His Majesty Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 I used to enjoy the Lifestyle and Juice nights there at the end of the 90's, then a few years later playing gigs with the Stac-set, simons gall etc. Dumping their staff in the shit a few weeks before Christmas though!?... heartless bastids! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripey Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 Dumping their staff in the shit a few weeks before Christmas though!?... heartless bastids!I heard from a member of the board today who wasn't even aware of this until someone sent him a text at lunchtime..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Stax Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 I used to enjoy the Lifestyle and Juice nights there at the end of the 90's, then a few years later playing gigs with the Stac-set, simons gall etc. Dumping their staff in the shit a few weeks before Christmas though!?... heartless bastids!This who I think it is Not a lot of choice for them regarding you latter point I'm afraid. As much as it sucks it is illegal to knowingly trade if unable to pay you creditors. They will have continued to trade up to last nights meeting in the hope that an offer of support would be forthcoming from the council. It wasn't in a manner suitable for the future of the business and they had no choice but to close. As bad and shit as it is it is the law that states this happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
His Majesty Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 This who I think it is Tis the elfin one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk Rocker Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 I used to enjoy the Lifestyle and Juice nights there at the end of the 90's, then a few years later playing gigs with the Stac-set, simons gall etc. Lifestyle - good shit! You remember The James Taylor Quartet there? What about Gil Scott Heron? That's one of may fave gigs of all time:up: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bluesxman Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 The extortionate ticket prices charged at times should lead to no surprises that attendances weren't what they could have been. There were several gigs I probably would have gone to if the price had been less. I've been to many good gigs there over the years but I agree with Twojoe, ultimately the layout sucked. In fact quieter attendances at least meant you could get something resembling a view. I'm sure The Tunnels can absorb some of The Lemon Tree type acts, The Fall gigs this year being an example. And they had a decent deal on tickets, if they had been at the Lemon Tree you could have added at least a 3rd of the price per ticket on again.Anyway - Godspeed You Black Emperor!, Sigur Ros, Fly Pan Am, Low, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Clinic, Handsome Family, The Lemonheads, Icarus Line, Sons And Daughters, The Kills, Part Chimp, Th' Legendary Shack Shakers, Acoustic Ladyland, Broadcast, Half Man Half Biscuit, Alabama 3, Stiff Little Fingers, probably loads more I've forgotten, all good reasons for The Lemon Tree to have existed and the loss of any music venue around here is sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 Sad dayWhatever the ins and outs Aberdeen will be the poorer for the loss of this venue. Thanks for all the great times and good luck to all the staff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panda Strong Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 The (ex) staff were out in force in town today getting folk to sign a petition. I signed it, but what good will come from it, who knows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kernel Loaf Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 Lifestyle - good shit! You remember The James Taylor Quartet there? What about Gil Scott Heron? That's one of may fave gigs of all time:up:What the fuck! They played in Aberdeen? When? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Banacek Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 I've watched enough ER to know that you only try to resuscitate the patient so many times before you pronounce them dead. The Council made the right call on this. They shouldn't have to keep throwing 250k plus at the venue. If it was a purely private venture it would have been finished years ago, the Council have merely given it a massive stay of execution.For the chair of the board to state on STV that he thinks the Council has failed the Lemon Tree is absolutely ridiculous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Stax Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 For the chair of the board to state on STV that he thinks the Council has failed the Lemon Tree is absolutely ridiculous.He didn't?! The Lemon Tree failed the city, could be an argument...I think most will see what happened for what it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trippingflags Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 this IS bad news!I never ever saw any posters for the Lemon Tree gigs outwith the venue. (Sure I can check the interweb thingy for gigs , but hey, things like that aren't always on my mind). But, I always see posters for the likes of The Tunnels gigs.Cafe Drummond probably gets a lot of business due to its geography. Stick it out near mounthooly, and it wouldn't get the passing trade.I think someone earlier mentioned the LT security. Its been an annoyance to me for many years. I almost got to the point that I thought they actually enjoyed disturbing customers about where they stood and where they leaned against. For that reason, ?I almost preferred Mosholu. At least I felt like I was at a live gig - and not an "airport foyer" as someone else pointed out.But , for all the mistakes, faults etc, it will be