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Post by shhhhh on Apr 25, 2007 18:50:50 GMT
Dear Carlisle,
I was only recently made aware of this forum by a friend so I thought now would be a good time to air my opinion of this fair music scene just as my time in Carlisle comes to an end.
The Brickyard...it could be so much more if it was run by people with a clue. They seem to book any band who has a review. You're lucky to see one good band a month, if that, and the bands they do book are never promoted. Putting posters in the venue is a start but they actually need to get people into the venue to see these posters. I've not seen one advert in any of the local papers, granted this costs money, but so does putting on a band which bring in 10 people (I’ve seen this happen several times). Take tonight for instance, a band which seem to be fairly well known from what I’ve read; Oceansize, are playing and I can guarantee a poor turnout due to the lack of promotion; I haven’t seen a poster outside of the four crumbling Brickyard walls.
The Brickyard need to realise unless they book a band which are in the charts or all over Radio 1, you have no chance of an attendance other than a Friday or Saturday night. The people of this city aren’t diverse enough or willing to check out new music which they haven’t heard of and there just isn’t a big alternative crowd to support gigs like tonight’s.
Everybody knows The Wheel dominates a Wednesday night and there is no chance of competing, yet The Brickyard still try…and fail.
Carlisle has no promoters. Motive sounds put on a gig every now and then and the only other promoter I’ve heard of is Beating Planks, and they only seem to put on bands that appeal to a select few, but they try which is a hell of a lot more than what most of Carlisle do.
It seems like nobody is willing to put any effort into this scene, weather it be a web site like this one, which is basic to say the least, create a printed zine or if somebody has a little more ambition and balls, put a gig on in their living room or another venue at least, which is another thing…Carlisle really needs a smaller venue. The Brickyard is too big for the lesser known bands. You need at least 100 people in there for any sign of an atmosphere.
I never really listen to CFM, but are gigs at The Brickyard ever mentioned?
Carlisle will always be this way unless people do something about it, for such a small city, the scene seems to be so slack whereas Lancaster and even Kendal have great scenes.
Sorry if I have offended anyone and I may have come down on The Brickyard a little too hard, this is mainly due to frustration and I know there are a few people out there trying to do something, but it’s going to take more than a few.
Yours truly, Shhhhhhhh!
P.S. Without a dig at the band, do Stars and Track & Field have a residency at The Brickyard? They seem to play every week.
P.P.S The Brickyard needs new seats, the ones in there are sticky and wet.
P.P.S.S. I’m not aware of any practice spaces in Carlisle but if a few hundred signatures got you a skate park, what’s there not to stop you getting somewhere to practice? Again this means somebody taking the time and initiative to make a change…any takers?
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Post by Luke on Apr 25, 2007 19:11:24 GMT
Same old same old. Motive Sounds has been, at any given point over the past several years, the only real driving force behind any 'scene' in Carlisle.
What the place needs is new, young, good bands. like what kickstarted this whole thing & what comes with it - the all ages gigs, compilations, all that. a functioning, real record label based (for now) in the city.
You make some fair points about the Brickyard, but people shouldn't be looking to a venue to be some kind of centralised 'scene 'hub.
If there's no scene, it's becase people are either lazy or don't care, or both.
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Post by Blake SOT+F on Apr 25, 2007 21:46:31 GMT
P.S. Without a dig at the band, do Stars and Track & Field have a residency at The Brickyard? They seem to play every week.
No we dont. The Brickyard have been good to us, what you want us to do, turn gigs down? Like you said mate, theres only 1 real venue in Carlisle. Plus we play a different set nearly every gig, so its not like were turning up playing same old stuff every month.
Sorry but felt i had to reply. I agree it would be good if there was at leat 2 smaller venues for local bands, but there isnt. So, in order to gain a following we need to gig, so well keep giging. Whether it be at the Yard, Manchester, Glasgow or like last weekend at the Civic Hall in Whitehaven.
Anyway, rant over.
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Post by blair_omnibus on Apr 26, 2007 2:29:28 GMT
Everything you have said has been tried and will be tried again to the hard working people who do give it a go.
A lot of people don't like me, but i try like fuck. Last 2 nights - one sold out, the other had over 200 people there. But i have been busy up here in Glasgow. I will never stop doing stuff for and with The Brickyard because i think it's worth it.
There are people that have burst their balls for the place, Mark, Ben, Walter, Chris & Johnny to name the few that in know. Others like Tim and other house DJ folks also do a power of work.
