|
|
Post by Drinker on Jun 12, 2005 15:25:17 GMT 10
I think criticising Bennetts for not giving the musicians drinks is bullshit and it's the most consistent criticism you hear. We all know, we have always known that Michael is stingy with drinks-- get over it. The other criticisms are much more worthy of attention like how he comes up with his artist roster. And just because a singer packs the club, in no way, is a testament to the quality of her singing or musicianship-- Bennetts definitely books too many hack singers (Alison and Michelle are not in this category for me) but man some of them are just crapola!
|
|
|
|
Post by belindamooody on Jun 12, 2005 16:05:41 GMT 10
im not sure about that drinker ..there seems to be a fair amount of critisisim about the sardines....xxx
|
|
|
|
Post by Vicki H BBB on Jun 13, 2005 8:11:09 GMT 10
Personally I prefer fresh sardines, chargrilled - dressed with a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime, a little drop of EVOO and lots of black pepper, served with a good quality sourdough.
Maybe Patty could start a barby stall in her garden area opposite the club?
|
|
|
|
Post by aj on Jun 13, 2005 10:00:53 GMT 10
On the surface, that's a fair enough idea. I believe the Co-op committee has discussed the idea of switching to alternative venues. But as yet, there isn't a satisfactory alternative in terms of venue size, location & setup (ie grand piano, sound system, reliable staff etc).
I'm sure if the Co-op moved out from Sunday &/or Tuesday nights, Bennetts would continue to operate. It's just that the bands would be on a door deal, without any guaranteed fee or promo support.
And unless an alternative venue had what bennetts has, the subsidy wouldn't stretch to presenting as many gigs throughout the year.
|
|
|
|
Post by isaacs on Jun 13, 2005 12:42:46 GMT 10
What is is about certain Melbourne musicians that makes them want to shit in their own nest to the extent of bagging a GREAT venue like Bennetts Lane so much? The hugest most perennial whinge seems to be that they can't get free alcoholic drinks. Sure it would be great to get a free dinner and free drinks in any venue, these things are peripheral though surely? We certainly don't get anything like that in Sydney, though I know The Basement puts a rider in the band room with some free beers for those who feel the need to have alcohol washing around their brain cells while they create art, but the Basement is a high turnover prestige business. At the Side On we were allowed one free alcoholic drink and that was it - plus a 25% discount on food. I had my "staffy" after the show. The Side On gave us free on-tap soft drinks and coffee (and I think Bennetts does the same) and I have come to expect that particular perk since that is what I drink before and during a gig and these have a very low cost price to the venue and are marked up hugely. HOWEVER I found out on Saturday that at the Sound Lounge soft drink and coffee is NOT free to performing musicians. This took me aback for the a second and the band spent 30 seconds discussing it and got over it. We get a small discount at the Sound Lounge across the board on ALL drinks (whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and also on food but the prices are highish to start so you still pay. Personally I like to support a venue I am playing in by putting some money through the till. I always eat at the club (and appreciate the small discount on food that is on offer in most places). I am NOT accustomed to paying for my flat whites as I suspect is the case with my colleagues, but no-one is making a big deal here, and this is COFFEE which cost the venue virtually nothing compared to its retail price so one could whinge easily. To expect free alcohol is a bit much in my opinion.
|
|
|
|
Post by belindamooody on Jun 13, 2005 19:28:16 GMT 10
..but back to sardines... oooooh yuk!
actually i wanted to share with you a night out i had on Sunday.. club entrance fee - $35 must order one drink min. about $10 parking $30. a moderately priced jazz club where musicians make about $150 a night ...(minus the parking too)
can you guess where i am? wrong thread...
Bennett's stands out as a world class venue for 'intimate jazz club' status in my opinion... and if you stand a bit further back from your own backyard, you mightn't think its that expensive. sometimes we don't realize what we've got till its gone.
they paved paradise and put up a... oh no!
on the drinking thingy.. we must be the only workers that get a break every 50 or so minutes and expect libations.
|
|
|
|
Post by PeterK on Jun 14, 2005 11:48:10 GMT 10
have to say i agree with much of what mark and belinda say... i mean surely whether or not you get free drinks shouldn't be too much of an issue. whatever faults it may have, bennetts is a great venue and has contributed massively to the growth of melbourne's music scene. it doesn't provide all things for all people and all tastes, and it's good to see other venues and organisations starting to create more diverse opportunities for musicians in melb, but we are still lucky to have bennetts.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vicki H BBB on Jun 15, 2005 0:00:00 GMT 10
cheese with SARDINES? bleuch!
|
|
|
|
Post by vickihb2 on Jun 15, 2005 0:19:33 GMT 10
The cheese comment relates to page 1.
