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City of Santa Cruz Forces Bassnectar to Cancel at Civic Center
If you live in Santa Cruz, and you love music & culture, you can easily contact your city officials and explain that this ordinance #9.36.010 is not acceptable. I am sure there are a few dozen neighbors who don't want to hear the sound from a concert, but there are thousands of citizens, students and bass heads who deserve to enjoy the music they love. I suggest allowing AT LEAST ONE concert a month, going until at LEAST 10pm, as a small compromise. Currently the way the city has chosen to treat artists, fans, and the music community is shameful. You have the power to change this for your community. :)
From Lorin Ashton / Bassnectar:
Santa Cruz, California is one of my favorite places in the world. It is special to me for countless reasons, and it is one of my favorite places to play music. I am stunned, and saddened that the City of Santa Cruz decided last minute to not allow our show to happen tomorrow.
Basically, there is a very vague city ordinance #9.36.010 which makes it nearly impossible to have a concert at the Civic Center (unless it is like a gentle jazz show, or a poetry reading). It most definitely makes it impossible to have a Bassnectar experience, or any kind of EDM show. Now had they told us this 6 months ago when we booked the show, that would have been understandable (it still would have been weird, because we already did one successful show at the Civic Center, and are not going to play music any louder than last time) but having this happen so last minute is basically putting us in a very difficult situation. Now they have told us we will be shut down if we play at our normal volume (the same volume we played at last time, and the same volume we play at in cities all across the country), forcing the show to be cancelled. We offered to start way earlier than normal, and to have music end by 10pm, and they had zero interest in finding a solution.
We love and appreciate all the support from the Santa Cruz Community (this show sold out way in advance: THANK YOU!) and want so badly to deliver you the best possible experience (again and again and again) so we are looking into moving the show to the Catalyst and doing two nights. We are very sorry that the city has chosen not to support music culture at the civic center, but are working very hard to work around this frustrating and unforeseen snag. We love you!
Some positive thoughts:
1. Looks like we will be able to enjoy two great full force experiences @ The Catalyst.
2. Our show in San Jose sold out, but we just expanded the floor space, and moved out bleachers so we can accommodate more people. Cinco De Mayo!
3. If you live in Santa Cruz, and you love music & culture, you can easily contact your city officials and explain that this ordinance #9.36.010 is not acceptable. I am sure there are a few dozen neighbors who don't want to hear the sound from a concert, but there are thousands of citizens, students and bass heads who deserve to enjoy the music they love. I suggest allowing AT LEAST ONE concert a month, going until at LEAST 10pm, as a small compromise. Currently the way the city has chosen to treat artists, fans, and the music community is shameful. You have the power to change this for your community. :)
Santa Cruz, California is one of my favorite places in the world. It is special to me for countless reasons, and it is one of my favorite places to play music. I am stunned, and saddened that the City of Santa Cruz decided last minute to not allow our show to happen tomorrow.
Basically, there is a very vague city ordinance #9.36.010 which makes it nearly impossible to have a concert at the Civic Center (unless it is like a gentle jazz show, or a poetry reading). It most definitely makes it impossible to have a Bassnectar experience, or any kind of EDM show. Now had they told us this 6 months ago when we booked the show, that would have been understandable (it still would have been weird, because we already did one successful show at the Civic Center, and are not going to play music any louder than last time) but having this happen so last minute is basically putting us in a very difficult situation. Now they have told us we will be shut down if we play at our normal volume (the same volume we played at last time, and the same volume we play at in cities all across the country), forcing the show to be cancelled. We offered to start way earlier than normal, and to have music end by 10pm, and they had zero interest in finding a solution.
We love and appreciate all the support from the Santa Cruz Community (this show sold out way in advance: THANK YOU!) and want so badly to deliver you the best possible experience (again and again and again) so we are looking into moving the show to the Catalyst and doing two nights. We are very sorry that the city has chosen not to support music culture at the civic center, but are working very hard to work around this frustrating and unforeseen snag. We love you!
