Is this immature of me? Should I care if it is?

[mesavox]

This might be really immature of me, but if I don't vent I'm gonna pop a gasket... lol

A few years ago my previous band played a battle of the bands at my college. There were some problems with the logistics. The sound system we thought was coming didn't, and there were problems all night because of it. We brought our own sound guy. He tweaked the sound while this other local band was playing trying to get the muffled sound fixed so people could hear them play... and so we wouldn't sound like that too.

This was right before we played. Somehow we were scheduled last. I don't know how, and I don't care how... it didn't help us much as a ton of people had left. But, as you'll see... facts don't always matter.

Results a week later from the student vote was that we won. Afore mentioned band had been talking about how they were disappointed in the sound and that it seemed fishy that the sound was fixed right in time for us to go on. Well... you know, I always thought that experience helps out a lot and experience told us to stinkin bring out own sound guy just in case. You know, at big shows with pro sound companies... you can't use your own soundguy... but we KNEW this wasn't that kind of sound situation. So...

We win... they continue to publically discuss the sitation but now publically accuse us of rigging the show. So, no more insinuating... all out accusation. Reason? A couple of us were students (never mind the other bands that had students in them), and one of us works at the college.

I soon learn that this is the same guy getting national attention because his daughter supposedly had her constitutional rights infringed upon because she didn't want to pray with the basketball team. Oh.. so same guy who assaulted the principal and sued everyone in sight with other people's lawyers and money. Nevermind that she was kicked off the team because she stole shoes and had been assured she'd never have to pray if she didn't want to (you know how it is.. hense that settling out of court moment when you realize you can't win, and the state is tired of wasting tax payer's money fighting a bogus case).

None of that matters except for this reason...

We recently won the battle of the bands and, as a result, get to open for REO Speedwagon. Guess who's in that battle of the bands too??? Yep... our good ole buddies from our not so distant past.

We have a different name now, and a couple of different members. When Bipolar Echo was formed, it was from scratch and it just has ended up with every member of our old band except for two. Amber is now lead vocalist and keyboards instead of principle keys... and Brad is our drummer/vocalist instead of Tim since Brad and I started the band out of an after class discussion. Tim had already reformed his old band so we just end up helping each other get gigs and run sound for each other when schedules of regular sound people fall apart. LOL

Where was I?

Oh yeah... lol

We're second to last that night so we soundcheck second in line. They are last so they've just done their soundcheck. While we're playing Seperate Ways, I see him standing at the entry way with his arms folded in a disgusted manner. He runs into Amber's husband and says... isn't that that band Enduvus that played at the battle of the bands at the college? He said, "Well, it's mostly the same members, but it's a different band..." What he was getting at is that we might have prog leanings from time to time, but we're not a prog based band like Enduvus was. He just didn't go into that kind of detail. LOL Anyway, the guy says, "Well, I thought we blew you guys outta the water that night, so we're gonna bring out some stuff you aint NEVER heard before!" Response, "Well, you gotta do what you gotta do right?"

Well, we all kinda hang out after dinner and soundchecks and end up talking to the promotor/soundguy for a while. This guy is the real deal right? I don't know if they saw that we were just being friendly people and pretty much got to know every one that was in the building or what, but not long before we went on the girl in the band saw Amber walking by. Amber is now dressed up and in rocker chick mode. LOL This other girl is also in rocker chick mode. Cool right? She says to Amber..."Who the hell do you think you are, Amy Lee?" Fortunately for her, and us, Amber just ignored it and went on.

So, we play... the crowd goes nuts... it was really cool. I've never played to a crowd like that before.... but I digress.

They announce that we win and all is great. Pictures, handshakes, hobnobbing, interviews, blah blah blah. lol So we finally start tearing down and they're basically finishing loading up. He walks by me and I hear him very angrilly saying, "MOST RIGGED SHOW I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE." Apparently he'd been badmouthing us the whole time. This is fine... I just laughed out loud hoping he could hear me. Not a brilliant moment in my life, but instinct isn't always smart…

The comment that got under my skin the most was when they posted on the band that finished second myspace page saying they should have won… Why drag this thing onto a whole other page? That band was great, and we’ve been in contact ever since. They asked me about how I programmed the sound for Separate Ways on the keyboard, and have been very complimentary of us and the last thing I hoped to see was someone trying to bad mouth us to them.

The reason I started this off saying this might be immature of me is, I don't want to stoop to any level to prove some point against something that is a waste of my time. But...

