Camera Obscura at Off Broadway, Tuesday, December 1

• Two name hijacks in one posting...?! Can you track the ip to find out who the culprit is, perhaps proving once and for all that it's a zombie Dean Martin out for blood? At least when I post things that ignite anger and/or resentment, I use my own(nick)name, so no one is confused as to where to direct the love and/or hate....heh. Mango...just for old time's sake...

• dear commenters of this blog, don't post under my name pretending to be me. not a fan. best, the management

• His name might actually be Dean. There are a couple of them out there, hiding in the shadows. Or maybe it's actually Joe Pain come back to exact his revenge under various aliases. Or maybe you're like Jack/Tyler Durden, living within two distinct personalities, and you've been leaving angry posts without even realizing. Or maybe it's the ghost of Dean Martin, and he's pissed off and back for blood and carnage. Who knows in this crazy mixed up world of ours.

• I knew it would happen at one time or another. My ubiquitous superstar commenting status combined with the laissez-faire style of not-requiring commenters to register has resulted in someone copping my name to post whatever they feel like. Note the 1 space between sentences and the occasional non-capitalization of 1st words of sentences, both crimes of humanity I never commit. Plus who the hell is "Joe Pain"? Alright, anonymous bullshitter, you can have my name. Feel free to continue posting under "Dean" if that gets your rocks off. From now on (or until the RFT puts proper register guidelines in place) my comments will be filed under whatever name pops in my head first. The ironic part is that I agree with that asshole slightly. There's nothing wrong with a little healthy competition between venues, it's a good thing for the music scene. But unlike some of the other RFT bloggers I actually have a shred of respect left for Annie and don't take pot shots at her (Chad's another story). Have fun carrying on my name, "Dean", but it won't be me.

• But it is about competition. That's what business is about; Beating out your competitors and making money. I'm not saying it is or needs to be cut throat, but there's always a competition between similar businesses to be successful. For every Coke there's a Pepsi. Now I'm a big fan of working together, supporting one another, doing what it takes to strengthen a scene--it's something I've been promoting and pushing for a long while now... And I think Firebird and Off Broadway have a good level of respect and support for one another, but make no mistake-- It is a competition. Competition tends to make everyone involved work a little harder and create better results. Those without any healthy competition become complacent and lazy. The work suffers. It's true.

• Am I the only person who thinks Camera Obscura is a little boring?

• You know, way back in the 1990s, we actually had three major venues for good music in town. And bands hardly ever skipped us. And the competition was good. (I wish I could write that in Jimmy Stewart's voice.) Anyway, I just wanted to join the chrous of saying that the lineup of bands at both venues just keeps getting better and the availability of shows has dramatically improved since I moved back here a few years ago. Congrats and thanks are definitely in order for all involved.

• As the guy who books the Firebird, I would say that Annie Zaleski is, for the most part, correct. Shows brought in by outside promoters like Up To Eleven and Hunt Industries are sort of a windfall. Outside promoters save clubs a lot of trouble in terms of both the effort and financial risk that goes into booking bigger acts. On the other hand, there is a lot of work that goes into making all the other shows happen and building the sort of schedule that allows more bands to be booked (both in-house and by outside promoters). In that sense, there is competition involved- but that is a healthy thing. At the end of the day, having more acts playing the market is beneficial to both clubs. Even the colleges help independent clubs by exposing people to bands, potentially increasing the turnout the next time a band comes through. Getting great bands into St. Louis is definitely a group effort, and I'm glad clubs like Off Broadway and the Duck Room are around. On a more personal note, it's really cool that people are starting to recognize both clubs for the schedules we've put together this year. It is a lot of work, and it's rewarding to know that it's appreciated.

• Seriously, Dean? She didn't say anything about you not being able to have an opinion on shows, but she, too, has an opinion, and she gets paid for it. There's enough of a scene here that both clubs can and are bringing in great acts--she has a point. Nothing she said was derogatory or out of line. Untwist your panties and chill the fuck out with your unnecessary, less-than-productive aggression.

• Queen Zaleski has spoken. Damn us and our right to free speech. you cant have it both ways zaleski. So i guess the venues deserve no credit and dont do any work to bring bands in...bullshit on you. a little competition is good in the city and i am sure that the firebird would have liked this show. kudos to both venues for their work to bring good bands to st. louis and kudos to fans for being able to voice their opinions in a non-negative way. guess you got no hate to spew since Joe Pain left town.

• for the record: this show is being brought to town by the awesome lawrence-based promoter Up to Eleven, who brings shows to the Pageant, Duck Room, Firebird, Pop's and Off Broadway. it's not about one venue or another venue needing to "stay on their toes" or "doing better" -- it's something positive for the entire city, its music fans and the music community. st. louis is a small market; let's not sit here and pit venues against each other or make this a competition. esp. since both off broadway and the firebird are doing a kickass job at hosting great shows this fall.

• Maybe the Firebird could counter with a show (on a different date than Camera Obscura) by Dengue Fever. Hey, I'm just here to make suggestions.

• One would be crazy to miss this.

• Off Broadway, with another winner. Firebird better stay on their toes.

• Well done, Off Broadway

• Sweet Jesus!

TotalComments: 16