Oooohhh, this burned me...

[bassman1185]

On Saturday night my band had a show at this weird little youth center in a tiny redneck town called Stuart. We've played there a couple of times before, and it's always a very surreal (but enjoyable) experience. The first time we played there, we were pretty much mobbed by kids asking for our autographs. The second time we were there, two little kids (brothers, I believe) were full-out brawling for like two hours. They were maybe 3 and 5 years old, but they were BRUTAL. It was hilarious.

This time, we played last after FIVE other acts, so we were waiting around for a long time. The band that played before us was a total Rage Against The Machine ripoff band. Not only did they do the same sort of funk-rap-rock with tons of effects on the guitar, the lead singer even pulled out a piece of paper and launched into a speech about how we need violent revolution and that "the employing class and the working class have nothing in common with each other." They played well, but it was a little bit hard to take them seriously. The bassist changed basses every other song, the drummer had a HUGE kit that was obviously just two cheap five-piece sets put together, and the guitarist switched over to a $25 garage-sale Harmony for one song, and then smashed it at the end. Either way, I enjoyed their set, and their bassist was actually quite good.

My band played a pretty good set, if I do say so myself, and had got the kids really into it. Now, we are a *PRETENSIOUS GENRE ALERT* post-hardcore/hardcore/indie band, and we are all outspoken Christians. We always make a point of mentioning our beliefs when we play, but not really in a confrontational way. Just sort of a "this is what we're about, and we would love to talk to you about it after the show" sort of thing.

Anyway, after we got done, I made a point to go over and talk to the bassist for the band before us. I saw him sitting down, so I went over and put out my hand. Here's pretty much how the conversation went:

Me: "Hey man, I just wanted to say that I enjoyed your set."
Him: (Gives me a contemptuous look and does not shake my hand) "Who are you?"
Me: (Hand still out) "My name is Zeb, I'm with Calvary. I liked your band. I was impressed."
Him: (Looks away)

Seriously, do you really think that's a good way to treat people that might be able to help you get shows and make connections? Does this punk really think that he's such a big freakin' rockstar that he gets to ignore his peers? In addition to that, my wife's cousin was at the show (her boyfriend was playing) and she said that the whole band was talking crap about us as soon as we started our set.

Ugh, just had to get that off my chest.

[RobertPaulson]

eh, people are assholes, and karma is a bitch.

p.s. I think my old band played a couple shows with you.

[bassman1185]

What's the name of the band? My newer band is Calvary, and I used to play in a band around town called Amidst The Affliction.

[mozarwasagenius]

Originally Posted by bassman1185

On Saturday night my band had a show at this weird little youth center in a tiny redneck town called Stuart. We've played there a couple of times before, and it's always a very surreal (but enjoyable) experience. The first time we played there, we were pretty much mobbed by kids asking for our autographs. The second time we were there, two little kids (brothers, I believe) were full-out brawling for like two hours. They were maybe 3 and 5 years old, but they were BRUTAL. It was hilarious.

This time, we played last after FIVE other acts, so we were waiting around for a long time. The band that played before us was a total Rage Against The Machine ripoff band. Not only did they do the same sort of funk-rap-rock with tons of effects on the guitar, the lead singer even pulled out a piece of paper and launched into a speech about how we need violent revolution and that "the employing class and the working class have nothing in common with each other." They played well, but it was a little bit hard to take them seriously. The bassist changed basses every other song, the drummer had a HUGE kit that was obviously just two cheap five-piece sets put together, and the guitarist switched over to a $25 garage-sale Harmony for one song, and then smashed it at the end. Either way, I enjoyed their set, and their bassist was actually quite good.

My band played a pretty good set, if I do say so myself, and had got the kids really into it. Now, we are a *PRETENSIOUS GENRE ALERT* post-hardcore/hardcore/indie band, and we are all outspoken Christians. We always make a point of mentioning our beliefs when we play, but not really in a confrontational way. Just sort of a "this is what we're about, and we would love to talk to you about it after the show" sort of thing.

