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Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Bars / News / Business / RIP King Cobra to Close
Posted by Eric Grandy on Tue, Feb 24, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Sad news: Stranger receptionist and Emerald City Soul Club DJ Mike Nipper just got word that there would be no Talcum this weekend, due to the fact that King Cobra is closing; the bartender at King Cobra tonight confirmed that Friday will be the club's last night.
5
Absolutely don't bring Sugar back. Ever since it left, the amount of douches and douchettes has declined dramatically in that area.
BTW, RIP King Cobra. I will miss your ample dance floor, good sound, and upstairs bar that was never crowded.
BTW, RIP King Cobra. I will miss your ample dance floor, good sound, and upstairs bar that was never crowded.
7
That space is sooooooooooo cursed. I have a feeling it's gonna go retail. Every club that's been in there has failed quickly as long as far back as I can remember.
8
It was all downhill after they ditched Jenny Bendel as their booker and turned their backs on bona fide rock bands.
I hear that Neighbors might be looking for space, though.
I hear that Neighbors might be looking for space, though.
9
@8, Neighbors will die soon as well. You can't move a club and hope to save it. Case in point: Timberline.
13
Dammit! I loved King Cobra and Le Sexy. The layout was cool, the menu was veggie friendly, the bands kicked ass, and the peeps were hot. With their demise and the Eagle not being rock-oriented anymore what's a queer rocker to do?
14
@9: Timberline only died because they lost their lease. I think they were a lot more popular after the move
15
That's too bad, but they were right next to The Comet Tavern. Unfortunately, It was a superfluous club.
16
Bummer indeed. My one and only attendance there was The Hanson Brothers, which was a tremendous show. The layout of the place is really sweet, indeed.
17
King Cobra had so much potential, but as Grandy rightfully pointed out (and was needlessly chasistised for) it suffered by having to compete with Neumo's/Chop Suey and the Comet all within walking distance.
With the Crocodile re-opening it was only a matter of time before a local club bit the dust. King Cobra, RIP.
With the Crocodile re-opening it was only a matter of time before a local club bit the dust. King Cobra, RIP.
18
Ah, that is sad. RIP, and thanks to KC for hosting 1/3 of the Cumulus Festival. Great venue with great sound that will be missed.
19
@9:
IIRC, both Tugs and The Vogue did quite well for a number of years after their moves (in The Vogue's case, I mean of course their move from Belltown to 11th; NOT their move from 11th to CHAC - that was pretty much a disaster.)
IIRC, both Tugs and The Vogue did quite well for a number of years after their moves (in The Vogue's case, I mean of course their move from Belltown to 11th; NOT their move from 11th to CHAC - that was pretty much a disaster.)
20
RIP King Cobra. We had a short run there with Talcum, but it couldn't have been more fun. The vibe was super friendly, our soul 45's sounded awesome, and the dance floor was the slipperiest in town (we would go through an industrial sized bottle of talcum powder in a night). I hope the club has yet another reincarnation.
24
Ah, the trolls are awake!
Look, the myth that I "talked so much shit about the club" is simply not borne out by a quick search for "Eric Grandy"+"King Cobra" on this site. Not that this will change any minds, but do feel free to check it out.
27
Eric, whatever way you gotta lie to yourself in order for you to sleep guilt-free at night.
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Searc…
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Searc…
28
Why can't the crappy clubs in Pioneer Square close instead? King Cobra has/had a lot of potential that I don't think got realized. It really does have a nice layout/set up for mid-sized shows with the big balcony, multiple bars, good floor size, good sound, lots of areas, and quite a few non-disgusting bathrooms. Way better set up/layout than a club like Chop Suey for watching bands and getting to the bathrooms.
30
Wow and a surge of braid-beard douchebag bouncers will hit the unemployment line. Go hock your tattoos, Medic.
31
This is entirely Eric Grandy's fault. Rumor has it he torched down Hooverville last night too because he thought there was a secret all ages show.