a great loss. And on the back of Fopp going, I feel very sorry for the staff. oh and my heart goes out to "Hells Bells" - where the f*ck are they going to play now? Aberdeen survived The Venue's closure... or did it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stichman Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 not really surprised at all. I remember a couple of years ago when they had that problem with a certain manager. . . They found around 50,000 worth of uncashed checks in the former manager's desk drawer. I also remember being told that they were paying 100 to 200 to bands for playing lunch time gigs, when the place was empty? Whats that about? Last time i played in front of around 250 people at the wishbone ash gig and only got 50. Only 40 after they charged us to use their amps - we had to as the gig was only confirmed literally two days before. So yeah, i'd put it down to shite management.Aye, we got offered 150 to do a lunctime slot next February. I've been to a few in the past and there was literally about 6 people there. That's what I mean about throwing money away, regardless if it was provided by Shell or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachie Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 I've watched enough ER to know that you only try to resuscitate the patient so many times before you pronounce them dead. The Council made the right call on this. They shouldn't have to keep throwing 250k plus at the venue. If it was a purely private venture it would have been finished years ago, the Council have merely given it a massive stay of execution.For the chair of the board to state on STV that he thinks the Council has failed the Lemon Tree is absolutely ridiculous.I thought it said in the news stories that the council offered help but the LT board rejected it? You can't really blame the council in that respect.Gah, regardless it's still sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 A fantastic venue gone I will admit to not having gone to too many gigs there in the last while, A varied schedule and some dodgy promotion at times meant I usually missed the bands I would have gone to see...Hopefully will take the reigns and take the place over, even if it is under another name I am sure the place could do fantastically with some good planning.David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bob Double Jack Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 marj is ace - top stage manager.i went to see curtis stigers there on 9/11, and he was surprisingly good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mordred Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 Sad news indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metarie Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 I thought it said in the news stories that the council offered help but the LT board rejected it? You can't really blame the council in that respect.Gah, regardless it's still sad.I think it meant the council board of entertainment, might be wrong though.Anyways, I would like to say that I am by no means blaming the public for the closure of the Lemon Tree, I'm only saying that venues need a certain amount of support and that means bums on seats. Incidentally, the bar has been maing a profit recently and it's a shame that the council didn't take recent gigs and such like into equation. To be honest, I find it surprising that in the first day the Lemon Tree have had shit loads of support (money donated and signatures on petitions). All I can think is where were all these folk when it came to gigs and events?Sorry if I've some across as self rightous or whatever but I'm seriously pissed about this, some of my best friends and people I used to work with are out of a job all of a sudden and quite frankly I think it could have been avoided.It's with that that I bow out of this thread and encourage any of you who feel strongly about this to donate money or offer any services you think might be useful to a fundraiser to the offical Save The Lemon Tree Campaign, regardless of what your opinions are of my posts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Waltz Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!Dave get the hell outta there!Nothing is sacred! Aberdeen is f**kedIts only a couple of venues away from turning into Dundee.Thank the great horned one (Hen) you still have the tunnels.Man thats a frickin' disaster. I loved playing there more than anywhere else (except Drakes).The sound system was so good even Solaris sound brilliant there.Saw Fugazi, The Wedding Present, Julian Cope, John Martyn, Drugstore & so many more great acts there that weren't "big" enough for the music hall.On the positive side I guess the Tunnels & Moshulu will probably benefit but stll that sucks the big one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
framheim Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!Dave get the hell outta there!Nothing is sacred! Aberdeen is f**kedIts only a couple of venues away from turning into Dundee.Thank the great horned one (Hen) you still have the tunnels.Man thats a frickin' disaster. I loved playing there more than anywhere else (except Drakes).The sound system was so good even Solaris sound brilliant there.Saw Fugazi, The Wedding Present, Julian Cope, John Martyn, Drugstore & so many more great acts there that weren't "big" enough for the music hall.On the positive side I guess the Tunnels & Moshulu will probably benefit but stll that sucks the big one.that bit about dundee made me giggle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bluesxman Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 To be honest, I find it surprising that in the first day the Lemon Tree have had shit loads of support (money donated and signatures on petitions). All I can think is where were all these folk when it came to gigs and events?Same place they were for the other posts, thinking tickets were generally too expensive to provide passing interest trade? Bit of a difference between paying 20-odd quid for a gig and signing a piece of paper.What is the petition supposed to achieve out of interest? Who is it directed at? Because if i've read correctly the council offered money that the board rejected....whose mind is it supposed to sway? Where is the money collected going towards? