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hey kids
| Message Board > Controversy and Quarantine > hey kids |
| Bluish User Info... | i'm new in town and i'm finding victoria to be ridiculously boring no offense *wink* talk to me tell me how to make life here more exciting plleeeaseee - Fri, 13 Feb 2009 9:44pm | ||
| trevor corey User Info... | I got nothing. - Sat, 14 Feb 2009 2:14am | ||
| trevor corey User Info... | LIQUOR AND WHORES! - Sat, 14 Feb 2009 2:33am | ||
| Nicholas Antoni Marek Gibas User Info... |  | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | Find an event you want to go to. Look forward to it every day until it arrives. If you want instant excitement, go to Vancouver. - Sat, 14 Feb 2009 4:03pm | ||
| Chopper User Info... | Ummm, wow. Chopper's Guide to having fun in the city known as Victoria: 1: Pick up a Monday Mag from any of the thousands of boxes in the city. 2: Sit down and read said Monday Mag. 3: Mark off events in Monday Mag and plan to go to events that sound fun to you. 4: Grab a copy of Absolute Underground, doing step 2 and 3 for this publication. 5: Check the LiveVic event listings. 6: Add events from step 3,4 and 5. 7: Have fun and meet people I can't believe someone had to ask something like this... - Sun, 15 Feb 2009 9:23am | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | From where I'm sitting, almost nothing worthwhile happens in Victoria as is...it's up to you to make the cit you live in what you want it to be. Start a band...start a fanzine...get out there and do shit. Too many people in this town just sit around and wait for shit to happen...that's why the music scene here is so bland and stagnant. - Mon, 16 Feb 2009 8:13am | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | The problem lies in the fact that alot of people can go though both Monday magazine and Absolute Underround, and see NOTHING that appeals to them. There is very little variety in the Victoria music scene, and the acts that come to town. For alot of people, this city would be very boring. To them I say...start a band, start a magazine, book some decent bands into this town...don't just complain that you're bored. Alot of people here just except this city for what it is now..not alot of people here are trying to make things happen/make 'em better. Now that's just too bad... - Mon, 16 Feb 2009 3:11pm | ||
| grimlord User Info... | Define "book some decent bands into this town"? - Tue, 17 Feb 2009 1:53am Edited: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 1:53am | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Well...what bands does Victoria see come through here? A few larger name acta at Save-On, whatever shitty Canadaian, radio acts their trying to break at the moment. Lotsa popular indie pap and washed up or reformed punk and metal acts, 20 years past their prime. Plus alot of other flavor of the week bullshit, Then there are a few interesting acts (through all genres) sprikled among the sea of shit. I've liced here for a year and a half, and in that time there have been probably 6 shows that I have been moderately exited about seeing...and absolutely nothing that wasa "coldn't miss" show. There's no variety in the local band...there's no variety in the touring bands...and people except and embrace the shit. - Tue, 17 Feb 2009 6:59am | ||
| Tyler User Info... | start a band, book some touring bands, or quit whining. I agree that the city is missing something. I've been trying to bring the bands I like over here and it's been cool. but I still appreciate what we do have. you seem to be the kind of guy that hates most music and I'm sorry to hear that. - Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:20am | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | I seem like the kind of guy that hates most music? I actually love ALOT of different music...there's just none of it happening in Victoria. It's just not a very musically diverse town. Start a band? Easier said than done! When everybodies ideas of what music should be are so narrow, and every group of people is listening to the same 50 records, it's really hard to find people to play with. Shit, I had to resort to playing by myself. I wouldn't complain about the state of the local music scene if I wasn't trying to do something about it...but it's hard when people here are so set in their ways...closed minded or even apathetic. - Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:30am | ||
| JDL User Info... | well you did list off about 4 different genre's that, while they might not appeal to YOU specifically, they appeal to the majority of people. Why would bryan adams sell out? Because he's washed up and sucks? I beg to differ(even though Im not too partial to his music). Judas Priest, NiN, Robert Plant, Tragically Hip... and on lesser known stages, moneen, sparta, xavier rudd, Metalwood(medeski, martin, & wood), BB king... those are all acts that I've seen here(and just a smattering of them at that). How could you say that nobody enjoys going to those shows? I find it funny for someone who's "trying to change the scene" thinks there's no diversity, yet I've been to shows that range from jazz/contemporary - opera - funk/blues/reggae - metal/punk etc... Theres variety; but you have to look for it. - Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:05pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Oh...I'm not saying that there aren't shows with bands from different genres going on on any given night in Victoria. I'm just saying that the bands playing are typical, and there isn't much variation in local and touring acts, within genres. I KNOW there are jazz, folk, indie, punk, metal, noise, goth, blues, etc, etc, etc bands playing around, but everyone seems to be doing exactly what's expected from their genre. - Tue, 17 Feb 2009 1:14pm Edited: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 1:14pm | ||
| BBJones User Info... | I'm sorry, T, that is about the funniest thing I've heard all day. What should all the bands be doing if not what people expect from their respective genre? Is every act supposed to be pushing the limits of musical innovation and experimentation? Some of us just appreciate a good blues, jazz or metal band every now and then ya know. Or maybe I'm not getting your point. Care to explain just exactly what you expect from "appealing" bands? And then explain how all of the things listed don't represent "variety"? Becuase I don't get it... - Tue, 17 Feb 2009 2:35pm | ||
| T.Depression User Info... | I don't expect every act to be pushing boundries...but it would be nice to see some people mixing it up. To be completely honest, most of the music I've seen in Victoria is just boring. Even bands playing genres of music that are supposed to be anything but boring...like punk and metal...come off like they're just doing what people expect them to do. Everyone looks the part, plays the right instruments, practices their songs...and they're bland as shit. There are alot of "musicians" making boring crap, and tons of people eating it up. At least we live close to Seattle and Portland, so you can get away to catch some decent bands a couple times a year... - Tue, 17 Feb 2009 4:00pm | ||
| grimlord User Info... | YA T. Give us a list of the bands you would like to see come to Victoria? Thought I asked that already?! - Tue, 17 Feb 2009 4:02pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | I could list 50 bands that I'd love to see play Victoria...and I would book a bunch of them to play here if I could get 50+ people out at $5+ a head. The problem with Victoria is that if I want to book any bands I like into town...there are no decent, like minded bands for them to play with. As a result, there is no scene around these types of music, and you can't get anybody out. So rather than having bands come to Victoria and play shows that either they lose money on...or I do...I just travel to see bands for now, until things get better here(and they will!). I mean...even this weekend...Tyvek and The pierced Arrows are playing two seperate shows in Vancouver on the same night. Woulda loved to have either band play here...but there's no decent local openers, and no audience. Make sense? - Tue, 17 Feb 2009 4:18pm | ||
| WardEnsemble User Info... | maybe this isn't the right town for you to live in then. Victoria is so full of great people who love to live here, and tempered by a small but LOUD community of people who do nothing but talk of how great it is where they come from, how much they hate it here...I happen to like a lot of the music we have here...and for someone to speak ill of our scene, while talking of OTHERS being closed-minded is fucking hilariously funny to me. But thats my narrow tunnel visionless side talking. ...all i gotta say is Location, location, location. - Tue, 17 Feb 2009 7:24pm Edited: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 7:25pm | ||
| evilkleg User Info... | Maybe if T Depression actually listed some of the 50+ bands he's into others that are into them too could help steer him in the right direction as far as venues, shows, and decent openers. - Tue, 17 Feb 2009 7:47pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Hey, don't get me wrong...I LOVE Victoria...I'll probably live here for the rest of my life. I just think the music scene here leaves ALOT to be desired. You're telling me that if I list 50 bands that I'd like to see play here, suitable, local opening bands are just gonna pop outa nowhere, and a buncha instant fans are gonna appear. Bullshit. Let me say though...if you can help me get any of these current bands a well attended live show in town...I might stop complaining so much... Nix Nobunny The pets Red Dons Estranged Sharp Ends White Wires yolks Fevers Shannon and The Clams Gentlemen Jesse and his men Cloak /dagger Fallouts petroleum Biproducts White Lung Cococoma Volt Love Tan Octogan Control Pleasure Kills back hands daily void endangered ape marked men static static the spits wax museums Bobby & The Soft Spots Smart Cops Double Negative Golden Triangle Gut Reactions Hibachi Stranglers Inmates Marvelous Darlings Plexi-3 Walnut Kids Rantouls Headache City Cola Freaks Reprobates Blank Its Masshysteri Defektors Batman and Robin Human Eye Ape-Shits The Leaders Mutators Romance Novels Sex Vid Staags! Thee Almighty Handclaps Catatonic Youth Nice Smile Reptilian Civilian Paper Dolls ...what's that, like 40? Now...what did listing off a buncha bands acomplish? - Tue, 17 Feb 2009 9:39pm | ||
| grimlord User Info... | Never herd of em lol - Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:07pm Edited: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:10pm | ||
| Lucius User Info... | wow, I must not even know what the loop is anymore, nevermind even being in it. I've never heard of any of those bands either. Cheers, Lucius - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 8:49am | ||
| Curmudgeon Rocker User Info... | Hmmm..... Would you say that this all boils down to a matter of opinion, then, considering how profoundly generic and pedestrian that list of indie bands were? I'm sure you'll find a like-minded Vic. band to adequately back up any of those watered-down poo-merchants. - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:55am | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Of course it all matter of oppinion...or taste. That's what music is about. As far as that list being profoundly generic and pedestrian...sure, some of the bands are exactly that...but some of them are far from it. As for finding a like minded local band...name one. You can't...because there isn't one. There isn't a band to play with any watered-down poo merchants, because all the Vic bands are worried about their "pro gear", "more mature sound", and being "gig ready" and "professional". I just wish local bands would put more time into being energetic and having fun. - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:20am | ||
| Dave User Info... | Just sounds like you enjoy complaining man.. but your name is teenage depression... - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:37am | ||
| Curmudgeon Rocker User Info... | Well, I COULD name off at least ten bands, but considering they're being associated with (in this reporter's mind) bands that don't push any particular kind of envelope, that would obviously be reduced to sniping, right? - which crosses a line in this already skeptical dude's books. When you mention that you wish local bands would put more time into being energetic and being fun......I'm curious to know how our local scene is, in any way, more lacking in energy and fun than ANY OTHER local scene (cities bigger than us have an obvious advantage, but regardless)..... How much do you "know from whereof you speak"? As in: how many different cities have you lived in? How familiar were you of their music scenes? And can you still really honestly say that those scenes were distinctly more progressive (or whatever) than Vic.? If your answer to that question is yes, some spidy sense tells me to take that with a grain of salt. - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:47am | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Look...I dunno much about anything...I've lived in a few couple other cities, but I've been to ALOT of other places to see bands. You're right, most cities music scenes are not much better of than Victoria's...and alot are worse. I'm just surprised that a city like Victoria, with such a close proximity to cities like Seattle and Vancouver, has such little variety and few options. Even cities in the middle of nowhere, like Edmonton, Calgary and Winnepeg seem to produce more interesting acts. I've never seen so many bands that are so concerned with being "musicians"...just standing around looking bored and playing their intruments, than I have in Victoria (all-ages hardcore/metal scene is an exception). I have never seen so little concern for art or performance in music...than I have in Victoria. Going to see pop bands where the members look bored...punk bands that look like they're just going through the motions...metal bands that take 45 minutes to set up and then just walk themselves through a mediocre, hour long set. - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:12pm | ||