33
thats the only place enjoyable to hang out. that is sooooo lame. now where can we listen to metal and punk
34
@ 13 - Seattle Eagle will have an all new lineup for March and on the last Saturday they have "BRUT" which is "A Night of Balls To the Walls ROCK" with DJ Mr. Smith.
Here is their calendar:
http://seattleeagle.blogspot.com/2009/02…
With their demise and the Eagle not being rock-oriented anymore what's a queer rocker to do?
@ 13 - Seattle Eagle will have an all new lineup for March and on the last Saturday they have "BRUT" which is "A Night of Balls To the Walls ROCK" with DJ Mr. Smith.
Here is their calendar:
http://seattleeagle.blogspot.com/2009/02…
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41
Last show is this Friday with All Bets On Death, The Altar Boys, and Flexx Bronco.
Doors 9PM
Not sure what I want to make the cover yet. Cheap though. See you guys there!
Doors 9PM
Not sure what I want to make the cover yet. Cheap though. See you guys there!
42
I loved the layout of that place, and also the cool/creepy mural. It was my favorite place to watch the UFC because, well, just about no one else would be there. Which of course, is a reason for the club's downfall. RIP King Cobra, we barely knew ye.
43
good riddance! that place was a scuzzfest, if i wanted to go to a grimy dive bar, i would just go NEXT DOOR to the comet.
46
ah man, this sux. the sound was great in there, shows were fun on that stage, from rock to hip hop to djs, I enjoyed every type of performer I saw there.
I hope the sound guy migrates up the hill to the Chop
I hope the sound guy migrates up the hill to the Chop
47
the prob with with k.c. is the cost they passed on to promoters. 4 security guards no matter what. if you get 100 people or two hundred people attending a show and they (k.c.) insist on having 4 guards it makes no sense. it's one guard per one hundred people. they only way for a promoter to deal with that is to charge a ticket price that will immmediately turn away the audience. they (k.c.) always took the bar and rarely if ever revealed how much a promoter would make for them due to their event (which is their right, but not cool) also some of the staff were great but a few treated promoters and the audience less then nice and i mean worse than any venue in town, never understood that. it's unfortunate, but it was bound to happen unless serious changes were made.
49
@47
The cost past down to promotors? Are you kidding me? KC had one of the lowest house costs in the city. I know this first hand from playing there. The house cost covered their sound guy and PA rental. The rest taken at the door went directly to the bands. Why would they spilt a percentage of the bar when they took nothing from the door??
Security is security. They aren't there to ask about your troubled childhood or hold your dick while you pee. I've had much worse experiences at Corazon and Studio 7.
Enjoy the Croc. Looking at their calendar it's probably much more your speed.
The cost past down to promotors? Are you kidding me? KC had one of the lowest house costs in the city. I know this first hand from playing there. The house cost covered their sound guy and PA rental. The rest taken at the door went directly to the bands. Why would they spilt a percentage of the bar when they took nothing from the door??
Security is security. They aren't there to ask about your troubled childhood or hold your dick while you pee. I've had much worse experiences at Corazon and Studio 7.
Enjoy the Croc. Looking at their calendar it's probably much more your speed.
50
I just hope they move a nice big Target store in there, or maybe an Outback Steakhouse. Mmm... Delicious Aussie chips.
51
hmm, I wonder when the editors at the stranger will start moderating grandy's "news stories" as quickly and succintly as it appears they do this message board?
52
so sad...I saw one show there - Ra Ra Riot! - and loved the mural of seattle being demolished by some kind of octopus-demon or something. Cthulu meets Seattle. It was an awesome show.
53
Would have liked to have gone there at least once, but there was *never* anyone playing there that I was even remotely interested in seeing. The proximity of other clubs means nothing. Get the acts that locals want to see and you'll get the audience. Persist in booking bands that no one gives a fk about and you'll close in less than a year.
