When it getting too much, let it sustain, and the rest will speak. All my body and my mind will focus toward just one dimension. Its the whole community that bring between the headache and high sugar. And what lies beneath both of the feeling is dellusion. Critisizing is the part of the solution and the other part will be the real action. Oh my, oh well.
So lets get this straight to the ass. I notice some of the things that should not happen for a good reason and for the real cause. Coz punk rock is a counter culture. Its shouldnt be chaos and broken, its about critical thinking, a common sense. Oh yeah! Thats should be the best word to describe it!.
We talk about an autonomous space first that always relate to gig organizing! I start a journey to one of the most famous venue lately. Why famous? Because I guess the space is quite big and because one of the memorable punk band used to play there and people start to organize gig down there. It is huge, with food stall and good space for people to hang up, talk, laugh, some already getting bored. Things ruin. Why? I might say that the location of the place is at where all this organize crime can be found. Police bribe, cheaters, rat, asshole, Chow Kit road. And it all created, controlled and served by the system.
There is a big banner state "INDIE BANDS" along with other entertainment serve such as KARAOKE, bla bla. Its more like a signboard. But its not really a space belong to someone who support an indie scene or other crap. They just used the indie name for their fucking bussiness. Thats why there will be a tough guy macho asshole who will ask you for RM 20 space rent if you sell distro stuff while there is no sign "pay RM 20 to open your stall here".The place have this controlled sorrounding. They used the place for bussiness purpose. Bussiness is ok! But this is more like a gangster, police controlled kind of people who own the places. Funny how punk/hardcore can relate with this kind of shit. You can see it in front of you own eyes. One story end. Here come another one.
I heard about the places rental is around RM1200 and it will be not included good specs equipment, just a PA and normal non-tube amplifier and drums. Good deal, for a medium scale gig that can fit more than 500 peoples inside. Other venue like noisy, cloth and cleth or paul's place will be much more cheaper but have a very limited space for a bigger audience. Dare I say that One Cafe (I retreive the name now!), is only suitable for a large audience show. While other venue suitable for smaller scale audience. Period!
The things that we have to look upon regarding to this matter is an ability of the show to attract people and making it fair for the organizer, "people who pay the ticket to see bands" and the bands who play. And I heard some of the hardcore bands start to demand a payment for a show. Let say RM 500 per show, without count how many peoples will come to the show.Demanding hardcore bands that ask for RM 500 for one show is totally bullshit. Its unfair for the organizer. We have to look upon the community first, give it a fair room for everybody to breath and having a fair evaluation toward what the scene is struggling for. Its not money that count. Its the community and how we can put it on hold forever.
The other things, dont ask for that sum of money if you cant serve a good sound for your band. Yeah, music always have a diversity, each bands have their own styles. We talk about sound deliverance. An amplifier you are using and the equipment you are using to deliver a good sound. Ok! let say if your band ask for RM 500 for one show and you guys still using the same equipment like other bands that play the same show, and having worse sound than other bands that play for free, then go to hell. Unless you bring ur own JCM, orange or other good tube amplifier to the show and give the whole spectrum of good music and showmanship, then it might be put into consideration. But, most of the local bands will not be that way. They just put a value upon themselves with stupid music and stupid sound. Thats funny for me. All this stupid demanding bands that only sell less than 1000 copies of their CD relases can go fuck off. Aus Rotten sell more than 10,000 of their ep never demands a shit from the organizer, than you can just back off. That attitude belong to mainstream for god sake.
Once i used to organize two big show that have more than 400 person attend. The deal is simple. I got let say RM 2000 profit. And 6 bands played let say. So the profit will be divide to 7 part, including the organizer (me!). So each band will get around +/- RM 280. Including the organizer wil get the same amount. So let say if there is a touring bands that need more money for the sake of tour needed, then make it like 30% to the tour bands and the rest share it equally depends on the bands coming from far away cities or nearby cities. Hardcore punk should not having this double standard things regarding playing show. Its simply bullshit and narrowing the path of making a good and healthy scene.
Dont compare us with the european or the states scene that will have a bands got paid in very good amount of money. They (the scene) have larger audience and people who support each other, buy records, and support the bands that came for tour. They keep the label alive and label have money to pay the bands equally and the scene is strong enough. They care about music and people bought music coz they still care about the impact. Merchandise like shirt or napkin or sock (ha ha) is cool too, but dont rely too much on that shit coz it means fashion than idea and music. Music is soul, fashion is just a physical nothingness. So support the local community and scene first then you can see things getting brighter.
Oh this is the story during all my experience went to one cafe for several gigs organized down there. Ticket prices should have to be in a sensible amount. Must be logic for the bands who played and dont make profit because we are just in the beginning of the making things good. We charge fucked up prices to the kids, and people start to see all this shit is crazy, then kids will not coming again to see the hardcore show. Dont cheat us with ridicalous ticket prices while provide a lame ass equipment for the bands to play. Please be reasonable and logic.
Take care and hiduplah gig untuk negara!
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absolutely . . thoroughly . . right . .