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mordred Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 I think it meant the council board of entertainment, might be wrong though.Taken from the Press & Journal story:- Councillors agreed unanimously that the venue should be offered the chance to take out a loan from the city council administered Aberdeen Business Enterprise Scheme, or the Lemon Tree could have had its overdraft facility underwritten up to a new limit by the local authority.Neither option was taken up by the board.Full story can be found Here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest -becky- Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 I always felt there was an insular approach to the way the Lemon Tree marketed and promoted its products, and frankly, you have just highlighted this completely.It's ridiculous to suggest that Metarie's (ex bar staff who is expressing her personal feelings/opinions) comments are reflective of the Lemon Tree's marketing strategy. Ok, this is all you have to go on and yes it's regrettable that a spokesperson is yet to issue a statement on behalf on the Lemon Tree. Bear in mind that what is in the press today is indicative of what was decided at half past 7 last night by a shocked (nevermind whether it was going to happen sooner or later) Board of Directors and that general staff (ie. marketing) were not given the opportunity to issue a statement at that point. And let's face it, it's not their jobs to do so anymore, nor is it likely to be their immediate commitment to aberdeenmusic.com to let them know.Obviously it's not the punters' fault the Lemon Tree closed! and yes it was the Lemon Tree's job to book and promote an arts programme. However there is an argument to be made that for an arts organisation to flourish, there needs a vibrant music and arts scene in place which can only evolve from efforts to help support/promote one. IMP springs to mind. I thought it said in the news stories that the council offered help but the LT board rejected it? You can't really blame the council in that respect. The bottom line is that yesterday the council cut all funding. The council then offered the Board the chance of a loan from the city council's Aberdeen Business Enterprise Scheme or an extended overdraft facility. This time the debt incurred from this loan would lie directly with the individuals on the Board. As others have pointed out on this thread, there had to be a cut off point and that was it. The Lemon Tree was actually doing better financially over the last two years than it has in the past. Albeit, to receive council funding, a CHARITABLE organisation (that's what the lemon tree entirely was) has to justify its arts programme to the council - it cannot be seen to be largely indulging in commercial activity. A small allowance is made for bar profit as let's face it, events have to have catering... Another point to be made.. the absence of drinks promotions are (wah! i keep saying are instead of were) so because of the very fact that the lemon tree was a charitable organisation.Ok, people can argue that it could have been managed better and there's scope for a better arts venue encompassing theatre, development, music, comedy. But a solely charitable one? People are right, being what it was, there were problems from the start.As someone (happen to be a now ex-employee ) who is truly passionate about the Lemon Tree as an arts organisation, it's amazing to see the support of people who are also devastated at the loss of the Lemon Tree and what it means for arts culture in Aberdeen. Re: the posts about top 10 lemon tree gigs , too right we should celebrating the Lemon Tree's achievements, the building has seen some incredible acts and........AS THERE ARE STILL 14 DAYS BEFORE THE LEMON TREE GOES INTO LIQUIDATION, who knows what could happen.. **This is far from a statement from The Lemon Tree, just the viewpoint of a now ex member of staff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackisler Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Taken from the Press & Journal story:- Councillors agreed unanimously that the venue should be offered the chance to take out a loan from the city council administered Aberdeen Business Enterprise Scheme, or the Lemon Tree could have had its overdraft facility underwritten up to a new limit by the local authority.Neither option was taken up by the board.Full story can be found HereThat is just one example of the completely inaacurate reporting by the press and sly and underhand way in which the council have handled this.Two very important points have been missed. The council's ONLY offer was a short term loan of 250k on the basis that each of the 10 board members personally put up a guarantee of 25k from their own pockets. The council simply did not make the reported second offer and the one that they did make was untennable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
french_disko Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 The thing that bugs me most is that we've been here before with the LT - check this thread out from May 2004. http://www.aberdeen-music.com/forums/other-clubs-venues/12293-lemon-tree-drinking-last-chance-saloon.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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