences. "Billy Bastards" seem to have a great following and do well with their shows. In Soo Michigan, back in the late 90's a band called Mama's Boys were the top draw. My band Crank Shop were in rotation with them and we both did well but they were the top draw by far. I didn't think they were that good but the audience saw something I didn't. |O|
Clique venues (that's what I call them ;-) have loyal followers too and it doesn't seem to matter what bands play these types of establishments, the crowd is there for the bar first, band second.

It is true what you say Rob that you have to support unknown bands too. I play in 2 unknown bands and would love the support |O| This city is just finicky when it comes to new music and new bands. It's always been like that for this city for some reason.