This article is frustrating. (You may have to create a subscriber ID (free) to view it online.) In this article about San Francisco bands and the loss of rehearsal spaces due to gentrification, Gina tries to convey the impression that most San Francisco bands are fame-seekers in desperate denial.
Ok, one at a time...
Gina: "The reason 500 San Francisco bands spend so much money on rehearsal space is because in reality they want to make it big. But if they are for- profit ventures, what distinguishes them from the dot-coms they deride?"
massless: Is there really only one reason that bands who have rehearsal spaces in San Francisco are here? I am fortunate enough to have friends who are in bands who work and live in San Francisco. I'm also fortunate enough to know many other SF bands as acquaintances. I asked some of them why they would choose to be in a band in SF...
Some answers:
1. Um...because I live here. (Why?) Um...because I grew up here. (or sometimes) Um...because I moved here for [family, work, school, medical treatment]
2. Um...because I work here. (Why?) Because I [was offered a job, sought out a job, live here and need to work, y'know?]
3. Um...because I go to [college, high school, medical school, the culinary instiute of america] here.
Gina: "Nowadays the counterculture resides in the hearts and minds of teenagers who own a home recording studio, a pair of headphones, an Internet connection and a passion to make music. They don't need a rehearsal space to fulfill their aspirations."
massless: I then asked friends in SF bands why they need a rehearsal space. Some answers:
1. I love the sound of analog drums and, of course, I can't play them in my apartment.
2. Um...I don't have a computer at home and buying a computer and the equipment for a home recording studio is way more than I spend for a rehearsal space every month, especially when I split it up with other bands and other members of my band.
3. Look, Chris, I'm getting into home recording, but I love to play some stuff live
4. My husband monopolizes our computer, and we can't do it at A_'s house, so to have a place we can go to is great.
5. Yeah, well, just 'cause we're all electronic doesn't mean we don't have a lot of equipment. Have you seen my place? It's TINY. I need the space just to store this shit.
6. I don't always need a rehearsal space, like when I made those mp3s for M_. But since we're all, uh, DIY and do our own recording I need some place to just hear the results out loud and I couldn't do that [in my apartment].
4. 'Cause I'm gonna make it BIG...BIG I TELL YOU! (just kidding, actually, no one said that)
then I asked what their aspirations regarding their band were:
1. I want to make songs that I want to listen to
2. I want to collaborate with my friends and make music
3. I've always wanted to play at Bottom of The Hill
4. I would love to tour but would be satisfied with just releasing an album I like
5. I have no aspirations thanks to [Prozac, clinical depression, pot].
6. I just do what the voices tell me to do.
She is very silly.