55
@53
i saw a few shows there before and during summer that interesting and fun. but it seems like after summer they just started booking crap that no one is in to. sad because it was a pretty cool place. and anyone who thinks the door people at king cobra are bad apparently never went to the croc its last couple of years or el corazon. those places are the worst.
i saw a few shows there before and during summer that interesting and fun. but it seems like after summer they just started booking crap that no one is in to. sad because it was a pretty cool place. and anyone who thinks the door people at king cobra are bad apparently never went to the croc its last couple of years or el corazon. those places are the worst.
56
@49
Did the overhead costs change later on? I know that my band tried booking a show there very early on, and the only thing that wasn't taken out of the door was the bartenders. I think it was something like $600 between pa, sound guy, security, and door guys had to be taken out of the door before the bands started to make any money back. I guess it makes sense for bigger bands that can draw several hundred people at $15 a pop, but for a local band that's still on the way up, it was pretty brutal. As our drummer put it, "it's two clicks away from pay to play."
Did the overhead costs change later on? I know that my band tried booking a show there very early on, and the only thing that wasn't taken out of the door was the bartenders. I think it was something like $600 between pa, sound guy, security, and door guys had to be taken out of the door before the bands started to make any money back. I guess it makes sense for bigger bands that can draw several hundred people at $15 a pop, but for a local band that's still on the way up, it was pretty brutal. As our drummer put it, "it's two clicks away from pay to play."
57
Guys, don't pick on Eric Grandy. He knows what he's talking about. Please read his blurb about Ghostland Observatory as evidence: http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/up-an… (scroll down)
59
@8 if Jenny was so great why didn't anyone pick her up to book their venues? Fact is she was good bartender and a subpar booker. I think it sucks that Seattle as a whole has been kind of blowing it on the live music scene. I go to shows at venues all over town and they are half empty. RIP KC and thanks for trying Che I know your heart was in it
60
House costs were: 200 on weekdays, 300 on weekends
Add 100 for all-ages shows. Add 25 for a door guy if you don't provide your own.
(Dirt fucking cheap, indeed)
Add 100 for all-ages shows. Add 25 for a door guy if you don't provide your own.
(Dirt fucking cheap, indeed)
61
I'm certainly glad they decided to make it more reasonable. Had I known, I would have given them another chance.
62
@59 They did. Slim's Last Chance, Jules Maes, The Sunset. She booked some of the best shows those places ever had, which goes doubly true for Klown College.
The reason you don't see her booking anymore: she pulled her head out of her ass and realized she should stop doing thankless work for slackjawed "me-too" club owners who post nasty comments about Eric Grandy while they run their businesses into the ground.
It was a (potentially) great space that was used very, very poorly. I didn't enjoy playing there and neither did any other musician who's been around long enough to know when he is or isn't getting fucked.
The reason you don't see her booking anymore: she pulled her head out of her ass and realized she should stop doing thankless work for slackjawed "me-too" club owners who post nasty comments about Eric Grandy while they run their businesses into the ground.
It was a (potentially) great space that was used very, very poorly. I didn't enjoy playing there and neither did any other musician who's been around long enough to know when he is or isn't getting fucked.
63
FUCK SHOOTINGS, I MEAN SUGAR, here is repost of my feelings about my BAR that went down:
The place was packed to the gills for the first four days of music. Everyone was optimistic. There was excitement in the air. We had found our new club, being major bummed about the closing of our old one, Kincora Pub, we hoped this would be a step up from that but with live music. With a major heavy focus on ROCK, PUNK, and METAL. Sadly, Seattle isn't a rock n roll town ANYMORE...
Plus, there was a restaurant there, that if the right cook (Danny) was working, the food would be great. But this never got any local press.
Yes, maybe, this was a huge leap from a bar like Kincora and maybe no one knew exactly what they were doing. BUT DID THEY GET ANY HELP??????????
