Comments on “Boycott The Stranger! Fuck Eric Grandy!”

Well said Megan - I'm dissapointed that people point the finger to Eric and The Stranger. It's been a few months, that I can remember, where Atlas PLACES ADS in the The Stranger for their shows. From that, I assumed they had their shit together.

Full disclosure: I am not affilliated with Atlas in any way. I am friends and acquaintances with several volunteers, but I do not in any way want to give the impression that I am speaking "for" Atlas.

That said, I was there when the Fire Department showed up at Atlas. My band, Police Teeth were soundchecking.

The Fire Dept. told one of the volunteers that a police officer had tipped them off after reading article (presumably Grandy's) that was published yesterday.

Considering how much negative ink that the Stranger has been giving SPD of late, it makes sense that the fuzz are reading it.

All this is saying that "Sadly, Atlas got shut down, but it wasn’t because of Eric Grandy’s story or The Stranger. It was because the venue wasn’t up to code, and that’s nobodies fault but their own." Isn't quite fair. It's true that the venue wasn't up to code, but The Stranger had a lot to do with the Fire Department showing up last night.

Eric had so many angles to write a story that wasn't a hatchet job or an advertisement that the venue was out of code. If he had focused on the music in the feature, this would likely not be an issue, but the thrust of the article was "OMG!!!!12111 ATLAS IS HAVEING ILLLEEEGAL SHOES!@!!!11" Which is whack as hell.

Hell, they didn't even agree to an interview at first! Grandy should have gotten the hint, and should've passed it up to the Stranger higher-ups. When Matt refused to call Grandy back he should've REALLY gotten the hint, and passed it up to the higher-ups. After all, the legality of the venue has very little to do with what (I percieve to be) important: THE MUSIC.

The volunteers had stated many times in many forums that they had no problem with the shows themselves being promoted, and indeed the shows we're promoted well. If the gov't knew about it (they did), they were happy to turn a blind eye until it was flounted in their face in the feature: "HAY THIS PLAESE IS AGENST THE LAWW!!111 PLEESE SHUT IT DOWN!!!11" Cops and Fire department don't like that shit shoved in their face. Promoting the shows wasn't the problem, promoting the illegality was.

Eric mentions that Atlas had been trying to invite the FD to the space to look it over, and so many Slog commentors are saying "OMG! What's the big deal?" Well, when you INVITE the FD over to check things out to see what you need to change, I'd presume that they'd be a bit more receptive and helpful than when the cops give 'em the order to shut the place down. This isn't what Atlas was trying to accomplish.

James Burns/Police Teeth

P.S. Seeing that I actually know people involved with Atlas, and had been hanging out with them last night, I just wanted to say that the majority of them think all this "Fuck/Boycott Eric Grandy/The Stranger talk" is as retarded as you do, Megan.

P.P.S. I was in the last band to stand on the Atlas stage. Who wants to touch me?

Another point to be made that hasn't: How do you boycott a free magazine? You'd have to pressure its advertisers to stop paying for its existence. I just don't see the kids getting that to happen. Because whatever you say and do, for every one of you there's a dozen people that are going to keep reading it, and that justifies advertiser's dollars. Hell, even if I agreed with y'all about Grandy, I always skip his column because I don't give a shit about the live music scene here. There's plenty else to see in the Stranger, and people like me will see every ad in the process of getting to that stuff. The Stranger ain't going anywhere.

Megan, the FD shut down Atlas because The Stranger shoved it in their faces.

The only thing that really galls me about this sad situation is the stunning hyprocrisy exhibited by Mr. Grandy (and apparently others at the Stranger).

As has been mentioned many times, Eric regularly attended and even performed at various underground/covert, etc. shows through the years. He also had to know that writing this article pointing out the illegality of the Atlas all-ages shows was going to get them shut down (you have to be an utter moron to not understand that), and that's exactly what happened.

The lesson to be learned from this is clear: you would be a damn fool to allow Grandy (or any Stranger writer agreeing with his actions) anywhere near any covert, underground, etc. show you might be putting on.

Some folks think Atlas should've gotten themselves legit and deserved to be closed down. Great, then stay the fuck away from all the other covert/underground shows/basement parties that are also not legit. Otherwise, you'll just be proving yourselves to be as big as hypocrites as Mr. Grandy.

So, to sum up: Don't boycott the Stranger. But invite them (or even let them know about) any covert, underground show at your own risk. They've now proven they'll be more than happy to help get you shut down.

