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To: The Aberdeen Music Scene


Ross

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Actually' date=' yes. I've been to Jungle Nation gigs before certainly. I have every intention of going to see Piney Gir at SNAFU, despite the extreme electronica thing not being my exact cup of tea. I was also looking forward to the prospect of seeing Kasule at the Castlegate event, until I discovered it was the same time as one of our own gigs outwith the city.

Were you trying to make a point, maybe? I've even been along to view various bands you've been a part of over the years... And your musical style is hardly me now, is it...?[/quote']

I think you'll enjoy Piney Gir sir. :)

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just a point but, if you dont go to see a band because one gig you went to you didnt like them, how is it possible for you to tell if they have moved on, developed their sound/new songs, started PERFORMING rather than playing. IMHO to not go and see bands more than once cause of 1 gig is rather silly cause all good bands develop and change over time.

back in the day (90s) bands and friends would go to gigs they were not playing at and bands kinda new each other and who was doing what with which band. that seems to be lost now.

my 2 cents

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There's a difference as I said before between constructive driticism where you may be being critical but its telling the band what they can change to be more successfull, it can be for the bands own good. I also think that people who seem to think Drakes was the music scene are sadly deluded, there was a stronger music scene before Drakes came on the scene with regards to successfull bands than there is now, looking back there was the Dawn Treaders, and the Lorelei, both were playing big venues and doing really well. Drakes helped a lot of bands get on the scene but maybe thats not always a good thing. There isn't a lot of professionalism in Aberdeen bands, and i agree about ambition, you can get gigs outside Aberdeen and good ones if your original enough and try hard enough, it takes time and you have to be good but it can be done. I don't see harm in constructive criticism but saying 'you're crap' doesn't cover it.

Cheers

Stuart

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From my own point of view the state of the music scene in Aberdeen just now is weak compared to what it used to be like. I for one fell out of it to a degree over the last year for various reasons but at the same time still playing in bands <although not live>, still seeing some <but not enough> gigs and still keeping in touch with what was going on through this and other websites. It seemed that a couple of years ago there was more buzz, more great gigs and more reasons to get out and see bands. Then it started going a little stale for me.

The loss of Drakes is going to leave such a gaping hole in the scene...that should and hopefully will be filled...it played a very important role in my view and put on so many great gigs and gave so many bands a chance. But Drakes or no Drakes we still have so many venues...do people realise how lucky we are?

Personally I am getting back into it again. Going to al ot more gigs, getting my own music sorted out with my two bands. Writing, recording, rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing and rehearsing etc. I know it's never gone away... I'm starting to rediscover why I really enjoy the Aberdeen music scene. It is really good and has great people, bands, venues etc etc.

A lot of bands are flying the flag for Aberdeen in a professional way. MMW, Stayover, Cleartone and obviously a lot more that I am sure I don't have to type out....

Sure it could be better but I don't think there is a definitive answer? I would like to see it come together and get back to having the buzz it used to have. I am glad Ross made this thread and I hope the opinions/ideas put forth in it really help make things better. I hope we don't have to loose more things <like Drakes> to realise how great/lucky we are.

I know its still strong and I know it still has potential. I just hope that potential comes through more in future and it gets stronger. It's up to everyone to make the effort...

So yeah this post is just my own feelings on the scene from my own point of view. Sorry if you're not interested but I thought it'd be good to write it out.

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Guest Scorge Spike

Warning: this post will probably piss you off. I care not a jot.

Anyone ever wondered why NO ABERDEEN BAND in the last 15 years has signed to a major. (Assumes that Driveblind havn`t inked a deal yet)

Because by and large they're nowhere near good enough to sustain a record deal?

Time for a reality check - no one with any sense of reality outside of this inbred monstrosity is interested in a jumped up fishing village that got lucky' date=' nor is anyone interested in a music 'scene' crammed full of mailny diluted unoriginal guff which is still considered important enough to provoke people into demeaning pointless arguments. Any of the current flock of so called shit hot bands won't stand the test of time, and when they've just clicked their niche has been shot to bits, they will vanish.

I'll wager that in 5 years time, 90%-95% of the bands who currently grace these borads in one shape or another will cease to exist, either because a) they realise they're not good enough, b) they realise that commitment to your cause isn't going to pay the bills every month, or c) they grow tired of peddling a trade or genre which no-one gives a flying fuck about anymore. I still play mainly for fun but whilst doing so attempt to seek accomplishment. When that drive goes, I'm out.......