I guess the guy is a voting member of the Grammys, and they play in LA (probably funded by their settlement?) and DC and whatnot and you'd think from seeing their myspace and webpages that they are the best thing since sliced bread. Opening for "Major Acts" and being in movies etc. It has been said that when they won a battle of the bands a couple of years ago that they opened for Quiet Riot as the prize. But, they won a grand and a country band opened for QR... yeah, I thought that was odd too. LOL But they beat a band that used to be called True Fiction, and I'm sorry but talk about me wondering if a show is rigged because We've played with TF (now Six Gun Serenade), and those guys freaking ROCK. Lots of talent, great stage presence, great modern sound... I'd expect them to be VERY TOUGH competition in any battle of the bands we might find ourselves in with them.... and I'd be thrilled to win, and thrilled for them if they won. You can't cry when you lose to someone you think is fantastic.

I have to be honest... I listen to them and I can't imagine what is so great... but someone even commented at the battle of the bands that the best bands were the last three to play. That was us, them, and another band that is great frinds of ours.

Also, given the comment she made to Amber, I ran across her video channel on Youtube when I was watching their band videos.

So... do I need to just let this go, or is it as weird as I think it is that they are playing clubs I've heard of in LA?

Blue Rose Rocket Band on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

Blue Rose Rocket Band

…and the youtube because of all the comments… oh and dig his Michael Jackson rant…

YouTube - BlueRoseRocketBand2's Channel

and finally in light of her little snip to Amber…

YouTube - NIKI52190's Channel

YouTube - niki20088012's Channel

So, would I be even more immature to post a comment.. "WHO do YOU think you are, Amy Lee?!?!?!?!"

If I offend any friends, family, or friends of the band in question, I apologize in advance. I just want to know why this keeps rolling back around when I’ve literally seen the guy on two occasions in my life.

What do my fellow knuckleheads think? LOL

 

[Big Poppa]

I think that it is nothing to worry about. Contests are subjective and nobody ever thinks that they suck or that anyone was better. Trust me we go through it every year in our Battle of the bands....we host a webpage and videos and tracks...give them the bandwidth and a platform to promote...if they really get lucky they can play on the warped tour and really really lucky they get flown out to la for the finals. I have a stack of angry emails from bands that dont win swearing to boycott our products....I dont get it to this day...we are the only company offering this stuff for the artist and they would support another company that doesnt give any thing back or offers zero chance at anything because they felt the winner sucked or that we rigged it.

MOve on and congrats!

 

[mesavox]

I think that it is nothing to worry about. Contests are subjective and nobody ever thinks that they suck or that anyone was better. Trust me we go through it every year in our Battle of the bands....we host a webpage and videos and tracks...give them the bandwidth and a platform to promote...if they really get lucky they can play on the warped tour and really really lucky they get flown out to la for the finals. I have a stack of angry emails from bands that dont win swearing to boycott our products....I dont get it to this day...we are the only company offering this stuff for the artist and they would support another company that doesnt give any thing back or offers zero chance at anything because they felt the winner sucked or that we rigged it.

MOve on and congrats!

yeah, you guys spend a lot of money on the BOB and Warped tour... Everyone I know thinks it's great. We talked about planning to do the EB BOB because even if you lose the potential feedback and the experience in general is well worth it. I mean, we didn't expect to open for REO... we thought the local fans would vote a local group in. Just like being local helped us years ago at my college... Yeah, we had to play well to get the crowd to care because, whatever this guy might think, college kids will eat you alive if you even almost bore them... but, I'm sure it helped some at vote time that people just knew who we were. We thought that going there, playing the show, working with a VERY pro sound company, and meeting people was worth the expense and time whether we won or lost. Even the REO battle... after the local bands played... that place thinned out A LOT. We couldn't lose... we had the best time we've ever had on stage there... the crowd was awesome to us, and obviously so were the judges. (it was 49% crowd and 51% judges just in case a band played screamo songs unannounced or something...obviously REO Speedwagon would not allow a screamo band to open for them lol)

I guess I'm just disappointed in myself for being so disappointed about something that shouldn't surprise me. lol

The thing with Amber though just really bothered me... this girl was dressed in a black mini skirt and totally Motley Crue dancer to the hilt and she says that to Amber... and then when I'm listening to their live clips I see that video in the related videos and I'm like... WOAH...

I think the biggest thing is I just feel like I'm in the twilight zone... it's to odd to be real. lol

 

[Big Poppa]

let it go.....its part of the biz if you cant handle this you shouldnt proceed...get ready for a boat load of bs...stay true to your music and keep your values.

 

[mesavox]

True... I'm just wondering if it's very hard to become a voting member of the Grammy's. LOL We've been talking about trying to book a few shows in LA next summer... we have a friend who used to gig in LA all the time. I guess if anything this should give me more confidence that we can go out there and gig for a few days...

 

[Big Poppa]

WElcome to the jungle this other band is the leastof your worries but I mean this a good and well meaning constructive advice...toughen up its a dog eat dog scene

 

[mesavox]

I appreciate you taking the time to read that long winded post, much less share your thoughts and advice. I'm definitely taking notes.

