In light of all the "Your Band Sucks" drama I felt it an ok time to organize and write down my thoughts. No need to be anonymous, I don't hate anyone in this town and I've had some good times, but as a local musician who's band plays regularly I felt I could provide a little insight. I'm not in a Finch House band but I am in an all original band called Dune Train. We don’t play indie music, we play rock and roll. We started as a three piece jam band and quickly realized there is zero love for jam bands in Sarasota. Now we are a two piece rock band. There is way better reception but it’s still not a style Sarasota really buys into. One band that just started up, The Wallies, have a chance of helping the style open up a bit more here. Those guys are pretty sick.

As a precursor to my rant it’s important to know where I’m coming from. I’m 28. I’ve lived here for 2 and a half years. Before this I lived in Auburn, Alabama; Asheville, NC and Syracuse, NY and I’ve been all over the country to see music. All three have a vibrant music scene but Sarasota is the first place where I’ve personally put together a band and tried to get music out there.

Let’s start with the last blog post that’s gotten shit stirred up. The Finch House is good at what it does. Each event they get rolling on Facebook has at least 50 RSVPs, sometimes quite a bit more. I’ve talked to both Erin and Mike Murphy a few times and they are lovely people and always a pleasure to be around. But, for some reason or another, my band has never been invited to a Finch House/Closet gig. I’m guessing its either because we aren’t indie, or very theatrical or because we suck but no one will tell us. That last possibility is a huge problem with Sarasota and a great thing that this blog is changing. We can’t all be smiles all the time. There’s just too much back slapping in this town. If my band sucks, fucking tell me! Jesus, we’re chasing a dream that most musicians are, don’t let us keep going if we are that terrible. I highly expect to see some true opinions in the comments below … bracing myself now.

Onto the venues, I’ve never played the Blue Owl, probably because we aren’t picked up by The Closet ever. I’ve definitely dropped off demos more than once. Cock n Bull is the best stage in town as far as ambiance goes and Dawn has always treated us great when we play there. Sometimes the pay is underwhelming but if we have something agreed upon beforehand then we always get paid that amount. Beery’s is awesome, but I will refrain from talking about them since I work there as a beer professor and my opinion is going to be biased. Shamrock: small and intimate, fun although we’ve never been paid a dime there, just some free beers. But, that’s what we agreed on so I can’t really complain. Growlers can have some good nights, nice owners, always pay what’s agreed to. Rusty Hook, not sure what that place is trying to do… was weird when we played there. Jakes… yea. Did I leave anyone out? Nope, a handful of craft beer bars is what we have to play at. OH wait, Pastimes, that place is living proof that venue matters. We’ve had crowds ranging from 2 people to 75-100 people. Everytime we’ve played Pastimes its been dead as fuck. My friends and fans of the band won’t go to certain venues, that’s just how it is. I could promote my dick off and they still won’t come. The venues that are KNOWN to be packed with people of all ages ready to dance? Gator Club and 5.0. Who plays there? Mother fucking cover bands.

In the end, I think we are about ready to throw the towel in as far as playing Sarasota goes. There’s just not enough going on in the venues to really launch a band. Every gig we’ve played or I’ve personally been to has been sub par in comparison to even the most mediocre shows I’ve seen in other towns. Asheville had The Orange Peel which would be bring in acts with substantial, national followings. I’m talking everyone from mainstream bands like The Black Keys to very well known, touring acts like Mike Gordon and Leo Kottke which provide HUGE opportunities for local bands to get out of town followings. The after shows with the locals are often sicker than the headlining acts. When the fuck has Sarasota had anything like that? Hell, I saw The Avett Brothers play in a bar smaller than The Shamrock when I was living in Asheville with local musicians opening taboot!

So, what options do Sarasota musicians have? Do what Seven Years Past is, play huge battle of the bands in Tampa, win slots to play at Hard Rock in Orlando, open for big bands in Orlando, that’s what. Dune Train is hoping to start down that path in 2012. Although it doesn’t appear to be pushing 7yp into the mainstream (maybe 2012 will be their year!), I think it’s the right methodology for Sarasota bands because the scene here just doesn’t have the listeners or the venues to bring in out of town audiences.