Love Your Fans

MUSIC FANS: LOVE YOUR FANS NEEDS YOU

2010-06-05T16:27:00.001-04:00

Love Your Fans is a blog for fans, by fans, and we want you to share your stories and experiences. Without you, the real live music fans, we can't bring you the reviews of bands and venues that are important to you! Got a review of a band or venue? Send it to us and to keep the dream alive!

EMAIL US AT: loveyourfans@gmail.com

Because without YOU, your favorite bands and venues wouldn't be here either.

Another Quote on the Importance of Your Fans

2010-06-05T16:25:00.001-04:00

"What left an impression on me was the debut commemorative handshake session. There were even people who cried at shaking hands with us. At the beginning I was like [What's so happy about this?], I didn't get it at all. But when I put myself in their position, and thought my hardest about it, I thought, [After all, if I were to shake hands with a person I really really liked, although I probably wouldn't cry I'd probably be happy]. Thought for us it may be 80 thousand times, for the fans it's once in a lifetime. I can't be careless about this moment." -
Matsumoto Jun, Japanese Idol of Arashi

Ezra Furman and the Harpoons

2010-02-01T15:57:00.008-05:00

So you're having this great dream. In the dream, you're hanging out in with your favorite band. You're kind of like best friends forever with them/him/her and - let's not lie - it's totally awesome. But then it gets better:

"Hey you, we have a surprise! We wrote a song for you?" says YourFavoriteBand.

"Who me?" you ask innocently.

"Yes, you! A whole song, written by us, for you!" YourFavoriteBand replies.

You're almost speechless. You manage to stutter out one more question. "But...why me?"

YourFavoriteBand laughs. "Because, silly, you are the greatest fan ever. We know we could never, ever have gotten where we are without you. Your support keeps us going. You've always been there for us - and we want you to know that we are always there for you. Now, let's hug it out!"

YourFavoriteBand opens his/her/their arms wide...

...............

Oh shit, your alarm just went off and not only was that a dream, not only did you not get that awesome hug, but you're late for work/school/community service/breakfast.

You stumble out of bed - OW! OWOWOW! - you step on something sharp and plasticy. Like a CD...

You look down in your lap and there's a copy of "Moon Face: Bootlegs and Road Recordings 2006-2009" by Ezra Furman and the Harpoons -- YourFavoriteBand. You sigh, pic it up off the floor -- if only that dream has been true...

And then, as you hold the CD in your hands, you remember....they DID write a song for you.

The critics are saying Ezra Furman is the punk Bob Dylan, a poet for a generation. With a voice like the Violent Femmes and musings like a psychedelic prophet, Ezra and the Harpoons have gotten themselves quite a gaggle of dedicated fans. So what did they do?

On their latest release, "Moon Face: Bootlegs and Road Recordings 2006-2009," Mr. Furman has decided to personally write a short song for each person who purchases a copy. Is this the craziest and perhaps most undoable idea you've ever heard? Maybe. Is it the best gift a fan could ever get from TheirFavoriteBand? Without a doubt.

I've heard of a lot of bands and a lot of special treats they give their dedicated fans - but I have never heard of anything quite like this.

Mr. Furman, Love Your Fans humbly bows down to you as the king. Thanks for treating us like we deserve to be treated.

Rating: 5

Click Here for a Dream Come True

Click Here to Support Ezra and Get Your Own Custom Song

Results of 2nd Poll

2009-12-20T18:13:00.002-05:00

The results are in and the Fans have spoken:

Question: Paid memberships to band's official fanclubs?

1. Unfair! I love this band, but I'm broke! - 9 (60%)

2. Totally cool! I love feeling like I'm special! - 3 (20%)

3. I wouldn't join anyway. - 3 (20%)

Did you vote? Didn't get a chance? Leave a comment and let us know your answer and WHY YOU CHOSE IT.

The Roseland Ballroom (NY, NY)

2009-12-20T17:50:00.005-05:00

The Roseland Ballroom is one of NYC's must go to venues. Surprisingly spacious for a city venue, it boast a basement, first floor and balcony. The main stage stands over 3,000, which means you can be right up front, clinging to the barrier, or in the back with a little more personal space, depending on what you prefer. There were even places to sit if that was more your style.

