…2..3..4 – An Xperience Column

…2..3..4 – An Xperience Column – by Chris Busone.

In preparation for my monthly recollections, or what I like to refer to as “Memoirs of the Unrich and Fameless,” I have been reading, and in some cases rereading, tomes by people much smarter than me for inspiration. I find that quotes by big thinkers can be easily related to my topic of choice: music and the people who make it, and the places it’s purveyed.

During this research (that’s right, I do research), I came across a quote by Gloria Steinem, journalist, activist, and co-founder of Ms. magazine. Ms. Steinem, building on a quote from the Bible (John 8:32), mused, “The truth will set you free, but it will piss you off first.” (Apparently, John’s first draft included something similar to that last bit, but Moses or somebody edited it out. Everybody’s a critic.)

Now, while I don’t mind a reasonable amount of trouble, it’s never been my objective to start any or to piss anyone off within these pages. But I’d like to lay a little truth out there, and if it pisses anyone off, well, I’ll say I’m sorry now, and promise to give serious consideration to giving a crap later on. Here goes …

We are not – any of us – famous.

Other than the off chance that George Clooney or Flo the Insurance Lady picks up an Xperience Monthly, probably none of us within reading distance of this column are famous. That’s not a slam or a slight on anyone, just some truth. And it’s not to say that we don’t have a vibrant, substantive, fertile arts and music scene in this area. We do. I just think for it to be its best version of itself, the cream on top should be a healthy dollop of humility.

Local/regional recognition is nice. It is. It can get more people out to your gigs, get your songs more streams, and make you feel all warm and importantly fuzzy inside. And that’s nice. But you’re not really famous … right? And perpetuating the idea that we should be treating local acts like they are isn’t doing them any favors.

There are actual award events that are held in this area, where people are inducted into a “Hall of Fame.” Trouble is, nobody’s famous. I’m ok with giving people congratulatory knick-knacks if you must, but how can there be a hall of fame when no one is famous? (I just blew my chance of ever getting in there, btw.)

And it’s not lost on me that the fine folks at RadioRadioX, who own and operate this publication, have an awards event of their own. But in true RRX style, it’s more of a send-up of awards shows with fun and funny categories, rock and roll tee shirts in place of tuxedos, and no hall of fame, only heroes. Yes, heroes. And that’s some cool sh!t.

But look, if you wanna walk a red carpet or show up to a club, when you’re not even playing, dressed in your finest pleather and scarves with your shades on, carrying a chihuahua, go ahead. Have fun. It seems silly to me, but I don’t make the rules, and it’s not what I’m talking about anyway. I’m talking about the fact that we’re all in the same boat together. We all play the same places for the same faces. And it’s great, don’t get me wrong, and I feel fortunate to be a part of it. But this idea that some of us are better, more famous than others, and thereby have agency to strut through events and dictate who’s in what event when, either on stage or in the coverage of the event, is horsesh!t. And it’s the worst kind of horsesh!t. Because it’s taking something pure and unadulterated, and making it petty and disingenuous.

And while we’re at it, please don’t call me a rock star, ok? I’m just not. None of us is. I know you think you’re complimenting us, but it’s so acutely embarrassing. It’s what the ballbreakers I grew up with call me when they see me, “Uh-oh, here comes the Rock Star … hahaha …” It’s the mom at the pee-wee soccer game calling out to her 4-year-old, as he kicks the ball in the wrong goal, “That’s ok Crispin! You’re a winner! You’re all STARS!” I mean, I feel like I should get an orange wedge and a juice box after every time someone calls me a rock star.

Just recently, an actual famous person and renowned rock and roll photographer, Marty Benjamin, was in town for a showing which included decades of his amazing photos of the most famous musicians on earth, and the release of a new book. And the level of humility and grace this guy displayed throughout the event was inspiring. No pretense, no competitive glares at the fellow photogs in the room, just gracious, heartfelt, thanks for all who attended. He’s the real deal, and that’s how the real deal behaves.

So, forgive me, but if I hear someone slamming other musicians while they’re playing, or see reviewers or photographers trying to freeze out others trying to do the same, you’re gonna hear from me. And I would encourage everyone, especially my colleagues at RadioRadioX, to do the same. Just shut that sh!t down wherever you see it. It’s chichi nonsense and not worth anyone’s time.

And while I’m perched atop this particular soap box, can we stop trying to hardcore shame people into coming to local gigs? My sense is it’s coming from a good place to try and bolster the scene … but just … don’t. Sure, let’s put out our posts and ads and promote our events to the hilt through every available medium. But these posts demanding local support (Or Else!) or guilting people into coming to shows with the threat of musical extinction are a bridge too far for me. They’re tantamount to a local version of those heartbreaking ASPCA ads, complete with Sarah Mc-what’s-her-name weeping in the background, while images of sallow-skinned, long-faced, local musicians trapped in beer-can-strewn cages fade on and off the screen and burrow into the viewer’s conscience. “You can save a non-famous musician for the price of a cover charge and a Mich Ultra,” … as one lone glycerin teardrop trickles down a drummer’s cheek. I need a minute … (choke)

But at the end of the day (so, the night), whatever people decide to do with the limited amount of spare time and funds they have is their own goddamn business. So, if you decide to go see a movie or go to dinner or just hang in and watch Netflix in your Spiderman jammies rather than come to one of my gigs, you’re ok with me. You work hard. You earned it. No judgment here. (Of course, if you come to enough of my gigs, the Hall of Fame people may take notice … just saying … damn, I’m really blowing my shot here.)

And yeah, while I do believe these truths to be self-evident, I also know that, as Ms. Steinem astutely points out, first they’re gonna piss some of you off. But I sincerely hope that you can see your way clear to giving it some thought. We really are all in that same boat together. So why don’t we just all get in the boat and row? Together. Why don’t we pull for one another and make room for one another, and make the scene a better place for everyone? Together. Without all these silly pretenses and power struggles. It’s our scene, we can make it whatever we want. It can be a nurturing, supportive place where all are welcome, or it can be two big, sweaty, drunk, shirtless uncles wrestling on a slip-and-slide at their nephew’s 12th birthday party. It’s up to us. (Wow, that stuff really stays with you.)

So come on, lower your purple octagon shades, straighten your ultra-skinny keyboard tie (it’s vintage, dude!), pull yourself up by your Doc Martens, you Rock Star you, and let’s count it off. Together. 2…3…4…

More from Chris Busone…