The key word for recent comments at cltampa.com and on CL’s Facebook page was “dialogue.” As in, lots of commenters responding, reflecting, and ranting, sometimes at us, sometimes at each other. Here’s some of the back-and-forth.
Fans of the noise scene had much to say about “Find Your Niche: The Music Issue” (July 25).
Frankie Knuckles: Unfortunately you left out all of the things that have actually been happening in the city of Tampa proper… There is definitely more than just two or three people making many things happen in this city.
Music Editor Leilani Polk: Frankie Knuckles, I am pretty sure you missed the entire point of this issue. And this article, too. It’s an overview. Meant as an introduction and a spotlight on a key player in the scene — not the only key player.
The Punk/Hardcore/DIY contingent grumbled, too.
Sleepy Vikings: That’s a short list.
Polk: What did we miss? Tell me more!
Scrog: If you think that there is only 13 bands and 10 venues ‘doing it DIY’ in the area then there probably isn’t anything I could tell you that would be deemed legit at this point.
Polk: Obviously there are other bands that weren’t included; there are literally thousands of bands playing in the Bay area. Is there anything in here saying that these are the *only damn bands doing it DIY? Nope… Also, I am willing to beef that list up … so tell me what bands I should be adding? That question was a sincere one, people.
Commenters: Crickets.
The jam scenesters took to Facebook.
Green Sunshine: Anyone see the Creative Loafing Tampa music issue? Absolutely nothing about the Jam scene in Tampa / St Pete? It’s almost hard to believe that a scene so big and amazing could be over looked…
CL Managing Editor Joe Bardi: Green Sunshine: You’re missing the point of the issue. The goal was to highlight niche scenes, ones that are worthy of attention but aren’t as ‘big and amazing’ as say, the Jam scene. You’d have far more reason to complain if Jam WAS included, as that would be a clear slap in the face to scene that has been vibrant in the Bay area for years. {Editor’s Note: It should be mentioned that Joe, Leilani and a few of their other CL compatriots are major, major, to-the-point-of-obsession jam fans; they plan their holidays around Phish tours, for God’s sake!]
Mitch Perry’s “Stop Stealing Music” (July 25), about David Lowery’s fight against illegal file sharing, got another dialogue going.
J.D.: I keep seeing this guy’s postings trotted out by recording industry slimeballs and entitled musicians who think everyone should be forced to listen to their music (and pay them for the “privilege”). But honestly, apart from his boorish, confrontational demeanor, I’ve never seen anything remotely new or different in his writings.
Smackie: It’s quite simple, actually. If you think that music has value, then pay for it. If not, then make your own music to listen to. Why is it OK to use something that someone else made for free? Who gives a shit if the artist is “boorish” and “confrontational” — you would be too if the world was stealing your intellectual property. Pay the effing 99cents a track or get some talent yourself.
Finally, Linda Saul-Sena’s “Transforming Tampa Bay” columns drew many comments, especially “The Skyscraper Next Door” (July 25) about the residential tower that may go up next to the Straz in Tampa.
pltctytc: while we’re at it…lets run a new trolley line to it. plenty of boondoggles we said wouldn’t work but had to have it to revitalize whatever it is suppose to revitalize… lol channelside now proving that fact
Mike Kramer: Well, the comment about the trolley is unrelated but… extending it to Curtis Hixon would be a great idea… Great article Linda and totally agree. I have been behind this project since the beginning and expect big things to come from it …
John Prokop: …This project’s design is a much more important factor than its exact location. Good buildings can and are built on difficult sites. The developer has apparently built nearly the same building (very similar to Skypoint and Element) in other cities on very disparate sites. There should be some knowledgeable authority in the City government… overseeing and having input into the final design?
CORRECTIONS: We inadvertently omitted Matthew Drozdeck’s co-byline and bio from the story he wrote with Terrence Smith on marijuana legalization in last week’s special Intern Issue. Here’s the bio, written by his fellow intern Carly Hobbs: When Matthew Drozdeck was 15 years old, he began writing lyrics to set to music; that is the moment when he realized writing was something he could turn into a career. Twelve years later, he is studying professional writing and rhetoric & technology at USF. Aside from writing, music is his main passion, particularly doom/stoner metal. Beyond college, he hopes to get a gig somewhere writing about music, hopefully in New York City, so he can head home.
Also from The Intern Issue: In “Get Your Own Coffee,” the first name was mispelled of a USF student interviewed for the story. Her name is Gabriella, not Gabrielle Balsam. In the story about Genaro Coffee Co., it was misstated that Patricia Francati and Preston Johnson were two of five co-owners; they are the only co-owners. Also, Francati was inspired to serve boba tea because she enjoyed it at Jade Bistro; Jade Bistro is not providing the tea to Genaro Coffee Co., as was suggested in the story.
This article appears in Aug 8-14, 2013.