Rob’s Rants – Your Scene Sucks And It’s Your Fault – Episode V: Fans

Your Scene Sucks & It’s Your Fault

Episode V: Fans

I can see it now, the backlash:

What the fuck did you just say, Rob?

How DARE YOU blame the fans!! That’s fucked up!

Yeah, it is. And anyone who’s had one of these conversations with me about this stuff has also heard me say that you DON’T attack the fanbase. EVER. That said…

The thing about a scene is that it’s a mismatched collection of several moving parts, each of which having responsibility for both making the scene go, but also grow. And when a scene stagnates, suffers, dies, or struggles, each of those parts plays some role in that. And that’s ultimately what this series of articles has been about, and while I’m loathe to do it, to address these things responsibly, I have to address ALL of them. And yes, that means pointing fingers at the fans too.

There are basically two types of fans in a music scene: those who go to shows, and those who don’t. Those of you who go to shows–it’s less your fault that your scene sucks. Those who don’t…. well…. do I even need to say it?

Let’s break this down a little further though, starting with fans that go to shows. You go to local shows in your scene on a somewhat regular basis (let’s say, once a month or so, just to establish a baseline of ‘regular’)? AWESOME! You rock! We love you! Seriously. We love you, man. No, no, it’s cool. Really. We… okay. Enough with the hugging. Now it’s getting creepy.

Sorry. Back on topic. The fans that go to shows also probably help spread the word about shows. They talk to each other about who’s playing when and where, and who is worth going to see live. But they also know who isn’t worth seeing live, and just like venues and promoters, talk about the bands with the bad reps. In other words, the fans that come out to shows are both a band’s best source of PR and also your worst nightmare. These folks tend to run in packs, they all know each other, and they tend to go to the same shows, because they’ve established a sense of community among themselves. And when it comes to scene building, THEY are your foundation. Because without them, the bands are busy playing group rehearsals to each other. Sadly though, these fans are often outnumbered by the other kind of show-going fans (the dudes in the bands playing that night). But at least they’re there, and we love them (YOU) for that.

And then there are the fans who don’t go to shows. The fans who complain about a lack of a scene, how no one supports it, how no one goes to shows, and they talk about “the good old days” of the scene, reminiscing about how much better it was ten or twenty years ago, not that they went to shows then, either; or, they talk about how much better the scene in some other city/market is, and they wish they could move (back) there, where there are “real” musicians and bands, and everyone supports everyone and there’s no drama and blah blah blah blah fucking blah. They say things like that because they don’t actually know what the scene is like. BECAUSE THEY DON’T GO TO SHOWS. They sit around on their asses on Friday and Saturday nights, living minutes from any number of venues that have any number of bands of all types playing, complaining about how there’s nothing to do, nowhere to go, no one to hang with, and no good music to listen to. Their Xbox or YouTube or Pornhub and a 2-liter of Mountain Dew and a bag of Doritos and a box of Kleenex keeps them company for the weekend, while they perfect their Internet Warrior skills and leveling up in Troll. These are the ‘fans’ who complain about everything that’s wrong with a scene, but do NOTHING to be part of the solution. And to them I say:

Shut the fuck up, get out of your mom’s basement, go to a show, and use your right arm for something other than jerking yourself off–like throwing horns.

Be part of the solution instead of the problem: SUPPORT YOUR SCENE.

But Rob! I don’t like any of the bands that are playing tonight! Not my style of music! They suck!

Okay. That’s fair. No one expects you to go a local show and pay money to see a bunch of bands you don’t like just to “support local music.” I get it. I don’t want to do that either. And trust me, I spend enough time with the radio gig dealing with music I don’t want to listen to that I really don’t want to spend a Friday or Saturday night listening to bands that either suck or I just don’t like. But the thing is… most bills have at least one band that I do like, whether it’s because the guys in the band are my friends, or actually really do like their music. But most bills also usually have at least one or two bands I’ve not seen live or heard before (here’s where I’m going to point out that -especially- at the local level, it’s not really fair to judge a band on the quality of their recording–chances are, they are vastly different live, and probably better, especially if they have a low quality demo they’re pushing). And to me, that’s worth $5 and a couple beers. Worst case scenario, you go check out a band that you’ve never seen live or never heard of at all, and they suck. So you’re out a few bucks but you got out of the house and actually built some street cred from which to go back to your Internet trolling with. Best case scenario? You discover something new and cool, make a couple new friends, and have something new to listen to.