And on nights when the stage was shut down and it was a bar you could find 5-10 locals (if you were luckY), while everyone else was drinking at other local bars, not giving a fuck that KING COBRA was struggling to make ends meet.
It was real sad to see everyone's hopes and dreams conquered by everyones pessimism. LUV to the KING COBRA forever.
The place was packed to the gills for the first four days of music. Everyone was optimistic. There was excitement in the air. We had found our new club, being major bummed about the closing of our old one, Kincora Pub, we hoped this would be a step up from that but with live music. With a major heavy focus on ROCK, PUNK, and METAL. Sadly, Seattle isn't a rock n roll town ANYMORE...
Plus, there was a restaurant there, that if the right cook (Danny) was working, the food would be great. But this never got any local press.
Yes, maybe, this was a huge leap from a bar like Kincora and maybe no one knew exactly what they were doing. BUT DID THEY GET ANY HELP??????????
And on nights when the stage was shut down and it was a bar you could find 5-10 locals (if you were luckY), while everyone else was drinking at other local bars, not giving a fuck that KING COBRA was struggling to make ends meet.
It was real sad to see everyone's hopes and dreams conquered by everyones pessimism. LUV to the KING COBRA forever.
64
@59 I guess gettig fired is the same as pulling your head of you ass? The reason you dont see her booking is becase she burned so many bridges that she ran out of venues. Oh that and she lives in Austin....
66
LOL, y'all are still debating this? Gawd forbid Seattle rock lore go unchecked but for the record I didn't get fired from King Cobra, I resigned nearly a year ago. The bar owners and I had philosophical differences (aforementioned house costs, which were much higher than $200/$300 when I was booking there), so I wished them the best of luck and we parted ways. I continued to book shows at several other clubs, and I have never double-crossed anyone, band or venue owner, in my life. Hell, if there wasn't enough money from the door after the house costs to pay the bands, generally I was the one paying them out of my booker's commission or bartending tips.
Che and Jamie operated in a manner they thought was best for their business, and despite our differences, right or wrong, it is always sad to see Seattle lose a live music venue in any case. There were lots of great folks employed at KC and I hope they all land a new gig soon.
Che and Jamie operated in a manner they thought was best for their business, and despite our differences, right or wrong, it is always sad to see Seattle lose a live music venue in any case. There were lots of great folks employed at KC and I hope they all land a new gig soon.
67
Jenny - like a little girl you took a show 2 days before the date and switched venues without telling King Cobra owners or staff. Not only is that a breach of contract and illegal, but also a very childish move you pulled. Not to mention your bitchy attitude towards Jason Rothman co-booker.
69
libel? like calling a reporter a goat sucker, or putting addresses of republican homes in print?
how about slagging bars that haven't even opened yet?
censor 67 and you are shooting yourself in the foot.
how about slagging bars that haven't even opened yet?
censor 67 and you are shooting yourself in the foot.
70
Attn: Jason Rothman, Bobcat, Jaime, & Che
If one ignores the fact that you're puerile, ill-natured little mud slingers, we're still confronted with the fact that you're shitty little failures.
Good news: Selfishness, irresponsibility, dishonesty, anonymous slander, corruption, etc. have been used by history's most powerful scoundrels with great success.
Bad news: they haven't gotten you anywhere. You always have been and probably always will be bigass losers. Fuck you and your bar.
If one ignores the fact that you're puerile, ill-natured little mud slingers, we're still confronted with the fact that you're shitty little failures.
Good news: Selfishness, irresponsibility, dishonesty, anonymous slander, corruption, etc. have been used by history's most powerful scoundrels with great success.
Bad news: they haven't gotten you anywhere. You always have been and probably always will be bigass losers. Fuck you and your bar.
71
@66 are you sure you and grandy aren't dating because you both see to share a love of history of the revisionist type.
73
revisionist history? it seems to me jenny took the high road while others spent a lot of time and energy trying to defame her. seattle press received the following statements last year from another talent buyer and some of the artists involved. they didn't apparently get nearly as much attention as slats' hat.
