First things first-- we just hooked ourselves up with a new PO box after our last one was shut down on us in a surprising and puzzling fashion. Sorry to everyone who had stuff sent back to them marked as "return to sender," btw, and if you want to resend any of that stuff to us, we'd be very happy. And we promise that this new P.O. Box will be maintained, like, forever. The address:

We Shot J.R.
P.O. Box 720291
Dallas,TX 73372



SHOWS OF NOTE THIS WEEK:

FRI: Transona Five/The Theater Fire/Dust Congress/J Gray (Sloppyworld)
SAT: Dan Deacon (Hailey's)
SAT: Hands Up 90's with The Party (The Loft)
SAT: Chris Brown and Bow Wow/Soulja Boy/Sean Kingston/Lil Mama (American Airlines Center)

Thanks, guys, and sorry for my jaded view. I get a little suspicious when it comes to rock promotion. That totally makes sense and I feel much better about the whole thing the way you've explained it. I guess i just wanted to see other people involved as well, and it looks like you've paved the way for that, Chris.

man chris... i hope they listen to you! Being involved with good shows, even in a very passive manner, is really fun.

And what Chris says is true about these "presenting" arrangements. It is good PR for both the blogs AND the shows, and quite frankly, this is good overall in my mind because it cuts down on the money that clueless print publications like the Observer collect from concert advertising (at least theoretically).

Think about it: If the promoter of the Dan Deacon show gets GVSB to "present" his show, blasts out a few myspace bulletins and helps us set up an interview feature here, he is probably reaching the vast majority of people in the area who would even consider going to a Dan Deacon show without spending a dime to do so. Theoretically, this cuts down on the cost of shows for the consumer AND avoids feeding large corporate dinosaurs like the observer more money, thus reducing the influence of accountants and advertising douches on our music scene.

r. javelinn: to answer your original question, local promoters/venues ask me to "present" these shows, presumably as a way to get their names some national recognition. believe it or not, i've passed on shows like the crystal castles/health show because i think WSJR would be a much more appropriate fit (even though i like both bands), and i often suggest to the aforementioned booking agents/venues that a relationship with WSJR would be far more beneficial in actually selling tickets to these shows, so you're absolutely right about that (no idea whether they've asked WSJR or not about presenting shows, although i assume they have).

re: "There's just something that rubs me the wrong way a little about GvB presenting so many of these big shows, but I just can't put my finger on it. I suppose it suggests in some subliminal way that GvB is responsible for putting together and bringing these shows to the area."

that's understandable, because with a few notable exceptions, i can't take credit for helping to put most of these shows together. I agree to "present" so many shows because it's fun, we like the bands and enjoy covering the shows and making flyers, and it helps us establish a local presence. for the record, I don't make any money or expect anything else. so you're sort of right-on about the "mutual reacharound" thing. we appreciate the opportunity to have our name associated with bands we like, and the promoters/venues get their name out on a national level. sorry so long-winded, but that's the honest answer.

9:53, Thank you for your thorough and civil explanation, despite my crabby tone. GvB is a fun site and I think it's great that it has become popular and influential. Of course the promoters would want to advertise their shows through him.

There's just something that rubs me the wrong way a little about GvB presenting so many of these big shows, but I just can't put my finger on it. I suppose it suggests in some subliminal way that GvB is responsible for putting together and bringing these shows to the area - almost as though the bands involved were discovered by the blog.

But, that's probably not very logical and I have no real problem with GvB. I just associate bands like Liars more with this blog and its readership, and it seems to me that is a definite factor in the success of these shows.

The Health interview here a while back, for example, likely generated some real interest that could translate into ticket sales. I'm just not totally convinced that national influence alone has that much sway over the local kids who've already done their homework.

By the way, Crystal Castles/Health is March 16 at Haileys in Denton.

GET STOKED ON THE MAMMOTH GRINDER SHOW WEIRDOS

r.javelinn-

like it or not GVSB is a popular national blog. He even has a show on sirius radio. He gets tons of hits a day, which translates to having "influence".

As you pointed out, it's really a one hand washes the other scenario. The shows get advertising from a "hip source", and GVSB gets cred from being involved in those shows.

Whereas this site is a more locally focused blog that hasn't been as involved with booking national acts or going for a national audience. (I'm sure they have plenty of people watching from outside texas though)

WSJR does get noticed as a force for advertising shows, but more locally. That is apparent by the amount of tix they get to hand out for free.

When and where're Crystal Castles and Health playing?

jimmy joe roche is an asshole!

man i wanna go to that chris brown show, can we go sr?

cool... I'll add that. I always check 715's myspace, but I didn't see that show listed last night.

ALSO,

Jan. 11
715 Panhandle, Denton
7 PM

TCK/KK Return Home From Tour Show!!

Mammoth Grinder
Pools
Koji Kondo
Teenage Cool Kids
Latex Nuns

No set cover as of yet, but bring $$ to support touring bands!

Also,

Sat @ RGRS

Fishboy

The Poison Control Center (epic Iowa indie rock)

Teenage Cool Kids (back from tour)

Sparlin Jessels

so good ya'll

so good is so yesterday

silk stocking is so good

That's a great song by that creepy little cringe-inducing Cobain midget.

By the way, how does GvB get to put his "Gorilla Vs. Bear presents" stamp on every great show that hits the Metroplex?

I assume it's some sort of mutual reach-around with the promoter, but this blog seems much more in step with acts such as Liars and Dan Deacon.

You guys should make a Crystal Castles/Health flyer and put your name on it ASAP.