From: Steven Ransel Mills (AKA_TWITCH) [#1]
15 Apr 2006
To: ALL
Club Dystopia was in North Tonawanda, a suburb of Buffalo. Ethan convinced his parents to let him run shows in their basement, and set up a sweet PA, mixer and lighting rig.
I went to a couple shows there, had a blast. Biting Midge was supposed to have their first road gig there in a couple weeks.
On Friday, the police came on a noise complaint, and some knuckleheads who couldn't stay off booze and pot for a few measly hours ruined the whole thing.
This really burns me, 'cause I do shows to bring people together. But it doesn't work without courtesy. There's a commitment Ethan made with his parents, and that I make with the venues. We are their guests, and we will abide by their rules.
Fear of hooliganism is what shut down the free shows at the Fairport Teen Center. They didn't trust us to behave.
I'm not gonna preach about drugs or drinking or whatever. That is a choice for each person to make.
But.
If you're at my shows, leave the drugs at home. If you're underage, don't drink.
If I see drugs or paraphernalia, if you smell of pot, if you're underage and you smell of booze or I see you drinking, you're GONE.
No arguments.
No explanations.
Gone.
Leave with some grace, and you can come to the next show.
From: tom (TOMSCAHILLIV) [#2]
17 Apr 2006
To: ALL
Calling all ska fans with big basements. Basement shows like the ones at dystopia (if executed correctly) are alot of fun and cheaper for everyone. This is quite an undertaking, but If anyone has the desire and the space in either a garage or a basement (or even a patio for nice weather), we have a decent PA and will haul it to as many shows as we can. charge a dollar or two admission and save up to buy your own and start doing shows yourself. Its a blast. We (Biting Midge) did one a couple weeks ago in a basement area that was only about 20x25 feet minus the space taken up by the stairs and the furnace, and it was a totally high energy show. Long live underground ska and punk. Long live basement shows.
P.S. If anyone is actually considering this, let me know (tomscahilliv@yahoo.com).
From: Steven Ransel Mills (AKA_TWITCH) [#3]
18 Apr 2006
To: tom (TOMSCAHILLIV) [#2] 18 Apr 2006
The only reason I would buy a house would be so I'd have a basement and/or garage to throw shows/parties in. (nod)