how much sense does it make to tell a rock band to turn down in a "rock bar". the speakeasy is a joke, that specific bartender, definitely a joke. may i also add that he was yelling and calling eli "faggots". but whatever, it was an interesting and funny incident.
iWayland
· 1 month ago
The way the bartender handled the whole situation was unprofessional, to say the least. Eli puts a lot of effort into making their songs, and they play them the way they were intended to be played. Asking a band to turn down the music is not only disrespectful, but rude. I can say that I will definitely not have anything nice to say about this venue for a long time.
Kayhan
· 1 month ago
i was there and was also kicked out for trying to argue in zombie costume. i wanted to punch that ginger bartender in the face even though he had been cool with me on previous occasions. that place is a joke and full of cartoons, its not a rock/metal/punk bar in the least. fuck em and feed em beans.
Austin
· 1 month ago
Okay, maybe I'm old (fine, I'm old) but there's such a thing as playing to your audience. Eli was playing in spite of their audience. I enjoyed what music of theirs I heard, but when I can't hear myself speak in the front bar of Speakeasy the music is too fucking loud. I wanted to hear them, but I also wanted to be able to talk to my friend who was standing 6 inches away from me. It shouldn't have been an issue for them to turn it down a little. I'm not saying that the Speakeasy staff handled it as they should have, but when the people that are paying you to play tell you to turn down the music a little (on several occasions) and you refuse, you're just asking for trouble.
Bryan Doyle
· 1 month ago
We had problems last time we played there as well. Speakeasy needs to just quit even booking bands and stick with singer-songwriters. We barely got paid for our tour kick-off show (not even a tank of gas) and we were the only band with about 30 people at $5 a head. Bham.fm shows need a new venue.
WhitneydotFM
· 1 month ago
Alrighty. I'm 5 comments in and ready to add my two cents.
I dont think anyone's really blameless. Adam laid it down pretty objectively, but I would like to add from the promoter's standpoint that everyone was pretty hyped up. Eli got loud, didnt enjoy the way they were chastised (some have labelled the bartender's actions unprofessional) and a rumble erupted. From what I could make out in my booth while I huddled down, one party would push (doesnt matter who) and the other would return fire.
The show didnt go as well as I could've hoped (especially for what couldve been a Speakeasy - Eli relationship), but it doesnt mean what happened on one night is going to permanently reflect anything about Speakeasy as a venue or ELI as a band.
In fact, it's probably helped both sides realize what works and what doesnt for shit they need to happen musicly.
nigggggga
· 1 month ago
fuck the speakeasy
xgeorgecowgillx
· 1 month ago
dear redbeard666, kayhan, iwayland, & brian "whatever band youre in" doyle. I own the Speakeasy, on top of many other interesting things i do with my life (ask around about me I'm begging you) I was in Gainesville when all of this happened but I was brought up to speed by both sides. I'm not happy with the incident BUT I love Whitney and Chris and all they do in this great city. I have never ever claimed that we were a "rock venue" or a punk metal bar, even though I sorta am pretty fucking punkrock myself (again, ask around). FACT: the SE is a loud room. When we ask someone to turn down it's not disrespectful, it's law of the jungle. And Brian, as for your tour kickoff payout... we give 85% of the $$$ to the bands and/or promoters and if it's a bad turnout we give 100% (like your big bad 30 person show), so take it up with THEM pal. So... in closing to all: IF this isn't enough of an answer please feel free to man up and call me 205-253-3228 (my cel) as opposed to .... oh I dunno, writing a bunch of bullshit on some website. Love, george (of Speakeasy, Birmingham Fire Dept, & 666)
codeyray
· 1 month ago
Speakeasy's acoustics are horrible for anything over the sound range of a bathtub fart. While the venue puts off an image supporting the d.i.y. scene it definitely does not follow through with providing an outlet for d.i.y. bands. I do not feel like this is their fault. They should not have bands there due to the lack of space and volume. If a bar is willing to allow bands that exceed the sound spectrum of a john mayer whisper they should take into account the audience in comparison to the regulars. The amount of money to be made can be determined by the turn out. Preperation is key not an aggravated pre teen push fight.
