no

man, i've often wondered about that. it seems like a big "not really". like it's just taboo or something? but i've always thought it would be nice to have another section, like how there's "general discussion" and "crap/not crap", to have another section called like "schwag" or something like that. with a sticky thread called "go see this band..." (where folks could rave about specific great shows that are coming up, or also plug their own shows if they think that'll draw anybody) another one called "check out this mp3..." or shit, even a thread with For Sale and WTB posts. or is that an ugly place to go?

does this stretch a little too far removed from anything to do with Electrical? or is there a held opinion of "no, we are NOT gonna do anything like that cause it's tacky" or is it a case of nobody ever thought of it, or is it just a really fucking stupid idea, or what?

but yeah, in the months that i've been here, i don't think i've seen more than just a couple people say "here, listen to this mp3", and i don't remember seeing any (or at least very, very few) cases of people plugging their upcoming shows. and it's funny, because i'd really like to know more about that. i'd like to know what people are playing in what bands and at what venues and all that shit. it's something i've found kinda lacking here, but i've just assumed that a lot of that kinda stuff takes place off the board, in emails or something.

i dunno, i tend to think a lot of people were genuinely happy to hear the new Neurosis track last week, so... at least somebody has proven that it's not an all-bad practice to offer stuff up to the disheveled masses. and i'm sure that there's folks who would love to hear about any upcoming shows of theirs, or of other bands here, too.

somebody pry russ off the bong and get him to put up a section where folks can talk about their (or other folks') upcoming shows and their new mp3's and stuff, and that way it'll be nicely contained and lotsa people who think it's stupid bullshit will be able to ignore it all easily, and the people who are interested will know right where to go for it.

BTW, if all or any of the ideas described here are actually implemented, i would like a $15,000 consulting fee payable in an even distribution of cash, hookers, blow, smores, and new pairs of shoes. oh, and a hug.

toomanyhelicopters, to my amazement, wrote:put up a section where folks can talk about their (or other folks') upcoming shows and their new mp3's and stuff, and that way it'll be nicely contained and lotsa people who think it's stupid bullshit will be able to ignore it all easily, and the people who are interested will know right where to go for it.

I had just considered this idea last night. It would be nice to see a shows section or a shows calendar. It would be just another way to, as Biznono has said, "spread lovemaking to the world", and I think people would handle it the right way. I see no problem with someone saying, "Hey, my rock band is playing on Saturday. There is an mp3 at www.myrockband.com. Check it out."

Would I post show information at this site? Maybe, but probably not. But other bands might get some kindred souls at their shows, and that's a good thing. I mean, if you're in Chicago, you pretty much get the Reader calling you personally to remind you "Yes, Silkworm will be at the Abbey Pub tonight!", which is totally great, but you might also like to know when New Black is playing. Or maybe you would like to hear STNNNG. Or Century Rocket Building. Or Shellac.

Plus, good bands and good people should have people at their shows. I've seen enough bullshit masochistic "we played in front of ten people in Denver and it was great!" comments this week to hold me for awhile.

There are certainly other places to post show information and talk about bands. But I think that it would add to the great information exchange provided by this little website to have a band whoring area. Why not? The people here seem cool. Plus, I trust that anybody who got creepy or pushy about things would probably get boxpunched right out of here.

i meant to say 'yes'

tmidgett wrote:i meant to say 'yes'

Yes, no. Same thing.






I am guilty of this, but the mp3 I linked to was in reference to a song recorded at EA, so I thought it was cool.

I really like the way the drums came out in Kentucky.

It's sort of opening up a can of worms. I agree with everything said here, but I also visit the punk planet forums now and again and it's pretty bad there.

You'll see a lot of posts from people who've only posted one message saying
"Hey, if you like the Ramones, You'll love Crazy Louie and the Middle Fingers! Check out our MP3's at blah blah blah or sign up to join our street team."

That can get a little depressing after a while. I like that this board is relatively narrow focused and most posts are either constructive or entertaining.

But, I'd also like to know more about some of the bands and activities that people are involved in here.

A new section would be good for that.

I think it's fine as long as it's done by folks who read and participate in the forums regularly. Otherwise it comes off as spam, which no-one ever really likes. That's the way it is over at the forum I moderate; if it's a one-shot "check out the best unsigned band in the world!" post, then I'll axe it. But if it's by someone who is obviously interested in the forum itself, then it's fine. It's hard to define, but you can always tell when it's spam.

Another good method is to have a link in your sig. That way, if you're interesting, people will come and check out your wares without you cramming them down their throats.

bradley-

thanks for the call out. (hey everybody, come see my rocking show this weekend! it'll be AWESOME!)

i've always figured if people are in bands or are have studios that they are proud enough of to put in public, they'll have the www link portion of thier profile filled out. if a person on a messageboard strikes me as having interesting things to say (or perhaps if they're a total douche) i'll check out thier link to see what they're up to (or to gather more reasons not to like them). presumably your web site will have any upcoming shows, option for a mailing list, and mp3s. links in a signature file don't bother me either. it says, hey - if you're interested, you can find out more info easily here, if not that's cool - and i'm not all up in your shit.

whatever. but, the flipside is that not everyone promotes thier stuff. for example - you should go see the bitter tears, who greg would probably never tell you about himself. they are great. http://www.thebittertears.com/ you would have known they played tonight and could have seen him rock the trombone if there were some sort of electrical calendar. but having read this thread now, you can just add yourself to thier mailing list so you know when they play next time. how could you not like this band?

http://www.thebittertears.com/photos/bittertears2.jpg

see, it's ok for brad to say you should check out my band, and i can say check out greg's band because it's unsolicited advertising. you just don't know that really this whole thread was started via PMs as a way to orchestrate a huge media event. it's ok to do whatever you want. who the hell cares. fuck it. i can't believe i spent this much time replying to this thread - i need a life.

edit: e_shaun - i just realized i said in a novel what you said in 3 lines. concise online communication isn't my forte - i apologize to all.

hey bomberz, maybe that wasn't fair of me to use you as an example, it seems like i maybe put you on the defensive? so i apologize if that was a dickface move on my part. i was just using it as an example of how sharing can be a great thing.

but i seriously doubt anybody thinks of it as you being "guilty" in your sharing that mp3, y'know? even if it had been recorded in your basement, i tend to think lotsa people would still love to hear it.

hell yeah, the fact that it was recorded at electrical makes it totally no question that it's cool. plus, with an 18-to-2 Not Crap rating, WTF?!?! SHARE IT!

Bradley poignantalicized:

Plus, good bands and good people should have people at their shows.

i couldn't agree more. as soon as i'm back in chicago, i plan on checking all you motherfuckers out.