ReplyDeleteactually all organisers doing shows at 1Cafe were TOLD that the merch tables cost RM20 per day. So the problem here is NOT with the management but with the organisers.
ReplyDeleteThe show ORGANISERS should have TOLD you that before allowing you to open up the stalls. The quarrel here is not with 1Cafe management, but with the ones who hired the space.
One more thing; 1Cafe is a BUSINESS. It's not a non-profit DIY youth community centre. It's NOT Gilman Street. As soon as you realise that, you will understand the workings of such a venue.
The venue's shady connection with the authorities ALLOWS for many shows to happen there without problems. This is a PLUS point for the scene, whether it's DIY or not. Of course, it's unethical, but where is it that you find ethical relationship with the people in power?
We all deal with bullshit everyday, sometimes we participate in the bullshit so that good things can happen. It's the way the system works. Even Noisy had to deal with this bullshit too; only they face it in a different way.
1Cafe is a necessity to organise potentially big shows. That's the only venue we have at the moment which is not that cekik darah in its pricing. Anywhere else, you will be slapped with RM50 or more to open up a table.
Thanks for the write-up, and allowing us to discuss this.
Dear anonymous, thanks for the follow up comment. Im happy to hear something.
ReplyDeleteRegards to the PLUS POINT to the scene, yeah. Nowadays we are floating here and there for a better space. Malaysia is a police state and struggling for autnomous place is not an easy task.
But what concern me is the experience of facing a guy (who is one of the place bouncer) that act tough who ask for money like a policeman scared you on the street for bribery. Thats the things. Organizer had to be clear this out. Else things will be tense and blurred. There used to be MCPA hall that dont have this bullshit and its own by a chinese society that seem pretty more reliable. Its better if the distromen have an entrance ticket while having their stuff sell. Pretty much fair right?
And this is the only place I have to pay to sell some distro merch! so thats weird if u said RM 50 to open up a table.
And this is at one point is to gather an opinion to struggling for an autonomous places and at second one is to critic upon some bands that ask for money payment for their bands...
And setting up a prices like RM 25 - 30 for just a local bands playing there is not reasonable for that place. Organizer have to have this plan to organize show so the people will come. I dont mind paying RM 50 to see a bands that come outside that I like and they need a ticket fligth for that. Let say buzzcocks or Bold. Even seeing them in UK will be around 10 pound that will be a same prices. But show for local bands that cant attract many peoples, there should a reconsideration to be done there. I hope the organizer dont lost much money for a show. There should be a plan of what bands played, where the show organize and how the ticket would be fair.
thats for now!
fuck bands who demanded that stupid fucking "band free". that's total bullshit!
ReplyDeleteoh yeah, shall i add that they're being super fucking selfish? yes! to that kind of bands, please consider about others, there some bands who traveled as far as YOUR band too to play shows, but didn't get paid! what the fuck do they think this is? some kind of warped tour or something? fuck your warped ideals! and yes, i am angry!
ReplyDeleteand wan, thanks for sharing this. you should post it somewhere else as well!
Wan thanks sebab post tentang perkara ni.
ReplyDeleteand i would like to add,from the Organizer point of view,bcoz i'm an active gig organizer.
here it is :
Sebagai organizer yg DIY,apa yang paling penting diharapkan dalam ke"sukses"an sebuah gig adalah pulangan modal.Betul? jika ada organizer yang senang dengan kerugian sila beritahu.Jadi, yang selalu terjadi dalam curcuit gig DIY adalah selalunya rugi.Ini adalah pandangan aku setelah melakukan banyak survey dalam gig yg aku lakukan sendiri , dan juga yang dianjurkan rakan.Semua ini berkait,jika korang kata aku lari topik. bersambung..
Sambungan..
ReplyDeleteKaitannya?
Venue : Ada venue yg mahal,murah,besar kecil dan lokasi yg pelbagai.Smua ni ada peranan masing2.Sebagai contoh One Cafe adalah lokasi yang paling strategik dan mempuyai hall yang besar untuk show berskala besar.Tapi,harganya? bagi aku berpatutan dengan combo yang disebut di atas.U got what u pay.Jadi kebanyakannya penganjur yg membikin gig disini adalah datang dari rakan2 scene hardcore secara terus terang aku sebutkan "UnitedxFront".Sebab? mereka mungkin punyai modal yang besar dan tenaga crew yang supportive.Dan biasanya gig mereka punyai crowd attendance yg sangat ramai.Dan yang paling penting ketepatan masa gig dijalankan! tidaklah se-sharp yang ditulis di flyers,tapi tidak pula lambat sehingga 3-4 jam!Terima kasih pada mereka kerana sudi menganjur show berskala besar dan membawa berpuluh2 band luar yang disukai ramai.Adakalanya anak2 punk teringin melihat,atau mungkin ingin menganjur tapi tak punyai wang atau modal? kan? jadi dengan adanya mereka anak2 punk ini dapat berhibur dengan mana2 band yg UXF bawakan (bercakap mengenai touring band).