Some positive thoughts:
1. Looks like we will be able to enjoy two great full force experiences @ The Catalyst.
2. Our show in San Jose sold out, but we just expanded the floor space, and moved out bleachers so we can accommodate more people. Cinco De Mayo!
3. If you live in Santa Cruz, and you love music & culture, you can easily contact your city officials and explain that this ordinance #9.36.010 is not acceptable. I am sure there are a few dozen neighbors who don't want to hear the sound from a concert, but there are thousands of citizens, students and bass heads who deserve to enjoy the music they love. I suggest allowing AT LEAST ONE concert a month, going until at LEAST 10pm, as a small compromise. Currently the way the city has chosen to treat artists, fans, and the music community is shameful. You have the power to change this for your community. :)
For more information:
http://www.bassnectar.net/
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It's not only Bassnectar that's been harassed by the City's noise ordinances.
Recently street singer Nessie was found guilty of playing a gently rhythmic beat quietly in the background as she sung. Officer Warren ticketed her for failing to have an "amplified sound" permit. Fine: $550 (reduced to 24 hours of "community service").
Back in January 2010, Activist Becky Johnson, one of the Santa Cruz 13, was busted with three others in front of the Bookshop Coonerty (known to the unwary as the Bookshop Santa Cruz) for singing at a political protest in the "free speech zone" next to Tom Scribner, the musical saw player's statute.
She describes the trial at http://beckyjohnsononewomantalking.blogspot.com/2010/04/confessions-of-song-criminal.html ,
The lyrics of one of the offending songs can be found at http://beckyjohnsononewomantalking.blogspot.com/2010/01/downtown-music-by-petula-clark-lyrics.html .
Her description of the original incident: http://beckyjohnsononewomantalking.blogspot.com/2010/01/sing-song-go-to-jail.html ,
I and the late Robert "Blindbear" Facer were also dragged to trial in the same incident. See " Verdict Due in Singsong 2 Trial" at http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/09/20/18659348.php
In 2002 City Council finished off its destruction of the Voluntary Street Performers Guidelines (where aspiring politico and former Mayor Cynthia Mathews joined in the majority), see "Street Performer Voluntary Guidelines: Consequences? Yes. Unintended? No." at http://santacruz.indymedia.org/newswire/display/2674/index.php .
There's a nasty history of these "noise" ordinances being used against artists and activists who disturb the sensibilities of bureaucrats, businessfolk, and conservative residents.
Recently street singer Nessie was found guilty of playing a gently rhythmic beat quietly in the background as she sung. Officer Warren ticketed her for failing to have an "amplified sound" permit. Fine: $550 (reduced to 24 hours of "community service").
Back in January 2010, Activist Becky Johnson, one of the Santa Cruz 13, was busted with three others in front of the Bookshop Coonerty (known to the unwary as the Bookshop Santa Cruz) for singing at a political protest in the "free speech zone" next to Tom Scribner, the musical saw player's statute.
She describes the trial at http://beckyjohnsononewomantalking.blogspot.com/2010/04/confessions-of-song-criminal.html ,
The lyrics of one of the offending songs can be found at http://beckyjohnsononewomantalking.blogspot.com/2010/01/downtown-music-by-petula-clark-lyrics.html .
Her description of the original incident: http://beckyjohnsononewomantalking.blogspot.com/2010/01/sing-song-go-to-jail.html ,
I and the late Robert "Blindbear" Facer were also dragged to trial in the same incident. See " Verdict Due in Singsong 2 Trial" at http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/09/20/18659348.php
In 2002 City Council finished off its destruction of the Voluntary Street Performers Guidelines (where aspiring politico and former Mayor Cynthia Mathews joined in the majority), see "Street Performer Voluntary Guidelines: Consequences? Yes. Unintended? No." at http://santacruz.indymedia.org/newswire/display/2674/index.php .
There's a nasty history of these "noise" ordinances being used against artists and activists who disturb the sensibilities of bureaucrats, businessfolk, and conservative residents.
