When people put on shows, they need to be responsible to the bands, the venue and the audience. People can get mad at me for writing about this, or they can stop and think about it and hopefully make some changes for the better. Chuck Platt from Good Riddance , when he's in town, is another. Raji Rai , who books shows at Los Gatos Teen Center, confirms bands more than once and makes sure they have all the needed information. At the end of the night, she shows each band, on paper, what the costs were, how much money came in, what the center took and what each band is getting paid.
Bands deserve that much respect.
And yet, at many clubs, you get nothing but attitude from burnout sound guys and club managers who expect you to kneel before them. Indie bookers should be an integral part of the scene and an alternative to all this club garbage. But once promoters start playing games with the bands, they might as well join the sleazy nightclub circuit. When people act responsibly and business is conducted openly, things stay honest. That' s the way it should be.