Great Band Performance tainted at the Empty-headed Space Theatre - by N.L. Belardes
Why is it that controversy always follows Three Chord Whore? I just love this band. There’s always something in the mix with these dark angels of post-grunge angst. They’re angry, they’re loud, and they’re a hell of a good time with their rock star attitudes, loud grungy style, and a bass drum that even Gus of the Filthies had to touch.
Gus bowing down and touching Shantell's bass...
“I just had to touch it one time,” Said guitarist for the Filthies. I warned him about Shantell with those drumsticks, but he insisted on daring the personal space of these rock vixens for a closer look.
Speaking of controversy and Three Chord Whore, there’s the Nate Berg battle that Shantell mentioned just before the show, “I’m just tired of that whole battle, but I do want to make clear that I’m not an orange picker!” she said in reference to a brief diatribe by Jerry’s Pizza promoter Nate Berg, who likened everyone involved in a Boycott against playing at Jerry’s as some kind of loser field workers. I hope he realizes that here in the valley there are a whole lot of folks who work hard so he can have food on the table, and who would take serious offense to belittling the Mexican, Phillipino and other migrants of the San Joaquin farmland.
Other controversy: Then there’s guitarist Heather’s back that is completely out of whack. She was clearly distraught on Wednesday night but still had the toughness to get on stage and play. “I was at work and…” And, do you want to hear how she hurt her back, or do you want to hear how tough this girl is for standing with a big guitar strapped on and pain clearly on her face while she strummed a few chords for grunge-sister-in-crime Shirl to scream to the crowd?
I’m telling you, you have to love frontgirl Shirl. She seems like she’s going to be a little sarcastic when you meet her: a bit reserved, friendly of course, with those great dimples. But then the music starts. She’s raucous, she’s got attitude, and she’s funny as hell. Really all the bandmates are hilarious. They play off each other well and have a very loud sound that gets the crowd yelling for more of their antics. The music? Its grunge, it tears into you with some loud vocals reminiscent of Courtney Love, and with that same grunge “I don’t care, piss off” attitude that is fun to watch with this genre of music.
The unnamed controversy: As far as the tainting that went on during the show? Well for an all-ages show there was some crap being sold, some off-shirts being worn, some announcements made that had nothing to do with the bands performing, but had everything to do with certain people running the show that had me never wanting to come back. Let’s just say it had me leaving thinking, “What kind of empty-headed venue that is in jeopardy of going under allows…”
Can you tell I’m holding back?
I’m disgusted.
This was my first time at the Empty-headed Space, and I won’t be going back unless I get a firm apology from the theatre itself. It’s the bands who suffered. But I will continue to support the bands who sadly had their names associated with such debauchery that I won’t name.
Liars and Thieves were also in the house...
The New Bakersfield Experiment in Indie Sounds...
Gus bowing down and touching Shantell's bass...
“I just had to touch it one time,” Said guitarist for the Filthies. I warned him about Shantell with those drumsticks, but he insisted on daring the personal space of these rock vixens for a closer look.
Speaking of controversy and Three Chord Whore, there’s the Nate Berg battle that Shantell mentioned just before the show, “I’m just tired of that whole battle, but I do want to make clear that I’m not an orange picker!” she said in reference to a brief diatribe by Jerry’s Pizza promoter Nate Berg, who likened everyone involved in a Boycott against playing at Jerry’s as some kind of loser field workers. I hope he realizes that here in the valley there are a whole lot of folks who work hard so he can have food on the table, and who would take serious offense to belittling the Mexican, Phillipino and other migrants of the San Joaquin farmland.
Other controversy: Then there’s guitarist Heather’s back that is completely out of whack. She was clearly distraught on Wednesday night but still had the toughness to get on stage and play. “I was at work and…” And, do you want to hear how she hurt her back, or do you want to hear how tough this girl is for standing with a big guitar strapped on and pain clearly on her face while she strummed a few chords for grunge-sister-in-crime Shirl to scream to the crowd?
I’m telling you, you have to love frontgirl Shirl. She seems like she’s going to be a little sarcastic when you meet her: a bit reserved, friendly of course, with those great dimples. But then the music starts. She’s raucous, she’s got attitude, and she’s funny as hell. Really all the bandmates are hilarious. They play off each other well and have a very loud sound that gets the crowd yelling for more of their antics. The music? Its grunge, it tears into you with some loud vocals reminiscent of Courtney Love, and with that same grunge “I don’t care, piss off” attitude that is fun to watch with this genre of music.
The unnamed controversy: As far as the tainting that went on during the show? Well for an all-ages show there was some crap being sold, some off-shirts being worn, some announcements made that had nothing to do with the bands performing, but had everything to do with certain people running the show that had me never wanting to come back. Let’s just say it had me leaving thinking, “What kind of empty-headed venue that is in jeopardy of going under allows…”
Can you tell I’m holding back?
I’m disgusted.
This was my first time at the Empty-headed Space, and I won’t be going back unless I get a firm apology from the theatre itself. It’s the bands who suffered. But I will continue to support the bands who sadly had their names associated with such debauchery that I won’t name.
Liars and Thieves were also in the house...
The New Bakersfield Experiment in Indie Sounds...
This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on
Friday, April 22, 2005.
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