Welcome to Neo Santa Cruz... that's the way we roll here now. The whole character of Santa Cruz has gone to the (conservative) dogs. Sorry you all had a bad experience with the city of SC, but it just goes to show that selective enforcement is the way things are done now. Selective enforcement of music performances, noise ordinances, sitting down in public spaces, etc... that's what SC's all about now... a town full of conservative NIMBYs. Maybe consider doing a San Francisco show next time - don't waste time with SC. Deprive the city of tourist money - hit them where it hurts.
Such a shame, but understandable. Bassnectar is a high-energy act, and forcing him to contain himself would be a crime in itself ;) I just started making my own music (with BTV Solo) and he is one of my biggest inspirations.
While I am not a fan of electronic music in general, what the city is doing is absurd. The Sentinel this morning put an article out claiming that Bassnectar asked the city about the noise ordinance and opted to cancel, and well-known humanitarian Dannette Shoemaker claims that Bassnectar himself is the one who decided to pull the plug on the show. Also, apparently the mayor Don Lane feels victimized by the accusation of repression, since Bassnectar is calling them out on the noise ordinance. Aforementioned article of bullshit can be found here: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_20535594/noise-concern-prompts-cancellation-techno-show-city-issue?source=most_viewed
To me, it begs the question why the Sentinel would even bother covering a cancelled show (remember Danzig cancelling last minute, and since he was one of seven acts playing that night only offered a 1/7th ticket value refund? No? Well, that's because it wasn't in the paper, because its not fucking news). Unless, of course, it is damage control/backpedalling by the city council and Shoemaker, trying not to look like the yuppie sticks-in-the-mud that they are?
It is a shame that you can only Keep Santa Cruz Weird with a permit and at acceptable volumes. How and why did the radical/progressive majority in SC allow this slippery slope of incrementally stolen freedoms in the first place? Now it is pretty much illegal to do anything in this town except spend money....
To me, it begs the question why the Sentinel would even bother covering a cancelled show (remember Danzig cancelling last minute, and since he was one of seven acts playing that night only offered a 1/7th ticket value refund? No? Well, that's because it wasn't in the paper, because its not fucking news). Unless, of course, it is damage control/backpedalling by the city council and Shoemaker, trying not to look like the yuppie sticks-in-the-mud that they are?
It is a shame that you can only Keep Santa Cruz Weird with a permit and at acceptable volumes. How and why did the radical/progressive majority in SC allow this slippery slope of incrementally stolen freedoms in the first place? Now it is pretty much illegal to do anything in this town except spend money....
In 1976...There was a thriving music scene. Later, in the early 80s the New Wave and Punk artists woodshed-ed here (and many of them lived here) before playing in the city.
The city intentionally destroyed that music scene, along with the existing community as a whole, and I DO MEAN THE WHOLE COMMUNITY (many can be seen homeless, unemployed, and living on the streets nowdays).
The city of Santa Cruz is pwned and operated by corporatist parasites who lack anything resembling 'culture', and it shows, every time one walks down Pacific Street noting all the corporate chain store businesses There were no corporate businesses downtown pre-earthquake save one... Woolworths, and the ONLY PEOPLE WHO GAINED from that 'redevelopment' were the property OWNERS. The businesses themselves go bankrupt regularly due to astronomically expensive leases and the DTA/city's non-existent cohesive planning for a downtown that also has businesses that purvey products for ordinary people... ie. the people who actually live here, when the students and tourists are absent, and the police/ARMED private security who get to 'guard' that property.
The city intentionally destroyed that music scene, along with the existing community as a whole, and I DO MEAN THE WHOLE COMMUNITY (many can be seen homeless, unemployed, and living on the streets nowdays).
