The Hold Steady at the Gargoyle, April 6. Why Yes, the Alcohol-Free St. Louis Venue.

• They don't book many repeat performers at the Gargoyle because the student body doesn't want them. I'd rather see a new band over one I saw a couple years ago. Also, Ratatat and Ted Leo are both repeat performers. Anyway, back to the topic at hand. I don't like the Hold Steady. I saw them at Pitchfork and opening for Ted Leo. I don't like the lead singer's rehearsed mid-song "ramblings" and I don't like their drunken 35-year-old ex-fratboy fans.

• @shawn: that's not what i meant. it's a given that colleges -- and wash u in particular -- have a lot of money to throw around. we've been through that before. when agents are getting their bands booked at these high-paying gigs, i wonder if they realize what sort of venue/sound they're getting. that's what i meant. i haven't seen many repeat performers at the venue in the 3 or so years i've been here, if at all.

• What are the bands getting in to? MONEY! I guarantee Wash U. outbids other similar size venues to snag these acts.

• interesting point about the sound, esp. considering the band is super, super picky about having good sound. i've always wondered if bands know what they're getting into when they play these venues...

• alissa is a smart gal.

• I'm going to have to echo Shawn on this one. Fuck the Hold Steady and their boring rehashed NPR rock. And I like NPR. But I like the Thermals more. And the Gargoyle, as I've said a million times and I will say again, has the worst sound in the city. They need to start shelling out for a soundperson like they do for their student centers.

• i can't stand the gargoyle in general, but wow, what a winter/spring line-up these guys are putting together. los campesinos!, the virgins, delta spirit... and i could see why you would want to drink (if you could) at a hold steady show, i just wouldn't travel TO drink. not that you would necessarily be doing that, like you said!

• I find it funny how Wash U. has the bankroll to lure mid-tier indie bands to play their campus but can't furnish a suitable rock space. As far as the Hold Steady goes, their show at Off Broadway made me walk out early after watching the always-excellent Thermals. What a bunch of assclowns. And I even liked Lifter Puller - go figure.

• i can't see the show anyway cause of prior commitments (as i said up there), but i don't want to see the hold steady at this venue, no. it's partly the drinking, but that's not even that -- the gargoyle is so narrow that you really can't even get that close to see the band unless you're crushed up front. it's not conducive to seeing a band like the hold steady, which is more of a communal experience. they're best seen in a traditional club, not a basement. i don't mind seeing shows at the gargoyle in general, as again i said above, but not this one. and i guarantee you that if i travel anywhere to see the band and i drive, i won't be drinking anyway. cause that's not how i roll.

• you would seriously travel to see a show so you could drink at it? WTF?

• What about passing out not from heat but complete lack of airflow?

• i have my radio show on monday night, so i can't throw down anyway. but still. i never, ever mind not drinking at shows -- except for this one. lollapalooza '07 + hold steady in the first row + budweiser = i finally "got" the band.

• Ive been waiting for this for so long, and I can't wait. Suck it losers, and bring a flask of scotch.

• You know the Hold Steady's made it big when they're forced to liquor up in their van before playing a basement show for a bunch of college kids on a Monday night. Good times.

• Instead of going to Urbana, you could also just go out in St. Louis and drink yourself silly, all without subjecting yourself to that stupid guy yelling over that retread rawk which is the Hold Steady. Save yourself the price of a ticket, too.

• how are their fans gonna drink along with the songs? No Double-whiskey-Coke-no-ice? No drinkin' gin from a jam jar?

• Bands regularly drink before/during their shows at the Gargoyle. Just not the fans.

• meh. This just means I'll be drinking mad dog in the parking lot instead of racking up a $90 bar tab at the pageant.

• this has to be a prank. its close enough to april fools day

• EPIC FAIL.

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