| Rubber Box User Info... | I wonder how many touring bands would actually refuse to play in Vic based solely on the lack of adequate opening band. - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:15pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | I don't think it's about touring abnds refusing to play town because there in nobody to open for them. It's more like this. Say one of the bands that i listed earlier is booking a Northwest tour, I want them to play Victoria. My choices are to convince a local bar that they should book them in, or put the show on myself. The band has to make at least $200 to cover ferry costs. Now, no record store in town carries any of these bands records...and Maybe a handful of people have heard or read about them on the internet. The best way to get people out to the show (and to convince a bar that the bill is worthwhile), is to book them in with a couple similar sounding, or like-minded, local bands. The assumption is that if people show up to see a similar, local band, there is a pretty good chance that they'll enjoy the touring band. If I just book one of these bands with random local bands, the chances of people digging them and the band having a good show and making some money is alot smaller. I'd rather not book a band that I like into Victoria, than have them have a shitty show and lose money on the ferry...and then go tell everyone they know that it's not worth it to play Victoria. - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:29pm | ||
| grimlord User Info... | Victoria is a tough crowd .Granted the all ages shows are cool cuz the kids most of the time go nuts.But the Bar seen is a much more demanding bunch.It's hard to get people in this town to really rock the fuck out ,you have to jump in the crowd and push people to get them to move.That is the way it is here it has always been that way.Especially when bands are constantly reforming you just get into one and then they change or brake up.The fact is If you where in a band that no one has herd much of and come across like you are gods gift on stage and off, you wont get much praise for it (unless you are that good)if fact here in this town it can hurt you. I could mention a band in mind but I think you all know. - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:33pm | ||
| Jl User Info... | "Even cities in the middle of nowhere, like Edmonton, Calgary and Winnepeg seem to produce more interesting acts." all bigger cities than victoria. AAAAAnd, also have a HUGE punk following out there. In fact, alot of bands from edmonton and calgary make their way out here(victoria) to play. My friends band "change methodical" or "the johnsons" or "tegan and fucking sara"; 3 different acts of which provide ample entertainment to their respective crowds. Its too bad that maybe you haven't caught a good touring band or a good local band; but I can think of MANY local bands past/present that offer a unique-ness to our "little" scene. And as for the performance/art of music... who wants to see a band that cant play their music yet jumps around like little sea monkey's on the stage? I dont pay 10-15$ to see a mediocre band; Id pay 5$ to see that or just go to an open stage somewhere for free. And Im sure I speak for most bars when I say that a more polished band that can provide the energy through their music is much more valuable than a band that has a "good stage show". - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:41pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | I don't even care if th crowd goes nuts...they paid to get in, they can do whatever they want. The audience will move if the band makes 'em wanna move. I just can't stand seeinga band that looks bored...just standing there playing there intruments, looking like they wanna be somewhere else. There is no way that I'm gonna have fun if it doesn't look like the members of the band are getting anything outa the show. I've seen ALOT of that in Victoria. - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:46pm | ||
| Curmudgeon Rocker User Info... | ....and more so than in other cities? /well - if ya say so.... - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 1:15pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Ya...alot more so than in other cities. Especially in genres of music that are high energy to start with, of course. Seems like there's alot of people here who actually buy into alot of music industry bullshit too...and alot of people are just too willing to accept things the way they are, even if they don't like it. - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 1:29pm | ||
| Tyler User Info... | I didn't read all the responses but I'm into some of the bands you listed. Namely, Defektors, Mutators, and Cloak/Dagger. I know plenty of people into them. I also know a few people into Sex Vid and White Lung. Did you see Twin Crystals when they played here only a FEW NIGHTS AGO? One of the dudes is in the Mutators. These guys all get lots of radio play on CFUV, too. I play em on my show. Sounds like you should be in Vancouver. But I know people would want to start bands like the ones you're interested in, if you could leave your house and meet them rather than assuming they don't exist. There are plenty of atypical punk bands here. You seem to mostly list "quirky punk". Sixbrewbantha... those kids are young and doing something really interesting. A couple weeks ago, I saw this ballistic band playing weird country/grind sort of stuff. They had a fake Japanese name or something. I'm totally going to ask them to hop on a show. Have you heard Cartographers of the Early 21st Century? More "rocky" I guess but they're weird and lots of fun. Same with Cobras Cobras Cobras. And Ghosts. Do you remember American Geography? Did you see Logs or Cowards! when they came here? More atypical punk music. One of the dudes in Cowards! wants to live here now because he loves the Victoria vibe. And there are NO bands like them around here. Did you see Deadsure? The Grey? Sigh. I could go on. Did you see Iron Lung? Extortion? I know you're exaggerating the situation though. You don't know everyone. You don't know that everyone is apathetic towards the music you like. Your tastes aren't THAT unique. You don't know that there won't be a crowd. If you put the work into a show and get openers with somewhat of a following, people will come. You don't have to match the openers to a touring band, stylistically. Usually, any heavy subgenre will do. About your touring thing. I am hauling bands here who have little-to-know impression of Victoria. I'm the person who first brought Graf Orlock here. They knew nothing about Victoria and now they tell people good stories. It's not just about drawing a big crowd. And it's not THAT hard to break even on a punk show. You're talking about something that you're putting no effort into and it just makes me so frustrated. I always pay bands enough to cover ferry costs and some gas. Every show I've put on, the touring bands have left happy and with a good impression of Victoria. A lot of the other people who are posting here have no involvement in local punk, so take everything you read with a grain of salt. Next time you see one of the bands you like booking a NW tour, email me. If I like them, I'll do a show for them. Alright? It's just so typical and boring and stupid to say "the music scene here sucks." People do that everywhere. Punk sprung up out of nothing. It takes work to build something. If you have a particular lean or interest, you have to put work into helping others feel the same. If anyone is apathetic, T. Depression, it's you. You don't care and you have absolutely no right to complain. - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 2:32pm Edited: Wed, 18 Feb 2009 2:46pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | I skipped the Twin Crystals show, because I've sen them before, and they were just OK...and the bands they were playing with were sucksville. Granted, I would find alot more like minded people in Vancouver, but i've chosen to live in Victoria...and will probably be here for the rest of my life. You say you know people would be interested in starting band like the ones I listed, but do you actually KNOW any? It's not like I haven't tried to find people to play with...I've been looking for a year and a half..but if you can point me in the right direction, please do. Sure, Six Brew bantha are doing something diffrent...I love the fact that there are a two piece...but they don't play punk-rock, and what they do play isn't my thing. Same thing with bands like Logs and Cowards!...don't like the music. You say there are plenty of atypical punk bands here...where? There's not alot of punk-rock happening at all(lotsa metal influenced stuff though), and the stuff that is, seems to largely be from the Dayglos school of punk. I wnat to meet all the kids in their parents basement/guys and chicks in their apartments, listening to power-pop, garage, noise, bubblegum pop, 60's soul, KBD punk...but they seem few and far in between in Victoria. Now...if I wanna meet someone who listens to gutter punk, 80's Thrash or grindcore...well, there's two of 'em standing on every corner. - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 2:52pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Are you really gonna book a garage-rock band an all-ages show in Victoria, Tyler? Who are you going to book them with...a grind band and an indie band? So you get 50 kids out to see a couple local bands at $6 a head...then you're gonna hand $200 over to the garage band that nobody "really" liked. Even so...was that really a good show for the garage band? An impartial audience, no merch sales, and they make no money after ferry costs... The truth is...you wouldn't book 90% of the bands on that list and hand them $200...it isn't worth your time. My only complaint is lack of variety here...and I'll do whatever I can to change that. I've been doing this shit for alot of years...i'm not just talking out of my ass. - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 3:00pm | ||
| Spinvis User Info... | wow, I must say T.Depression has a bad attitude!! of course you won't have a good show with that attitude. - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 3:06pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Yeah...I probably do have kind of a bad attitude. I've gotta work on that. Tyler...tell you what...if you wanna go into some sort of partnership and put on some diverse all-ages bills once a month in Victoria, drop me a line. There's no shortage of bands asking about doing shows here... - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 3:21pm | ||
| Tyler User Info... | It's true that I wouldn't book 90% of those bands, because I only know about 10% of them. I was a little intense in my reply. You know, being cranky or whatever. But hey, at least I know the 10%, right? Twin Crystals were great. They played with Ghosts, who are totally somewhere between indie rock and old surf and garage and some other stuff. Not your thing, I guess? It seems that a lot of our musical interests are different, even though they're both "diverse" to some extent. I'm sure I could list 50 bands similar to Logs and Cowards! that you haven't heard of. That's the stuff I really want to bring to Victoria. And hey, at least I'm trying. Also, you're a little wrong about one thing, there is an active and thriving noise scene here... a noise fest every year, dudes doing stuff from all over the noise spectrum. Once a month is a little too often for me, as far as diverse all ages shows. I've been down with doing shows every few months and helping out Troy, who is pretty much holding together the hardcore scene here. Again, I know that's not your thing. I'll do a show for any of the bands I mentioned knowing in your list, or any bands that sound like them (or any bands on that Emergency Room comp). It's not so much about people "knowing" the touring band. Who knew Twin Crystals? Almost nobody. They came for the locals. Also yeah, you can pair a garage band with a punk/metal-leaning band, or an indie rock band. The all ages shows here around 2004 were all over the map... nu metal and ska and power pop all on the same show. And those were some of the best-attended shows. Granted, things are changing, people are all hiding out like you are, so attendance is a little weaker. I still believe that enough effort from the promoter will always be able to make a show break even. I still do kind of think you hate most music. I don't like generic grind, gutter punk, or typical metal, yet I'm happy with the way things are going here. - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 4:07pm Edited: Wed, 18 Feb 2009 4:09pm | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | Most unknown bands that come here make $200 or less for their effort, regardless of genre or "stage show effort". It is a reality of living on an island. They would do the same or worse in Duncan, Nanaimo, Courtney or anywhere else on the island. If they want to come here and make it worth their while, they better have good enough music to get people interested in the first place. Being energetic on stage doesn't cut it when someone is listening to your music online. On the flip side, I don't know of many, if any unknown bands from the island that play anywhere on the mainland that get guarantees at all, never mind $200. There's no money to be made in music. Any band that wants to tour had better accept that or they won't last for more than three days on the road. - Wed, 18 Feb 2009 6:01pm | ||
| Mutilashawn User Info... | my advice: You haven't been here that long ... get out while you can. - Thu, 19 Feb 2009 1:20am | ||
| Tyler User Info... | I just want to clear up, $200 was brought up because it's realistically what I'd really like to pay a band. as low as $150 will cut it though, that's enough to pay for both ferry rides and a bunch of gas for a vehicle. I really prefer it when bands hide all but one member when paying the ferry toll though........ any less and the band is probably losing money by coming out to victoria. and considering all the van issues/weather/sketchy promoters/possible problems, I'd like to be one of the cities that doesn't take money away from them while they're on tour. if the band knows this ahead of time, they'll be into coming out and playing some music and meeting people and having fun. unless they're reclusive or not nice. but I'm not really interested in helping bands that aren't nice. - Thu, 19 Feb 2009 4:12pm Edited: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 4:12pm | ||