Anyway, after we got done, I made a point to go over and talk to the bassist for the band before us. I saw him sitting down, so I went over and put out my hand. Here's pretty much how the conversation went:

Me: "Hey man, I just wanted to say that I enjoyed your set."
Him: (Gives me a contemptuous look and does not shake my hand) "Who are you?"
Me: (Hand still out) "My name is Zeb, I'm with Calvary. I liked your band. I was impressed."
Him: (Looks away)

Seriously, do you really think that's a good way to treat people that might be able to help you get shows and make connections? Does this punk really think that he's such a big freakin' rockstar that he gets to ignore his peers? In addition to that, my wife's cousin was at the show (her boyfriend was playing) and she said that the whole band was talking crap about us as soon as we started our set.

Ugh, just had to get that off my chest.

The kid is immature. Just laugh and say "oh, you're at that stage are you?"

doing a political rant about violent revolution at youth center seems totally innapropriate as well.

[bassman1185]

Oh, you used to be in Adelynne, didn't you? I'm enough of a nerd about gear that I recognized your Warmoth Fenderbird.

[Rickett Customs]

No matter where you go, there will ALWAYS be idiots and extremely ignorant people around. All I can say is don't let them rent space in your head.

[Changles]

Haha what if the bassist from that band saw this post? What would he do!? Probably look away.

[bassman1185]

Originally Posted by mozarwasagenius

The kid is immature. Just laugh and say "oh, you're at that stage are you?"

doing a political rant about violent revolution at youth center seems totally innapropriate as well.

Yeah, I don't think they had a lot of converts there... Stuart is in the Congressional district who voted in Steve King, who is one of the most conservative guys in Congress.

[RobertPaulson]

Originally Posted by bassman1185

Oh, you used to be in Adelynne, didn't you? I'm enough of a nerd about gear that I recognized your Warmoth Fenderbird.

yar that is me.

[bassybill]

Him: (Looks away)

Clearly, he's a total jerk. Presumably the rest if his band are as well - at least, your post gives us two major clues in that direction. Don't sweat it.

"The best revenge is living well."

EDIT - just reread your OP. Make that three major clues.

[bongomania]

While I agree that his behavior was immature and unprofessional, I also can see from his perspective, and I would have been just as much of an a-hole to you when I was 20 (or whatever back then). Angry political idealogues are anti Christian rock because Christian rock represents the oppressive dominant paradigm attempting to co-opt and subvert the spirit of revolution that can develop in the youth. In effect, the two bands (regardless of your actual personal intentions) are arch-enemies because of what they represent. And that meant enough to him, as an angry young revolutionary, that he saw you only as what you represent- not who you could be as an individual and a nice guy appreciating his band and being friendly.

[lowdownwalt]

Originally Posted by bassman1185

On Saturday night my band had a show at this weird little youth center in a tiny redneck town called Stuart. We've played there a couple of times before, and it's always a very surreal (but enjoyable) experience. The first time we played there, we were pretty much mobbed by kids asking for our autographs. The second time we were there, two little kids (brothers, I believe) were full-out brawling for like two hours. They were maybe 3 and 5 years old, but they were BRUTAL. It was hilarious.

This time, we played last after FIVE other acts, so we were waiting around for a long time. The band that played before us was a total Rage Against The Machine ripoff band. Not only did they do the same sort of funk-rap-rock with tons of effects on the guitar, the lead singer even pulled out a piece of paper and launched into a speech about how we need violent revolution and that "the employing class and the working class have nothing in common with each other." They played well, but it was a little bit hard to take them seriously. The bassist changed basses every other song, the drummer had a HUGE kit that was obviously just two cheap five-piece sets put together, and the guitarist switched over to a $25 garage-sale Harmony for one song, and then smashed it at the end. Either way, I enjoyed their set, and their bassist was actually quite good.

My band played a pretty good set, if I do say so myself, and had got the kids really into it. Now, we are a *PRETENSIOUS GENRE ALERT* post-hardcore/hardcore/indie band, and we are all outspoken Christians. We always make a point of mentioning our beliefs when we play, but not really in a confrontational way. Just sort of a "this is what we're about, and we would love to talk to you about it after the show" sort of thing.

