Post Rock vs. Virgin Fest's Book the Band
Washington Post music writer David Malitz was hilariously on point when he slammed Virgin Mobile Festival organizers for the Book the Band idea.
If you remember, West Coast rock group Hollywood Undead won the online contest, and played their first show ever last weekend at Pimlico Race Course. ...
Before that, Hollywood Undead was an Internet-only band. I didn't get a chance to see the show, but I heard it was horrible.
"Bands have "devoted Internet followings" for a reason," Malitz noted on the Post Rock blog. "Namely, the band is beyond terrible and it must harbor some sort of community to make itself relevant."
David, I'm with you. If you're going to have some kind of contest, make it for a local band. Tie the festival into the region. Anything but this.
But, if you scroll down to the comments section, Virgin Fest promoter/producer Seth Hurwitz made a good counter-point:
"Got me a story didn't it"
Heh. Yes, but if you'd done this contest with Baltimore and Washington bands, you would have probably gotten a bigger media splash. Think about it for next year.
I've been The Baltimore Sun's nightlife and local entertainment reporter for a couple years, and it's surprising how much the scene has grown in that time. Most of Baltimore's bars and clubs are unpretentious places with fairly cheap drinks and plenty of character. I like dancing and think this city needs more clubs, but nothing beats having a cold, locally brewed beer with friends in a comfortably full corner bar.