__________
Hi everybody, its Kwab Copeland, booker of High Dive, Jules Maes Saloon, and Sunday matinee's at Sunset Tavern...
Last week I was forwarded a Press Release that had been sent out by Jason Rothman, the booker of King Cobra, this is what was contained: “IMPORTANT NEWS ABOUT SATURDAY'S SHOW Saturday's show with The Golden Gods / Mos Generator and Witchburn has been moved to Slims last chance. I could come up with excuses but why. Former booker Jenny Bendle (sic) moved the show to Slims Last Chance four days before it was supposed to happen at King Cobra. Beyond it being illegal, it is unethical, and something that is frowned upon by bookers. I don't expect Jenny to play ethically, but her boss Kwab should know better."
I would like to issue a clarification to this statement:
First , I am not Jenny Bendel’s boss. Jenny and I are friends who share a professional correspondence concerning the Booking and Promotion of (currently) 3 clubs. 2 of which, I book exclusively (High Dive and Jules Mae’s Saloon) , 1 which Jenny books exclusively (Slim’s Last Chance). We help each other with shows, share ideas about bands, promotion and all that good stuff. I am responsible for the shows I book, Jenny is responsible for the shows she books. I am proud to have Jenny as a friend and have benefited greatly from her help for years at The Sunset, and presently at the aforementioned clubs.
Secondly, although the show mentioned by Mr. Rothman was one that I had nothing to do with. I stand by Jenny Bendel 100%...It is unfortunate that Mr. Rothman felt he had to issue such an untrue and unnecessary statement to the press. Jenny did not move the show. She informed the bands playing the show what had happened at the last show Jenny had set up at King Cobra and let them know that she could not guarantee that the agreement she made with them would be fulfilled as the performance agreement had been completely disregarded at the previous show by King Cobra management. This was Jenny’s responsibility as the original promoter of this event. Most of the bands on the original show did not want to play at King Cobra considering the circumstances. Jenny scrambled and freed the night up at Slim’s Last Chance to offer the bands an alternative...At the end of this e-mail I am including 2 public statements made by members of the bands describing what happened at the last show Jenny set up at King Cobra.
I have tried unsuccessfully to contact Mr. Rothman to discuss the issue and have expressed hope to Jason and the owners of King Cobra that their dispute is resolved effectively... I have always been proud to be a part of Seattle’s booking community. We are in a unique scene where everybody talks to each other and club bookers help each other out. This is not necessarily the case in many other cities. Its upsetting when somebody acts in a way that is counter-productive to this cohesion...but hey, I’m not upset, I will continue to try to make cool stuff happen, and enjoy the amazing shows that the amazing other bookers put on in this town, there’s a bunch of em too..Seattle is very lucky and I’m lucky to be here among the greats.
OK, enough of my yammering, go have fun!
--
Kwab Copeland
Entertainment Facilitator
kwabcopeland@comcast.net
http://www.myspace.com/entertainmentfaci…
___________________________________
Posted on Yelp.com by Steve Moriarty, The Gits/American Professionals
May 4, 2008 King Cobra club Seattle.
My band American Professionals from San Francisco flew in for a show playing second with friend's bands Blackie and Riff Brokers. I lived in Seattle 15 years and played drums and booked clubs and tours for my bands all those years. I played drums in The Gits, Evil Stig w/ Joan Jett, DFL 48, The Pinkos, Saint Bushmill's Choir and many more. Now in American Professionals with Klaus Floride of the Dead Kennedys and Chuck Lindo of Actionslacks our combined touring and gigging experience totals about 100 years. We played the said "controversial" show at King Cobra May 4th. To me it is was simply another example of a club mistreating and disrespecting musicians and bands. Someone (I'm told the owner) sent the door man (Phil) home while the first band was playing making the show free. No explanation and no communication with the bands. There was also no water or beer or towels for the bands in the dressing room. Its important to have water. We conferred with the other bands and decided to play for the people who were there and just take another screwing for the fans... who were paying the cover at the time. We played the show and then Blackie went on and played the show. A friend of mine outraged that there would be no money for the bands, passed a hat for all the bands and collected $105.00 from the willing audience. The other bands gave us the tips because we were on tour and had paid so much to come to Seattle to play. Thanks people!