When The Sounds played there on September 20 (review of the show here), the crowd was refreshingly diverse. The venue is relatively easy to find on 52 st. just off Broadway, but even running late we were able to walk right in and get a few feet from the stage just as the headliners got started. For the most part security was friendly, until the end when they insisted that patrons leave immediately whether or not they were waiting for friend inside or trying to buy something from the merch table.

Despite this, the Roseland was one of the better NYC venues I've been to and I highly recommend that you see one one of their shows.

The Roseland Ballroom: 4

This Is What We Are About

2009-08-10T22:44:00.003-04:00

Hey there fans! Wanted to check in and let you know that WE'RE NOT DEAD YET! More reviews of venues and bands coming SOON - but until then, let us hear YOUR stories! Email us at loveyourfans@gmail.com.

Until then, we leave you with eloquent words we couldn't have put together better ourselves:

"The ultimate sin of any performer is contempt for the audience." - the great Lester Bangs

NEW POLL!

2009-07-18T17:39:00.002-04:00

Hey fans,

New poll up! What do you guys think about paid memberships to band's official fan clubs? Got something to say about it? Leave a comment or email us at loveyourfans@gmail.com.

Remember we want to hear from you!

The Borderline - London, UK

2009-07-14T21:31:00.005-04:00

"Living in London all my life, I have been to many music venues both large, and small and for every dive there's generally an okay one. Now finding myself (without really looking) the same age as Morrissey and Michael Stipe, I find myself less and less willing to stand around some dark cavernous hall like the Garage in Holloway (why do they always paint the walls black in such places?) for hours on end waiting to see some band or other. These days I need the venue to be a bit more civilised before dragging myself into central London to see an artist perform. My favourite small venue has to be The Borderline, just off Charing Cross Road.

From the outside it looks like a Mexican restaurant (or maybe an English idea of one) inside you go down stairs and enter a large basement room (with normal coloured, not black walls) with a bar and toilets and seating areas for those who find a few hours standing up a bit too much. It’s a bit tatty at the edges, but then aren’t all music venues? The security is very low key and laid back. The stage is a foot high platform with ample standing room in front (if not particularly on stage, a full band can be slightly cramped). The all important sound system is clear and warm. There’s a very relaxed and intimate feel about the place and even when crowded it still feels somehow comfortable and civilised. I’ve seen some excellent artists there down the years like LA pop marvels Wondermints (in town as part of Brian Wilson’s band), Brendan Benson, Matthew Sweet, Cracker, Robyn Hitchcock to name some I remember off the top of my head, and I cannot recall a single occasion where the venue got in the way of enjoying the magic occurring on stage…and really, when it comes to London venues, that’s as much as we might hope for.

A definite four out of five."

- Mick D, ART INTO DUST

The Boderline: 4

The Middle East - Cambridge, MA

2009-07-09T13:12:00.006-04:00

The Middle East is a four part venue located in Central Square in Cambridge,MA. It houses two restaurants and three music stages right on the corner of Mass Ave and Brookline Street. The smaller restaurant, the Corner, serves Lebanese food and holds a tiny stage in the front window, while the other restaurant, Zuzu, has a bit more upscale menu.

However the draw of The Middle East comes from its two main performance spaces. Downstairs houses a club style stage, with room for over 500 people. There are two bars, one in an elevated side portion that is almost always roped off for 21+ and one that serves non alcoholic drinks along the right wall. Bands tend to hangout in the elevated bar, mingling with their older fans. There are no barricades, allowing you to get right up to the front of the stage. The coat check at the back is cheap and efficient, and quite useful in Boston winters when it is 10 degrees outside but 80 degrees in the crowd. Downstairs usually hosts bigger bands who want a club feel show, like Cobra Starship and Brand New.