As a punter, I love Bennetts Lane.
I have enjoyed several hundreds of gigs there, I have blissed out at at least 60 of these gigs .
The service is good, it's clean, the staff are very friendly and helpful, true the drinks are a bit pricey but not compared to other night clubs, not that I go to other nightclubs much because they don't have smokefree jazz, or yakking-drunk-people-free jazz either. The sound is usually good there, The location is handy, i.e, it doesn't cost 30 bucks to get a cab home! Imagine if it closed, that would be a tragedy for Melbourne's scene.
Most of the time, I'd say 90 per cent of the time the quality of the music is pretty strong.
My complaints are... I think they should charge more to get in. Also there are way too many good gigs there, and I often feel I am missing out on great music coz I can't get there as often as I would like.
I've said it before, and here I go again, I think they should start the music MUCH earlier, like by 8.30pm especially Monday to Thursday nights and have a miniimum twenty minutes between sets. Sometimes it feels like 45 minutes.
I know some musicians have issues withe the way the club is run, but I'm glad there is such a great clun in my home town. If it closed I'd probably move out of Melbourne and just tune in to the radio.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kenny on Jun 15, 2005 10:27:59 GMT 10
Personally I prefer fresh sardines, chargrilled - dressed with a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime, a little drop of EVOO and lots of black pepper, served with a good quality sourdough. I presume you're talking here of FRESH sardines. I'm thinking more of the canned variety, but I realise that may be a bit too common for such an arch food pornographer as yourself.  |
|
|
|
Post by YouGuysAreTooMuch on Jun 15, 2005 11:50:16 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by belindamooody on Jun 15, 2005 12:16:02 GMT 10
yuk yuk yuk,
i wouldnt feed them to my cat!
.... oh... yes i would.
|
|
|
|
Post by vickihb2 on Jun 15, 2005 20:09:36 GMT 10
Fresh Sardines, of course Kenny by fresh I mean Fresh, not pre frozen. I have some yummy Sicilian recipes involving raw sardines e.g. marinated (cooked) in fresh lemon juice served with toasted pine nuts, dried currants and flat leaf parsley.
My cat would be very lucky to even get one. Actually, I tell a lie, he would probably get three or more as my Italian fishmonger is inexpesnive (they catch their own stuff - the joys of living in Balclava never cease - all we need is a Bennetts Lane franchise on this side of Town!) and I love my Cat although he's really selfish and doesn't understand me.
However, if you can't get fresh sardines, tinned ones are good especially with chillies and lemon, but they are a totally different beast to fresh ones.
Ronny Ferella has some brilliant sardine recipes.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kenny on Jun 16, 2005 10:07:11 GMT 10
Ronny Ferella's a sardine? I'm confused ...
|
|
|
|
Post by robburke on Jun 17, 2005 0:29:10 GMT 10
I think Bennetts is a great place to play and see music. The issue with the drinks is that as musicians we are used to a drink rider. 98% of every gig I have ever done has a rider. Having said that I don't really care that much as the music comes first but you can see why musicians complain because it is an industry standard.
Michael does a great job keeping the place afloat which is the number 1 objective for him and us a punters and musicians.
I believe what Michael wants (I think so any way) is ensembles that have a concept and are up to a certain high standard. Anything that is to out (abstract) doesn't really fit there unless the group books the venue and pays a fee. There are many reaqsons older musicians don't play there that much
because they don't hussle as much and get to the stage where they want to be asked to play there. Unfortunately there are many fine musicians that don't play their projects at Bennetts because it can be a hassle to get a gig and they book up to a year ahead.
I might sugggest to Michael that he puts on more one offs instead of 4 gigs a month of the same act. I don't think Melbourne is big enough for it.
Again, I think bennetts is a great place and we are very lucky to have it. Michael is very committed to making it work - he is their all the time overseeing it - that takes comittment for the years it has been going.
I like every one else would love to see the musicians making more money and getting a drink rider but having such a great venue is the first priority.
|
|