Ticketing : Anak2 punk yg dihormati sekalian,jangan marah atau terkejut dengan harga ticket yg dikenakan oleh pihak di sebelah "sana".Ini mudah,jika mahu datang lihat, bayar je.Kalau tak, cari gig kecil2 yang lain untuk berhibur.
soal pembayaran band : Ini yang penting,bagi aku sebagai penganjur,sebolehnya2 ingin membayar band yg sedang tour.Yg local mahupun luar.Ini pun bergantung pada kutipan ticket,apa yang terjadi sekarang ni adalah penyakit! penyakit menunggu sehingga saat akhir untuk masuk show atau gig secara percuma.Ini sangat menyakitkan hati.Dan menyakitkan organizer.Jadi apabila ini terjadi,kerugian pasti terjadi.Apatah lagi mahu membayar venue,tak kira mahal atau murah,ditambah mahu membayar band yang sedang tour.Apa yang senang untuk difahami adalah,crowd yang hadir yang membayar band! bukan sang organizer! Jadi duit dari para crowd inilah yang diharapkan dari sang organizer untuk cover venue dan band.Tolonglah aku merayu,jika mahu scene gigging ini kekal lama,bantulah sang organizer,jika tak punya wang untuk masuk ,sekurang2 nya bayar sekadar yang mampu,dan jangan pula ambil advantage atas ketulusan sang organizer memberi peluang korang masuk,nanti berlemak dan penyakit lagi parah!
Bersambung..
Sambungan..
ReplyDeleteSentuh dalam circuit gig hc/punk,adalah sangat jijik dan meloyakan.Ya scene kamu! dan scene aku!.Kenapa? Gig2 ini biasanya sangat lemau! dengan kehadiran band yang sangat mengecewakan,lambat berjam2.Menyukarkan gig berjalan dengan lancar.Dan paling best bila sang organizer ditanya oleh band2 "eh tak start lagi ke?".Cmon guys,Pada para band tolong bantu organizer bersama.Jika memang tak dapat bermain atau lambat jangan ambil risiko untuk bermain,kerana risiko korang adalah risiko penganjur!.
Para band sekalian,sebelum menerima invation dari penganjur tolong pastikan line-up korang betul2 free dari segala macam-macam!.Kelewatan walau satu band boleh memberi impak besar pada kejayaan satu2 gig.
Contoh,band "A" menerima pelawaan bermain jika show bermula awal kerana punya hal lain untuk deselesaikan kemudian.Band "B" dan "C" lewat tak muncul2 sehingga menganggu perjalanan gig.Crowd pulang awal dengan kecewa kerana punyai komitmen lain,Band "a" trus cancel bermain kerana kelewatan gig bermula,mengetahui band "a" tidak bermain,lebih ramai crowd pulang.
Ini juga mengecewakan crowd2 yang hadir sangat tepat pada waktu dan adakala sebelum gig bermula.Fikirlah crowd yang hadir kalau korang tak kasihankan sang organizer.Nak dipanjangkan cerita lagi,crowd adalah pemegang "POWER" dalam gig.Tanpa crowd benda ni suma tak akan jadi.Jadi jika crowd yang menunggu itu bosan,atau ada komitmen lain dari menunggu band , mereka akan pulang,jadi organizer akan kekurangan sorang lagi crowd! bermakna kurang lagi duit kutipan tiket.
Bayangkan jika ini terjadi pada hampir 30-40 crowd?!.Aku byk kali melihat kehampaan wajah2 crowd2 ini,kerana yang diaju solan bertalu bila band tak muncul2 adalah sang organizer.
Jadi kenapa gig2 anjuran UXF laku dan mereka punya modal untuk rolling?
Bak kata Nabil, "kau pikirlah sendiri".
//kecewa
ahahahaha . .
ReplyDeleteklaka . .
More feedback please.
ReplyDeleteJadi kenapa gig2 anjuran UXF laku dan mereka punya modal untuk rolling?
ReplyDeleteBang, nak cuba jawab boleh? Saya cuba yer?
Sebab band-band (local/touring) yang dibawakan oleh UXF ni sangat berdisiplin, pandai menari, performance tight serta diminati pelajar-pelajar sekolah menengah yang 'trendy-bastard-muka jambu mosh sampai berdarah tapi takpe ler awek suka' seluruh KL dan kawasan2 yang same waktu dengannye.
Cube bayangkan, dalam KL ade brape buah sekolah menengah? PJ? Subang? Kajang? Budak2 lepasan SPM pun same ler. Hampir semuanye mosher berkasut New Balance warna-warni berbaju POSITIVEPOSITIVEPOSITIVE bercap NewEra (tiada apa2 yang salah disini). Ramai yang tak tahu apa2, tapi pergi untuk ber'joget-ganas' & tersenyum kerek bile tengok awek2 sorak2 tepuk2 tangan. Aku tak mahu sentuh lanjut pasal ni. Sensitif.
Kesimpulan :
Jadi kenapa gig2 anjuran UXF laku dan mereka punya modal untuk rolling?
Sebab UXF sendiri memang cekap dalam marketing + promosi mereka. Benda tengah hot / IN THING - sapu je ler. Kan? Syabas!