It's weird... none of this really bothered me much until I saw that video thinking she was going to be playing drums and it was that instead... I think it just caused that statement she made to Amber to resonate in my head. I guess I needed someone other than someone else in the band to tell me to let it go. LOL

Thanks so much BP...

 

[douglasspears]

What do my fellow knuckleheads think? LOL

I think the carpetpissers did this.

 

[lowliferumble]

I think you are far to awesome a band to bother with any type of nay-sayers. Kevin , you are the real deal.... Don't let some wannabe waste your time or energy !!!

 

[paranoid70]

True... I'm just wondering if it's very hard to become a voting member of the Grammy's. LOL We've been talking about trying to book a few shows in LA next summer... we have a friend who used to gig in LA all the time. I guess if anything this should give me more confidence that we can go out there and gig for a few days...

Getting a gig in LA is like scoring with the easiest girl in school. Seriously, all those 'big name' clubs you hear about (Troubador, Whiskey, etc.) have unknown (and often crappy) bands play there all the time. I would say that you would be much better served working on a local fanbase.

Don't get me wrong, LA is cool. We have alot of great clubs, and I am sure you would have a great time. But, don't go into hoc trying to book a tour of So. Cal.

Best of luck with the band!

 

[lowliferumble]

getting a gig in la is like scoring with the easiest girl in school. Seriously, all those 'big name' clubs you hear about (troubador, whiskey, etc.) have unknown (and often crappy) bands play there all the time. I would say that you would be much better served working on a local fanbase.

Don't get me wrong, la is cool. We have alot of great clubs, and i am sure you would have a great time. But, don't go into hoc trying to book a tour of so. Cal.

Best of luck with the band!

+1

 

[five7]

Don't let it bother you. The music biz has been like that as long as I can remember. Just make it a point to kick ass every time you go on stage.

 

[mesavox]

Getting a gig in LA is like scoring with the easiest girl in school. Seriously, all those 'big name' clubs you hear about (Troubador, Whiskey, etc.) have unknown (and often crappy) bands play there all the time. I would say that you would be much better served working on a local fanbase.

Don't get me wrong, LA is cool. We have alot of great clubs, and I am sure you would have a great time. But, don't go into hoc trying to book a tour of So. Cal.

Best of luck with the band!

Definitely not going in hoc to play there... lol Just in the VERY early stages planning out some sort of road trip. By planning I mean, playing more gigs locally so that we qualify for sponsorships, etc. so that we don't have to go in hoc to do a small road trip. LA came up both because we have a contact, and because there is a pretty good concentration of talent there and if we happen to have a good outing, maybe our card will get somewhere in a big pond. lol I think most steps in a band are to see what happens so you have more to add to the notebook than it is hoping one gig, tour, contact, etc. turns into a majorly signifcant thing.

But yeah... our actual booking over the next year is all about the five state area with the major market aims of Denver, OKC, Lubbock, Dallas, Tulsa, KC, Albequerqi, etc. Yeah, not a lot of major market in those major markets, but there are always people to meet so it's always worth playing some songs and shaking some hands. lol

 

[lowliferumble]

You go Kevin, I think you might surprise yourself

 

[koogie2k]

LOL....this is great. Dude...we lost a "Battle of the Bands" because one of the bands sold more tickets. They were a high school band and it was all their high school friends who showed up. Honestly, they stuck around while we played, had a good time, and voted for their friends. No issue from me.

However, because of that show...we got signed...not them. Not saying they did not deserve to be...they just don't have the "SHOW" to go with everything else. Were they bitter...being young and all...absolutely not. They were cool about it and did not cause a problem. Very good kids who I think have a future and I told them that.

The BS will float to the bottom like it always does. You and your bandmates won. Simple as that. Jealously is a b!tch and it rears its ugly head sometimes.

They are acting unprofessional and it will show. They will find themselves wondering eventually why they can't get anywhere. That's their issue and their problem. You don't need to dwell on it.

For me, personally, I go to gig and give it 110% and if you don't like my show...fine. If you do...fine. I am in it for myself and only for myself. Is that selfish? You bet. No one else writes my music. I do. I do this for me. It is my release and my way of expressing myself. If people like it...that is just icing on the cake. If people don't...fine. Only once did someone talk garbage about my band publicly.....then they got to meet me on the side. He told a different story with me standing in his face....simply....he was a keyboard warrior and a coward. I laughed it off as he bought me a round.

You are worried about something that you don't need to be. Keep rockin' and do your thing bro.

 

[marduke]

wow i wish i hadnt watched that MJ rant.... what a twit!

i agree with the others mate, dont worry about it, be the bigger man about it. you obviously have a great band with you so keep doing what you do wish you all the best with it mate!

 

[lowliferumble]

For a guy who beats the living h#ll out of his bass, you sure do have a way with words, Koog!!! Well said, well said!