The other performance space, Upstairs, houses smaller bands.To reach Upstairs, you must walk through Zuzu and all the way to the door in the back, past the waiters' station and coffee machine. There's usually someone at the door checking IDs (shows upstairs are often 18+) and taking money. Upstairs is painted blood red and covered in cool graffiti and band posters. Here the bands often mingle out in the crowd or off to the side of the room as the shows are usually for up and coming bands. There is a small bar in the back with cheap beer, but most of the crowd is college aged and drinking water to stay hydrated. Upstairs only holds about 150 people, so shows are small and intimate.

The Middle East does a great job booking bands, and I have only once been disappointed by a concert here. Insider's tip: they offer reduced fare parking ($3) at the 55 Franklin Street Garage between 5pm and 2am. To get your parking validated, you must give your parking ticket to the bartender at Zuzu. He must stamp it AND give you asmall green ticket that you insert into the parking machine. Not all of the bartenders know about the green ticket, but it is required for the reduced fare, so remind them that you need one. I've often seen them take thetickets off of a shelf behind the bar, somewhere near an elephant statue.

I give them a 5."

- Alex D., Fake Pink Glasses

The Middle East: 5

First Love Your Fans Poll Results

2009-07-06T14:49:00.000-04:00

Question: Do you think bands should be held accountable for their fans?

1. Yes - 17 (40%)

2. No - 6 (14%)

3. Depends on the band. - 24 (57%)

4. Depends on the fans. - 9 (21%)

Did you vote? Didn't get a chance? Leave a comment and let us know your answer and WHY YOU CHOSE IT.

Showbox, Seattle, WA

2009-07-03T15:46:00.003-04:00

"Great venue. Classic wooden floors and perhaps a little cramped but it's a great venue, staff is usually pretty cool, have never had a problem here. There's a bar, a handicapped ramp, chairs. It's pretty cool overall and I recommend seeing any band here. I've seen Jack's Mannequin here as well as The Academy Is... twice."

- Karla S.

Showbox: 3

Wamu Theater, Seattle, WA

2009-07-03T12:25:00.004-04:00

"I've been to this venue 3 times-- Each time security is worse than the last. The very first time the crowding was so horrible the band on stage (Motion City Soundtrack, an opener no less) stopped the show and did security's job, making the crowd step back and helping point out people in trouble since security refused.

The second time as I saw MCR in May of '07, the venue security not only ignored an obviously dehydrated concert goer, but refused to get us a bottle of water when we forced her to sit down. Finally the third time I asked a venue staffer they brought us a bottle.

The third, and unfortunately what may be the last time, venue security severely overreacted and threw out my mother.

I don't like to go to this venue because security is unfriendly and always acts like, 'It's your fault," - no matter what happens to you! Overall the staff have a poor, poor attitude."

- Karla S.

Wamu Theater: 1

UPDATE!

2009-07-02T22:06:00.000-04:00

Hi Fans!

Just wanted to let you know that we are starting to get some reviews from you! Right now, we will be working out how best to post these reviews and make sure you get credit! So far we're putting first names and last initial (if you'd prefer something else, please be sure to let us know!) and quoting exactly what you've said! Also, please remember to give your review a rating. Don't like the rating system? Give us some suggestions on how to make it better for you guys!

Again, thanks for your help and we can't wait to read all your reviews!

PS - Don't forget to tell your friends about us! No matter what music they listen to, we want them here!

Butch Walker

2009-07-02T22:03:00.001-04:00

"I've had the honor of meeting Butch Walker multiple times in venues around the Atlanta area. Twice in a meet and greet situation, once at a signing, but most of the time, it's been in a waiting after the show deal. In every situation though, he never fails to impress me with how kind and awesome he is. Even when he's in a hurry, he still tries his best to make sure that no fan who waits around for him is neglected. He's super patient, easily approachable, talks to you like a friend (he's called me 'darlin' multiple times) and just really really sweet."

- Ashley L.

Sounds good to us! We love Butch.

Butch Walker: 4

Cobra Starship at Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth, UK

2009-07-02T21:48:00.003-04:00

"I recently went to a show at The Wedgewood Rooms, a small venue in Portsmouth, UK. Cobra Starship headlined.