Anyway, after we got done, I made a point to go over and talk to the bassist for the band before us. I saw him sitting down, so I went over and put out my hand. Here's pretty much how the conversation went:

Me: "Hey man, I just wanted to say that I enjoyed your set."
Him: (Gives me a contemptuous look and does not shake my hand) "Who are you?"
Me: (Hand still out) "My name is Zeb, I'm with Calvary. I liked your band. I was impressed."
Him: (Looks away)

Seriously, do you really think that's a good way to treat people that might be able to help you get shows and make connections? Does this punk really think that he's such a big freakin' rockstar that he gets to ignore his peers? In addition to that, my wife's cousin was at the show (her boyfriend was playing) and she said that the whole band was talking crap about us as soon as we started our set.

Ugh, just had to get that off my chest.

errr... uh... excuse me

Did you walk a mile in his shoes?

Being friendly is cool... judging is not.

I know a lot of christians who are friendly only because it is a requirement of their religion, not necessarily from the gut.

Just my take on it.

[Terry Funk]

Yeah, I guess that's one of the bad parts about playing out, constantly running into princesses and "rockstars". Take solace in the fact that without a complete attitude adjustment (and I wouldnt hold my breath on that, a person's personality is a person's personality, it rarely changes), they'll get absolutely nowhere.

[RobertPaulson]

Not really a good excuse, I'm a pretty ardent atheist, but I don't rag on or even dislike people that disagree with me, I usually don't even bring it up unless I'm pushed, in which case I have no problem pushing back. Hell i've shared the bill with dozens of christian bands and never had a problem.

I always found it funny when people such as this who spout about freedom and opression blah blah blah, only think that applies to people who agree with them .

If this kid keeps acting like this he's just going to burn bridges and no band is going to want to play with them (speaking of which what band is it so I know not to play a show with them). There is no place for douches in a local music scene.

[onlyclave]

Why are you playing gigs for 5 year olds? Are you in the Wiggles?

[bassman1185]

Originally Posted by lowdownwalt

errr... uh... excuse me

Did you walk a mile in his shoes?

Being friendly is cool... judging is not.

I know a lot of christians who are friendly only because it is a requirement of their religion, not necessarily from the gut.

Just my take on it.

I wouldn't say that I was judging him, and in NO way did I do anything insulting to him. I was just trying to be friendly, and he was a jerk in return. I think that the guy's actions spoke for themselves.

Also, I was not just being friendly to him because "I'm a Christian, and that's what Jesus says to do," as you seem to see it. I honestly enjoyed their set, and I thought he was a good player.

And Bongo, I know that his band and my band represented to essentially opposite things, but I feel like two people should at least be able to appreciate one another's music even if they don't agree with the mission of the band. I enjoy Tool's music, but I wholeheartedly disagree with their view of God.

[bassman1185]

Originally Posted by onlyclave

Why are you playing gigs for 5 year olds? Are you in the Wiggles?

You didn't seem to read my original post. These shows were at a small-town youth center. The shows were all-ages, and a few families come to hang out because there is really nothing else going on.

[Shovelbone]

Originally Posted by bongomania

While I agree that his behavior was immature and unprofessional, I also can see from his perspective, and I would have been just as much of an a-hole to you when I was 20 (or whatever back then). Angry political idealogues are anti Christian rock because Christian rock represents the oppressive dominant paradigm attempting to co-opt and subvert the spirit of revolution that can develop in the youth. In effect, the two bands (regardless of your actual personal intentions) are arch-enemies because of what they represent. And that meant enough to him, as an angry young revolutionary, that he saw you only as what you represent- not who you could be as an individual and a nice guy appreciating his band and being friendly.

Huh?

[Microbass]

We had a show a few months ago where we were asked to play 3rd out of 4 bands. The first band walked in thinking they were the big shots (Oasis ripoffs. had the attitude and everything). They weren't great. Their audiencec were brilliant though. Imagine a group of drunk "chavs" moshing to Oasis'ish songs.

We went on, had a great night. We have a bit of a gimmick, wearing skinny coloured jeans and matching ties. The drummer wears an orange pimp tux.

few weeks later, I found a review by the first band which described us as "Arrogant prog-grunge sh*te"

That is now the caption we use on our myspace page.

[Ampeg SVT]

Originally Posted by Shovelbone

Huh?

I get what he is saying, what he is saying is that the RATM ripoff band is anti-christian because of their political beliefs.

So pretty much those guys were picking on bassman's band and being complete jerks because of their religion.