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2/10/2005
EAR PLUGS
Yeah yeah, we're a little behind. That’s what happens when you stop drinking
beer – the pounds just melt away…
Last week we hit the Star Bar anniversary show, delayed thanks to the latest
“storm of the century” the previous weekend, for The Satanic Mechanics, an
interesting take on The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Here's the review, packed
full of pictures, so for those of you who, like me, only have dial-up, this may
take a minute:
http://www.degeneratepress.com/vault/rhps_2005/index.html
On Friday we caught Mike Geier's latest effort, "The Wickersham
POV starring Vegas bastards The Wickersham Bros." at the Point of View Lounge on
the top floor of the Hilton. Mike has a swell voice and I'll attend just about
any event that showcases his talents, but I can't recommend this particular
show. First off, the location is a bit sterile in atmosphere, about what you'd
expect at a hotel bar. The night we went the joint would've been empty had it
not been for a private party in the back that eventually wandered into the room.
The room itself feels like what might happen should the Death Star appear in an
episode of Trading Spaces. "There's nothing we can do about these freaky exhaust
ports hanging from the roof? Well, how about a little color? Ooh, and we can add
an island here with planters and classy white Christmas lights. Big, bold colors
on this wall will help warm up the room!" The view out the windows was nice,
though at night with tinted windows it somehow only reinforces the Death Star
feel of the room. And the drinks are waaay pricey.
A couple of lovely ladies from the Dames A'Flame mixed and mingled in between
dance numbers, telling us torrid tales of their travels in Germany, and done up
in swell Vegas showgirl attire, getting the older folks from the private party
to titter and giggle every time they walked by.
Mike and his little jazz combo did standards and ballads in a Sinatra vein, all
good stuff done well, but not something I'm usually in the mood for on a Friday
night. Out of towners and older folks who aren't looking to party hardy would
probably love it, as did the swaying crowd that took over the dance floor on
opening night. We lurked as long as we could take the jazzy tunes and pricey
drinks, then headed home, weary from the previous night’s adventures.
Wait, who am I calling “older folks”?
Last episode generated a few emails:
Ok, I dunno who these people are, but talking over the Asylum
Street
Spankers is sacrilege.
Faithfully yours,
-Degenerate GR
I can't speak to most of the points for and against Smith's and most of the non
east ATL/L5P bars and clubs, however one point brought up by this local writer
doesn't sound like the voice of experience in Atlanta rock and roll trenches.
"they treat local bands with respect and pay them fairly"- bullshit, nobody pays
local bands fairly (except the Alley Cat which has no cover and pays off the
bar). In fact, some even pay the sound man and BMI/ASCAP fee off the door before
the bands sees one red penny. At Smith's, a completely unknown act from Portland
OR can get a better booking than a local act that may(or may not) bring in some
folks. Their Monday night shows act as an "audition" for a local act to get
bookings on other nights (red herring speak for you ain't gonna get paid). So
not only do you make no money, but also, if people don't come...you won't be
back. I'm not sure you call that "supporting local talent" unless you count
drinking free all night as support (which I sometimes do). Don't get me wrong,
Smith's has every right to do business the way they do, I just get a good
chuckle when someone says they treat local bands with respect and pay them
fairly.
I had my car broken into in the shopping mall parking across the street from
Smith's. So much for safe.
It's good to see that you have at least thrown a mention about shows at the
Alley Cat. I respect your preternatural disdain for the Underground, and it's
good to see you don't carry that over to the bands that play there. You may like
it...lots of chairs and it doesn't smell like pee.
yet.
Oh well, it's only music.
degenerate MC
Hey i liked your rant on Smith's. Smith's is a good place. My friend Tim Tintle
is one of the managers there and is a music guy himself, he now manages 4 bands
and provides his house for The Fleshtones whenever they come into town. Kalu
works there and I know we all know who she is not to mention her rocker husband.
The stage upstairs is awseome except it does have the worst load in in
town(stairs,stairs,stairs). I was the one who built the new music/acoustic room
downstairs for them, and it turned out awesome. But I do not hang out there
because of well yuppie scum, beer prices that are way way way way too high,
thier choice of local music acts, regionl acts are okay but could be better.
Although my girlfriend really likes those Lisa Loeb shows( I haved to endure
many of those). You need to go there in the morning for clean up to really get a
good whiff of the smell(whew!) My favorite though is the carpet upstairs that
has about a million cig. burns in it. Umm! could be the smell problem. But the
number one reason I do not hang out there unless it is a killer show is the beer
prices! It is $5-6 for a beer and the selection is horrible. They should take a
clue from the 40watt and get some of those 24oz. PBR's. If the bring the beer
prices down and they start selling pictures of brew then I am there but until
then I guess I'll just have to wait for another week long stand with Train(just
kidding!)
Degenerate KH
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