Now first off: Wedgewood Rooms. The security were distinctly average. After the gig they immedietly started herding people outside, not allowing anyone to wait inside the venue to meet the headliners. When we tried to appeal to them, we were very rudely told to go outside. Later on, one of the support bands dropped one of his belongings and when a girl went to hand it back to him, she was actually yelled at by security.

Wedgewood Rooms: 1

After about an hour and a half of waiting outside, Gabe Saporta comes out, looks around at the ten to fifteen people left waiting and says in a surprised tone that he actually wasn't told that anyone was waiting. Thanks a bunch, venue staff. Gabe however more than made up for the wait by patiently signing autographs and posing for pictures with every fan who waited.

He was charming and polite, asking everyone their names and if signing merchandise, how to spell names so he wouldn't make any mistakes.He seemed genuinely pleased to see people, and was all in all a pleasure to meet.

Cobra Starship/Gabe Saporta: 5"

-Sophie A.

Call to Fans

2009-07-02T13:45:00.000-04:00

MUSIC FANS: LOVE YOUR FANS NEEDS YOU

Love Your Fans is a blog for fans, by fans, and we want you to share your stories and experiences. Got a review of a band or venue? Send it to us and to keep the dream alive!

EMAIL US AT: loveyourfans@gmail.com

Because without YOU, your favorite bands and venues wouldn't be here either.

Cobra Starship in Troy, NY

2009-06-29T18:11:00.002-04:00

Cobra Starship at Revolution Hall, Troy, NY (January 2008)

Lead singer of Cobra Starship, Gabe Saporta, has been and will most probably be mentioned several times on Love Your Fans. In a January 2008 show at Revolution Hall, when a group of fans in the front row got to pushing and pulling, Saporta stopped the concert and pulled a frightened young girl out of the crowd. Admonishing those who had gotten so rough during his set, the singer had a quick and quiet conversation with the saved girl (most likely to make sure she did not need medical attention), gave her a bottle of water from the band's stash and had her sit on the edge of the stage for the remainder of the concert. The other members of the band also all spoke to the girl at some point during the show.

This is what we need to see more of. This is what Love Your Fans is all about. If a fan is being hurt, the band CAN and SHOULD step in, as much as they are able. Kudos to the Cobras!

Cobra Starship: 5

Cobra Starship in Clifton Park, NY

2009-06-29T18:07:00.002-04:00

A letter to the band, Cobra Starship from two fans:

"Dearest Cobras,

We recently were lucky enough to see you perform on the Sleeping with Giants Tour. We saw you in Poughkeepsie, Hartford, CT and Clifton Park, NY. You were fabulous. That being said, what we really want to thank you for is how you treated your fans. Over the three performances we had plenty of time to observe your interactions with your fans. Seeing as a lot of them are young kids, it’s easy to seem condescending or uninterested. But you didn’t. We had a chance to meet all of you and we were very impressed at how chill you were.

In particular, while at the Clifton Park show, we sat near the merch table for a breather. While we were there, Gabe sat down next to us. He had already spent an hour signing autographs at the FYE table and we thought he was on his way out when he came over to us. But he ended up staying another hour and we got to see first hand not only what all of you have to go through as a popular band, but how well you deal with it. We’ve been to a number of shows for a number of different bands and while they were all quite nice and it was amazing to meet them, we were able to recognize that you guys seem to go the extra mile. We wanted you to know that what you’re doing is not going unnoticed or unappreciated by everyone. We are really excited for the headlining tour and hope to get the chance to meet you all again. Good luck and fangs up. See you in a couple of months!"

Cobra Starship: 5

The Chance Theater, Poughkeepsie, NY

2009-06-29T17:56:00.001-04:00

The Chance Theater, Poughkeepsie, NY (Fall, 2007)

The Chance is one - if not the only - rock venue in Poughkeepsie, NY. It's a dingy club with a tiny stage, a mosh pit and a few levels of balconies - all standing room only. It has a great grungy vibe, gets some great bands, and is under 21 friendly making it especially popular for the younger Poughkeepsie crowd.