Adam Martin
· 1 month ago
Here's something I thought was funny: the whole incident involved complaints of loudness, and this took place a night before SE was set to celebrate Halloween with "fake blood shots and loud rock 'n roll blaring", according to the radio ad. I can't say I disagree with George's take on it being "law of the jungle", but you have to admit it's a pretty hilarious juxtaposition in hindsight. Y'know...one night the band's too loud...the next night, loudness is encouraged and celebrated. Maybe we should have shot for Halloween night instead of Devil's Night, and then Eli's timing would have been spot-on.
Phillip Lawless
· 1 month ago
Damn, I always miss the good shit.
Adam Martin
· 1 month ago
It's been brought to my attention that this write-up has the appearance of being one-sided in favor of Eli. I should tell you that I was attempting some level of objectivity when putting this in writing, and I thank Whitney for concurring with me on this, but apparently I've failed in some respect because I've been interpreted as posting pot shots against Speakeasy. It was never my attempt to paint any one party as the bad guy; to be honest, it seems everyone involved was the bad guy in one way or another. Some from either side kept cool heads, while others breached etiquette, and the result was a big mess that I deigned favorable for discussion. You know, I was hearkening to the whole "If it's too loud, you're too old" cliche, and at the same time hoping to stir some debate over the soundness of either/both parties' actions. In hindsight, I probably should have tried some exit interviews with the Speakeasy staff, the band, and other witnesses to get a better grasp on objectivity. So, let me just say my sincerest apologies if anyone feels like they've been singled out by me as the ones who dropped the ball, or if I cast too favorable a light on anyone.
You'll notice the title contains "Lema Sabacthani?", a biblical reference that translates as "Why have you forsaken me?", which I thought was appropriate to turn Devil's Night on its head and to show that in some ways, I felt forsaken by Eli's actions; I wanted to fight for them, but with time, I found myself struggling to be sure that they were really in the right. So, I turned it over to the audience rather than casting aspersions myself. I'm still a huge Eli fan because I loved their music, and they were nothing short of nice to me when I spoke with them after the incident. I'm also still a huge Speakeasy fan because George has done bham.fm a real solid by hosting our shenanigans (not to mention inviting me out for some free keg and shot parties), and that same bartender who dropped the ball of courtesy with Eli was overly courteous to me as I was leaving the show. I only hope the relationships can be patched over and everyone will move on. Venues of the past have died due to apathy and attitude problems, and while I don't see any end in sight for Speakeasy, I do think it's dangerous to let our show's events serve as reasons to sever from the bar or the band.
Summary: Shit happens, people make mistakes, we all try to learn, and we move on together or we all go down together. Let's all remember to swallow our pride with a slice of humble pie every once in a while.
All Comments
but whatever, it was an interesting and funny incident.
I dont think anyone's really blameless. Adam laid it down pretty objectively, but I would like to add from the promoter's standpoint that everyone was pretty hyped up. Eli got loud, didnt enjoy the way they were chastised (some have labelled the bartender's actions unprofessional) and a rumble erupted. From what I could make out in my booth while I huddled down, one party would push (doesnt matter who) and the other would return fire.
The show didnt go as well as I could've hoped (especially for what couldve been a Speakeasy - Eli relationship), but it doesnt mean what happened on one night is going to permanently reflect anything about Speakeasy as a venue or ELI as a band.
In fact, it's probably helped both sides realize what works and what doesnt for shit they need to happen musicly.
You'll notice the title contains "Lema Sabacthani?", a biblical reference that translates as "Why have you forsaken me?", which I thought was appropriate to turn Devil's Night on its head and to show that in some ways, I felt forsaken by Eli's actions; I wanted to fight for them, but with time, I found myself struggling to be sure that they were really in the right. So, I turned it over to the audience rather than casting aspersions myself. I'm still a huge Eli fan because I loved their music, and they were nothing short of nice to me when I spoke with them after the incident. I'm also still a huge Speakeasy fan because George has done bham.fm a real solid by hosting our shenanigans (not to mention inviting me out for some free keg and shot parties), and that same bartender who dropped the ball of courtesy with Eli was overly courteous to me as I was leaving the show. I only hope the relationships can be patched over and everyone will move on. Venues of the past have died due to apathy and attitude problems, and while I don't see any end in sight for Speakeasy, I do think it's dangerous to let our show's events serve as reasons to sever from the bar or the band.
Summary: Shit happens, people make mistakes, we all try to learn, and we move on together or we all go down together. Let's all remember to swallow our pride with a slice of humble pie every once in a while.