Bottom line, this article sent a red flag up that facilitated the shows being shut down. All this bullshit about fire codes and it's Atlas' fault and Great White...give me a fucking break. Some of the coolest funnest shows are in basements, in living rooms, warehouse etc etc. It's just you have to know when to shut the fuck up about it being illegal in a widely distributed paper. There's a difference between promoting a show and doing an article about a place that does shows illegally...basically inviting and hurrying the inevitable. I would second the opinion to be very cautious about letting anyone from the Stranger know about your covert, fun, not up to code event. They just won't be able to keep cool about it.

Comment #2 ftw.
SERIOUSLY.

What is this dumbshit attitude of 'don't let the stranger reporter preview your show'?

Yeah, press is just aweful. Eric, please preview my band and my venue anytime you like. Pretty pretty please.

What the fuck are you people talking about?

Look in the mirror if you want to be pissed. Your shitty little venue where your shitty little bands could play is shut down. Why don't you do something about getting the place legit instead of being mad at Mr. Grandy?

Sounds like you should be mad at the owner of the Atlas.

You like the press, you need the press, and mark my words, when you are trying to shows legit, who are you going to wish you had doing a big feature it?

This article was written in a way that made Atlas seem like a good thing. I know Eric is a fan of alternative spaces. By Eric writing it after the guy obviously didn't want to have it published resulted in the club getting shut down.

Yes, they should have had their permits, but since when is the Stranger pushing to get a club shut down. They knew it was going to have that kind of effect. How could you not.

Megan, you have to say you don't want people to boycott the paper because that's your job. However, you know that there was NO reason to write this article. None.

There goes The Stranger again creating more fuckin' controversy and costing another business. Way to go champs.

If Atlas had been up to code, it would have never closed and an article would have never been written. period. end of story.

Don't shoot the fucking messenger

It's good to know that the Republicans at the Stranger have decided to become our moral code and keep all ages venues on the straight and narrow.

Actually they must assume their readership is full of idiots by expecting them to believe that they suddenly care about who is following the rules and who isn't.

All this "Well Atlas shouldn't have been doing illegal things" talk from the Stranger is a sad spin on what could easily be ended by admitting what Eric already has- his involvement in Atlas getting shut down.

What is this shit about "Moral Code"?

Like it or not, everything has a leading edge. there is always a front guard.

Shtting on it is like screaming, "I see you leading but it's no good because I only like ideas that I think of".

Look, The Stranger shit's the bed unappologetically every couple months if you're keeping score.

You'll get over it. I got over them getting Buju Banton's homophobic ass twice the payday, twice the publicity and NO consequence for being himself while they took a big stinking $15k shit on the doorstep of a group of folks who've done nothing but work with them to great benefit since jump.

Whatever. Get past it. Move on. Let it go.

Thing abut you allages dorks is, you're all in your late twomps and you still listen to shitty kid bands and can't let go of the moronic group identity that gave your life meaning. Get some pants on and find a bar job. Fuck, do something. Bitching don't pay bills and damned sure don't make good music venues.

#8--can't you understand the difference between promoting a show or giving press to a show and GOING OUT OF THE WAY to point out that the venue itself is operating illegally/not up to code/blah blah blah? Press for show is great of course you dumbass...going out of your way to publically declare to 90,000 people that this little harmless cool venue is not operating by the rules is just being a fucking jerk. When you're at a fun party and everyone's having a good time, do you call the fucking cops? Sounds like it.

Don't shoot the messager? More like the town cryer.

Is it just me who's tripped out at seeing the phrase "Mr. Grandy"?

DJ Fucking Wearing A Top Hat Whisking Away The Plebeians In The Streets With My Obsidian Cane?

Anyway, the whole boycott stuff is just noise. I'd be surprised if one person who wrote about boycotting The Stranger really picked up a copy of the paper ever. shrug. yawn.

This is still nothing compared to half the stuff Kathleen Wilson wrote, and she wanted to stir up shit. That insulting epitaph to Fallout Records I will never forget. Also, remember Isaac Brock Rapegate? Comparing Kathleen to Eric is just plain insulting to Eric.. (for those of you who commented elsewhere.)

I know this is easy for me to say, but this controversy is going to blow over sooner than most people think.

For those of you who are upset at the Stranger, perhaps stop copying and pasting your same comments to all the relevant threads. Then maybe it will look like more than one person is doing all of this k thx bye.

I am among those upset by losing another all-ages venue, but I agree that it is not Grandy's fault. To put it very simply, Grand would not have written the things that he did if they weren't true. You won't find any such articles about Vera, because Vera made sure that the were up to code and completely legit prior to opening their doors. It is unfortunate that Atlas was closed down, but, as hard as it is to say/believe, it's no one's fault but their own. I have friends who put a lot of unpaid time and hard work into building that venue and producing great shows. That doesn't change the fact that they may have made a bad decision or two.

