The Nudie Suits live photos
Mon 3 Nov 2008
The Nudie Suits w/ Teenwolf
Friday,October 31, 2008
Basement Bar, Auckland
I recently watched an old episode of Radio With Pictures which talks about the Auckland live music scene in 1982. Throughout the episode a number of musicians, promoters and bar owners talk about why the Auckland live music scene is doing so poorly, each trying to explain why Wellington seems to be doing better than Auckland. Over the past month in Auckland, I have noticed fewer people attending gigs. Why is it? Is it the quality of the bands? Is it the venues?
On Friday night I went to the Basement Bar, I had never been there before but was very quickly impressed with the bar’s set-up. It is the most professional venue I have been to in Auckland and puts a lot of other venues to shame. It reminded me a lot of Wellington’s San Francisco Bathhouse, which is indisputably the best live venue in the country. What both these bars possess, and makes them stand out is some basic decoration, a good sound set up and a lighting rig that creates a nice atmosphere. I wondered why The Basement Bar is not used more often for gigs? I asked the barman the price of hiring the bar and he gave me a very reasonable price. It is big enough to host international artists such as Yeasayer, Girl Talk and Jay Reatard so why do promoters continue to use 4:20 and The Kings Arms?
This brings me to my next point, where have all the people gone? Once again on Friday night the venue was almost empty, many people who a month ago I used to see at almost every gig have stopped coming. The Nudie Suits had not played in Auckland for a number of months and Teenwolf have just started playing live again after a brief hiatus. A year ago, both these bands (Teenwolf especially) attracted a very decent crowd, every time they played. They are still the same band and remain one of the best bands in the country, I am yet to ever be disappointed by Teenwolf. During Teenwolf’s set Jonathan Bree (The Brunettes) said to me, “This is the best dressed I have ever seen both these bands and there’s no one here to see it”. Just like 1982, we are asking ourselves the same questions. What is the problem?
There is obviously a large amount of people disillusioned with the current live set-up here in Auckland. I for one, hope it is not the quality of bands that is putting people off. If that is the case then check out what is coming up this Thursday (see posters on the side bar), God Bows To Math, Boyfriend and Milo Hoffman are all exciting new bands. God Bows To Math is currently one of my favourite new Auckland bands. If that’s not your fancy, then try Thought Creature, Cosmic Rays Of Death and Stress Cadet at The Kings Arms.
More Nudie Suits, Teenwolf live photos
Posted by Nick Fulton under New Zealand
November 4th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Hey, I’m over from the UK and was surprised by the lack of people at the show as well, I have probably been spoilt having been in London for the last 8 years, but even in Scotland there would be people going to all types of shows no matter the quality (often more going to the bad ones). Teen Wolf were amazing and I will certainly be searching out more shows whilst I’m here.
November 4th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
It might be interesting to see how many people are at So So Modern and co. at Ellen Melville in November, maybe there’ll be a bigger crowd for an All Ages show!
November 4th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Bummer the show wasn’t packed, it should’ve been. I’m sure Halloween House parties would’ve influenced the mediocre turnout.
November 5th, 2008 at 10:30 am
maybe if teenwolf and the nudie suits wrote some new material more people might bother to see them, again.
November 5th, 2008 at 10:52 am
The Nudie Suits played a number of new songs and had added a new member to their line-up.
Agreed about Teenwolf, it would be nice to hear some new songs from them.
November 6th, 2008 at 1:00 am
The Basement Bar quickly developed a rep for a shitty PA and small crowds, which clearly (justified or not) scared people off.
If a new bar wants to draw it needs to be more pro-active about promoting shows. I doubt Basement Bar were putting up posters for this.
Also I like Teen Wolf and Nudie Suits. I am glad they are playing shows again.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Actually, The Basement’s solid function is for arts in general, not just for gigs - it used to be the old Silo Theatre and it is still used for theatrical performances and art space. The fact they throw it open for gigs is a bonus - but given they’re booked flat out next year with productions, they can afford not to advertise gigs.
Besides, I thought it was always the responsibility of the promoter rather than the venue for putting posters up - I mean, the Kings Arms nor Whammy go out themselves and poster K Road….
November 6th, 2008 at 10:08 am
paying for venues is a fucking joke mayn.
fuck that shit.
November 7th, 2008 at 9:37 am
yeah actually this seems to be becoming more of an issue.
last nights thoughtcreature/cosmic rays show was postered to death on every lightpole and power box in town. it was all over every gig guide, including einstein and cheese. turnout? minimal at the best of times and very small towards the end of the night. cosmic rays in particular played a blistering set put to visuals.
i don’t really understand how paying for venues works. does every set of bands play, or if the venue wants you there, do you get the place free? perhaps it becomes this catch 22 situation, where venues want to ‘mitigate’ their risk of small crowds by charging a base fee regardless, which discourages bands/more shows, which discourages a music scene and punters in general.
i’d say shows go on too late here. the lead act of a show a couple weeks ago at whammy didn’t go on till 2:30. it does discourage people, and shows elsewhere - say NYC for example - start and finish earlier.
also venues should be encouraging artists - i know in melbourne some venues give a cut back to the musicians. here just when trying to book a show i’ve been rejected, scouted out as to whether i wanted to pay hire fees, or simply not replied to. i’ve played shows in the past where the band was made to feel very guilty when drink sales weren’t going well. wtf?
i’m a musician so i’m more inclined to go to shows. plus i don’t run a venue so i’m coming from a different perspective. so i’d be interested in getting responses from others, but c’mon kids.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:48 am
This all sounds disheartening, and more than a little strange. Thought Creature and Cosmic Rays are two of the best bands in this country, aside from absolute apathy why would people skip out on these shows. Argh.
November 7th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
venues are horrible in Auckland. PR bar could be kinda cool because it’s the perfect size venue for a small-ish kinda show… but when I asked if I could have a beer - or if band members got any sorta discount on drinks they looked at me like I’d killed a kitten. Any venue that charges you a hireage fee JUST SO YOU CAN BRING PEOPLE INTO THEIR VENUE is missing the point. Make your venue an easy and attractive place to play, book good bands, and you’re sowing seeds that have a positive effect overall on a music scene.
Sure, Edens Bar was crappy, but it was accessible. Nowdays Whammy and Wine Cellar are the only places I feel really welcome playing at in Auckland.
Better community = better shows
December 30th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Hey I know this is old but I was just reminded about this…
After reading this ages ago I was all excited and looking forward to doing sound at the Basement for a couple of bands. I thought “great another venue in Auckland with a setup as good as 420 or San Fran!!!” But no…
The venue has 2 powered RCF’s for FOH and 2 powered speakers for monitors, they begrudgingly brought out a powered sub too after a while of hassling…THIS SYSTEM IN NO WAY COMPARES TO 420’s set up!!! I ended up bringing my own desk, outboard, snake and mics because surprisingly I did not want to use the Behringer desk that was supplied thanks. When you pay properly for 420, College Hill do a great job of fitting out the room with a nice system, good selection of mics and some usable equipment eg no Wharfdale, Behringer, Alto or Ashton! Plus they give it enough of a tune for most engineers to walk in and not worry. (or at least they have done the last 2 times I was in there) In all honesty 420’s probably the nicest regularly used venue in Auckland in terms of sound but San Fran is still nicer… (although yes basement has pretty lights)
Also shows do go ridiculously late here I am fed up with packing up at 3-4 in the morning. NOT COOL.
RANT OVER.