The Underground at the Red Sea

[The Nevermores]

Our show last Friday night at The Underground (beneath The Red Sea on Delmar in the U. City Loop) was pretty much a fiasco. I found out (like Thursday nite) that there were 2 more bands playing that night - but they were "the early show." We figured, well, OK, they're young bands - they'll have their show, bring their friends, mostly clear out by 10:00, maybe some will stick around. We were supposed to go on at around 10:00, Thee Fine Lines around 11:00 (or the other way around....doesn't really matter). So, there were some people there, we were having a good time hanging out and stuff (I kinda like the room, although it is kind of a dump). Thee Fine Lines go on 10-ish. They're great (of course). They play a fairly short set - like 40-45 min. and then we start to get things ready to go on. Suddenly, this other band starts putting their stuff on stage... who the fuck is this??? Oh, they're 911 - they're going on next - you guys are the "headliners." What the fuck?!

So anyway, these guys go on and holy shit! I haven't seen something this BAD in I can't remember how long. They kept referring to their drummer as "The Professor," $2000 guitars thru $2000 amps - extended guitar and drum solos. Their 5 friends dug it I guess, but I haven't seen anyone clear a room that fast ever. They went on and on (and on and on) and played for like an hour and a half. Kept saying shit like "Thank you very much! What a great audience!" They acted like they were playing the Scottrade or fucking something. UNBELIEVABLE! And their songs... holy fuck... all anti-Bush stuff (and I mean, that's all they went on about) ranting between songs, telling about how they wrote this one about Condoleezza Rice, etc. etc. etc. It would have driven even the biggest Democrats out there to sport a big W shirt. Fuck, getting preached to by a bunch of West County faggot rich frat boys... more than I could stand (or anyone else for that matter judging how quickly the room emptied). So, after all that, we go ahead and play - fast, no talking between songs... kind of a good set. A few people stuck around. I enjoyed myself - I always like to play. Anyway, we get done, load out, etc. and go to the guy to get paid... and he fucking STIFFS US!! I mean, come on, throw us a bone, give us $20, something for doing all of this, but nooo...

Anyway, the guy running that dive doesn't know what he's doing and he's not going to get any real or established bands to play there if he's carrying on business the way he does. If he'd step aside and let someone set up a show w/ 3-4 bands that kinda go together (and actually PAY the bands! WTF?), I think the place could be succesfull - but not if he keeps this kinda shit up!

I wanna add that I think the place could be alright, I really do kinda like the dump. It's in a great location, etc. etc, but they gotta learn their business (unless their business is fucking people over).

[iceman28]

Friends played at Red Sea over the weekend and also got stiffed. Red Sea told them some bogus story about a non-existent contract, took in a bundle at the door, and then claimed that the band was supposed to pay THEM for the privilege of playing.

If you're looking for a venue, stay far away. If there is a production company involved (Janee??), they're still screwing the bands.

[Janee]

Sorry for your crappy experience. However, the Red Sea, in and of itself is not the problem. It can and will be a better place, for local musicians to enjoy playing at again. And our production company is there trying to rebuild and help make that happen. We are not affiliated with the "guy" that has been mentioned so much in all of these complaints we've read. We work seperately from him. And we wisdh to get all the bands we can, to help make Red Sea what it used to be.

[That's My Daughter]

Yeah, we won't ever play that dump. That kurt fellow is a complete jerk off.

[Sheena Von Killer]

I refuse to play there...lots of people don't get paid from what I've heard.

[delgado]

where do i get a 911 cd?