This letter is in response to the Musicians Union article published last issue. [MLP Sept 2003] I think it is a great Idea to receive a minimum guarantee for bands, performers etc. But we have some deeper issues to examine before it can become a reality. Talk to just about any musician who played throughout the 60's and 70's and ask if they were doing all right, union or no union. Most of the older cats I've talked to said they could survive without a day job. In the 80's something went seriously wrong. Technology, greed and other forces have made it almost impossible to get paid. I've met club owners who shovel out in excess of $3,000 a month in insurance alone just to cover their asses from losers who drink too much, fall down and sue or worse, attempt to drive home and hurt or kill someone in the process. Somehow it's the club owners responsibility for someone else's sociopathic behavior. This isn't even touching on the amount of ridiculous taxes any small business owner has to shell out to keep the doors open. Most people don't know it but our keep the kids in school and perps in jail/ buy a baseball team tax has been levied extra on small businesses. (There was no vote for that one!) Long story short, at the end of the month when your good band that practices 4 nights a week draws 12 people on a Wednesday night, chances are there is no money to pay you. It's the classic American way of passing the buck. Perhaps an interview with a nice club owner would enlighten many of us as to how screwed up our culture has become, why music isn't moving and why our cities are rapidly becoming the dullest, most corporate "cultural centers" on the planet. Most club owners are people trying to get by like the rest of us. They're not getting rich!

Union, I'm all for it, but we have a lot of work to do and that starts with asking a lot more questions and doing a way with the romantic notion of a quick fix.

Jef Brown


“Yes to early shows.”

Hi there! Wanted to respond to your great editorial about having live music shows start earlier and on time during the winter. [“Editor Says”, MLP Sept 2003] I couldn’t agree more and applaud you for trying to raise the issue. We lose so very many potential audience members because of late starts made later by groups waiting for the house to fill which it doesn’t since the audience knows by long training that they can come late and not miss much yet. This is an important idea who’s time is long overdue and for fans who work day jobs or have kids or just don’t want to stay up half the night on a weekday..this would make such a crucial difference in their ability to come out and support live local music.

In Support, With Appreciation,

Jay Harris, PhD


“Move out of the clubs altogether”

We as a band have been trying to make some changes but it has been difficult. We have been able to talk some clubs into a 9pm start but one club in particular is now insisting on 4 band bills. It just ends up sucking for the 4th band no matter who they are. The best solution in my mind is perhaps getting away from club based shows and more things in places like Disjecta- all-ages, BYOB etc. I’m willing to help if you have ideas.

Kevin C (thebeforepicture)


“Kiss it thusly”
[In response to “Letters”, MLP Sept 2003]

The adverb thusly was created in the 19th century as an alternative for thus in sentences such as “Hold it thus” or “He put it thus”. It appears to have been first used by humorists, who may have been echoing the speech of poorly educated people straining to sound stylish.

*sigh* so much of my esoteric good humor is lost on you troglodytes... heh!

- Ken