No. My band did not get paid a dime or even a bottle of free water from the King Cobra. We were bossed around by a "Head of Security" dressed like Luke Skywalker in drag and overall I give the King Cobra a F- for treatment of touring bands. I communicate daily with many bands and musicians and am also producer of films and soundtracks. I would not recommend the venue to self respecting musicians, bands or other creative people. It would be a terribly risky partnership.
I have no interest in teaching a new club or the owners how to be fair or treat workers or artists. Its not my job. It would however, behoove inexperienced entrepreneurs who choose to met themselves in the Seattle live music tradition to accept the advice and wisdom of experienced bookers and musicians who can show them the ropes and teach common courtesy and communication skills. Thats how to create a great space where business people can make money and also develop working relationships with the artists who will lend credibility and success to their venture. There is no shortage of experienced bookers and musicians who can consult and help make it all fair and friendly. Good luck.
Steve Moriarty
American Professionals
______________________________
From Dejha on thestranger.com
http://lineout.thestranger.com/2008/05/p…
Look JASON! First of all my fucking name is DEJHA not "The lead singer of Blackie" Second, you only gave me $95 dollars at the end of the night because I told you how I felt about the bullshit you pulled on everyone that played that night, paid that night, AND Jenny Bendel! I would have made more money blowing some motherfucker in an alley, which is what I felt my band's performance and all else was worth to you by the end of the evening. A sloppy cheap blow job! Who the hell are you anyways? I had never met you before that night nor even seen your smug face. I didn't want to be a part of this bullshit banter because I quite honestly don't give a rat's dick about the money (at this point) nor do I ever plan on performing at your venue or supporting any shows that roll through it. I do however feel that the truth must be told about what went down that night Mr. "get your shit and get the fuck out of my club"! Yes those were his exact words after I played a basically free show to a full house of my fellow friends and Blondie fans, all who consumed much alcohol in three short hours. You should be ASHAMED of yourself for slandering Jenny's name. She, as I explained that night, has always supported and promoted local and touring artists (dare I use that term? Clearly you have no respect for Artists) moreover she continues to maintain integrity under even this petty, unprofessional scrutiny. The only thing that the King Cobra reps did right that night was buy me and my friend a fucking cocktail at the end of the night...and even that was like pulling teeth. Shame on you.
___________
Also posted on that same blog by another artist on the bill:
"Last weekend, King Cobra made the decision to waive the cover charge to increase attendance and bar sales, so there would be money to pay the bands... and a crowd to play to."
I played that show. It was a little sparse in the beginning, but they came eventually, as our crowd ALWAYS DOES. We sent a touring band, whose bassist was in the fucking Dead Kennedys no less, away with the money from the hat. A TOURING band! We didn't care if we made a penny - the touring band needed that money. BTW, since the show was free, did the 15 who paid get their money back?
"The door guy was pulled at 10:45 after 15 people paid to get in. At the end of the night, bands left early or were offered gas money, and the bar lost it's ass in sales... and house costs."
Lost its ass in sales, huh? Let's see the books. Do you think losing their ass had anything to do with our crowd knowing what happened at the door? What about the $150 made at the door? Did that go to pay the goon squad? Also, why was there a goon squad - it was a powerepop/new wave show.
If they had kept the doors there, the club would have had at least $2000 to pay out. Everyone wins.
Furthermore, the bands left early because the management told the singer of the headline act "You were lucky to get that $XXX. Take your $XXX and get the fuck out of my club!" I saw the whole thing go down.