Not sure where this is going but believe me, the people are there, just every now and again we all need a boot in the balls.
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Post by Adam SOT+F on Apr 26, 2007 14:54:18 GMT
Err just a sec there man. You seem to be overlooking the fact that aside from any lack of promotion on behalf of the brickyard or effort from any person involved with our 'scene' to catalyse a significant change to it (be it a new, improved website or opening of a smaller venue), we have some fucking amazing bands playing great music in Carlisle and getting on the road for the rest to hear it. We have a successful independent record label that regularly features in one of Europes best selling music magazines, among other publications. The motive roster for example is testament to the quality that exists here. Mr Manana are one of the best live bands ive ever seen. Tauntra have a massive nationwide following and tour regularly. Tree House Infidels write some breath taking music. And theres tonnes more.
Then youv'e got promoters like Mark, who does stuff other than Motive like Olio, which comes all over the wheel and gets a shit load of young people to see all the posters advertising gigs on the inside of our crumbling walls.
If Stars of Track and Field are a 'resident' band, fucking get in. We love playing there, we get folk through the doors, theres never any trouble, we get asked back. Like Blake says we're not gonna go turning gigs down because a few people are bored of seeing us - every time we play new people see us and thats what we're up for. If there were more venues to play locally we'd play them.
Finally, you seem to be in disbelief that noone has 'bothered' to develop a new e-zine for the local scene or done anything about promoting gigs better. Why haven't you then? Or are you just lazy like the rest of us? The Brickyard lists 90% of its events in the local paper as well as having a massive mailing list and Myspace bulletins and emails are sent several times daily. Same with Beatin Planks, Motive Sounds and Omnibus.
The only reason you dont feel Carlisle has a very good 'scene' or any organisation or 'hub' to it is because you're inevitably comparing it to the scenes of other cities, where much more media attention is focused and recognised. We're a small, isolated city and I think the bands, brickyard and promoters do a good job. In short, its really not as bad as you think.
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Post by Howlette on Apr 26, 2007 20:30:48 GMT
some good points made especially about the new seats but like people have said there are others doing things and maybe you can't compare carlisle to other cities? i'm looking into finding a smaller place in carlisle to put on gigs but more on that soon.
carlisle is changing, we didn't expect olio to be as popular as it is and now there's a couple of other 'indie' nights popping up, even pete tong is coming to carlisle and doing a live radio 1 thing which says a lot even if he isnt your bag. the skool aid gigs have a million bands playing and in 5-6 years i think the scene will be bursting at the seams. there's only so much a small group of people can do and i do think more people need to get involved. we'll see what happens.
good rant though.
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Post by jameslaco on Apr 26, 2007 20:38:13 GMT
Didn't Elton John play in Carlisle recently? If that doesn't help out the music scene, I don't know what will.
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Post by CSpacehead on Apr 26, 2007 20:52:16 GMT
Arsed. (Not aimed at you James).
Anyone who's into helping some 'scene' takes themself waaaay too seriously. I maybe used to think like that but at the end of the day i just want to put some good gigs for me, my mates and anyone who turns up is a bonus. Good bands, good tunes and a laugh. End of.
Some-one has came on and made some points which they argue quite well. So fuck. The Brickyard cant cater for everybodys taste can it.
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Post by Russell Infidel on Apr 27, 2007 0:10:10 GMT
I agree lots with Adam. Mainly cos he complimented our tunes! Cheers lad. But aye, I don't think it's as bad as people are making out. A smaller venue will be ideal once it's sorted, till then, a half full Brickyard makes me happy. Come down on 9th May for us and stars of track and field. plus some touring bands. but it's all about us.
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Post by richskiddle on Apr 27, 2007 9:56:23 GMT
even pete tong is coming to carlisle and doing a live radio 1 thing which says a lot even if he isnt your bag. Sorry, havent posted for a while, been reading what there has been to read since i left. Not bothered about the rant, just to correct u though Mark that Pete Tong isnt doing live radio one, he's playing one big weekend in preston on the sat/sun so the uber boys have booked him for concrete the night before. pete tong in concrete, awesome. not live though
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Post by Manalexees (yeahnewname). on Apr 27, 2007 19:46:40 GMT
Brilliant! A rant! Fantastic!
As I guess you are a late comer to carlisle, you dont realise this has already been and gone my freind.
There has been times in carlisle where a scene was happening in the 11 or so years I lived here.
