Thursday, May 15, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Letters

Critic doesn't like

band; band upset

What is up with Newt Briggs? Does he have a thing against local acts? First off, I think he was a little off base with his review of Sunday night's Against Me! and Holy Moleys show at The Rock [Kick Out the Jams, May 8]. What you wrote, Mr. Briggs, may be your own personal opinion, but it wasn't shared by the two dozen or so people who I didn't even know who came to me following our set, including the Phoenix crew.

Secondly, if you don't like our music, that's fine, it's okay not to like the Holy Moleys. It's not for everyone. However, I find your malevolent words to be downright uncalled for and rude. Thanks for standing by the local scene.

What could make you be so malicious towards me? Maybe the collar frightens you? The first thing that comes to my mind is you had some "personal" counseling with your priest, and it freaks you out. Or maybe it's simply that you are a bitter man because you have become a no-talent writer, and it's easy to take a stab at a band that is out having fun and doesn't share your ideals of American life. Jonny Loves You. Baptist prick.

--Jonny Christ,

The Holy Moleys

All-ages music

scene alive, well

"Vegas' ever-sputtering all-ages scene."

--Las Vegas Mercury

"It sucks to be under 21 and a music fan in the valley."

--Las Vegas CityLife

And I don't have a quote from the Weekly right now, but you know that you're just as guilty. I am absolutely sick of the local press painting an image of the Las Vegas scene as something dreary and hopeless. It simply is not true.

Example A: Absent Minded.

Absent Minded is a "punk" band much in the same vein as Unwritten Law, Bad Religion and Rancid. Each member of the band is in high school. Since January of this year, Absent Minded has played approximately 17 shows. S e v e n t e e n! Of these 17 shows, nine of them were all ages. N i n e! More than half of them were for kids.

Now, case in point, this is just one example. One band that averages no less than two all-ages shows per month ranging among seven venues. S e v e n!

That does not sound like the scenario of a town and a people who are struggling and flailing for all-ages events.

Example B: The Huntridge Theater.

I won't bore you with the historical factor or what it was like for kids like me to go see movies there, and then later to attend their first shows and how often they came around. FACT is that there are eight shows remaining in the month of May alone, five of which showcase local talent.

However, the Huntridge and its dedicated crew are not really the issue. The issue remains that despite a plethora of shows each and every month (more than they have ever had), they must compete with shows at House of Blues, Cafe Espresso Roma, Smoothie King, Java Joint, Skate City, Saigon Cafe, even Balcony Lights and, of course, the unsung house parties (where the kids can truly rock).

Sounds to me like all-ages venues have plenty of shows as well as competition in the valley. It also appears that young bands have a variety of stages to occupy.

Example C: lvlocalmusicscene.com.

Anybody who cares enough to bother to look, the local music website lvlocalmusicscene.com has show listings day after day after day. If one were so inclined to investigate, there are 12 shows THIS weekend available to the youth. Twelve possible shows in four days.

To me, that doesn't sound like "it sucks" here or "ever-sputtering." Sounds to me like we have an ever-growing youth scene here. And that is because there are people out here doing what they can to make a difference. The kids in the valley are the ones doing it. These young bands and their friends. If it was not for them, we could not have a scene worth bitching about.

So, instead of waving and hiding behind the flag of apathy, give thanks to these kids. There is easily 500 percent more bands, more venues and more variety than there was 10 years ago. Without a doubt.

If you media tarts want to do an intriguing expose, try covering the local scene in Bakersfield or St. George. Maybe a li'l trip to Pocatello would open your eyes to what struggling youth are.

Now go print a retraction for every nasty word you've ever printed about this Vegas scene. (I swear...if it ain't someone bitchin, it's someone doing nothing.)

Thanks! Have a great weekend.

--Michael Welsh,

Fat Kof Entertainment

PATRIOT provisions

violate Constitution

Dear Mr. Schumacher,

Kudos to you for courageously expressing the serious concern that I have had almost all my life after escaping Nazi persecution as a child. Your article ["Speak Clearly into the Wiretap," Editor's Note, May 1] hits the nail right on the head (thanks to Osama and the prior planning of our federal administration) regarding turning our constitutional republic into a police state. Contrary to your comment, "Apparently Nevada--that alleged last refuge for lovers of freedom--isn't concerned," I am one of the few Nevadans who is the exception.

Despite these dangerous new powers, only one senator, Russ Feingold, D-Wis., voted against the PATRIOT Act, claiming that H.R. 3162 "does not strike the right balance between empowering law enforcement and protecting civil liberties." The House was more circumspect, with 66 members voting against the bill. One of the representatives who opposed the bill, Ron Paul, R-Texas, expressed grave concerns over many of its provisions.

I do not believe that our Constitution permits federal agents to monitor phones, mail or computers without a warrant. History demonstrates that the powers we give the federal government today will remain in place indefinitely. How comfortable are you that future presidents won't abuse those powers? The bottom line is that every American should be very concerned about the unintended consequences of policies promoted to fight an unending, amorphous battle against terrorism.

Yet President Bush praised H.R. 3162 as giving "intelligence and law enforcement officials new tools to fight a present danger," and promised to "enforce this law with all the urgency of a nation at war."

The PATRIOT Act, unfortunately, appears to be but the opening salvo of a multi-front assault on individual liberties and on the checks and balances undergirding our federalist system. According to Congressman Paul, "Every 20th century crisis....led to rapid expansions of the federal government. The cycle is always the same, with temporary crises used to justify permanent new laws, agencies and programs. The cycle is [now] repeating itself."

Patriots like Patrick Henry must be turning over in their graves regarding the "PATRIOT Act."

--Frank M. Pelteson