| LETSGETRAD! User Info... | id say 80% of the shows ive gone to since i moved here i had no idea who the headlining touring acts were yet i went anyways. based on either seeing a cheap show or actually googling around info once i saw a poster up or an online entry somewhere. maybe coming from a smaller town has made me appretiate the incredible work a lot of people do for music in this town more so, but im quite thankful there are kids like them doing their best for it. hell even if i have extra money ill pay more than door price just because i know how difficult it can be for them and even the band coming to the island. anyways, my point being there are still people like me who will check out a completely random show if we see it posted around - Thu, 19 Feb 2009 6:12pm | ||
| joni User Info... | Yo T. Depression, White Wires would totally come to Vic if you offered Luke enough beer. ;) He does the radio show before mine out here in the east. They're good people. PS - I totally fucking miss the Victoria music scene. You guys are so lucky to have what you do! - Thu, 19 Feb 2009 9:25pm | ||
| grimlord User Info... | To the last 2 posters FUCK"N EH! - Thu, 19 Feb 2009 10:20pm | ||
| andy hank User Info... | It's easy to forget that Victoria is a small town, certainly compared to Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, etc. The garage rock scene is gonna be proportionately smaller compared to those cities. Btw, had a chance to catch Hank and Lily yet? They don't fit the stereotypical garage rock mold but they consistently blow my socks off whenever I see 'em. I caught Die Poor opening up for the James T Kirks (I think) a while ago at Lucky and even though they had a buncha covers in their set they put on a good show. - Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:13am Edited: Fri, 20 Feb 2009 1:32pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Hank and Lily are the ONLY local band that I've been really impressed by. They have an original enough sound and pull from a buncha different influences, and put on an energetic and entertaining show. I've had a good time at some local punk shows, but nothing else local has really blown me away. The next closest thing would be The Bash Bros from Nanaimo...caught them when they opened for The Famines (thoroughly underwhelming), and they put a HUGE smile on my face. I don't care if it's garage, punk, hardcore, pop, new wave, art-rock, pub-rock, noise...whatever. I just think there is room for MORE in Victoria. It's not hard to make music and play some shows...isn't nayone interested in doing something different than what people in Victoria are already doing? - Fri, 20 Feb 2009 1:34pm | ||
| grimlord User Info... |  you could try that - Fri, 20 Feb 2009 2:51pm | ||
| superslacks User Info... | Holy shit, Tiemen, it must really suck for you to be so hard to please. In this way you are the CLASSIC Victoria music 'fan'. If you're just going to sit in the corner and mope about how everyone except Hank and Lily suck then PLEASE DO NOT COME TO MY SHOWS! Instead of bitching about the mediocre scene, how's about we all bitch about the audience member who stands 20 feet back from the stage with their head cocked to the side waiting for something to happen? Your negativity is boring. If you're so inclined to have a lousy time, then kindly stay home. The world does not need your bummer attitude. - Fri, 20 Feb 2009 4:09pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Look...I come off sounding alot more negative on here than I actually am. First off, maybe the audience stands 20 feet back ffrom the stage with their head cocked to the side, wiatng for something to happen...beacause they are bored. They paid to get in and be entertained...and maybe the band is boring. I think it's their right to just stand there. If thery're interested in the band...they'll move. I never said that Hank and Lily were the only decent band in town...I just said they were the only local band that blew me away. That's because I haven't seen what they do, done before. Superslacks...who are you? You know me, but I don't know you...how am I going to avoid your shows to sit home and mope, if I don't know who you are? - Fri, 20 Feb 2009 5:22pm | ||
| Tyler User Info... | This is why you're coming off so negatively. Your points seem to be as follows: -the local bands here are boring and all the same -everyone is bored with the bands that play here -touring bands you like will be bored with our city -everyone's musical taste is boring so you can't start a band They're kind of boring opinions. I maintain everything that I've said. Someone can have this opinion about any city. The problem isn't Victoria, it's you. You need to get out, learn to appreciate what we have, and do something yourself if you want something different to happen. If you're not willing to do that, it's your fault. No excuses. There are scores of bands that have risen from cities that you wouldn't expect to produce them. I'm sure you know that. We have a ton of diversity. I've given you lots of local and touring-to-Victoria examples and you've only rebutted the minority as "not being your thing". We just don't have the specific type of diversity you're looking for - which seems to be, in a lot of cases, slightly different takes on rehashed genres from past decades. I think I might try to bring the Mutators here. Maybe they'll come with Shearing Pinx. Could be fun. - Sat, 21 Feb 2009 2:45am | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | So, why do you think I don't get out? I'm so hard up that I end up checking out alot more shows than I would if I was getting a staedy diet of stuff I liked. Why do you assume I'm sitting at home? As for what my points are... Not all local bands are boring, but ALOT are. I don't think everyone is bored by the bands that play here. Most people are waaaay too happy with the state of the music scene here...and think everything's great. I just put it out there that one reason for poor crowd response could be a really fucking boring band. I don't think touring bands I like will be bored with this city...I just want to make sure that if a band I like comes through, they play a decent show, so they can tell other people that Vic is worth playing. I doubt everyone's musical taste is boring...but I'm still looking for people to start bands with and have had very little luck. So I finda few people start a couple bands.great...now where are some killer local bands to play with. Oh yeah... - Sat, 21 Feb 2009 9:02am | ||
| Jl User Info... | "So I finda few people start a couple bands.great...now where are some killer local bands to play with. Oh yeah... " well then theres your reasoning for "diversifying" your shows. Play with bands that are completely different(if there are any bands that would meet your "quota" of stage presense) maybe you'll hit a soft spot with the crowd. Who knows until you actually buck up and get out there... there's a ton of very talented musicians in this town; there should be no excuse or shortage of finding people to play with. - Sat, 21 Feb 2009 9:28am | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | When T gets his band together, it is sure to be the most amazing band this town has ever seen. With standards as high as his, it can't be anything short of the very best we've witnessed. One thing that puzzles me is what exactly you expect crowds to do at a show to let the band know they are enjoying it? Most shows I've been to, locally or otherwise, everyone stands there and watches the band. They seem to concentrate on the performance so they don't miss anything. Sometimes, some select people dance or mosh. At the end of the songs, the crowd claps, cheers and screams. At the very least they clap and cheer. I suppose a complete riot that includes a Buddhist monk setting himself on fire would be the best way for a crowd to show their approval. Indeed, I just don't understand what you expect from the people, Mr. T. - Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:06pm | ||
| Mike S. User Info... |  So you have checked over 1000 local bands? . - Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:16pm | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | Maybe he'd prefer a 90's influenced cover band that plays at Lucky Bar who put on an awesome stage show? - Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:26pm | ||
| Curmudgeon Rocker User Info... | Is it really that difficult to find like-minded people to jam with in this city, T.D.? That surprises me, and raises questions that I could ask but it's not worth it to bother going there, I suppose. - Sat, 21 Feb 2009 2:30pm | ||
| superslacks User Info... | I actually agree with many of your points, T., but your negative attitude is pointless. The fact is Victoria is too small to have a diverse scene, and it's too big to act like a small town. I find towns like Nanaimo respond great because they're grateful to have an event to attend, and larger markets are or course big enough to support more genres. Victoria, unfortunately, is stuck in the middle. I'm sure we could go on at length all the various challenges for Victoria and live independent music in general, but at the end of the day it won't change a thing. Rather than go off about what's wrong, why don't you talk about how to make things better? If it's so important to you, why don't you lose a bit of money putting on the shows you'd like to see? All these bands you're so critical of are at least putting themselves on the line only to be judged harshly by people like yourself. Aside from risking public humiliation by posting on this forum, exactly how have YOU put yourself on the line? - Sat, 21 Feb 2009 8:37pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | First off...to assume that any band I put together will be worthwhile seeing, would definitely be a FALSE assumption. I can't play guitar or sing, I'm tone deaf and couldn't write a decent tune to save my life. That being said...I don't give a shit...and I'll continue to play in bands until the city I live in turns out enough stuff that interests me. Then I won't need to. I KNOW how big Victoria...I know what's going on. No, I have nopt checked out EVERY band in the city, but I try to go see a new band every week...if possible. And I've checked out alot of local bands on the internet, that I don't ever need to see. This is an artistic town full of alot of people who play intruments...I just guess I expect more to be happening. No big deal...it will. Is it really that difficult to find like-minded people to play with in this city? Yes! Is the town full of talented musicians? Maybe...but I don't care. I'm not looking for talented musicians...I'm looking for people interested in playing the same type of music that I am. I don't care how well they can play...they can learn how to play...you can't learn enthusiasm and the way you think about music. Why don't I lose a little money putting on shows I like? Well, beacsue I have no money to lose. I have no job, a mortgage, a baby on the way. It's cheaper for me to travel to see bands than it is to put on show in Victoria...so that's what I end up doing. Besides risking public humiliation by posting on this board, I risk it in alot of other ways. I put myself out there alot. You think it;s putting yourself out there by standing on the stage with 3 or 4 other dudes, playing your songs? Try not being able to find anyone to play with so you start performing your shitty songs, by yourself, with a drum machine. Yeah, I eventually added a bass player, but that's the extent of my "band" in Victoria. Two dudes (if the bass plaer isn't too embarrassed to play with me) and a drum machine. I'll complain about not being able to find people to play with, but that doesn't mean I'm letting it stop me from playing shows. Just because I haven't found alot of bands that I like in town, don't assume that I've stopped going to see shows. I've been doing fanzines, putting out records, booking shows, playing in bands, etc for the past 15 years...but I started doing all that because there was nobody in whatever town I was livin in, doing it for me. I'll complain until things start chenaging, but that doesn't mean that complaining is ALL I'm doing about it. - Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:00am | ||
| Curmudgeon Rocker User Info... | "I'll continue to play in bands until the city I live in turns out enough stuff that interests me. Then I won't need to." Really? Is that your sole reason, then, for playing in a band? (Just wanted to get that straight.) And still.........in a city where mabs and babs and their pet grunt-chicken Augustine play an instrument to some varying degree of proficiency, I'm sure there's SOMEONE out there you can hook up with. No? And NOONE said anything about expecting you to play with "talented" musicians. - Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:26am Edited: Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:27am | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Is that the sole reason I play in bands. No...but it has been at various times over the years. It's one of the main reasons I'm making music now. I also play in bands for other reasons...it's FUN, free beer, free travel...to show people that you don't have to have talent, expensive gear(or even half decent gear), to be in a band and play shows. Hey...there may be people to play with in this city...but I've been looking, and I've found ONE interested person. OK...so I can play and record with that ONE person. That's great. Anyone who sounds promising can't commit to getting together...or already plays in 2 bands...or has kids and no time. I've placed ads, talked to randon people at shows, put the word out via friends. It's hard finding energetic and marginally motivated people, interested in the same types of music that I am...am I missing something? - Sun, 22 Feb 2009 12:42pm | ||
| Jl User Info... | ".to show people that you don't have to have talent, expensive gear(or even half decent gear), to be in a band and play shows." first off; who wants to see a show where the band could care less about how they sound? That's the impression I get from your opinions. Sure, you dont need fancy gear and high end instruments; but at least be proficient at your instrument and create a good sound(presense comes from the energy you create through your music; not just showing people you can bop around on a stage). Expand your horizons; dont be so over-the top in what you're looking for and maybe, just maybe, you might find people are more intrested in seeing what can be created rather than having to put up with demands. - Sun, 22 Feb 2009 1:49pm | ||
