Straw Poll!

As the new year approaches, we've been discussing our plans to help push our group along and grow. As you can imagine, increasing our exposure and fan base is at the heart of those goals. So while we need to incorporate all sorts of ideas and hard work, there is one area that has already been established but needs constant attention: live performances.

We've been lucky enough to put on shows at 6 different venues in the greater Seattle/Tacoma area. In just a few weeks we'll be adding a 7th to that list (Tiger Lounge in Georgetown on Dec. 12th). Now that we have that experience under our belt, we feel comfortable enough to take the stage at just about any local club . . . but there's a dilemma.

High profile venues such as Neumo's and the Tractor Tavern would surely give us the opportunity to play (the Tractor already has) but we're talking about Sunday-Wednesday nights at a cover cost of anywhere from $6-$10. Meanwhile, places like the Redline and the Skylark Cafe offer us Fridays and Saturdays with no cover. That sounds great except the Redline and the Skylark are in West Seattle which might as well be Portland to those who live on the other side of downtown (Boo-fucking-hoo). Because the big clubs charge cover and only offer weeknights, we end up playing in front of 40 people, none of whom seem really excited to be there or have the guts to get down on the dance floor. At the Redline on the other hand, well . . . it couldn't be any more different.

So far our model has been to focus on those gigs at the Redline because A. we seem to always have a great crowd 2. they're fun shows C. we live 3 blocks away from the bar and IV. drinks are cheap! But I can't help but worry: How are we ever going to get those weekend opportunities at Neumo's and the like if we don't take a stab at impressing them on a weeknight?

Obviously we're not ready to play a weekend gig at a major club right now but in the words of the late Ahmet Ertegun: "If you think pennies, Mr. Charles, you get pennies. If you think dollars, you get dollars."

So now I'll put the question to you! Where would you like to see us play? Which would you choose between a gig at a cool club in your hip neighborhood (i.e Ballard, Fremont, Capitol Hill, etc.) at the price of $8 or a free show at a dive all the way in West Seattle? Are there any venues you've been to that you'd like to see us perform at regardless of the night of the week?

We're all ears.

-Big P