Bear in mind that music on this scale is really only for enthusiastic hobbyists with a shitload of money and a smattering of passion, hence why no one gets anywhere on the grand scale of the world.......

SO WHAT if you don't like a bands music..... rather than critisise it why not embrace the positive things that people do.

No. As my grandad used to say - 'No matter how much you put sheen to a shite, you can't polish a turd.' The only positive things some bands should do around here is split up and take courses in flower arranging......

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All I can say is that there is lots of back stabbing in the local scene, its sad. Fun is one thing, ripping the piss is another.

To be honest, the scene needs to look at the people who are truly talented and are capable of making it big. Dont tell me that a city with 250,00 has nobody who is capable of writing chart worthy songs. Pallas were the last "big" ish band from Aberdeen, pretty sad compared to bands like Texas, Franz Ferdinand, Travis.

I hope the demise of Drakes is a waking call and its death actually meant something

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I think this has been coming for a while, all the shit that has been going on for a while has to cease really. Its time for bands in aberdeen to start actually giving a shit about the scene and the venues in aberdeen i mean in a sense of actually going out and promoting your gigs, getting people involved with gigs again. Its very rare that bands make a big effort now a days for gigs as its (or has been for the last year) so easy to get one. No one promotes when they are playing, i mean not just on here, but its very hard to find out whats on in aberdeen unless you happen to have the internet. Venues i feel could do more but i guess its shouldnt just be up to them, at the end of the day they are doing the band the favour of giving them a gig.

I know this doesnt apply to all bands some now are beginning to realise this and are trying to do something about it but i dont think its enough. More bands need to do this. People wont just turn up to gigs i think that much is clear we need to make the effort to get people to come to gigs. There is a huge young audience out there waiting for something to get them involved, we had quite a few there the monday just past at kef these people are going to be the gig goers for the next 5 years or so promote and get them into your band or music or whatever it is you do.

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isn't that their job? i understand your point' date=' but the fact is, if you don't like the music playing at a gig, it's hardly going to be money well spent is it? i mean, if a band you really dislike were playing, going to the gig is just pointless.[/quote']

This implies that we, or any other promoters, make a living from promoting bands. I wish! Sharon and myself (and many others, you know who you are) love music, we love new music, we love extreme music, we love bringing bands to Aberdeen that would otherwise pass us by, we love listening to new Aberdeen bands that push the boat out, we get excited by these bands, we get excited by good music no matter the genre. We love doing this and all we wish is that people go out and listen to something new and/or different. We would love it if money could be earned!

I am not posting here to insinuate a selflessness. I have never given a fuck about negative opinion. I do however care deeply about music and Aberdeen needs a slap! Please do not call promoting alternative music a 'job'...

I think there should be a private promoters forum where we can unload our gossip... Oh the stories that could be told. :laughing:

Also.. to anyone that ever turns up to a gig and grudges a few pounds of a donation so that bands can get paid petrol money for the effort' FUCK OFF!!!!!!! No seriously... FUCK RIGHT OFF OR STAY IN YOU MISERABLE SHOWER OF SH.......!!!

(That felt good)

And Ross ONYERSELSON :rockon:

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Guest stuartmaxwell
This implies that we' date=' or any other promoters, make a living from promoting bands. I wish! Sharon and myself (and many others, you know who you are) love music, we love new music, we love extreme music, we love bringing bands to Aberdeen that would otherwise pass us by, we love listening to new Aberdeen bands that push the boat out, we get excited by these bands, we get excited by good music no matter the genre. We love doing this and all we wish is that people go out and listen to something new and/or different. We would love it if money could be earned!

I am not posting here to insinuate a selflessness. I have never given a fuck about negative opinion. I do however care deeply about music and Aberdeen needs a slap! Please do not call promoting alternative music a 'job'...

I think there should be a private promoters forum where we can unload our gossip... Oh the stories that could be told. :laughing:

Also.. to anyone that ever turns up to a gig and grudges a few pounds of a donation so that bands can get paid petrol money for the effort' FUCK OFF!!!!!!! No seriously... FUCK RIGHT OFF OR STAY IN YOU MISERABLE SHOWER OF SH.......!!!

(That felt good)

And Ross ONYERSELSON :rockon:[/quote']

couldnt have said it better.

i look forward to moving back to abdn and helping in any way that i can...

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A note empirical knowledge!

Bare with me, there is a point!