| Tyler User Info... | Your website is cool and I'm sorry that this thread turned out this way. - Mon, 23 Feb 2009 4:41am | ||
| T.Depression User Info... | Tyler...check out http://www.talkscheapmagazine.com ...tell your friends, we need contributors. As far as JI telling me to expand my horizons...c'mpnm I'm open to alot. I'm open to kids(or middle aged men) on stage who can barely play their garage sale guitars...I'm into a guy playing along to drums and bass recorded on a tape in his basement, I'm into 3 stringed guitars and two stringed basses....or no guiatr and bass at all, I'm into 1 man bands, two man bands...shit I don't care how many people are in the band, and I don't care what intruments they're playing...as long as they're interesting. I don't think you need to be proficient at an intrument to make good music...but I can appreciate decent musicianship. - Mon, 23 Feb 2009 5:50am Edited: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 5:50am | ||
| Mike S. User Info... | "I also play in bands for other reasons... free travel" what? when? where do we get this free band travel that you speak of? - Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:15am | ||
| Tyler User Info... | I think he means that you generally get reimbursed for your travel costs while on tour. - Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:28am | ||
| Bo User Info... |  | ||
| Jl User Info... | ok fair enough, you have variety in what you like to listen to. With all this variety, you still cant find someone or people to jam/play with? You have no expectations in terms of musicianship; yet you still have nobody to play with. With such an "open mind"; you would think that you'd have a plethora of people/like-minded people to play or jam with. If talent isn't what your looking for then ANY city would do you fine; pretty much every T.D.&H can pick up a guitar or bang a drum... stop cryin about it and giv'r!!(its alot more fun playing!) - Mon, 23 Feb 2009 2:19pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Yeah...on the free travel thing, you can pop from twon to town without having to pay for things like gas or a place to stay out of your own pocket. I play in a band based in calgary...they fly me to Alberta for shows, etc. Sure I have variety in what I listen to...but I can't write a bubblegum pop song. I can't get away with doing a raw soul song or a hillbilly number...and I probably wouldn't wanna play that stuff even if I could. So, I may listen to alot of shit, but what I wanna play is a little more specific. That's where I find a problem finding people to play with. Liek I said...my difficulty in finding people hasn;t stopped me from playing...it would just be nice to find some people to start a band with...or who would start there own band that was doing something similar to what I'm interested in doing. One of the problems is finding people who think about music the same WAY I do. I have no problem playing with people who can barely play their intruments...but trying to convince someone who can barely play that that's OK, and that they can still play shows, make records, etc isn't that easy. People have been conditioned to think that you have to have musical talent to do those things... - Mon, 23 Feb 2009 2:34pm | ||
| BBJones User Info... | No one wants to hear music played by people who can't play their instruments. Oh, except maybe you. So no, it's not okay. You don't need to suck to be original. - Mon, 23 Feb 2009 3:43pm | ||
| Mike S. User Info... | what town to town.. most venues are still only paying unsigned indy bands in the $50-$300 range. Your not going to consistently make more than that touring across western canada, and every city is at least 5 hours apart if you play the small towns, and of course likely hitting said small towns on weekdays when there is less turnout, so unless the band are able to do enough local shows where there is a draw, to get the money together to finance the trip, they are likely going to do a tour at a loss. Even alot of signed indy, punk and metal acts arent able to bring in enough money to cover tour costs unless they are a bigger headlining act. Costs $100+ just to get off the island, and by the time youve made it to Kelowna you've used up two tanks of gas at approx $80 each, then if you are lucky with draw or really popular and dont have to split the door with all the local bands, bands on the tour and promoter expenses, or you sell enough merch you MIGHT break even, lets hope the vehicle doesnt break down or blow tires cause all that ends up costing and the band still havent eaten yet. Meanwhile, the whole time you are away your bills at home are piling up and of course you arent going to your day job so there is no pay check awaiting your return. Ive toured western canada about a dozen times, mostly when gas was less than what is costs now. There's no free travel, not at this level. - Mon, 23 Feb 2009 4:43pm Edited: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 4:45pm | ||
| QuinnS User Info... | T.: Very refreshing opinion, and one I definitely share. Came to this town for music... to try to "build a scene" etc etc... livevictoria is not the place for sentiments like this because these fellas obviously are on the City payroll... when I posted here a number of months ago about starting a venue/recording studio I was attacked for also having "narrow" tastes... I've lived here since the summer... and haven't found a single like-minded individual in my peer-group... nobody that is really excited about anything... I know many people and am close friends with Cobras X3, Colourbook, Cartographers, Almonds, Cohen and those types... so it's not like I'm cut off from things... I put myself out there quite a bit trying to get interest for what I wanted to do... talked to a lot of people about... placed ads... nothing really... I wanted to live in Victoria for a lot of reasons (close to my hometown, comfortable standard of living, many friends here) and may move back after I try my hand with Montreal (where I'm going next month)... but I was disppointed. Most people are either early-to-bed-early-to-rise hippy dopetypes or absolutely aimless party animals... I can see where the bitterness comes from. - Mon, 23 Feb 2009 4:54pm Edited: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 4:54pm | ||
| zedius User Info... | I'd like to go on record saying that I'd also like to hear music by people who can't play their instruments. Both 7 year bitch and new order come to mind. - Mon, 23 Feb 2009 5:26pm | ||
| Jl User Info... | "One of the problems is finding people who think about music the same WAY I do." well maybe forget about the specifics and just let it rip? You want so much yet take so little. I have never had a problem in finding people to play with and nor has any number of the musicians I know. I see where you're going with this; and I think confidence in what you do does count, whether or not that means you can play your instrument or not(or think you can). But you come off as this person who's saying "i listen to everything and love all music, but if you actually take your instrument seriously then I cant be apart of it".. that's what my impression/take on the situation. Im sure your a reasonable guy and are competent at your respective musical endevours; but it just seems like the effort you put in is exactly what you get out of it... which is not that much. quinn, I remember you posting here a while back and that specific thread; Im sorry to hear that you didn't find your way in this city, but I hear montreal is a good scene too! good luck with it(ps, opening a studio and posting about it here is certain suicide lol) - Mon, 23 Feb 2009 5:48pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | It comes down to this...I don't like most "musicians". People who are trained or have a lot of talent tend to want to show you how talented or how well trained they are. Who cares. I'm not in music to just "let er rip"...I want to play something I like, or it's not worth my time. I think the music industry is a fucking joke, and that about 80% of all music being made is garbage. I put effort in...it takes me alot of effort to write even a mediocre song...but I'll be writing shit, performing and putting out records for as long as I can. All I'm saying is that it would be NICE to find some like minded people in this town to play music with...they may or may not be musicians. I LOVE music...but I don't love ALL music, and I wish there was more of what I like in Victoria. - Mon, 23 Feb 2009 6:32pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | I'm glad that Zedius and Quinn chimed in on this thread. It's nice to know that there are some people that would aggree with at least some of the shit I'm spouting on this site...and in this city, And as far as Mike S and the travelling for free thing goes. Like I said, I play in a band in Calgary...they fly me in for a couple shows thr, and one in Edmonton, and I fly home. Free travel. Or I play in a one man bands. Hop in the car and play Vanocuver (or Bellignham), Seattle and Portland in one long weekend, and make enough for gas, food and ferry costs...free travel. Get 80 people out at $5 a head, sell 15 t-shirts a few Cd's and some stickers and 7 inches, and you can walk away with more than enough to get you to the next city. Book "smart" shows and you can make it work. If a show in Kelowna or kamloops or Regina is gonna be a waste of my time...I won't book it. - Mon, 23 Feb 2009 7:15pm | ||
| Doc User Info... | I disagree to a certain extent with waht you said T. I know a lot of trained musicians who just want to get together with other people and make some fun music. I'm talking about guys with university degrees in music too. On the other hand, I think what you said more or less holds true when it comes to "naturally talented" musicians. A lot of them I find just wanna showcase what they can do for any one who will listen. ~Keep the liquor flowing Doc - Mon, 23 Feb 2009 7:19pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Problem with guys with University degress in music, or even a little formal training...is it's hard for them to unlearn everything they've learned about music theory. I can't imagine a guy with a degree in music being satisfied with bashing out 2 chord tunes on pawn shop intruments. I mean, I'm sure there are guys out there that are trained and would be into playing shitty powerschord punk for fun...but I don;t think there are many. - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:32am | ||
| Mike S. User Info... | "Get 80 people out at $5 a head, sell 15 t-shirts a few Cd's and some stickers and 7 inches, and you can walk away with more than enough to get you to the next city." Fair enough. So the door pulls in $400. But you skipped the okanagan because it was a waste of time, and went directly to Calgary. After ferry cost and about $250 in gas, then the promoter or club pays the soundguy, promoter takes their cut for posters and pay, maybe you only sell 5 shirts and 3 CD's, your in the hole because we all know that the profit margin on shirts is small if you keep it at indy prices $15 or less. ps, nothing wrong with a university degree in music. you are really stereotyping musicians that are formally trained. You seem to have tunnel vision in your opinions which is why people here are calling you out. YOUR unique situation allows for free travel to tour with a band that can afford to fly you around and pay you to play (lets see YOU be the organizer of that with a 5 person band in a V8 gas pig van and a gear trailer) YOUR personal taste in music is thus, therefore the rest of everything is boring and not worthwhile. YOU cant find musicians you click with, therefore there are no worthy musicians in the city. And you wonder why people jump down your throat. - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:50am Edited: Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:53am | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Mike...we live in different worlds man. You just have to be creative, and do things yourself. Print your own T-shirts...you can bring the cost of each shirt down to like $4 or $5. At $15 maybe you only sell 5 shirts, but at $10 (or cheaper) you can sell a shitload. Deal directly with clubs when you can, avoiding promoters and middle men who take a cut of the door. Design and print your own posters for the shows if you have to. Book shows with friends bands in other cities, so they can put up posters for the shows, and save the club from paying someone to do it. If you do alot of the work, it's amazing how much costs go down. Instead of taking all of your gear, book shows with like-minded bands, and arrange to borrow a backline. You can tour with 5 guys and guitars in a station wagon or SUV, and save alot of money on gas. There are no rules....you just decide what you WANT to do, and you find a way to make it work. I know bands who have toured on those unlimited travel, greyhound passes, travelling from town to town on bus, and borrowing gear. Sure, I'm generalizing alot of shit...I KNOW not ALL trained or talented "musicians" overplay or won't be satisfied playing primitive or simplistic music...but I do KNOW that's the case with MOST of them. I speak from my personal experiences and oppinions...that's all I know. - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:22am | ||
| Mike S. User Info... | Exactly.. much different worlds. As do many people on this board. Which is why you tread on sensitive ground when you come to such a board and pigeonhole a whole slew of scenes into one as being boring, outdated, washed up, lacking in creativity, behind the times of other cities, etc etc. personally I think Calgary is a wasteland. Its consistently one of the shittiest places Ive played in western canada. The scene there is cliquey and often works against itself. It has that reputation amongst many people I know who live there and play music there and tour through there. Shows in Canmore have better turnouts and pay better and there's way less people living there. Maybe to you Calgary is a great scene.. but to me its not (although some great underground bands there for sure, of many genres ) Victoria, much like Canmore, has a very open music scene.. indy kids go to metal shows, punks go to rock shows, metal heads go to punk shows, ska fans go to metal shows etc. You dont see this variety in alot of cities in western canada at all. You are fairly new to the city so maybe you havent noticed this yet. All the more reason not to come to a board like this and try and point out all these facts. Too many old school msuicians and fans here that will disagree, and arent talking out their arse. Not to say you arent entitled to your opinion dude! But id say maybe you are being bit one sided in your views. - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:41am | ||
