Nomad
July 14th, 2006, 05:15 PM
Wrote this letter to the editors of my city's newspaper. Will see what people have to say about it.
I'm writing regarding the situation with the Sheriff's Posse, and the activities that are occuring out there.
I myself am extremely offended that anyone would say that it is the bands' faults that these kids would be out there smoking or drinking or whatever.
First of all, perhaps it should be understood that not all of the shows are arranged by one of the bands. There are a couple people around town that set most of the shows up for us. So the argument in the first place that it is the bands' faults is completely outrageous.
Second of all, it is not any of our responsibilities to babysit what everyone are doing outside the venue.
We do not provide any of the alleged substances that are being used.
We do not let any of them into the venue itself with any of those substances that they acquire.
I am NOT saying that there is not a problem out there, but it is ludicrous to lay the blame on the bands putting on the show. We are there to provide entertainment--not to police. Whenever I myself see anyone doing anything like that, I tell them to stop. But other than that, there is not much we can do.
I DO however, think that this whole thing is being blown a bit out of proportion. One night in particular, three of the members of the Saddle Tramps club came out, and during their visit, there were three calls to the police station about kids allegedy going through the neighbors' yards--but none of us saw anything, and we were outside the entire time the offenses apparantly took place.
So I am willing to bet that a lot of the allegations being pressed on us are chalked up to the neighbors just simply being annoyed by the loud music.
I am not sure what to say for my closing statement, other than that many of the people in the community need to open their eyes and quit making judgements before the whole story. None of us in the bands are out there to cause problems--we just want to put on a show and have a good time. It is unfair to claim we are responsible for the actions that the people that come out to our shows, and pay money to come in--just to sit outside and smoke and drink. They are perfectly capable of taking their "party" elsewhere.
Frankly, it upsets me that they DO come out to our shows and cause problems--Because the 'Posse is pretty much the last place in town that is affordable to play at on a regular basis. Any show that I've played, there has hardly been enough money made to pay rent for the venue and paying for the sound techs that so nicely take time out of their day to provide a PA for us. We obviously aren't out there to make money. We're just out there doing what we love--making music.
And taking that away from us would be simply unAmerican. I hate to play the "Glittering Generalities" card, but it's true. The people causing problems, and shutting the venue down are both in violation of our Pursuit of Happiness.
I'm writing regarding the situation with the Sheriff's Posse, and the activities that are occuring out there.
I myself am extremely offended that anyone would say that it is the bands' faults that these kids would be out there smoking or drinking or whatever.
First of all, perhaps it should be understood that not all of the shows are arranged by one of the bands. There are a couple people around town that set most of the shows up for us. So the argument in the first place that it is the bands' faults is completely outrageous.
Second of all, it is not any of our responsibilities to babysit what everyone are doing outside the venue.
We do not provide any of the alleged substances that are being used.
We do not let any of them into the venue itself with any of those substances that they acquire.
I am NOT saying that there is not a problem out there, but it is ludicrous to lay the blame on the bands putting on the show. We are there to provide entertainment--not to police. Whenever I myself see anyone doing anything like that, I tell them to stop. But other than that, there is not much we can do.
I DO however, think that this whole thing is being blown a bit out of proportion. One night in particular, three of the members of the Saddle Tramps club came out, and during their visit, there were three calls to the police station about kids allegedy going through the neighbors' yards--but none of us saw anything, and we were outside the entire time the offenses apparantly took place.
So I am willing to bet that a lot of the allegations being pressed on us are chalked up to the neighbors just simply being annoyed by the loud music.
I am not sure what to say for my closing statement, other than that many of the people in the community need to open their eyes and quit making judgements before the whole story. None of us in the bands are out there to cause problems--we just want to put on a show and have a good time. It is unfair to claim we are responsible for the actions that the people that come out to our shows, and pay money to come in--just to sit outside and smoke and drink. They are perfectly capable of taking their "party" elsewhere.
Frankly, it upsets me that they DO come out to our shows and cause problems--Because the 'Posse is pretty much the last place in town that is affordable to play at on a regular basis. Any show that I've played, there has hardly been enough money made to pay rent for the venue and paying for the sound techs that so nicely take time out of their day to provide a PA for us. We obviously aren't out there to make money. We're just out there doing what we love--making music.
And taking that away from us would be simply unAmerican. I hate to play the "Glittering Generalities" card, but it's true. The people causing problems, and shutting the venue down are both in violation of our Pursuit of Happiness.