As an artist living in Aberdeen first hand experience of contemporary art tends to be very limited, getting better though. On the occasions when I have travelled around the country, and farther afield, to see exhibitions I am very rarely anything but uninspired.... My creative energies are alway envigorated by direct contact and stimulation. No amount of books, magazines tv and video are any substitute for direct physical and psychological stimulation... If you want to make music your life then go see it in all it's shapes and forms, learn and be inspred by watching and listening. This will support the local scene and may lead to fat heap of new and improved great bands!

Jim

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This implies that we' date=' or any other promoters, make a living from promoting bands. I wish! Sharon and myself (and many others, you know who you are) love music, we love new music, we love extreme music, we love bringing bands to Aberdeen that would otherwise pass us by, we love listening to new Aberdeen bands that push the boat out, we get excited by these bands, we get excited by good music no matter the genre. We love doing this and all we wish is that people go out and listen to something new and/or different. We would love it if money could be earned!

I am not posting here to insinuate a selflessness. I have never given a fuck about negative opinion. I do however care deeply about music and Aberdeen needs a slap! Please do not call promoting alternative music a 'job'...

I think there should be a private promoters forum where we can unload our gossip... Oh the stories that could be told. :laughing:

Also.. to anyone that ever turns up to a gig and grudges a few pounds of a donation so that bands can get paid petrol money for the effort' FUCK OFF!!!!!!! No seriously... FUCK RIGHT OFF OR STAY IN YOU MISERABLE SHOWER OF SH.......!!!

(That felt good)

And Ross ONYERSELSON :rockon:[/quote']

(Shaz does all the work by the way, but I'm sure you all knew that)

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i don't understand what all the big fuss is about. as far as i can see, the only people that should really care about a scene existing are

- venue owners and promoters

- piss club members

a local scene is pretty important for promoters so that they can fill venues for touring bands, so it seems. to whom else should 'a scene' matter? i should mention that i differentiate between a scene and any band's fanbase.

why should anyone care about a local scene? people should do what interests them, and shouldn't feel obligated to 'join in', 'be part of it', etc. etc. as soon as a scene needs looking after, it is already dead.

just my opinion, but when i think of the word 'scene', i think of something new, something exciting, something fresh, something a bit underground. so what exactly is the scene? is the scene a bunch of venues that put on local bands to attract audiences for touring bands? is the scene this website? is the scene the alt-punk-rock crowd that drinks in the same pubs and goes to the same clubs? i'm genuinely asking, what are other people's opinions on what aberdeen's music scene actually is?

a lot of people tend to look back at some point in time where the scene was in a better state than it is now. the way i see it, that is people actually being nostalgic about the first time they became aware of this music scene, and began to embrace it. in a way, this messageboard can mimic the music scene, by the way new members' behaviour changes over the first few months of them joining:

1. new member joins

"wow this is amazing! chat! chat! chat! i've seen you at gigs! cool! say hi to me in the pub!

2. more socialising, backpatting, and name dropping

"i'm still meeting new people, this is cool"

3. saturation

"this website isn't as good as it used to be, nobody talks about music anymore"

4. asks for username to be removed

"this is my last post, you can all go rot in hell you backstabbing bastards"

i suppose it depends on what you are after, really. the music scene holds so many different bands that have so many different aspirations and are of such different quality. i think this makes it difficult to comment on the music scene without being overly generic. for example, there are bands like MMW, AKA The Fox, Girl Said No, Eddison, etc. that seems to make clear that they have aspirations to have mainstream success (e.g. picked up by a label, begin touring, etc.) and would like that to happen immediately. then there are a lot of other bands that just seem to like playing locally and enjoy the sustainance of this music scene, whether it's this website, the alt-punk-rock crowd feelgood hangout sensation. then there are also bands that are just shit, really shit.

one of the things that annoys me about myself is that i've become almost conditioned to local bands, in that i compensate for their local-ness, compared to a touring band. as soon as i start thinking, "comparitively, that's quite good", then i know there is something wrong with local bands.

of course, every band has to start somewhere, every band has to learn the ropes, every band has to make a tit of themselves now and again, but for fuck's sake, don't do it in front of me. ross said something in his original post about how bands should act more professional and concentrate on putting on a good show, which is a sentiment i whole-heartedly agree with. however, i think putting on a good show is more than just jumping about loads - first things first - have some well written songs! maybe i just listen to things in 'radio edit' mode these days; a lot of time i listen to bands and think, "you're losing me, you're losing m....zzzzzzzzzzzz". a lot of local bands have some great songs, and even if i don't always like the style of music, i can appreciate a good song.