I helped out a little with others with "Amp" in the late 90's early 00's which was great, as Dyer will agree Im sure. We had a fanzine and put on monthly gigs at the richmond.
Then there was Real stylish which put on some fucking great gigs at the wheel and richmond. With some genuine great bands. Thanks to hilly, for that.
later me and mark put gigs on as motivesounds and started up the website which is now defunct.
marks gone on to start it as a label with a pretty good sucsess, considering.
I now couldnt care less about a "scene". I work full time, have bills to pay, have a full time relationship and full time band commitments.
Bassically if you want a scene you have to do it yourself. it doesnt magically appear. I dont really stay tuned with whats happening scene wise in carlisle anymore though I keep an ear to the ground every now and then.
I was half hoping some new young blood would carry a scene on, but I guess the youth are too busy doing drugs, wearing hoodys and happy slapping their way through gang knife fights now days.
Maybe after these reply's you'll go out and start a band or start putting some gigs on and trying to promote it. I hope so.
Fair cop about the brickyard though. We've always said that since the start!
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Post by Manalexees (yeahnewname). on Apr 27, 2007 20:13:10 GMT
Sorry just to add to that. I didnt mean it to sound quite so disheartening.
I think we need to Congtratulate this mystery fellow "shhhh" as it takes people who think the way he is to get something started.
Seriously mate if you feel that way start doing something about it.
I really hope you do!
a new hope? perhaps.
Godspeed.
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Post by drgonzo on Apr 29, 2007 15:30:48 GMT
Good points my friend, but unfortunately you seem to fall foul of the very things you complain about. Which is sadly true of so many people in Carlisle at the moment.
You say the Brickyard needs to book bands that are popular, but also say that they book any band that has a review. How else would one keep track of popular music without checking out music press to find interesting new acts. Obviously there are not always good bands that are featured in the music press. I think The Fratellis are crap. But that's me.
As for booking bands featured on Radio 1, I don't think the Brickyard has done so bad for a small venue in a town no-ones heard of and thinks is in Wales. Arctic Moonkeys, Subways, Hell Is For Heroes, Biffy Clyro (twice), Amen, Oceansize, Mono, Babyshambles etc. etc.
You say that everybody knows the Wheel dominates Wednesdays. Why should it? Its mostly really annoying to be there on a wednesday, it takes forever to get a drink and there's loads of 15 year olds running around like headless chickens on speed. If people go elsewhere, the night will be the same, just everyone goes to the wheel because thats where everyone is. not that I'm saying everyone should go to the brickyard, just you don't have to go to the wheel just because its there!
People seem to put a lot more effort into complaining about the lack of a scene in carlisle than they do doing anything about it. Everyone that knows me will know that I've been saying the same thing for years. A lot of folk have done that, to varying degrees of success, but at least they're giving it a go.
What tends to let night where people put their own thing on rather than some bland Radio 1 band that will gaurantee 200 people but is totally uninteresting to people who enjoy music rather than record sales is that people have the same attitude that you display when you say "they only seem to put on bands that appeal to a select few". I know their taste is not 100% mainstream, but in places that have a 'scene' that you seem to wat so much, people are much moore interested in supporting local bands and local promoters rather than only coming down when their favourite band from this week's NME is on.
I've seen almost every local band that has played in the Carlisle area for the last few years. I haven't enjoyed them all, but that's not the point. They've all been doing their own thing, and that can only be good for Carlisle. There aren't that many new bands around at the moment, which is a shame. You're right though Alex, the Skool Aid gigs are always both well attended and packed with bands - which I'm listening to at the moment. They're not world beating bands yet, but there's some signs of good things for the furture. If there aren't people like you to support local musicians, regardless of the style of music they're playing, then there will never be a "scene" as such.
Incidently we're talking at the moment about doing a gig with a load of local bands that don't often get to play with each other e.g. RTS vs. Giant Loop of Sound etc. where we all play a cover of one of the other bands, and one cover of any song you want.
Anyone interested, gimme a shout
Mega rant-reply over.
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Post by psychedelicunder on Apr 29, 2007 23:26:28 GMT
yeah the "scene" was the people and many of them have all upped and left to get jobs, go to uni and all that!
im not suprised that new kids havent come along. i think i can compare it to when i was playing football at my local park in birmingham with a couple of mates. this park is huge, it was gloriously sunny, and 5pm. there were two other people in in entirety of the park, one of the biggest parks in the UKs second largest city. why arent there hoards of teenagers playing football, cricket, and getting out the house... i think its probably the same with the kids and playing in bands these days. perhaps im opening a wider issue but i think we all know what is to blame...
pro evolution soccer
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Post by shhhhh on Apr 30, 2007 15:28:02 GMT
Hello again, It's good to see some replies and that actually care about the scene.