 

[BRR]

well well well At least now the cats out of the bag so to bipolar "**** you." Why not tell how you're connected to the slime that harmed my daughter? How you are connected to the zealots that lie thru their teeth? Why dont you tell how I was found NOT guilty? And jurors told me trial was a joke and should have never happened. How the DA tryed to pass off an xray of nitted ribs as newlly broken and how he protect crooked cops and a town that should be called SALEM. And how the court has refused to give back my evidence that shows your great friends lied on the stand and much more.
Did you tell about the cop who tried to hire a hit on me? That youtube is a comin. Thanks to you real soon.Why dont you tell how we cant play in the area cause the cops will harass the bar.You show your true face that i already saw. To my face you brought up how sorry you were about what happened to my daughter but that was a front.
yet here you say another whole tune. HUM...Just like the two faced slime of texas county. You think i forgot how you ****ed with the PA when we were playing the first time? I have your last song the crowd was sleeping and then we came on. will be putting it on youtube (of battle.)
the paper said you dominated the competition. Thats pure bull****. All the bands were good. And just like here you lied about my daughter and me. So you black listed us. But we are use to the persecution. Thats why I play LA. Oh we play alot more than we show cause your friends will try and blacklist us with our gigs. but you know all about that. THATS what this blog you wrote is all about isn't it. but we keep getting the hits and the orders for our cds. And lots of good comments so keep talkin. Hell our new youtubes got more hits than all your lame tubes. so keep lieing about us but in the end just like my trial I've got the facts!!!!!!!!!
Its a hell of a way to be a band But thats okay. We have 4 cds out and we're makin money. Got #5 on the way.
As for your music unoriginal cover band. What are you going to do when you cannot talk trash to win?
So bad talk us all you want for it shows what we already knew about you. Oh tell your friends that they helped me buy a beautiful place in the smokies. I would have bought more but one of our lawyers was connected to the slime and was protecting your friends.
Now thanks to your post a book I was asked to write will now be written.
So once again **** you and i mean it . if you want satisfaction have a second set up the terms. I hope your children do not have to be put thru what you and yours have done to mine.
see you in hell!

 

[BRR]

yeah, you guys spend a lot of money on the BOB and Warped tour... Everyone I know thinks it's great. We talked about planning to do the EB BOB because even if you lose the potential feedback and the experience in general is well worth it. I mean, we didn't expect to open for REO... we thought the local fans would vote a local group in. Just like being local helped us years ago at my college... Yeah, we had to play well to get the crowd to care because, whatever this guy might think, college kids will eat you alive if you even almost bore them... but, I'm sure it helped some at vote time that people just knew who we were. We thought that going there, playing the show, working with a VERY pro sound company, and meeting people was worth the expense and time whether we won or lost. Even the REO battle... after the local bands played... that place thinned out A LOT. We couldn't lose... we had the best time we've ever had on stage there... the crowd was awesome to us, and obviously so were the judges. (it was 49% crowd and 51% judges just in case a band played screamo songs unannounced or something...obviously REO Speedwagon would not allow a screamo band to open for them lol)

I guess I'm just disappointed in myself for being so disappointed about something that shouldn't surprise me. lol

The thing with Amber though just really bothered me... this girl was dressed in a black mini skirt and totally Motley Crue dancer to the hilt and she says that to Amber... and then when I'm listening to their live clips I see that video in the related videos and I'm like... WOAH...

I think the biggest thing is I just feel like I'm in the twilight zone... it's to odd to be real. lol

hey bipolar, thats the right name for your band! Oh why dont you tell how you had all your friends come down to vote! oh some other bands said politics were involve too. The kid band would have been the best band for REO.

As for Amber my daughter said Amber was given her dirty looks while she was sellin cds. Said only chez talked to Amber.
One thing ,you got a problem with two women playin their cat games?
My daughter is beautiful it makes alot of women jealous. Who the hell are you to stick your nose in. Someone should push that nose back thru your skull.
oh my daughter is real good at boxing maybe Amber and Nikki can have a match kinda sort things out or do you want to fight my daughter being the punk you are or should i say whiner.
You forget we have taken on crooked cops, corrupt courts, DAs, lyin twits,schools and the rightous. you are just a bunch of punks to us connected to the slime of texas county.
Start workin out ,young man like you should be in shape.
One other thing you made some statements you better be able to prove!
Maybe you can claim you are Bipolar and delusional.

 

[BRR]

The kid band had the VOTES!

Just got off the phone. The kid band had the VOTES so how did you win???
Lets see, You're the rightous band, we're the band from hell and all the rest are in between some where. Now I figured it out!!!
What did the one band say? "Its politics" !



As for Quiot riot. We played about an hour before they went on. maybe we were an opening act for who then? the band before /after us? if thats all you got your as lame as you look.