i suppose the way i think is, that there is no reason why local bands can't sound as good as touring bands when they play on the same stage - yet they very, very rarely do in my experience. and it can't just be equipment either, cos i've seen peeps in aberdeen with triple-rectumed mesa boogies and really expensive kits and stuff, yet they just don't beat the right sound out of them / make them sound like what they cost.

if people want to use the music scene as a launching pad for some sort of commercial success with their band, then... don't bother. instead:

1. write an album's worth of what you consider, and what someone else can objectively tell you, are good songs

2. save up money to get at least some of those songs recorded well

3. save up some money to make cds and some badges/t-shirts/stickers/fluffy bookmarks/whatever

4. speak to some fanzines/rock magazines and get hold of someone personally, and talk up your band and ask them if they'll take a demo of yours, pester if necessary

5. save up some more money and take all of what you have done so far on tour - phoning back any magazines / fanzines that took your demo to come see you if they liked your stuff and you're playing near them.

You don't really need a local scene to help YOU, but you do need it in other towns. so who does aberdeen's music scene really benefit? is it us? for me personally, it isn't benefiting me tremendously at the moment, though i do appreciate promoters working to create interesting gigs i have seen, namely things like chris-tt/jimbob/thomas truax, mountain men anonymous, 3 colours red, therapy? etc.

i'd just like to re-iterate that in my opinion, there is a difference between a local scene, and the venues and promoters that cater for the local scene, just before i get myself shot in the face.

i'm not about to tell promoters or venues how to do their job, because i have no experience in these things and would most likely be shit at it - however, i think it'd be great if there was a higher standard local bands should reach before supporting touring bands. a higher standard would mean more (healthier) competition i think - instead of having 100 really quite average locally playing bands with perhaps 4-5 high quality local bands, it'd be great to have just 20 really, really great bands, with loads and loads of bands waiting at the sidelines, practising, writing and practising some more, so that they could join the ranks of the really really good bands.

that sounds quite elitist in retrospect and would almost definitely never work in reality, however, hopefully it illustrates the point i am trying to make. two things you can say about My Mind's Weapon, irrespecive of whether you like their music or them as people, is that

1. they play and seem to act professionally

2. they pull great numbers to gigs at which they play

i hope that lasts for them. it's easy to compare them to Alyssa's Wish, and i can imagine that they could suffer a similar 'scene' fate. yet MMW seem to write more new tunes more quickly, which i think is an important difference.

my point is, it would be great if there were 10 local bands that acted as MMW are acting these days, and pull the number of people they pull to gigs.

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I'm big on professionalism myself these days. The last gig we played I had two spare plectrums.

I see the scene as being a collective group of people including bands and gig goers. This collective is broken down in communities (alternative, indie, jazz, folk) and further broken down into cliques of people who like to hang out together.

I think one problem is that the scene is too cliquey and not enough like a community.

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If any business closes it's because they're not offering what their potential customers want. It's no good ranting on here about how the 'scene' and the 'kids' should change to keep the venues alive. That's not how a business works. You need to change your business to suit what the customers now want. And if that's not listening to shit local bands then so be it. I really liked Drakes' date=' so i'm not having a go - just a different perspective.[/quote']

I run a successful business. It employs a significant number of people, has a decent turnover, and makes good profits. Unfortunately I'm also involved in a black hole that sucks up all that money. It's called The Moorings Bar...

A venue is not a business it's an expensive hobby. A bar is not a business it's a cost effective party. It is possible to make money from operating a chain of bars and clubs that cater to the mediocre tastes of the masses... but hey has anyone seen the scraps outside Chicago Rock every night LOL - yuck!

Venues don't pay, the basic economics just doesn't stack up. For example lets assume we got greedy and charged 5 at the door every Saturday, and lets also assume that there were 100 people willing to come along and pay that every Saturday, and lets assume that we were so greedy that we kept all that money... well in 3 years the PA would just about be paid for LMAO! [seriously] But back to the real world where the door money is charged by the promoters and pretty much ALL of it goes to the bands. And you'll note that all the promoters in town look like they could use a good meal. Espscially Paul and Kirk.

It would be so much easier if we could all charge Council Tax! *grumble*

Every band (well almost), promoter, and venue fully realise that they are on a hiding to nothing. Many fully expect that one day they'll be forced to close. This is about building a local music scene and trying to convince people that there's more to life than stadium bands. And the local music scene is not just about local bands, but about other localities bands that come and visit us on a shoestring budget.