I’m gonna bring up a point that’s recurred throughout this article series–promotion. I hear time and again from fans that they don’t know shows are happening. On some level, I’m willing to go out on a limb and give them that, because let’s face it: most bands, venues, and “promoters” suck at this part of the game. But at the same time, it’s really NOT THAT HARD to get on Facebook and find out what’s happening in your local area on any given weekend. I mean, seriously–if you can quote every dank meme coming off Reddit, or know what obscure YouTube video is trending on any given day of the week, you really have no excuse for not knowing what shows are happening in your area. People involved in shows have the responsibility of putting the info out there, but people who claim to be fans have the responsibility of knowing where to look for it. It’s a two-way street.

I wanna get back to another point: “The Good Old Days.” Let me tell you what the real good old days were. Social media was tape-trading and CD-swapping and interacting in person in physical space. Going to shows just because there was a show happening. Just to see who was playing. Just to see who would be there. The only reason those things aren’t around anymore is because you’re too lazy to actually get out of your chair, pull your pants up from around your ankles, and make it happen.

I read an article recently about how fans who do go shows spend the majority of their time staring at their smartphones, largely because they’re busy recording video of the show instead of actually experiencing it. The YouTube generation hasn’t been taught how to embrace the live musical experience, but that falls somewhat on the shoulders of folks like me who are a little older and remember going to concerts before we had smartphones. I’m just as guilty of being busy taking pics and video with my phone (part of my job with the station and venue), but I also know that sometimes I just need to look at the bands with my own two eyes instead of through a couple inches of LED screen. The thing about those fans who do this?

At least they’re at the show.

All this business about “SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC” is well and good, but the fact is that most of the people repeating that mantra do it comfortably from the safety of their keyboards. They’re afraid to take chances. They’re afraid to go out and DO something, to be SEEN, and to otherwise interact with real people in a real environment–that environment we call “The Scene.” Keyboard activism has its place, I suppose (I mean, c’mon… what the fuck do you think I’m doing right now, with this article and blog? Yes, I get and appreciate the irony of it….except…oh, wait for it, I GO TO SHOWS! 😉  ), but it’s also the crutch of the lazy and fearful. Oh, yeah, I just said that. Let me restate it, for a little clarity:

“Fans” who don’t go to shows, but relentlessly pound away on their keyboards bitching about how much their local scene sucks are LAZY COWARDS.

If I have to explain that, then you should probably go back and reread the paragraphs preceding it. Actually, if you need that statement explained to you…

…your scene sucks, and it’s YOUR fault.

Rob’s Rants – Your Scene Sucks And It’s Your Fault – Episode IV: Pay-To-Play

Your Scene Sucks & It’s Your Fault

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these (because I’m a slacker, which means that my scene sucks and it’s my fault), and if you go back to September, you’ll recall that the last one was about “promoters.” Truth be told, that one caused a bit of a stir, and I had some people pretty pissed at me over some of the things I said, which I took as a sign of success. The reality is that if I’m pissing you off with the things I say in these little write ups, then there’s a good chance you’re probably part of the problem, which is only reinforcing the notion that “your scene sucks and it’s your fault.”

Rob’s Rants: Episode II – No One Cares About Your Band, And It’s Your Fault

Your Scene Sucks & It’s Your Fault

No one gives a shit about your band.

No, really.

NO ONE GIVES A SHIT ABOUT YOUR BAND.

AND IT’S YOUR FAULT.

Rob’s Rants: Episode I – Your Scene Sucks, And It’s Your Fault

  

I don’t get out to as many shows as I would like to, for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s money, sometimes it’s scheduling (I travel a lot), sometimes it’s family and other obligations. But when I do get out to a local gig, I show up as early as I can (I’m often there when the bands are loading in), and I stick around until the show’s over. Sure, sometimes I can’t make it early, or have to leave early because of my schedule, but I make it a point to catch everyone on the bill if I can. I do this for a couple reasons:

First, I’m a radio guy whose show focuses on the local and regional underground scene. To maintain any sort of cred in that regard, I kinda need to be active and involved in it, and I’m smart enough to know that. I make it a point to have a clue about who the hot local bands are, their reputations, they style of their music, and what kind of draw they’re pulling. But I also pay attention to who shows up and -really- supports the scene. More on this in a little bit.