More...
__________
Hi everybody, its Kwab Copeland, booker of High Dive, Jules Maes Saloon, and Sunday matinee's at Sunset Tavern...
Last week I was forwarded a Press Release that had been sent out by Jason Rothman, the booker of King Cobra, this is what was contained: “IMPORTANT NEWS ABOUT SATURDAY'S SHOW Saturday's show with The Golden Gods / Mos Generator and Witchburn has been moved to Slims last chance. I could come up with excuses but why. Former booker Jenny Bendle (sic) moved the show to Slims Last Chance four days before it was supposed to happen at King Cobra. Beyond it being illegal, it is unethical, and something that is frowned upon by bookers. I don't expect Jenny to play ethically, but her boss Kwab should know better."
I would like to issue a clarification to this statement:
First , I am not Jenny Bendel’s boss. Jenny and I are friends who share a professional correspondence concerning the Booking and Promotion of (currently) 3 clubs. 2 of which, I book exclusively (High Dive and Jules Mae’s Saloon) , 1 which Jenny books exclusively (Slim’s Last Chance). We help each other with shows, share ideas about bands, promotion and all that good stuff. I am responsible for the shows I book, Jenny is responsible for the shows she books. I am proud to have Jenny as a friend and have benefited greatly from her help for years at The Sunset, and presently at the aforementioned clubs.
Secondly, although the show mentioned by Mr. Rothman was one that I had nothing to do with. I stand by Jenny Bendel 100%...It is unfortunate that Mr. Rothman felt he had to issue such an untrue and unnecessary statement to the press. Jenny did not move the show. She informed the bands playing the show what had happened at the last show Jenny had set up at King Cobra and let them know that she could not guarantee that the agreement she made with them would be fulfilled as the performance agreement had been completely disregarded at the previous show by King Cobra management. This was Jenny’s responsibility as the original promoter of this event. Most of the bands on the original show did not want to play at King Cobra considering the circumstances. Jenny scrambled and freed the night up at Slim’s Last Chance to offer the bands an alternative...At the end of this e-mail I am including 2 public statements made by members of the bands describing what happened at the last show Jenny set up at King Cobra.
I have tried unsuccessfully to contact Mr. Rothman to discuss the issue and have expressed hope to Jason and the owners of King Cobra that their dispute is resolved effectively... I have always been proud to be a part of Seattle’s booking community. We are in a unique scene where everybody talks to each other and club bookers help each other out. This is not necessarily the case in many other cities. Its upsetting when somebody acts in a way that is counter-productive to this cohesion...but hey, I’m not upset, I will continue to try to make cool stuff happen, and enjoy the amazing shows that the amazing other bookers put on in this town, there’s a bunch of em too..Seattle is very lucky and I’m lucky to be here among the greats.
OK, enough of my yammering, go have fun!
--
Kwab Copeland
Entertainment Facilitator
kwabcopeland@comcast.net
http://www.myspace.com/entertainmentfaci…
___________________________________
Posted on Yelp.com by Steve Moriarty, The Gits/American Professionals
May 4, 2008 King Cobra club Seattle.
My band American Professionals from San Francisco flew in for a show playing second with friend's bands Blackie and Riff Brokers. I lived in Seattle 15 years and played drums and booked clubs and tours for my bands all those years. I played drums in The Gits, Evil Stig w/ Joan Jett, DFL 48, The Pinkos, Saint Bushmill's Choir and many more. Now in American Professionals with Klaus Floride of the Dead Kennedys and Chuck Lindo of Actionslacks our combined touring and gigging experience totals about 100 years. We played the said "controversial" show at King Cobra May 4th. To me it is was simply another example of a club mistreating and disrespecting musicians and bands. Someone (I'm told the owner) sent the door man (Phil) home while the first band was playing making the show free. No explanation and no communication with the bands. There was also no water or beer or towels for the bands in the dressing room. Its important to have water. We conferred with the other bands and decided to play for the people who were there and just take another screwing for the fans... who were paying the cover at the time. We played the show and then Blackie went on and played the show. A friend of mine outraged that there would be no money for the bands, passed a hat for all the bands and collected $105.00 from the willing audience. The other bands gave us the tips because we were on tour and had paid so much to come to Seattle to play. Thanks people!