See if it wasn't for people like us, the bands, the promoters, and the venues there would be no stadium filling bands... just manufactured pop. Every day normal (mostly) unaffected people around us are writing and perform music that is equal and often superior to anything we hear on MTV or the radio.

Drakes closed because so far we've failed in our mission to to convince enough people to come out and support the local scene. However aside from quelling bickering and backstabbing the local scene would do well to get itself properly organised before it is too late. See Drakes, Kef, Moshulu, Drummonds, Tunnels, and Moorings are not technically in competition. We're all striving for the same end result. The problem is that at present the market is too small to support us all. However in order for the market to grow choice must exist. There are things that the venues and promoters could be doing TOGETHER to develop the market... but we AREN'T. DOH!

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Guest Old Bonsie

Not enough people are interested. Its a specialist interest for a few people most of whom post on here. Going back to what Jimmy Calderwood said people in Aberdeen generally have too many distractions. And while we're on this topic someone at my work complained that the Cavern was 'freaky as its not exactly HMV, now is it?'. I think that quote says a lot about the general attitude of Aberdonians damm them...

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Im now getting seriously pissed off with all you whining faggots being all like 'no one can get a record deal cause we all suck' FUCK OFF all of you.....who fucking cares about record fucking deals.....seriously this may seem like a joke....but its fucking not....we are all capable of getting a record deal if we want to...all you have to do is make a great song thats in the current music trend and get signed...simple.....but its FUCKING BULLSHIT.....stop your fucking whining about bands in aberdeen not getting signed....if they want to make the music they want to and its good to their ears....(even if it is their ears only) then who fucking cares if they dont suck 12inch cock at emi? leave everyone alone....and if someone comes up with chart worthey music then hand shakes all round....

On another related subject....90% of people in aberdeen only have their self to blame for the demise of drakes....not only did they give ALL us local cunts a chance...they had good music on every night of the week and most of us cocks didnt even go....good examples: played with my band and fuck-offmachete...turn out....about 6 people....fuck-offmachete are one of the best acts scotland has ever produced.....i hope with drakes closing everyone takes a big 'fucking hell i am a cunt pill' and swallow it hard.....we need venues like this....thank fuck jim and shaz are still around to put good shit on for us....u fucking NEED them to make an impact on our scene...you abused this and you fucking losed this....its your own fucking fault....end of rant....please take 50 of my presious scene points away from me from opening your FUCKING EYES....

lots of love.... s h

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Hay your right who cares about signing a major record deal?

Cant really tell if this is sarcasm....but i really fucking dont.....dont get me wrong, if i get offered a million for making some pish im gonna take it....but people really shouldnt get hooked up on being a famous 'rock' musician...make music you like and if it takes you places then good on you...if not, who cares? just have some fun...

In the words of the great motormark 'this is art and its a dirty business'

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I have just read through this thread and have a sore neck with shaking my head....

There seems to be a cycle of blame that goes round...

blame the bands: its common to complain that bands get gigs too easily, thats a real double edged sword, young bands get together to play gigs, they do a party or youth club show and everyone tells them they rock so they start looking for a real show. Enter the promoters or people who run venues and a new band can mean money to them as they know full well their mates will show up in droves.

I saw Small Enclosed Areas debut gig in Huntly, musically they were great, but they were terrified....the point being, you need gigs to get any confidence or stage craft, a band will never get good playing Toms.

blame the punters: there will always apathy, it takes quite a lot to get Aberdonians off their arse and out to gigs, and we do have a fair proportion of clowns who decide that if they dont like it, its crap.....folk really need to accept that there is no such thing as bad music....its either music you like or music you dont like...Sidca of course being the exception to that rule :D but it makes me so angry when certain individuals seem to preach their dislike of certain bands or genre....its pathetically childish...you know who you are. As for the sad demise of Drakes....you cant blame the punters thats just silly, you have to give people the product they want in an environment they like or yer fucked.

Drakes was great when it was quiet, you got a seat, you didnt have to fight for a drink, and you didnt melt with the mental heat. Kef is fucked up because they removed the social seating area.

Blame the promoters: This is a tricky one, I have no axe to grind with any promoters in Aberdeen they do a good job on the hole, but the only ones who seem to gain any respect are the ones promoting what I would call alternative music

and i think they all deserve a bit for making it all possible.

I think i'll stop now...

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