“Where has all the music gone?”
Remember the first time you went to a “punk rock” show? The smell of sweat and cheap plywood that was formed in the shape of a stage, the haze in the air from body heat, the long lines at the merch booths and being “that guy” because you wore one of the band’s t-shirts that was playing that night. But most of all, remember looking around at the faces and feeling accepted? Taking in a deep breath and thinking that you were finally home?
That doesn’t exist anymore.
Many local venues can’t afford to stay open. VFW halls and Firehouses don’t want to have to worry about the liability. Local bands are now forced to cold call everyone they know and fight to get on shows just to play a venue at half capacity. What happened? In a matter of just a couple of years, local music went from being a safe house for the misfit (and some conforming, well, a lot of conforming) teenagers, to a nostalgic era. There are many things we can blame for this. Here are just a couple.
- The Almighty Internet- Yes, the same internet you are using to read this blog. No longer do kids needs to go to shows to find new music, they just need to go on a website and have Pete Wentz tell them what to listen to. The internet should have been the greatest tag team partner to music ever, but instead it has taken away a lot of its purity. Bands can sign to major labels and sell platinum records without ever leaving their own town. ::cough:: Panic At The Disco ::cough:: Can you blame the record labels for wanting to make money? No, after all it is the music BUSINESS. They do what they have to, some more conniving then others, but still. This is not even about Limewire, or Napster, as most local bands would give out cd’s for free anyway at shows. This about watching someone you have never met, spilling their guts out on stage to you, and you being emotionally affected by their performance. Now, YouTube brings that experience to you. At least that is what some will argue. It is far from the same thing. And just by being spammed by a “bot” paid for by a band on Myspace, can you accept their “friendship” and hear their music, auto-tuned to perfection with no earnestness. That is a far cry from talking to band after a sweat soaked band about where the best pizza in the town is, and when they come back to town, they remember your name. Ask your favorite band if they remember your Myspace name.
- Concerned Parents- I cannot fault parents for being concerned for their children’s safety but just because someone accidentally gets hurt in a “mosh pit” does not mean that the show is just a madhouse filled with violent animals. Often times, a band will encourage other audience members to help the person out of the crowd so they can seek medical attention. This will of course get blown out of proportion and the parents talk and stop allowing their kids to go to these shows because they are just going to get hurt. Because everyone knows sheltering children from the real world is a great way to help them grow up.
- And last but not least, The Government- The government does not give grants to local bands/venues while an Asian kid can go to Juliard for free because he is sought as progression of art. Is it just me or is that completely ridiculous? Thousands of bands can’t afford to go on tour because of the high gas prices, the automotive expenses, food, shelter, etc. And NO ONE is helping them. If venues can’t get bands to play, they will not make money, and they will have to close. Parents won’t let their children pursue their dreams of being a “rock” star because the kid down the street is broke, covered in tattoos, and still chasing his dream. And dreams don’t pay the bills kids, remember that. Local music is endangered and no one is doing anything about. There is more to music than music education. Sure it is a great key to get kids mind’s active and get them interested in the arts. But when they go to the guidance counselor and get asked what they want to do with their lives and get told “That is stupid,” how is that progressing art? We need to stand up for our rights as musicians to be rectified as artists. To receive grants from the government, health benefits, and just the support needed to keep going. They may argue there are musician guilds, but they are not enough nor do they accept that many musicians to begin with.
I’m sure I sound like some pretentious indie fuck that needs to get off of his high horse. And maybe I do. But the only way we can save local music is together. At the end of this month I am launching a campaign called Life With No Music. Keep your eyes and ears out for that because in order to be heard sometimes, you need to turn the volume up.