No. My band did not get paid a dime or even a bottle of free water from the King Cobra. We were bossed around by a "Head of Security" dressed like Luke Skywalker in drag and overall I give the King Cobra a F- for treatment of touring bands. I communicate daily with many bands and musicians and am also producer of films and soundtracks. I would not recommend the venue to self respecting musicians, bands or other creative people. It would be a terribly risky partnership.
I have no interest in teaching a new club or the owners how to be fair or treat workers or artists. Its not my job. It would however, behoove inexperienced entrepreneurs who choose to met themselves in the Seattle live music tradition to accept the advice and wisdom of experienced bookers and musicians who can show them the ropes and teach common courtesy and communication skills. Thats how to create a great space where business people can make money and also develop working relationships with the artists who will lend credibility and success to their venture. There is no shortage of experienced bookers and musicians who can consult and help make it all fair and friendly. Good luck.
Steve Moriarty
American Professionals
______________________________
From Dejha on thestranger.com
http://lineout.thestranger.com/2008/05/p…
Look JASON! First of all my fucking name is DEJHA not "The lead singer of Blackie" Second, you only gave me $95 dollars at the end of the night because I told you how I felt about the bullshit you pulled on everyone that played that night, paid that night, AND Jenny Bendel! I would have made more money blowing some motherfucker in an alley, which is what I felt my band's performance and all else was worth to you by the end of the evening. A sloppy cheap blow job! Who the hell are you anyways? I had never met you before that night nor even seen your smug face. I didn't want to be a part of this bullshit banter because I quite honestly don't give a rat's dick about the money (at this point) nor do I ever plan on performing at your venue or supporting any shows that roll through it. I do however feel that the truth must be told about what went down that night Mr. "get your shit and get the fuck out of my club"! Yes those were his exact words after I played a basically free show to a full house of my fellow friends and Blondie fans, all who consumed much alcohol in three short hours. You should be ASHAMED of yourself for slandering Jenny's name. She, as I explained that night, has always supported and promoted local and touring artists (dare I use that term? Clearly you have no respect for Artists) moreover she continues to maintain integrity under even this petty, unprofessional scrutiny. The only thing that the King Cobra reps did right that night was buy me and my friend a fucking cocktail at the end of the night...and even that was like pulling teeth. Shame on you.
___________
Also posted on that same blog by another artist on the bill:
"Last weekend, King Cobra made the decision to waive the cover charge to increase attendance and bar sales, so there would be money to pay the bands... and a crowd to play to."
I played that show. It was a little sparse in the beginning, but they came eventually, as our crowd ALWAYS DOES. We sent a touring band, whose bassist was in the fucking Dead Kennedys no less, away with the money from the hat. A TOURING band! We didn't care if we made a penny - the touring band needed that money. BTW, since the show was free, did the 15 who paid get their money back?
"The door guy was pulled at 10:45 after 15 people paid to get in. At the end of the night, bands left early or were offered gas money, and the bar lost it's ass in sales... and house costs."
Lost its ass in sales, huh? Let's see the books. Do you think losing their ass had anything to do with our crowd knowing what happened at the door? What about the $150 made at the door? Did that go to pay the goon squad? Also, why was there a goon squad - it was a powerepop/new wave show.
If they had kept the doors there, the club would have had at least $2000 to pay out. Everyone wins.
Furthermore, the bands left early because the management told the singer of the headline act "You were lucky to get that $XXX. Take your $XXX and get the fuck out of my club!" I saw the whole thing go down.
77
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