[Dixielandjazz] Noisy Venues - was - Negative Peer Pressur

[Stephen G Barbone]

>  "Jim Kashishian" <jim at kashprod.com>
>
> Steve wrote:
>> But the main point is that if we cannot attract young audiences to  
>> "Old
> OKOM Venues", then we might play where the kids are in "Young OKOM  
> Venues"
> and see what happens.
>
>
> Steve's suggestion of playing where the young folks are may require  
> putting
> up with a noise level higher than many are used to.  Actually, the  
> band
> might have to be amplified to levels not accustomed to, also.
>
> Years ago a djmler & his wife visited us...can't even remember now the
> names...the wife was Asian & was interested in the little toy frog I  
> have in
> my studio (said it was good luck).  Maybe that will bring someone  
> forward to
> say who they were (from California).  Anyway, we were playing a  
> discoteque
> that nite, and I'm sure they were both quite shocked by the stacks &  
> stacks
> of monitors, flashing strobe lights, and a very lively crowd! Not  
> the usual
> California OKOM scene, I'm sure!

Spot on Jim. The noise levels in young peoples venues is very LOUD.  
Even if just a brew pub with no monitors, flashing lights etc.

About 10 years ago, the late Bill Gunter was visiting Tex Wyndham in  
the Philadelphia area. My band had a steady gig at a local brew pub  
and Tex and Bill dropped by. The noise level horrified them both. Tex  
commented that none of the kids were really listening and Bill wasn't  
sure what to make of the noisy crowd around the bar and bandstand. But  
he loved the energy of the place.

However, the kids hollered and cheered after every song, and after  
every solo. And I only amplified the bass and guitar, and vocals or my  
patter to the crowd between songs. Bands learn to play LOUDLY in such  
venues.

We had that gig for several years, 9 to 12 PM Wednesday nights, until  
the venue asked us to move to Saturday nights, 10 PM to 1 AM for the  
same money. Unfortunately, for working musicians, Saturday night is  
the "BIG MONEY" night and we couldn't afford to do that.

Same noise levels at The Farmer's Cabinet in Philly. Big crowds,  
noisy, limited space where you have to take care not to have someone  
bump into you etc. The Bookstore in Bethlehem is a little quieter, but  
still not anywhere near what most  "art form" Dixieland bands are used  
to. Most older fans would be horrified at the noise.

As an aside, Nick's in NYC circa 1958 was a lot noisier than most  
other clubs in NYC EXCEPT for The Central Plaza and Stuyvasent Casino.  
Those places were zoos with hundreds of college kids screaming,  
hollering, getting drunk and having a grand time to the music. I, for  
one, loved that scene. <grin>

Do the kids really listen? All I know for sure is that quite a few  
come up and thank us for the music between sets, and at gig's end. And  
that's good enough for me.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband