ASTV

Tue, 27 May 2008 18:04:54 -0600

I'll agree that the American Idol voting system is less than perfect. But it does serve it's purpose. A couple of points. The $70 fee covers your band for its LIFETIME which means that if your band remains in tact for 5 years, you can compete each year, but you only pay the $70 once. Playing on diverse bills? It is the best possible format. No one wants to sit through 7 metal bands or 7 soul groups. Even devout fans get tired. Plus, the true test of a bands mettle is winning those who don't have a taste for your style. Yes, shitty bands get on the bills, but there asses are filtered out. Is it a popularity contest? In the earlier rounds yes. But how is that any different than any other show in this city? The bands that hustle and promote promote promote are the ones that get somewhere. If your band doesn't move on because some other band got more people, they deserve it b/c they worked their ass off. No band in this competition draws 200 people just because. That takes work. Emergenza still needs to make money to pay their employees and advertise. Not to mention paying for airfare and hotel rooms for winning bands. They want the hand voting because it forces bands to bring in people, which also has the side advantage of bringing in bigger crowds for bands which equal more exposure. Let us not forget that their IS a panel of judges at The Metro. These people decide who goes to Germany as well as who wins the other prizes (guitars, drums, etc.) The bottom line is that no competition is perfect, but for it's scale Emergenza does a pretty decent job. I'm not an employee of Emergenza. My band, in our first year in this competition, have made it through to The Metro and we did it by promoting the hell out of ourselves and getting people to show up. It seems to me all the people who seem to have a problem with the competition are the bands that got voted out before the Double Door or Metro. These bands seem to feel they deserved to make it through based on skill and feel that less worthy bands were put through b/c it was a popularity contest. While that may be so, those "lesser" bands hustled and got asses in the seats, so on that night they were the better bands.

shoeshine boy

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:27:28 -0600

Amen Tankboy. Amen. Not only that, but Emergenza screws the pooch for bands and promoters locally looking for a solid date for a show. As a local band member and promoter, I have advised all my bands of the same opinion. Just say no to Emergenza.

Chicago J

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 14:14:22 -0600

Oh Hell Yeah Chicagoist! Set 'em straight- it's rip off alright. Mention Emergenza on Craigslist and all hell breaks lose.

Chicagoist: PSA for Local Bands, Don't Get Ripped Off by Emergenza

ASTV

shoeshine boy

Chicago J