| Lucius User Info... | I think T is playing to much to the "jaded artist" persona myself. I don't know if you can play anything but it sounds like you want a reason to be mediocore at your instrument of choice and justify it by saying anyone who can play will overplay (sorry you actually said "most" based on the vast sampleset you've experienced). Cheers, Lucius - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:55am | ||
| Tyler User Info... | I agree on a couple counts. People involved in a local music scene who "can play their instruments" often have a narrow-minded and generic sense of what music is. And yeah, doing merch/art/etc yourself is more rewarding and a lot of fun. I disagree on some things as well. I have "formal" music training. Not a BMus but a music minor, maybe half a music degree's worth. Let's not discuss how meaningless that actually is, because I know it's pretty meaningless. It's enough to have been in and around the academic music world though. I don't think musical training puts people off simplistic music or stuff outside the classical realm. Simplistic - I like simple hardcore. And I know a lot of BMus students who love Coldplay... ugh, haha. Outside of classical - doesn't Wolf of Iskra have a master's degree in music composition or something? 20th century music is kin to experimental stuff in the indie realm, in a lot of ways. I called Quinn narrow-minded once because his studio idea was not open to music I like. Yeah, that was childish of me. Whoops. I feel bad that everyone has jumped on T, even though I got really defensive about Victoria. At least his taste in music is fresh, right? I'd rather listen to some fun, loose garage rock rather than the "average band" for sure! I just wish he could feel a little more positive about stuff here, you know? - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:39pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | I would agree that Calgary is a wasteland...at least culturally. But they still have more decent bands, DJ's radio shows, etc , etc than Victoria. Sure, it's 3 times the size of (greater) Victoria...but it's in the middle of nowhere. Victoria should have a more interesting and diverse music scene than it does... Alot of this is personal taste...of course it's one sided. I'm not very good at anything I do, and while I strive to get better, I'm not really succeeding. I do what I can with what I have, and appreciate that quality in others. I don't resent talented musicians for their talent (and the fact that I have none of it) I get upset that the majority of them are wasting their talent on by-the-books, status quo music. I think too many people in victoria play things by the books, and buy into msuic as an industry...alot of what I've seen seems prettu ho-hum. Like I said...my oppinions...I'm just looking for more people that share 'em. This board is full of people with mostly mainstream views on music and how it should sound and be made...of course you're going take exaption to some of the stuff I say. - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:40pm | ||
| superslacks User Info... | "This board is full of people with mostly mainstream views on music and how it should sound and be made...of course you're going take exaption to some of the stuff I say" I think, maybe, you give yourself a little too much credit. Most of what you say about Victoria is kinda stating the obvious. Victoria is what it is; a smaller city with a higher than average proportion of musicians, and a low participation level at shows. I could (and have) gone off about Victoria, but the negativity is pointless. I just set my expectations low and then I can be pleasantly surprised. It's a lot better than being constantly disappointed, waiting for that gem of a show. By the sound of things we should all set our expectations WAYYYYY low for your next big enterprise . . . . ;-) Chill out, dude. - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 1:48pm Edited: Tue, 24 Feb 2009 1:50pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | That last post perfectly stated EXACTLY what one of my main problems with Victoria is! Too many people are willing to except that even though the music scen may be mediocre now...well, that's just the way it is, may as well just accept it...no use complaining or trying to do something about it. Lower your expectations so that you can be pleasantly surprised???? What the fuck?!! Seriously? That's the saddest thing I've ever heard. Yeah...instead of hoping (or working towards) something better. Let's just lower our standards, so the mediocre seems A-OK. I'd rather be dissapointed 24 times outa 25 time than sit at shows with a prozac smile glued to my face watching shit, just because I've resigned myself that it's the best stuff that will ever come to Victoria. Negativity and critisism isn't pointless. People lowering their standards and not saying or doing anything, is. I'm not going to "chill out" at all...there's way too many people already doing that in this town. - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 3:14pm | ||
| Mike S. User Info... | Yah cuz superslacks speaks for all of us... by the way, the last half dozen local band shows Ive been to or participated in had very active pits. No standing around. That HOA show the other night.. MDT's pit near the end got so crazy half of HOA's gear got drenched in beer. All 3 bands had zero empty floor space in front of them. RLH/Rotterdam a few weeks back, lots of crowd participation, Dayglos/SNFU, huge mosh pit. Archon/MDT/UTA a few weeks prior, same thing, lots of audience participation for all 3 bands. - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 3:22pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | He may not speak for everyone...but I see a lot of exactly what he's talking about. I've never had a problem with the level of audience participation in Victoria. People move when they feel like it...if the bands make 'em feel like moving, they will. Boring bands get a boring response. The fact that those shows were packed and people were moving is no surprise. People support metal and well past their prime punk bands in good numebers in this town...and the crowd response is almost often good. - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 3:31pm | ||
| superslacks User Info... | Just to clarify - There's a HUGE difference between lowering one's standards in what you expect to SEE versus what I would choose to CREATE. Does that mean I have no opinion - of course not. At any given open mic chances are 1 out 3 performers blow. Should I tell them they suck? NO, I probably wouldn't even think it. But I appreciate the effort and encourage them to grow. When I tell you to chill out, I'm suggesting you try to enjoy what other people create. Maybe offer CONSTRUCTIVE criticism instead of bitch bitch bitch. And honestly, that's ALL I see you 'doing'. So stop the fucking whining and DO something. Where's this genius band you're creating ? I honestly want to see this amazing creation that's going to change the face of music in Victoria. I've never put much stock in what music critics say. And I have NEVER heard critics like yourself create anything worthwhile or unique. I also refuse to get fired up over this useless debate. People who are happy with what IS working in Vic (like the aforementioned metal and punk scenes) have every right to enjoy it for what it is. Other types of music (like yours, perhaps?) may be a bit lacking in support. Bummer. Move on. Pick your battles. Whatever. You can't force people to give a shit through argument or complaining. So it looks like your only option is to lead by example and create this mind-blowing musical legacy you've been talking about. Hey, I'm all ears! Just post the date and venue and I'm there! Seriously man, what the fuck do you want? How would you change Victoria for the better? I've been here a long time and I could probably run down the list of all Victoria's faults faster than anyone. I've come to the conclusion it's a waste of my time to try to change that which cannot be changed. You want to change the world? Great! Have at 'er. Best of luck. I personally have better things to do. Speaking of which, I think I've pandered to your shitty attitude waaaayyyy too long. Keep us all posted about that super-group. - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 4:25pm | ||
| ROSS B AY User Info... | Hey lay off the kid! I agree with him wholeheartedly. It is WAY easier to criticize and degrade others when you have nothing of your own to offer to open criticism. WAAAY easier. - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 4:40pm | ||
| Mike S. User Info... | "and well past their prime punk bands in good numebers in this town" since thats an obvious jab at the Dayglos.. They seem to have no problem packing houses across this country and in other countries they've toured to lately. - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 5:34pm | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | Okay, so the problems don't lie within the metal and punk scenes. but whatever scenes these totally faceless bands T mentions belong to. Perhaps there is a reason few people here care about these bands? I am still trying to understand what T expects a crowd to do to show they are enjoying themselves and like the band they paid to see. When you think about it, all scenes everywhere are mediocre and the people involved are content with it. If it's so terrible here, why stay? Probably because you actually love it here and just like to complain. Come down to Logan's on March 14th and check out three good rock bands who can play their instruments and seem to be appreciated by people...if you can get in that is. - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 6:50pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | The past their prime punk bands comment wasn't JUST a jab at the Dayglos...it was a jab at SNFU, DOA...and the scores of other older punk bands that are playing off what they were 20 or 30 years ago. Who cares if they pack venues...so do the New Kids on The Block. Just cause people show up to see a band, doesn't make 'em good...most people have terrible taste...just listen to the radio. Alos, I didn't say that there weren't problems with the punk and metal scenes in this town...in fact my biggest problem is with the punk scene, since that's what I'm most involved with. I think the metal scene has some interesting things happening, but the punk scene is VERY one sided. Why do people keep bringing up crowd reaction? I don't give a shit what the crowd does or does not do. Like I said before, the crowd has no responsibilities...they paid to get in, they can do whatever they want. If they have fun, they'll move around, or not look bored...if they don't have fun, they'll stand there with their arms crossed, or leave. The band is the only people required to do something...and all they are required to do is try to give the audience some sort of satisfaction...hopefully equal to the cover they paid to get in. Why do I stay...becasue I love the City...I don't thonk the music scene here has alot to offer me, but I can work on that...right? I'll be out of town on the 14th...but what bands are playing Logan's? If I haven't seen them...I'll check 'em out at a later date. - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 8:15pm | ||
| Sati User Info... | I just wanted to say that I loved the Bash Brothers as well. And people look for and get what they want to see and get. I see a lot of great local music, and thats the stuff which defines local music for me, because thats how I want to see my city. Vibrant, exciting, atmospheric, stimulating... and when it comes to unpolished, young bands, promising. I end up seeing a lot of (imho) boring, regurgitated crap too, and I move past it/them as quick as possible because otherwise it'll just drag me down. For some it doesn't drag them down, it makes them angry, and anger is an energy(!) so it works for them. Sometimes it works for me that way, but I got sick of being angry, because it sorta became too toxic when people took it the wrong way. bla bla To each their own. tdep, look harder, and if the bands don't do it for you, look to the individual players - there's a victoria sound to a lot of the guitarists, for example. - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 8:38pm Edited: Tue, 24 Feb 2009 8:41pm | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | You keep saying that people here are happy with the boring bands that play in Victoria. I've never seen so many people have fun and move around at shows played by boring bands. Sure, there are boring bands here, as in any city. Not every band is interesting to hear and see. But there are also plenty of bands that are interesting to hear and see. I understand that your idea of what is interesting and mostly everyone else's is completely different. But your blasting of Victoria's music community as a whole comes off as uninformed and unwarranted. Maybe you should start checking out bands that aren't just in your obscure favorite genre and you might find that Victoria does have a variety of decent groups. I do look forward to seeing what your idea of interesting and energetic live music is all about. Do keep us all posted! Logan's will have Crown The Wolf and Rotterdam playing on the 14th. As well, although they aren't at all local, Pride Tiger will be on the bill. People largely seem to enjoy these bands and not find them boring (although there are always a few...ya can't please everyone). Ultimately, if you can't be entertained by anyone except Hank And Lily and The Bash Brothers, just keep enjoying what they do and keep searching for that pot of gold. Sati: Victoria guitar sound? I am curious about that one. Can you elaborate? - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 