Alastor Rips. AlastorWeb.com After seemlingly years and years of not ever making it to an Alastor show, I did... and brought along the camera to snap a few shots... instead of posting pics, I went ahead and made a 1280x1042 Desktop Collage. Just click the image or the link to get it. RIght-click ... you know the drill. As most live music venues have been lately, The Cotton Club was scarcely populated. Elizabeth and the band knocked out solid tunes with blasts of energy. It's refreshing to see a strong female lead in command with her voracity. I'd like to see Alastor deeply-seated in the grrrrrrrrrrl movement that's become so prevalent in recent years... they'd really enjoy the music. Also, with a proper crowd, I believe Alastor possesses the sonic power to truly electrify an audience. Good job Alastor... Wake up ATL, these people dying to entertain you. PROMOTING EVENTS, not bands Since my journal aren't reviews, but my thoughts, I'll meander all I want... People are fickle and enjoy the extraordinary. We like special sales in the stores, and amazing television events. Venues, bands and promoters are responsible for creating such a buzz. There is no "regular show", unless it is haphazzardly billed that way. EXAMPLE #1... DARKHORSE, OCTOBER (it'll never be "10High" to me, sorry) Recently, The DarkHorse in the Highlands, had a glam-metal tribute with local bands dressed up like historial 80s Glambands... MotelyCrue, WhiteSnake, and GnR. They saw the biggest attendence in recent history that night. Why? The venue-regulars could sink their teeth into the theme easily. Passers-by could anticipated excitement. Each band brought with them, their own hardcore fans... and niche 80sMetal fans revered event. EXAMPLE #2... DickDelicious Whenever DickDelicious plays, there's a crowd. Why? Stageshow? Brash novelty of the music? Capturing the regulars attention with something a little over the top entertainment? What matters is that they generate enough buzz about the show to capture an audience. MOVING AHEAD. Maybe there are too many live rock venues in ATL splitting the live-rock audience into too many factions? Maybe the venues are simply too large for the band's following on any given evening? Maybe the bill itself doesn't stand on it's own? Or should bands (god forbid) play in more venues in the 'burbs? I don't claim to have the answers, only valid questions to discuss. I'm friends with people in bands that want to tour down to ATL and want help in booking them. I'm concerned that people won't come, no matter how "great" I believe the band may be. Several ideas are slamming my head right now. Possibly I'll write blog them here in the coming week... or keep them selfishly to myself. hehe. If I ever do decide to book bands or events in the future. The event, the bill, the buzz should all be in place. If one is missing, the gamble is far too high. peace- seanrox