The Tao of Wu
SLIPPIN' at the Terminal Bar
by Jason Fladager
I never understood those people in the parking lot waving their fingers in the
air and shouting "I need a miracle..." Admittedly I have this side of me that
is very angry at people in this "scene" who dress like a "hippy", talk like a
"hippy", act like a "hippy", but when it all boils down...are really only
self-righteous assholes who think the world owes them some kind of favor.
Wow...I just read that again and maybe I started this months chapter out a
little harsh, but you all know the people. Let me try to explain...
Last Sunday I booked The Slip at the Terminal Bar in Minneapolis. The
Terminal is not what you'd call a prime music venue to play at in the Twin
Cities. Its pretty crowded at around 100 people. But the cabin-esque feel to
the room makes for great sound and when you get some of your closest friends
there enjoying the Guiness tap, it becomes the place "where everybody knows
your name". The Slip were fantastic. All three musicians were virtuosos and
blew the crowd away. They also handled themselves so well when one of the
far-gone-drunk regulars kept tuggin on their pant cuffs beggin' to play his
harmonica. Folks...they had him up on stage! They played a blues tune and
sorta musically circled around the tweets and squawks this fella was making
from his harp. At the end of the tune, the guitar player told the audience we
all needed hand in hand kindness in this world. I thought about how selfless
this was and how I may think differently the next time a drunk jumps on stage
when we're playing and starts squawkin'. I wish some of that selflessness
rubbed off on one particular member of the audience.
At the start of the night, I parked myself at the front entrance behind a
table with a sign saying $5 COVER taped to it. People walked in and
cheerfully paid the admission price, some even commenting on what a treat it
was to see this great band in such a small and intimate venue. Exceptional
musicians deserve more than a $5 cover at the Terminal Bar. So in walks this
person who immediately notices that there is a $5 cover and starts ranting,
"This is a CRIME...$5 cover? Why is it that I have to pay a $5 cover? ...and
on a SUNDAY? What a rip-off!" A rip-off? Now, admittedly one of my faults is
that I can be very cynical and quick to judge and sorta blow my cap when I
don't understand why people-do-what-people-do. I did not do that on this
particular occasion and saved it all up to relase to you folks here at
Jambands. This person walking in the door was dressed in full hippy-garb and
talking peace and kindness. When this person reluctantly pulled out a $20
bill after their little rant, I refused to take the money and didn't get so
much as a "thanks" for letting him/her pass by. I wonder if this person fully
understands how much it takes to actually get to the level of musicianship
bands like The Slip are at: the countless hours of practicing your
instrument, the sacrifices you make on the road playing for peanuts, the
tremendous amount of energy it takes to drive from Rhode Island to the
Terminal Bar to play for an audience of 70 people when they probably are used
to playing for much larger covers and much larger audiences at the Knitting
Factory among other places! ARRGH! It all is coming out now... I'm sorry
but those "kind hippies" that willingly chuck out hundreds of dollars for
Grateful Dead and Phish tours and than balk at the thought of paying $5, less
than the cost of a movie ticket or a phatty beer, for a great night of lesser
known music, make me ill. What's even worse is that kind of attitude is what
gives "hippies" a bad rap. AND....over a mere $5. Over money folks? I once
again, fail to understand.
Please don't get me wrong, I'm not saying bands should charge a ton of money
and make out like bandits, after all, its not about the money. I also am
still confused about "what is a hippy?". I believe there are people out
there in the audience that are hard core binge drinkers who get so wasted at
the shows, they spoil everyone elses good time AND...they know they can get
away with it because "there hippies dude...they tolerate everyone!" Are we (I
am using the term 'hippy' very broad and loosely) supposed to tolerate
everyone? Is that what makes us who were are or do we as a community have
certain unwritten folkways that we all adhere to? I often wish we did. I
wonder if my criticizing human behavior in a scene that tolerates just about
everything is pointless. My hope is that next time you see a cover charge you
stop and think a minute. Is $5 is a fair price to pay to see human beings
doing something exceptionally creative and simply beautiful? Does what day of
the week it happens to be really have any bearing on whether you should pay or
not? I just get the heebie-jeebies when I think about the ignorance of it
all.