Maybe on some points I am a little off, that's maybe becasue i'm an outsider looking in? Hopefully because of this it might make people realise how bad? things are when someone else, not associated with the scene has to point them out.
In reply to Stars of Track & Field, I see where you're coming from but it seems like you could be a bit more selective with your gigs rather than taking each one offered. Unless I am wrong?
Who knows, I might put a gig on myself, or hand out a flyer for a gig I have nothing to do with, every little helps right?
Shhhhh
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Post by Mogglesworth on Apr 30, 2007 17:38:05 GMT
i agree, pro evo is to blame.
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Post by David on Apr 30, 2007 18:22:24 GMT
I dunno. Before we we went to university, played about 8 or so gigs a year at the Brickyard, at least for one or two years. Thats pretty much once every 6 weeks, which I never considered being often as such. We very rarely wrote new songs too, so if SOT&F are playing once a month with new material everytime good luck to them. Except a few others, SOT&F are the only band I can think of who regularly play the Brickyard. If there's gonna be a scene, they're gonna have to play.
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Post by Blake SOT+F on Apr 30, 2007 20:57:34 GMT
Hey Shhh. As David said, if we play there say once a month, thats 12 gigs a year. Thats not much is it? If you want a scene, you need gigs. Theres one real venue and we try and play new material as mucha s possible, which is especially hard with our drummer 200 miles away. But, being the guy he is, he gets back as much as he possibly can and we work bloody hard to get ready for gigs. We often practice the day before and try and get new stuff in there.
Look at the bigger cities and bands. You think the Arctic Monkeys (or anyone like that) played less than 12 gig a year in Sheffield? Would they bollocks. Same goes for any band in bigger cities with more venues.
Thing is, we play to atleat 1 new face who enjoys it every gig i reckon and often more. We love playing gigs, youre the only one to complain (that i know of) about how much we play so far and i dont see you offering alternatives.
If we were turning up and playing the same stuff every month, fair enough, but we do mix it up as much as we can.
Anyway, my rant over.
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lurpak
I'm feelin it now yo, I made it to three, you punx ain't one-third as funky as me
Posts: 100
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Post by lurpak on May 1, 2007 17:55:16 GMT
Everyone that's in a band or plays an instrument; does some home recording; DJ's; plays in an orchestra, big band, concert band, brass band...skiffle band! Those that have the courage to finance a venue and book bands or set up a label and produce albums. Those that love what they do so much they take time out from whatever they do in their 'normal' life and get on the road to tour. They're all fantastic. They all contribute in some small way to the development of the music scene in Carlisle. Whatever that scene may be. It may not be the equivalent of other Cities. There are geographical constraints that are unique to the area. The Brickyard is a decent venue and unfortunately there aren't many venues that cater for bands playing original material. Does it really matter how many times a band plays there...they're playing and being encouraged to play.
I also play in a big band and believe me there are very, very few kids that continue to play after they leave school. Shame. So all of you that continued to play should be congratulated and encouraged to keep playing.
There's a number of very good bands and musically talented individuals in Carlisle so there's a lot to be proud of in Carlisle.
From a purely selfish point of view I love playing. When you see people enjoying what you play it's the biggest buzz ever. I'm sure everyone else would agree.
By the way, what's a cover?
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Post by David on May 2, 2007 11:47:28 GMT
I dont want to seem perpetually bumming my home town, but from what little travelling my band has done around the country, you come to realise what a great place the Brickyard is. Other venues in cities of similar size can be really fucking bad. Especially the staff, who often dont seem to know whats going on. When we started out I was a bit daunted by the size of the Brickyard, especially when its quite full, so I think its definately a good idea to get some smaller venues set up for upcoming and established bands who want a more intimate gig. But the Brickyard as a venue is very very good, its quite cheap and I've never been there when there's been a bad atmosphere. Maybe shhh can become their booking strategist. They did get Lord Bishop in. Twice. Amazing. And to be honest, whenever a big band rolls through town its great to see the Brickyard trying to push local acts into the mix. Such as Tautra with OPM...other examples allude me for now, but you get my drift.
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