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July 18, 2006
On Venue's: Mark's Thoughts
Bucksworth frontman Mark Nemetz has lived and played all over the Inland Empire and LA area. Now living in Riverside Mark has tried to help the music scene, but said that Redlands and Claremont are really where it’s at.
“I’ve done my share of trying to make the music scene better in Riverside, but it’s like beating your head up against a wall. (Riverside) could learn a lot from towns like Redlands. Redlands has got a cool little thing going,� he said.
The Vault, according to Nemetz, is what really maintains the music scene.
“The people that run (the Vault) are really sweet and want to do the right thing,� he said. “If I had a place I would hope that I could run it like that.�
According to Nemetz, it only takes one good venue to jump start a local music scene and the Vault has truly done that for Redlands.
“When a venue opens it gives newer bands a goal,� he said.
In Claremont, Nemetz notes that the Press and the Claremont Folk Music Center (owned by Ben Harper’s grandparents) are the two venues that really appeal to musicians and concerts goers.
What makes these venues so enticing is not just the ambiance of the venue, a friendly place with lots of character, but also the generosity of the owner.
Nemetz has been snubbed by several venues in Riverside that will not pay the artists.
A few years ago Bucksworth was asked to play at the Orange Blossom Festival and were given a decent pay. The next year the festival asked the band to play again, but said that it could not pay them.
“That’s slave labor,� Nemetz said. “(And) if bands continue to play in places where they are mistreated those places will continue to mistreat bands.�
According to Nemetz, it is rare to find a decent venue with decent pay in Riverside. If it’s not one thing it’s another.
But for Redlanders, the Vault plays fair.
“A lot of bands in LA have heard about the Vault,� Nemetz said. “Mike and Oso treat people well.�
And treating musicians well ensures quality music.
And quality music is all we have here in Redlands.
Posted by Darcie Flansburg at July 18, 2006 10:34 AM