9:23pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Look...I don't think EVERYTHING in town sucks, and I HAVE been entertained by ALOT of shows in Victoria...I just said I'd only been "blown away" by two bands since I've been here. I enjoy watching some local bands...but there just isn't enough variety. Let's take the punk scene for example...since punk-rock is what I'm closest to. You've got a bunch of bands playing Dayglos influenced punk (AWT, LFM, Ratboy Roy and The Gloryholes, Brewtality, etc, etc), then you're got a second wave Uk influenced band, a handful of hardcore or crossover bands (some influenced by 80's stuff...others by newer sounds), and a few bands like The Hoosegow, LID, Sweathogz, etc...who are playing more straight forward stuff. Very little variety...and it's not because Victoria is too small. You only have to look as far as the All Your Ears Can Hear book/CD's to see that Victoria used to have a very diverse punk scene. Why is everyone here now, playing the same kind of punk-rock? Punk-rock is diverse by definition. Bands like The Cramps, Rezillos, The Pack, Boys, Radio Birdman, Stranglers, Saints, Stooges, DMZ, Real Kids, Buzzcocks, The Jam, Zero Boys, Damned, Angry Samoans, Mutants, Radiators From Space, Metal Urbain, Gears, Teenage Head, PVC, Crime, Dickies, Devo, Naked Raygun, Lurkers, The Kids, UK Subs, Consumers, Blitz, Vibrators, 45 Grave, Suburban Lawns, Pork Dukes, Humans, Slits, Skidz, Members, The Freeze, Electric Eels, Dictators, Milkshakes, etc, etc, etc, etc...all played punk-rock. At one time Victoria had a punk scene with bands that were that were influenced by jazz, noise, 60's garage, pop,rockabilly, blues, electronic and experimental music, and a wealth of other sounds. Now, with very few execptions, most local punk bands sound like they've only been influenced by other punk and metal...and even then, only a small section of those two genres. - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:08pm Edited: Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:10pm | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | Right, so you don't think everything in Victoria is boring then. In previous posts you definitely stated things like: "There's no variety in the local bands...there's no variety in the touring bands" and "all the Vic bands are worried about their "pro gear", "more mature sound", and being "gig ready" and "professional" Just sounded like you were implicating every Victoria band without necessarily having seen or heard every Victoria band. The only cure is to make your own fun. As for the punk scene...I can't discuss that with you. I'm sure there are plenty of people on here who will though. This'll be good. - Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:52pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Do I really need to see EVERY Vic band to know what's going on? This isn't like when I was growing up....we have the internet now, and I can check out any local band who;s name I see on a poster, nefore I decide whether or not to spend my money to see them live. I check out every band who's name I see on a poster, gig listing, etc. I definitely don't need to see them all live. I gave the olpunk scene here as an exampple, because that's what I'm closest to..but I see the same lack of variety in other genres...wnd with the touring bands that come through. Outside of the all-ages scene and a couple festivalst have any "talent buyers" that actually go out of their way to bring new bands in...and a ton of bands that I've talked to have had a very difficult time booking shows here in the past. Conseuently, we have become town that books alot of the usual suspects who have us down as a scheduled tour stop, and alot of opther stuff is just passing us by. You're right...the only cure IS to make my own fun. - Wed, 25 Feb 2009 6:58am | ||
| Ty Stranglehold User Info... | actually, T. hit the nail right on the head with his description of the punk scene here. I'm rather enjoying everyone getting their panties all wound up in this thread over a guy calling it like he sees it. Sure, he can be blunt about it, but it's still a point a veiw. I love this town and playing in my bands here. I've also done a fair number of shows with T.'s band and THEY RULE. I have fun with it all, but it could be a lot better. Tiemen: Let me know, I'll play some shitty bass in a band with you. Dying to really. - Wed, 25 Feb 2009 7:18am | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Right...I'm not saying I don't enjoy going to shows here...or playing shows with local bands. I just wish there was a little more diversity and variety within genres, and a little more sharing influeneces between genres. Like I said...I'm in Victoria to stay. Otherwise, I wouldn't give a shit. Please disregard what Ty said about me being in a band that rules. Fact is, I will NEVER be in a band that rules, because I can't sing or play guitar, couldn't write a decent song to save my life, am tone deaf and supec taste in music. I just don't let any of that stop me. Ty: Yeah...you know that I'll take you up on that offer to play nass, right? Better get practicing... - Wed, 25 Feb 2009 8:10am Edited: Wed, 25 Feb 2009 8:10am | ||
| BBJones User Info... | TD, the only reason this thread has so much action, and has been moved to the Controvery section is because of all the things you said hacking other people's hobbies and in some cases other people's professions. Instead of putting everyone down, if you started with this: "I just wish there was a little more diversity and variety within genres, and a little more sharing influeneces between genres." Instead of starting with things like this: "...shitty Canadaian, radio acts their trying to break at the moment. Lotsa popular indie pap and washed up or reformed punk and metal acts, 20 years past their prime. Plus alot of other flavor of the week bullshit, Then there are a few interesting acts (through all genres) sprikled among the sea of shit" If you would have started by trying to participate in productivity with the former attitude, we'd still be in general chat having a productive discussion instead of a defensive one. Get the difference? Now maybe this can take a turn into something productive. - Wed, 25 Feb 2009 9:35am Edited: Wed, 25 Feb 2009 9:38am | ||
| Jl User Info... | the negative attitude totally brought out all the crufuffle. Its too bad; it could've been a productive chance at tossing around ideas! - Wed, 25 Feb 2009 4:13pm | ||
| superslacks User Info... | What really gets me is the sheer stupidity of slagging other bands. Especially from someone who claims to be putting some mysterious yet brilliant project of his own together. Normally I like to check out new bands with an open mind, but I shall certainly give Tiemen the respect he deserves (ie. the complete LACK of respect he has shown here). Just look for me in the front row, arms crossed, and a gigantic YAWN on my face. . . . Not that I expect he'll ever actually produce said master work. I've seen his type before. I'm sure the world's last great unwritten work exists only in his mind, but unfortunately Victoria will let him down; either Victoria will fail to provide him with the right people to turn it into a reality, or Victoria will lack the venues or music fans to give him a proper and appreciated forum, or . . . . maybe it'll just suck and he'll be too embarrassed to take it into public. Tiemen, there are simply too many things wrong with your thinking (imo), but those really are your problem. You're unhappy, unsatisfied, and without any decent collaboration. You're picking fights here and that's not going to help your situation - unless your goal is to attract people as bitter and jaded as yourself. Yes, it's VERY easy to criticize. You say 24 out of 25 shows are disappointing to you. I'm sure in those 24 disappointing shows there were at least a couple decent moments? And maybe within those mediocre songs there were one or two pretty ok events. My point is, you seem to be focusing on the negatives, which means your future actions and opinions become more about what NOT to do, rather than building on things that work. But you don't seem to want to see the positives. Sucks to be you. You want variety? Stop insulting everyone and start contributing. - Wed, 25 Feb 2009 7:47pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | I have never said that I was trying to put together some brilliant, fantastic, or even half decent project. I resigned myself along time ago to the fact that I will probably never be able to create anything musically that falls anywhere higher than mediocre. That's ok with me though. I know that I suck, but I do what I can. I have absolutely no place playing in bands, writing music or putting out records. In the oast, I've done so out of necessity. If nobody in town is playing something I want to hear...or if there is something that I think is under represented...I might try to do something to fill that gap. Like I said before...if other people were doing it, I might not be playing music at all. I guess I'm negative by nature...but I'm very positive and supportive of those things I find that I think are worth getting behind. I don't have time or money to waste on supporting things that don't offer me anything. I don't dig to find the 2% worth of goodness in a steaming pile of shit...just to be posi. Do I want to attract bitter and jaded people? Maybe. Better that than people who just go with the flow and try to stay positive and find the good in everything. That sounds boring to me. Listen...Maybe,I like garbage music played through shitty gear. Maybe, I like unpolished shit played by half assed players. Maybe, I like bands that have no place being bands at all. Maybe I wanna see a buncha cavemen bashing rocks on their guitars and screaming at the sun. Maybe, I have no taste at all...but that's not gonna stop me from voicing my oppinion. I think the Victoria scene leaves alot to be desired. SO what? What do you guys care what some dude with bad taste thinks? It's the internet, it's easy to come off all wrong here. Maybe I am too negative...maybe I am too blunt. Maybe I'm an asshole. I'm OK with all of that. I'll still go to shows, and I'll still tell you what I think of what Isee...whether you wanna hear it or not. - Wed, 25 Feb 2009 9:32pm | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | Now you're starting to make sense. I would like to see cavemen smashing guitars and screaming at the sun too. If you ever get them to stop here (which you probably won't because there are no like minded bands for them to play with), I'll be there in the front row enjoying the shit out of it. Keep posting your reviews. The more the better. There are a lack of them on here these days. Negative or not, as long as they're fair, no one can complain. - Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:50pm | ||
| J. Peatman User Info... | His name is Tiemen? So he's Dutch? That explains some things. - Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:27pm | ||
| Curmudgeon Rocker User Info... | well - don't ask for agent #2's opinion on that. so, Bluish.............has your question been answered? - Thu, 26 Feb 2009 7:54am | ||
| superslacks User Info... | Just so you know Tiemen, I have already determined that there is no redeeming value in you or your opinions. So thank you for showing me the futility of looking for the positive. At least I tried. I do like this quote of yours tho; "I just wish there was a little more diversity and variety within genres, and a little more sharing influeneces between genres." To which I say . . . seriously?! What the FUCK!! Yes, just wait around and WISH for things to get better. Don't bother going out and DOING anything. This is THE SADDEST THING I HAVE EVER HEARD. It has been suggested you bring in the shows you want to see. You claim you can't do that. It's been suggested you create the music you want see. You claim to have no talent/ can't find like-minded people. What it really comes down to is you're a lazy coward with no creativity, who expects the world to provide for him. As for primitve, irreverent music - shit I enjoy that as well, but that's soooooo been done. - Thu, 26 Feb 2009 8:56am | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Fuck dude...you post without reading a word I've typed.I never said I wasn't doing anything. I just said that I wasn't doing anything GOOD. I know I'm not good at any of it...but I will be playing music (with or without other people), putting out records, doing fanzines/web zines, booking shows, making art, screening films, etc for as long as nobody else is doing what I wanna see. I'm doing things right now...but that doesn't stop me from WISHING that there was more going on in Victoria. Most of the shit that I'd like to see in Victoria has been done a million times before....that's not the point. The point is, it isn't being done in Victoria. I'm just looking for a bit of diversity and variety. "What it really comes down to is you're a lazy coward with no creativity, who expects the world to provide for him" Well, hell...that MUST be it. Shit, you know my name...my picture and email address are up on this site, and there is a link to at least one of my web sites up here too. I'm a coward? How? What am I hiding behind. You use my name like you know me, but you're completely anonymous to me. I don't expect the world to provide for me, but it's nice when I don't have to do everything for myself. Here's what it comes down to...you say if I wanna see bands, I should book 'em. If I wanna hear a local band whose music I dig...I should start one. If I want to see records I like sold locally...I guess I've gotta sell 'em. If I want to see a local magazine that covers bands I dig...well, I guess I've gotta write it. If I want to hear music I like at a local bar...hmmm, I guess I'm going to have to do a DJ night. OK...sounds good...nothing I haven't done before, right. - Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:01am | ||
| superslacks User Info... | . . . and if you want to start a war of words, I guess you go on the local musicians forum (even tho you aren't one) and pick a fight. Done and done. - Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:05am | ||
| Mike S. User Info... | "You use my name like you know me, but you're completely anonymous to me" yah man. I back you on this.. you are outspoken but at least you arent anonymous. This site is riddled with anonymous naysayers and assholes that wont back up their words with a real name or profile info. Kudos to you for that. - Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:45am | ||