Second, I actually care. I want to find new music to listen to, and I want to meet the people making it. I’ll be blunt in saying that there are bands out there that musically I’m not really a fan of, but the guys in the bands have won me over with their personalities, the belief in what they do, and more importantly, their work ethics.

I can get why someone who was -just- a fan would only show up to a concert to see just one band. I think it sucks, sure, but I get it. And while I would love to rail on people who claim to support their scene but only go see one band in their scene, and only show up and stick around for that band’s set regardless of how many other bands are playing, there’s a simple fact that needs to be addressed:

In most local scenes, the people that make up the ‘scene’ are almost all musicians in bands. Seriously. Next time you’re at a locals-only show, look around. I’ll bet that of the 30 people there, 20 or more of them are in bands in the local scene, and most of them are probably on the bill for the night. The majority of the other folks there are either friends and family of the guys in those bands. The rest are either fans or victims.

Now, a lot of people would complain about this, and start bitching about how no one supports the scene. “But Rob! People don’t come to our shows! They show up in droves for the nationals that come through, but not us! My scene sucks! I wanna go somewhere where it’s awesome and everyone supports each other!” Except… right there. In that venue. On that stage. On the floor. Behind the sound board. Backstage, setting up gear. There’s your support. There’s your scene. We spend so much time bitching about who’s not showing up that we tend to overlook the people that are there. This isn’t always true, but the amount of bitching we do takes for granted the people that are there, that did show up, whether because they’re in one of the bands or following one of the bands. And ya know what? The bands that bitch the loudest are the ones that have the fewest people sticking around for their sets. The fans, the -real- fans that aren’t in bands, they hear those things. They know. And they act with their ears and their feet. It’s not their fault if your scene sucks.

It is the fault of the bands in the scene.

What the fuck do you mean, “It’s the bands fault, Rob? We’re out there busting our asses and playing our sets! Who the fuck do you think you are?”

Okay. I’ll tell you.

If you’re one of those bands that shows up late to a gig (and by late, I mean with just enough time to load in and set up before your set) and then takes off not long after your set while there are still several other bands after you, you suck. You’re part of the problem. And you don’t deserve the gigs you’re getting. I don’t care how many people showed up just because you were on the bill. Your primadonna rockstar bullshit isn’t wanted, it isn’t impressing anyone, and we would all be better off without it–especially you. I’m seeing more and more of it happening lately. I’m even seeing bands ADVERTISE that they’re going to do it. “Hey, we’re playing this gig, we’re on first, so show up and support us, but then we’re going to go see this other show, and you should come with us!” If I was the promoter for that event you’d be dropped before you knew what hit you, and I’d make sure everyone else in your area knew about it. You sure as hell wouldn’t be getting paid for your time.

If you’re one of those bands that can’t be bothered to respond to gig offers in a timely manner, you’re part of the problem.

If you’re one of those bands bad-mouthing fans for not showing up, you’re one of the problems.

If you’re one of those bands that thinks you don’t need the other bands in the scene, you’re one of the problems. Why? Odds are, you’re probably getting gig opportunities because of those other bands, either through them directly offering them to you, or because they’ve put the time and work in with local venues to get them to let bands like yours play there.

Local and regional shows should be parties. Who gives a flying fuck if you’re playing a 500-person venue and the only people you’re playing to are the other bands and your mom and little brother? HAVE FUN. Enjoy playing through the full rig. Under lights. Get pics. Get vids. Get drunk. Yeah, it feels GREAT to play to a packed house (I know, I’ve done it, and I’ve played stadium gigs in front of thousands of people), but a party with my friends is awesome too. The bands that draw the fans? They do so because… wait for it… they’re having fun! They’re having parties! It’s a good time! There isn’t drama, there isn’t bitching at people for not showing up, they make everyone there glad they were there. That kind of renown spreads. And it goes from your friends who are there to support you to being those fans trying to find out why your parties are so awesome. You’re on stage to entertain. Not complain.

Pretty fucking stupid to complain about the people you’re trying to win over, if you ask me.