Local Forum: Age Restrictions
from volume 02 issue 08 // James Ferreira
REAX Music Magazine is proud to introduce our new Local Music Forum where artists, promoters, and scenesters will discuss topics dealing with issues that are affecting local music culture. This month’s participants are Tommy Simms, the outgoing front man for Win Win Winter and Lily Richeson, the driving force behind Inertia!
How do age restrictions play into the way people view the scene in Ybor City? Do you think that not being able to cater to a younger crowd has caused some of the lack of local support problems?
Lily Richeson: Age restrictions are just that: restrictions. When a concert becomes 21 and up, or even 18 and up, you are stopping an entire generation of young adults from seeing and participating in local art, music, and a huge aspect of culture that exists in their own backyard. I believe all ages venues and shows are a crucial part of any community. I find hypocrisy in so many aspects of Ybor City and therefore in our local promoters and bars that participate there. A band can have members under 21, bring in people and money to a bar, but can’t get into the show on any other given night. I can even speak from personal experience how disappointing it was when one of my favorite local bands, The Candy Bars, had their CD release show at New World Brewery a few years ago. I begged to get in, was more than willing to pay, but was denied. It was pure torture standing ten feet away from a band I loved. I don’t think that people my age and younger don’t go to shows in Ybor because they don’t want to, they simply can’t.
Tommy Simms: Are we missing out on local support by not allowing shows to be all ages? Are you kidding me! YES! That’s just simple logic. If a demographic is barred, then you’re going to take a hit. But, this is not a lack of support; this is an inhibition of support. The LACK of support stems from the inconsistency of decent local bands and a bunch of fake music lovers. Although there are a handful of true to the bone music lovers, that’s not enough to keep us alive. Here’s an interesting idea for you to play with: we’ve all heard of this atrocious band from St. Pete called Crossbreed. These guys sellout State Theatre every other month with their ALL AGES SHOWS, and these guys are God-awful, I mean come on. Then come see us play, one night we’ll pack 200 people into the New World Brewery, the next we’re playing for barely 50. This is because people that become fans don’t come out and support because they’re too lazy or would rather go out to Czar or The Orpheum. It’s fuckin’ amazing that those two places can bring out hundreds of heads EVERY weekend to dance to the same 50 songs, and Dr. Dog can’t sell out Crowbar. That’s why I call you out as fakes. It’s your image, a facade. So FUCK YOU! Yes we need the all age crowd to fill your void.
Photos: Jen Moreno and James Kilby
Add a comment...
Took you long enough . . .
to reply. But you still haven't answered my question, Jimmy. Where and when can we expect to see Jimmy Reese, Jr. perform?
??
Wow- the "head writer" of REAX in a pissing contest on a blog. Awesome!
What band are you with, Jimmy?
Pray tell. Both Inertia! and win win Winter tour extensively (even nationally) and play the Central Florida area more than enough not to be missed. In fact, you would have to have a pillowcase sown over your fucking head to miss them. Please, oh great aging scenester, tell us your band name so REAX can witness what a real 50 person show of TRUE fans is like. I give you a day. My bet is you priss out on responding.
Bullshit
Response to comment #1:
I've been to shows from the time I was 16 to now, being 37. Have I been denied at the door for 21 shows? Sure- back in my younger days (when Ybor wasn't a drunken idiot fest of jar-head bars and whore-clubs) and all ages shows were the norm. Of course, we were playing abandoned buildings and deserted warehouses- so it was not as big of a deal then.
You couldn't in to see CANDY BARS? Thats your big argument? I am not affiliated with New World or the promoter of that show in any manner and I can tell you that the 21 rule is the BAR'S rule- not the promoter. And I have yet to see a flyer for a New World show that does not state this fact prior to the show.
It's interesting to me that you're crying in your under-aged drinking beer but are more than willing to play a show there. Why not stick to your guns and say, "FUCK YOU - We don't play 21 shows." My bands have done it- my bands have blown off shows on principle for less.
p.s. Your band sucks anyway.
Response to comment #2:
See comment #1 and maybe your band isn't popular enough to draw a consistent crowd. Maybe your "fans" are fair-weather friends. Maybe it's not the venue or the day/ time.
Some shitty band "sells out" the State? You expect me to believe that? I'll definitely do some homework on this one- but I've been to 100's of shows there...and have rarely seen one sell out. Britney Spears sells out arenas. Miley Cyrus tix were going for $2,000.00. Maybe you should open for them.
Perhaps you're just making a point....but do you want to play to 800 people who are there to get away from mommy and daddy? or do you want to play for 50 people who give a shit? Are you in it for yourself? or the pat on the back?
I go to a good amount of shows- and I don't recognize either of you. You must be too busy blogging to support any local bands.
p.s. Dr Dog sucks too.
SPOT
Let us remember that Transitions Gallery at the Skate Park of Tampa(SPOT) does ALL ages shows. I think it's the promoters who aren't willing to leave their comfort zone and branch out. Support local venues NOT local bars, don't you think that make enough money from the drunk idiots in Ybor!
posted Jan 24th, 15:46