| Jl User Info... | who cares about what info someone leaves up for others to see? its the internet... calm down. I understand how Slacks feels; this guy comes here only to post about how shitty of a musician he is(TDep.) and how he doesn't or should'nt deserve a band or a stage to play on; yet he does. And he cries about how crappy and stale the music scene here is; yet what else does he have to offerr? It just sounds like a broken record OVER AND OVER AND OVER. It gets tiring hearing people, like T., bitch and moan about something they are CLEARLY not willing to do anything about. ie)"I resigned myself along time ago to the fact that I will probably never be able to create anything musically that falls anywhere higher than mediocre. That's ok with me though. I know that I suck, but I do what I can. I have absolutely no place playing in bands, writing music or putting out records. In the oast, I've done so out of necessity. If nobody in town is playing something I want to hear...or if there is something that I think is under represented...I might try to do something to fill that gap. Like I said before...if other people were doing it, I might not be playing music at all." and i've never said that you couldn't do it; just dont be such an emokid about it;) - Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:06am | ||
| superslacks User Info... | And as if to demonstrate how completely pointless you are being, now you've changed the subject to people who don't post their personal info here? Again with the 'what everyone else is doing wrong' shit! As if I'm stupid enough to do that! In case you're new to this thing called 'the internet', it's generally considered a bad idea to post your personal info in public forums. Not that I'm hiding behind an anonymous profile - I gave your views plenty of respect in my early posts. It only got ugly when you decided to lay into people. I generally try to stay away from personal attacks here, given it's really easy to spout shit. Tiemen, you and I do have some common acquaintences, so I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be talking this trash in person. Do you really want to know who I am? That could be kinda awkward for you .. . . Personally I believe what happens on LiveVic stays on LiveVic given people might cross a line here that they might not in person. As someone stated above, I wish you didn't bring all this negativity to the discussion, it could have been an interesting topic. . . - Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:51am | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | I don't think I attacked anyone personally or was "laying into" anyone. I really don't see how having common aquaintences, and me knowing who you are would make anything awkward. I have the same oppinions in person that I do on the internet...i say the same shit whether people know who I am or not. Really. Look...I may be negative. You guys may think I'm an asshole...but at least everyone knows where I stand. I don't tall my friends that I like their bands, when I really don't...and I don't do it with strangers either. Sorry for bumming you out guys... - Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:48pm | ||
| Jl User Info... | I dont think you're an asshole; and I dont know who you are. Though I dont share the same opinion as you; BUT, was in a rut(musically) finding people to play with for a LONG time. And, like you, it didn't stop me. But where we differ, i.m.o., is our stance on the music scene and what we like/dislike. I look at times like these and think what a great time to bring out something different or try something different; rather than coming here and complaining that the scene doesn't suit your need/niche. Please let us know, here, when your next show is... and im being serious, not malicious or sarcastic in ANY-WAY. I would love to hear something outside of the box(ie, somthing that doesn't involve your front man wearing a black shirt and pink tie...THAT'S so OVER DONE). - Thu, 26 Feb 2009 5:06pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | I will definitely post any local shows I play, here...but I'm afraid I will dissapoint... I only play pink tie Rock'n'roll... - Thu, 26 Feb 2009 9:32pm | ||
| BBJones User Info... | Well TD, JI hit it on the head (your last comment is the nail)... seriously stop bein an EMOkid - Thu, 26 Feb 2009 9:52pm Edited: Fri, 27 Feb 2009 7:23am | ||
| Jl User Info... | lol pink tie rock... regardless; id still come out.! - Fri, 27 Feb 2009 4:05pm | ||
| ROSS B AY User Info... | Yo T I agree with you still. Shit is overly stale here. What are you going to do that will be differant? I am totally interested in hearing it. - Sat, 28 Feb 2009 7:19am | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | You're in 95% of the bands in Victoria, Ross. The fate of the scene rests in your hands. - Sat, 28 Feb 2009 12:42pm | ||
| mike. User Info... |  | ||
| T.Depression User Info... | There have been barely any all-ages punk shows since I've been here...and there are almost no younger punk bands in this town. Most of what goes on in the all-ages scene really doesn't interest me. I appreciate the energy and enthusuiast, and love smaller hall/house/basement shows, but there is TOO MUCH METAL influence in the music in the all-ages scene. Not my type of music...there definitely needs to be more all-ages pounk shows... - Sat, 28 Feb 2009 2:17pm | ||
| mike. User Info... |  | ||
| Matty B. User Info... | Hey guys, I have to agree with T. Depression, there needs to be more rockin' punk shows and some screaming all agers, and I also have to agree with Mike, there is alot of bands out there that all sound the same or are way to genereic, but there are also lots of bands that play different styles, you just have to search, the band I am in Haddonfield, we play psychobilly but it's hard to find gigs and events, it all seems under promoted or hard to find bands to organzie it. But all and all, it's what we have right, so rock it hard and enjoy the shows that do come. Matty http://www.myspace.com/haddonfield666 - Sat, 28 Feb 2009 5:17pm Edited: Sat, 28 Feb 2009 5:23pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | I've gotta know where all these young punk bands you speak of are? What are they called and when are they playing? Do they have Myspace pages? Since I've been in town there hasn't been many all-ages punk shows with young bands...plenty of metal/grind/crust stuff and newer hardcore...but very little punk. If you know of something I'm missing, clue me in. - Sat, 28 Feb 2009 6:04pm Edited: Sat, 28 Feb 2009 6:16pm | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | A big problem is there are less venues and more bands than ever trying to play them. That's always been a problem, but it seems to be getting really bad these days. - Sat, 28 Feb 2009 6:45pm | ||
| grimlord User Info... | Since I've been in town there hasn't been many all-ages punk shows with young bands. How long have you been in town?? - Sat, 28 Feb 2009 9:10pm Edited: Sat, 28 Feb 2009 9:10pm | ||
| Chopper User Info... | I'd think the promoters who did underage gigs got tired of losing money, not to mention the general bs that happens at all ager gigs (drunks, fights, cops called to the venue etc). More hassle than what it's worth. - Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:03pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | I've been in town a year and a half...and there have been a handful of all-ages punk shows in that time..less and less as the scene gravitates towards heavier music. I thought kids in this town just didn't listen to punk anymore. Shit...it's alot easier to find metal records than punk-rock in this town...I'd have trouble FINDING a decent new punk release on the local racks. - Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:59pm | ||
| mike. User Info... |  | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Well...it's great to hear that there are still kids in punk bands around here...even if they aren't playing shows or poutting their stuff on the internet. Can you give me any neames of young punk bands and contact info? It would great to see these bands play... - Sun, 1 Mar 2009 4:03pm | ||
| Mike S. User Info... | hey T is this the band you play in? http://www.myspace.com/sheglankdshoulders - Mon, 2 Mar 2009 11:45am | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | If you call flying into Calgary once a year,practicing for an hour and playing a couple shows, playing in a band...then yep, I play in that band. - Mon, 2 Mar 2009 1:29pm | ||
| ROSS B AY User Info... | I thought all yous dudes were thinking of moving out here? - Mon, 2 Mar 2009 6:09pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Some of the other guys WERE "thinking" about it...but some people have a hard time giving up decent paying jobs for kinda shitty jobs, etc. I however rather live in beautiful city that doesn't get -40 temperatures...but then again, I'm now unemployed and BROKE! - Mon, 2 Mar 2009 8:10pm | ||
| Sati User Info... | Mr Hell, without naming names, someone moved over here and became one of my favorite guitar players. A while later an excellent band from Vic came over and the guitarist sounded so similar that I was confused the first guy wasn't on stage. When happened again with another band I walked away laughing. All great players, who I'm sure do little else all day long. I'm not the only one who's noted the similarities with some of the island players. And I haven't heard anyone else sound like that. Not to get technical or anything, but its the NOODLING! - Mon, 2 Mar 2009 9:14pm Edited: Mon, 2 Mar 2009 9:16pm | ||
| grimlord User Info... | Hay T.D. I like that shit you do it sounds grate. my question is this . Do you like it? If you dont like what you play and how you play,how are you ever going to be satisfied or satisfy a crowd.You are resigned to be mediocre and thats what you'll be.Bands don't blow you away evey time you see a new band,fact of life.If you do it for pearly enjoyment then go for it ,but you seem to not do it for that but to fill a neech or an erg and just want to get buy with what you have in your arsenal. My two cents. - Wed, 25 Mar 2009 3:59pm Edited: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 4:01pm | ||
| TheBlack Pixie User Info... | "You're in 95% of the bands in Victoria, Ross. The fate of the scene rests in your hands. -" .....Don't inflate his head with the idea of being music overlord of Vic.....otherwise we're all screwed - Wed, 25 Mar 2009 9:04pm | ||
| superslacks User Info... | Tiemen! I finally checked out that link to your band! Wow dude, if that's an example of what you think is lacking in local music, I can honestly say my respect for your opinions has shrunk to nil. I heard absolutely NOTHING new in that band. The most interesting part was the 20 seconds of silence at the end of one track. Everything else was boring derivative punk from the last 30 years. Not ONE single original idea. Not even one UNCOMMON idea. Boring, boring, punk pap. I actually thought you knew something about music, but it turns out you're just another bitter sad sack. Go figger. - Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:12pm | ||
| TheBlack Pixie User Info... | In a less harsh way than the above message....Yes, your music sounds good, probably because I've heard it done by dozens of other punk bands. Feels like I put on a microwaved version of Dayglo. Sorry, but...more originality needed ?? - Fri, 27 Mar 2009 5:12pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | That band is fun to play in, and I like the guys. The whole point of that band was to start the band we wanted to start when we were 14 years old, but none of us had. It's a joke band with songs about skateboarding...gives us an excuse to get together a couple times a year to ksate and play a couple shows and get free beer. Yes, I know there is nothing new going on with that band...but that's the whole joke. The whole goal of that band was to write a juvenile, skate-rock album in one evening and get into Thrasher magazine...we did both and then broke up. Playing shows was too much fun though...so we still do that occasionally. Do I like the band? Well, if one of our records showed up in my mailbox for me to review, I'm sure I'd give it a pretty mediocre review...but that's kinda the point. In short, I would agree with EVERYTHING said in the above two posts. That's one of 6 bands I've played in in the past 5 years...and it's the one that sounds the least like what I'd like to be doing. - Sun, 29 Mar 2009 8:43pm Edited: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 8:56pm | ||
| superslacks User Info... | The fact that you would come on this forum and hack on Victoria's music scene after being in THAT band shows you to be a hypocrite, and a bit stupid. All the musicians you've dismissed never had a chance to defend themselves, or their art, or musical intentions, so all your excuses just sound as pathetic as your attempts at original music. - Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:21am | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Like I said...I agree with everything you guys said in the two posts above my last one. That band makes generic, unoriginal, juvenile music that you've heard a million times before...and that's the whole point. i don't need to make excuses, I know what it is. It's the band I would have liked to have started when I was 14...and it's fun. Now, how does playing in that band make me a hypocrite... or stupid? And why are you so offended by the words of stupid hypocrite? - Mon, 30 Mar 2009 7:12am | ||
| superslacks User Info... | My point exactly. Actually it's your slags that make you a hypocrite. As I said much higher in this thread, I am capable of going out and enjoying most things for what they are - a skill you seem to lack. I would probably even enjoy your mediocre offering, as vacuous as it is. The point is if I judged YOUR music with the attitude you present elsewhere in this thread, I should show no mercy. You get what you give, chump. You came on this forum to stir shit up. Why are you crying about it now? - Mon, 30 Mar 2009 9:32am | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Who's crying? You said one of my bands is shitty...I agreed. I just don't see how playing in a joke band that I know is generic,unoriginal,etc...makes me a hypocrite, or stupid. - Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:46pm | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | I think superslacks would like to hear your other bands to see if you are the real deal. You say the other bands you've been in are actually original and more what you would like to see in Victoria. More than a few of us are curious about this, I am sure. Have any links to said bands? - Mon, 30 Mar 2009 1:08pm | ||
| TheBlack Pixie User Info... | Basically what is meant is that if you're going to shit on a band for making unoriginal, crap music - you, yourself should not be participating in the making of unoriginal music. - Mon, 30 Mar 2009 1:16pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | I started off very early in this thread by saying that any music I make is gonna be garbage. I am NOT a musician... nor do I have ANY musical talent. Should any of that stop me from critisizing those who are capable of making interesting music, but don't? I'm a music fan...the only thing I'm good at in life is listening to records. I could post links to shitty bands I used to play in that played a few shows and put out a 7 inch then broke up...but what difference does it make. I can play in countless shitty punk bands, and that still doesn't change the fact that there is a lack variety in the music being made in Victoria. You want more of my shitty music to make fun of...there's a old, live recording of my current "project" up here: http://www.myspace.com/thenewkrime . Me, my guitar and a shitty drum machine. I've got some shows coming up where you can come heckle me in person...throw beer. - Mon, 30 Mar 2009 1:38pm | ||
| superslacks User Info... | I don't need to check that band out, the name is already boring me. The New Krime? Seriously? For someone who claims to know a lot about music, you sure can't pick a very original name. And that has nothing to do with musicianship. Easy to be a critic, isn't it? ONE thing, genius. Just produce one undeniably original idea you have created. For all your whining about the scene you owe us that much. - Tue, 31 Mar 2009 9:16am Edited: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 9:32am | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Where did I claim to know alot about music? The only thing I know is what I like. Look...we all know there are no original ideas in music. EVERYTHING has been done. I could shit in a blender and mic that and call it music, but guaranteed someone has already done it. I'm not looking for truly original musical ideas...most of the music I love is derivitive and done to death. All I was really critisizing is the lack of variety in music to be found in Victoria. I don't play music to be original...I'm not talented or smart enough to come up with original music. I play music to have fun...and do something that other people in town aren't doing. I get on stage to make a point...not that I'm talented, have expensive gear, or write fantastic or original music...I just want to remind people that ANYONE can make music, play shows, make records, etc. I figure if I get up there by myself,with a $180 guitar, and a $40 amp...and play some shitty punk-rock. Maybe someone who isn't currently playing music may be inspired to start a band, bacause they KNOW they can make better music than the shit I make. - Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:02am | ||
| superslacks User Info... | OK, so shit in a blender and not on the people actually creating music. Wah fucking wah. I thought you'd say something like that. Fine, you had you chance, now sit down and shut the fuck up. Or, better yet, start doing something positive instead of complaining. - Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:53am | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | I'd rather do something positive AND complain. I won't sit down and shut the fuck up...there's enough people in this town doing that. Superslacks...I don't understand why you are so upset by the things I've said here. Do you think the Victoria music scene is fantastic? Do you think there is enough variety and diversity in the music made here? - Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:04pm | ||
| ROSS B AY User Info... | I understand your problem. I felt the same way for years. Until I opened my eyes and my ears. Your looking in all the wrong places. - Tue, 31 Mar 2009 1:38pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Where should I be looking? - Tue, 31 Mar 2009 2:01pm | ||
| superslacks User Info... | "upset" - hardly. I'm actually kinda amused you keep replying to this. "I'd rather do something positive AND complain." Dude, if you can't see how ridiculous you are, you have a serious problem. You can't be both positive and negative. Maybe part of my beef is you sound a lot like I used to. However, I grew up. Some things about Victoria just won't change, no matter how hard you try. Does that mean we give up? No. I just focus on that which can change. One of the BIGGEST problems with Victoria is assholes like you. People who point to what's wrong rather than building on what's good. Look, Victoria is a small city. It isn't big enough to support multiple scenes. There aren't enough people going to shows to support more than a few venues. In the summer the students leave and then everything pretty much drops off. These challenges (and others) aren't going away no matter how much you bitch. Talking shit about local bands and the scene just gives people one more reason not to go to shows. If only to avoid narrow-minded jerks like you. And since you're not actually doing anything to contribute in a POSITIVE way, you really are doing more harm than good. And, no I don't think the Victoria 'scene' (if can call it that) is particularly spectacular, which makes the high points all the more worthwhile. - Tue, 31 Mar 2009 2:05pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | You can definitely be both positive and negative. I don't give blanket support to everything...it wouldn't be sincere, and I don't have the energy. I can bitch and complain about those things I don't like while supportinga nd championing those I do. That's what i do. Sure...sometimes I devote more time to the negative than I should...but complaining is easier than the other shit. Doesn't mean that I'm not doing anything positive...it's just not as visible as some useless message board posts. I mean...we all know that alot of this shit on here is just people talking out their asses trying to waste a little time, right? I think Victoria is bigger than most people give it credit for being, and I think it's a city with alot of unrealized potential. The fact that alot of people don't see it this way is a little frustrating... - Tue, 31 Mar 2009 2:28pm | ||
| superslacks User Info... | "we all know that alot of this shit on here is just people talking out their asses trying to waste a little time, right?" On that I agree 100%. But this; "it's a city with alot of unrealized potential. The fact that alot of people don't see it this way is a little frustrating... " Maybe people would see the potential MORE if people like YOU complained LESS about Victoria's shortcomings. I'm not a big proponent of the power of positive thinking, but surely you can understand the cycle of negativity?! There's a lot of ways to be positive without being insincere - like keeping your trap shut. Just because you don't like something doesn't mean others shouldn't as well. Even if people are going to see bands that are unworthy of your praise, at least people are going to shows. - Tue, 31 Mar 2009 3:49pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | I don't believe that whole if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all, shit. I think people need to say when they think something sucks or is lacking, even if iut isn't the popular oppinion. If people don't say when they think something sucks...people will think eveerything's fine as it is. I think we can agrre that it isn't. - Tue, 31 Mar 2009 6:47pm | ||
| superslacks User Info... | Right. Actually, I can decide for myself what is lacking, thank you very much. AND . . . . I think most people can decide for themselves as well, they don't need YOU to point it out. Maybe if you showed people how things could be better, rather than . . . oh, right, that would take us back to you being constructive rather than 'honest'. Whatever, dude. Someone told me you're in your mid-thirties, and I guess if you haven't grown up by now it's probably too late. Good luck with that whole making the world see things the way you do thing. - Tue, 31 Mar 2009 8:19pm | ||
| TheBlack Pixie User Info... | I think every critic here on livevic could take a bit more of a respectful approach to evaluating music on the scene. It's simple to just say "that's shit, you should stop making music or die," but that really doesn't help anyone and can just be rude and even hurtful. I'm pretty sure there are a lot of people who refrain from posting or advertising their bands or music for fear of getting kicked in the face by some of this nasty ass comments that get tossed around here. So if we are all here promoting the vic music scene, then we should give it a hand by offering advice, rather than just nowhere insults. - Tue, 31 Mar 2009 8:29pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | Y'know i get pulled back into this trap every few months...I get frustarted and start making a buncha negative comments. You guys are right, my time could be better spent hyping the shit I think is great, rather than trashing the shit I think sucks. let's see what I can do...and how long I can hold out. - Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:19pm | ||
| Jl User Info... | who really cares? this is a debate between, 4-8 users on this board; most of whom feel they speak for the majority(which isn't always the case)... but in the grand scheme of things; I dont really care if you dont like my music nor should you really care about me liking your music(which T. obveously doesn't care if someone doesn't like his music... which is fine on all accounts). If you really "do it" for the love of music; then dont bother posting about how you get "stuck in a rut of negativity"; dont post retorts to make yourself feel better... At the end of the day; this is but a SMALL smattering of what Victoria REALLY has to offer. I dont believe for a second that this "scene" is stale or over-rated in ANY way. If I think a friends band, or any band for that matter, is good then I give them credit; if not, so be it... my day goes on and Im sure the band could care less(I know I dont, to me any press is good press; we couldn't possibly please everyone here or at our shows, nor would it hurt if someone told me my music sux... I would still pick up the guitar and sing my heart out NO MATTER WHAT). - Wed, 1 Apr 2009 4:50pm | ||
| superslacks User Info... | "Who cares?" Everyone who's read or posted. . . . at least a little. This forum wouldn't even exist if people didn't talk the occasional trash. Sure the topics get a little recycled and the odd venting takes place, but in the end it's at least an exercise in communication. I took a moment and skimmed the thread, and I think it's actually a good one, despite a few miss-steps (myself included). Funny, no-one pointed out that my negativity toward TD 's opinions was kinda like his negativity toward mediocre bands . . . Anyway, I DO believe Victoria's music scene would produce better, more interesting bands if they didn't have to face the judgements of the musical elite (either real, imagined, or just amped-up on some obscure former musician's forum). Tiemen, I hope your last post wasn't sarcasm, cuz I think you can use your strong opinions for more than spreading vitriol. How's about working through a band you think has potential in the role of producer? If you think you have a vision for something better than what's out there, you might find there's people with skills looking for a vision. - Wed, 1 Apr 2009 7:34pm Edited: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 7:37pm | ||
| T. Depression User Info... | I think anything that gets people talking about music is a good thing...whether it's positive or negative oppinions that are being expressed, at least there is an exchange of ideas. No, I wasn't being sarcastic. Seriously, my first instict is to spew a buncha negative shit about everything that frustrates me. It's my nature, and it comes naturally...and for the most part, it's a waste of time. Critisism definitely has it's place, but I DO need to focuss my energies on more positive pursuits. If I don't like something about the local music scene, nothing is really going to change with me just spouting about what I don't like on here. I should just put my energy into getting stuff going in this town. Starting in April/May, I've got a new magazine coming out, I've booked a couple shows for out of town bands, have some new records coming out on my label, have a new DJ night starting up, and will be playing shows myself around town...I think all that shit is probably a better use of my time than posting crap on a message board, right? - Wed, 1 Apr 2009 10:34pm | ||
| JDL User Info... | "Anyway, I DO believe Victoria's music scene would produce better, more interesting bands if they didn't have to face the judgements of the musical elite (either real, imagined, or just amped-up on some obscure former musician's forum)." very true, but my band puts no investment in the opinions on this board nor any board for that matter. We aren't here to cater to the musical elite(the one's who have their heads so far up their asses they couldn't swallow without killing themselves). We're out there to play people OUR music, whether you like it or not... Take'm as they come! Its the one's that get caught up here and other places who get into arguements etc...(see 'the perish') that cause a bad name for themselves or a bad rep. But if they had just ignored it all and let people say what they want; im sure some would have a little more respect for that. What I dont understand is all this complaining like the music scene here is dried up... well if you think so, then let my band play instead of yours... cuz we/I think this place is still and will always be a hotbed for talent NO MATTER WHAT. - Thu, 2 Apr 2009 12:23pm | ||
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