Letters to the Editor

A rare vote in favor of mass media:I find your article representative of a typical mindless attitude concerning 9.11.01 ["700 Years of 9/11," Dog Bites, Sept. 11]. Believe it or not, sometimes mainstream America and the mass media get it right. We were attacked on our soil with close to 3,000, mostly civilians, murdered. What happened on 9.11.01 deserves "solemn tributes ... and teary reflections of survivors." It seems to me that only someone who has no true empathy for the families of those murdered, and little serious life experience, could write an article such as this. The level of heroism demonstrated by the people on Flight 93, and the civilians, police, fire, and emergency personnel in New York, set a standard of behavior few people, and certainly not someone of your cynical bent, could ever hope to aspire to. I challenge you to sit with the family members of one of those murdered on 9.11.01 and read your article out loud to their face.

Jeff Massanari
Oakland

Some of our best friends go to the Hemlock:I was quoted several times in your piece "The Sounds of Silence" [Sept. 18] and I would like to state for the record that some of my comments were taken significantly out of context. The five sentences attributed to me were paraphrased and gleaned from a 45-minute conversation I had with Dan Strachota. In that conversation I had no intention of singling out any particular venue as part of the problem. I also wish it known that I speak only for myself as a musician and DJ, not for the Bottom of the Hill or any other organization of which I am a member.

I mentioned the Hemlock, but only in the context of all small clubs in the area, none of which is promoting a significant songwriters' night or a new talent showcase. My comment was that neighborhood pubs with small capacities could do a lot of good by turning the volume down (using a PA just for vocals, say) and letting small acts showcase there without feeling the pressure of competing with bigger venues.

The difficulties with doing such a night are many and varied and are perhaps worthy of a longer piece in the Weekly. It isn't as simple as clubs just booking acts regardless of their draw. Dan had a thesis [that] he wanted to substantiate and understandably he used only such portions of my comments as would support his thesis. Nevertheless, we discussed the problem as systemic; everyone plays a part, from bands, to audiences, to press, to city government, and yes, clubs also -- but I was distressed to see one club seemingly singled out.

I would love to see more dialogue on how to revivify the Bay Area music scene. I'd like to propose a forum on this topic to further discuss what can be done to further energize the Bay Area music scene. I like the Hemlock. I often go there myself. And it turns out they DO a songwriters' showcase once a month. I am glad there is a Hemlock Tavern -- in addition I would love to see several dozen new spaces for music open up in the city with the hopes that several of them would be appropriate for untried artists.

Anthony Bonet
Oakland

A response from the field:Anthony Bonet's criticism of the Hemlock Tavern, if accurately reported, is both disingenuous and inaccurate. The Hemlock booking policy is simple. Our programming is based on what we like and what we want to hear, motivated more by aesthetics than "draw." In recent months, we have actively sought after and held shows by relatively new bands/acts and even those having their public debuts. It must be said that every night at the Hemlock is a showcase for songwriters and performers, whether it be panic-skiffle, no-wave twee, or bombastic psych-folk. The Hemlock music room features an idiosyncratic array of musical and performance subgenres, microscenes, and styles, stuff that in some instances might not be commercially viable at other venues in town. The Hemlock and its performers thank the audience that has recognized and actively supported these efforts. To see what the Hemlock has been up to, past and future, the scene is invited to check out our online calendar at www.hemlocktavern.com.

Tony B.
Hemlock Tavern Booking Department
Upper Market

Hitting rock ('n' roll) bottom:What a great feature; this article spoke to me very deeply by giving voice to a lot of things I've struggled with here in San Francisco. At one point, in the midst of Mr. Bonet's comments, I thought I was reading passages from my diary.

I focus on touring for the same reasons everyone does, but being a Bay Area musician adds fuel to the fire: It makes touring a necessity, it keeps your hope alive, keeps things in perspective, and reminds you that the bay has some serious limitations.

I'd come to accept the dying state of the local scene, but this feature, by putting the causes in print, gave me the feeling that it's official, and for some strange reason, that allows me some hope: Maybe we've hit bottom and are heading back up?