I'm reading all the shit people are saying here and on Myspace and it just really sad. it's sad that a decent, centralized all-ages show venue is in danger of being shut down for good. it's equally sad that so many people are frothing at the mouth and clearly do not have a clue as what's going on.

when I read Eric's article, I 've got admit the fact that he gave away so much about Atlas' illegitimate status made me cringe. in the end, The Stranger is non-mainstream Seattle's paper of record and to publish that shit in such a widely read publication begs for attention from all kinds of fun Nazis who'd want to bring the hammer down. the bigger question then isn't why did the Stranger publish this information instead of living by "the Code" or something; the question is what the fuck were the people at Atlas doing disclosing to a JOURNALIST that the venue is not up to fire safey approval? two things that people should know about the world: never invite the cops into your house, and never tell a lawyer or a reporter ANYTHING you feel could be used against you. that goes for malicious intent or a possible ambivalent slip up.

in Eric's case, I err to the latter. he made a mistake including this information in his article, but it was well within his right to do so. for anyone who assumes he did this willfully with the intent to somehow "put a hit out" on Atlas, you do not know anything about Eric. I have been fairly good friends with Eric for nearly six years. in that time I've seen him book house shows here and in Olympia for bands like Japanther and Wrangler Brutes among many others. he also worked at the Redmond Fire House for a good number of years. the dude has a fucking tattoo tribute to Kate Becker. if anyone gives a shit about all ages, "covert" or otherwise, shows in the region, it's him. Eric, like the Stranger itself, has done more for the all ages community here than any self-righteous 19 year old who just moved out here form Olympia and thinks he has an idea about "The Republicans" who run that paper. so while you're getting drunk and shouting nonsense at NW Film Forum (why there, please?), and wasting time and resources postering dumb flyers around town, you could be spending that time helping Atlas get back on it's feet and maybe contribute some of that money you spent at Kinko's (there's a worthy cash recipiant) to the venue as a donor, or maybe for a benefit... which I might add Eric had DJed one of this year.

basically it was a fucking stupid mistake in the end. some bad shit's gone down because of it, but at least if Atlas comes back, there won't be anything sketchy going on there any more and we can all feel safe and secure in the venue's existence instead of wondering if this is the show that the Fire Marshall shows up to and says, "good God, there's too many people here!", kicks everyone out nad issues a major citation to them.

re poster #12:
"Thing abut you allages dorks is, you're all in your late twomps and you still listen to shitty kid bands and can't let go of the moronic group identity that gave your life meaning."

Yo man, seriously, go fuck yourself. You have no idea how old the people involved with all-ages music in this town are.

You have no idea what we listen to.

Keeping music available to people of all ages is a "moronic group identity"? I think not. Keeping music tied to alcohol/21+, talking shit about people who go to and organize all ages music - that sounds more like idiotic groupthink.

Not everyone falls for the line that getting a job at a bar, or hanging around a bunch of pathetic alcoholic/cokehead fuckwads at Capitol Hill 21+ shows is a prerequisite to "growing up."

Music transcends age. As do high-school mentalities, as you have proven. Grow up, dipshit.

Yeah, how dare he inform on something so trivial as FIRE CODES? I mean so what that not being up to code means people are more likely to DIE. No one has yet, so that means no one ever will, right?

Bottom line: Better Atlas gets its shit together now, for whatever reason, than worrying about it after people die. I know it sucks to follow the "rules", but some of them actually exist for a reason.

How hard is it to get up to code? serioiusly, a few lit exit signs and fire extinguishers and an emergency exit door that opens "out". Not that hard...

I have to admit I too gasped when I read the article and thought "oh no he did not just do that (state in print that they were not up to code yet)". It's pretty amazing what the SFD WILL let slide, but once you put it under their nose...
On another note, Megan, are you OLD enough to miss RCKCNDY?

Scharrera @ 21:

Yeah, I'm 27. Started going in 95-96, went until it closed in 99, the year after I graduated high school.

Come on Megan, that wasn't good reporting, that was bad sensationalist writing and the consequences of the article were not well thought out at all by The Stranger. It seems like Grandy's editor should get some blame for letting that article run, where was the editorial oversight at the paper? Do you think that would have run if Jennifer Maerz was still music editor? It's sad to see all the The Stranger staff so readily back up the article rather than listen to the very legitimate criticism that's coming from the music community.

Hi all!

I can't be bothered with anything these days, but shrug. I just don't have anything to say recently.


G'night

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Isn't this what happens when you make some bad DJ think he's a writer?

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