The city of Santa Cruz is pwned and operated by corporatist parasites who lack anything resembling 'culture', and it shows, every time one walks down Pacific Street noting all the corporate chain store businesses There were no corporate businesses downtown pre-earthquake save one... Woolworths, and the ONLY PEOPLE WHO GAINED from that 'redevelopment' were the property OWNERS. The businesses themselves go bankrupt regularly due to astronomically expensive leases and the DTA/city's non-existent cohesive planning for a downtown that also has businesses that purvey products for ordinary people... ie. the people who actually live here, when the students and tourists are absent, and the police/ARMED private security who get to 'guard' that property.
For more information:
http://auntieimperial.tumblr.com/
For clarity: "The ONLY PEOPLE WHO GAINED from that 'redevelopment' were the property OWNERS... and the police/ARMED private security who get to 'guard' that property."
"There were no corporate businesses downtown pre-earthquake save one... Woolworths"
Funny, I remember the Gap, Express Ltd., and Gottschalks being on Pacific Ave. shortly before or at the time of the Loma Prieta quake.
Funny, I remember the Gap, Express Ltd., and Gottschalks being on Pacific Ave. shortly before or at the time of the Loma Prieta quake.
Well you remember wrong. Gottschalks ended up at the building that once housed Leasks pre-Earthquake, which couldn't pick up it's businesses again in the post-earthquake mess that Santa Cruz took literally years to rebuild. They shook out a LOT of local businesse like that.
And don't forget about Ford's. That's not what I meant by "Corporate", as in National Corporate... Certainly the Gap qualifies, but it wasn't here before the Earthquake. I believe it was added in the mid-90s.
You can look that up if you want.
And don't forget about Ford's. That's not what I meant by "Corporate", as in National Corporate... Certainly the Gap qualifies, but it wasn't here before the Earthquake. I believe it was added in the mid-90s.
You can look that up if you want.
For more information:
http://auntieimperial.tumblr.com/
I meant to say "Don't forget about McMahans and Habers. Habers was local and McMahans was, I believe a California chain... again. Not what I meant by "Corporate".
Habers building had, and probably still does, an early 50s vintage flathead six Chrysler engine in the basement... It's the building's sump pump. Ask me why I know that. Nevermind... It's a long story.
Also, and tangentially note that everything Tom Scribner, Santa Cruz icon used to do... (a)Sit on a bench for hours (b)Play the saw (ie. now empirically-judged-by-the-police excessive noise), (c)Smoke cigarettes while engaging in the previous two points, are all illegal on Pacific Street now, along with about anything else that doesn't make lots of money for Santa Cruz' commercial property owners.
Whether there's anything cultural worth coming downtown for is irrelevant to them.
Habers building had, and probably still does, an early 50s vintage flathead six Chrysler engine in the basement... It's the building's sump pump. Ask me why I know that. Nevermind... It's a long story.
Also, and tangentially note that everything Tom Scribner, Santa Cruz icon used to do... (a)Sit on a bench for hours (b)Play the saw (ie. now empirically-judged-by-the-police excessive noise), (c)Smoke cigarettes while engaging in the previous two points, are all illegal on Pacific Street now, along with about anything else that doesn't make lots of money for Santa Cruz' commercial property owners.
Whether there's anything cultural worth coming downtown for is irrelevant to them.
Sorry Dude, but your claim is ridiculous. Keep it Real.
Now I don't doubt that you wanted to put out more decibels than the City/Civic would allow. But to try to claim that it's so restrictive that only jazz concerts or poetry readings is....laughable.
-You wanna call up The Pixies, who played there last year, and tell em their doing poetry?
-Tell old Les Claypool, whose playing there next month with Fishbone, that he's doing soft jazz improv?
..the list goes on and on, from The Shins to Weird Al to every reggae band under the sun...but I think you get the point.
Now I don't doubt that you wanted to put out more decibels than the City/Civic would allow. But to try to claim that it's so restrictive that only jazz concerts or poetry readings is....laughable.
-You wanna call up The Pixies, who played there last year, and tell em their doing poetry?
-Tell old Les Claypool, whose playing there next month with Fishbone, that he's doing soft jazz improv?
..the list goes on and on, from The Shins to Weird Al to every reggae band under the sun...but I think you get the point.
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