However, patrons BEWARE! The security at The Chance is atrocious. When the crowds gets rough, the staff does nothing - which might be fine, if the band attracts an notoriously rough following. But when a band with mostly preteen fans is causing the fans to push and shove, security has the obligation to step in and protect the wellbeing of those who could be seriously hurt. But if you're looking for a lifesaver at this venue, don't hold your breath. It's not unheard of that a few young girls are pushed down under a sea of surging moshers as the security staff watches absentmindedly.

If you're heading to this venue, you might catch a great band close up, but you might also see the inside of an ambulance close up. If you're not going to keep a place secure, don't pretend to, Chance.

The Chance: 1

The Hudson Hotel and Semi Precious Weapons

2009-06-29T13:48:00.002-04:00

Private Park @ The Hudson Hotel and Semi Precious Weapons, New York, NY (June 27, 2009)

Semi Precious Weapons are a great band and put on a great show! However, most of the fans who showed up to the Hudson Hotel on Saturday night did not make it into the show. Why? Labeled an all ages show, fans under 21 traveled from all over to get to what was promised to be a glamorous party in their appreciation, were rudely dismissed at the door (which was run by sister company, Morgans) with no explanation except that the rules had been changed and they weren't allowed in. The band was very quickly notified of this, but seemed to do very little to address the problem, telling fans to try to sneak in the side door where security was rough-housing 18 to 20 year olds half their size.

Sure it was a great show, for the people who got in. For the rest, who left, devastated, or watched through the slats of window blinds and dodged hotel security, there will be no thanks to the band or the management. I understand the concept of under 21, but bands and venues need to be clear about how they label shows, especially when their fans are involved.

The Hudson Hotel: 2

Venues

2009-06-29T13:46:00.003-04:00

5

The Middle East (Cambridge, MA)

4

The Borderline (London, UK)

The Roseland Ballroom (New York, NY)

3

Showbox (Seattle, WA)

2

The Hudson Hotel (New York, NY)

1

The Chance Theater (Poughkeepsie, NY)

Wamu Theater (Seattle, WA)

Wedgewood Rooms (Portsmouth, UK)

Bands

2009-06-29T13:45:00.001-04:00

5

Cobra Starship 1 2 3

Ezra Furman and the Harpoons

4

Butch Walker

3

2

1

Our Rating System

2009-06-29T12:59:00.002-04:00

Here's how we're going to rate bands and venues:

5. This band/venue gave me the red carpet treatment - for free!

4. This band/venue gave me the red carpet treatment - but I had to buy a membership first.

3. This band/venue was average - they know I exist, but I didn't necessarily feel special.

2. This band/venue ignored me and maybe complained I wasn't who they expected.

1. This band/venue left me to die in a gutter.

If you think the scale should be larger, have something to add, or want to change the format then let us know! Leave a comment or email us at loveyourfans@gmail.com.

Mission Statement for Love Your Fans Blog

2009-06-29T12:46:00.001-04:00

Love Your Fans was created as a resource for people who love music to share experiences of their treatment as fans by both bands and venues - the best and the worst. We believe that the fans should always be treated with respect because they keep the music industry alive. Unfortunately, in our experience, that is not always the case.

So let this be a place where we hold bands and venue accountable for their treatment of us. Know a band that treats you like a VIP? A venue that's security pushed you around? Let us know! Email: loveyourfans@gmail.com with your reviews - stories, complaints, kudos - about a band or venue that you know, and let the list begin.

Disclaimer

2009-06-21T19:10:00.001-04:00

Love Your Fans is place for fans to express their opinions on bands they have seen and the concert experience at venues they have attended. Love Your Fans is not responsible for the opinions expressed. Love Your Fans claims no affiliation with any of the bands or venues which are reviewed on the site.

Original content by Love Your Fans may not be reproduced, copied or used without written permission. All reviews submitted and published to the Love Your Fans blog are copyright of the original authors. Love Your Fans does not claim copyright to any submissions by outside users.

No profits are made off of any of the content on this site.

Please email us at loveyourfans@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns on copyright issues or otherwise.