Subj: New York Pity #17 Date: 94-08-05 10:15:58 EDT From: L7s

New York Pity #17 (July 21- Ny, Ny)

I could easily make this a whine fest.

I dislike leaving tours to play shows, especially BIG shows, and I really hate music seminars. One, because they are always JINXED, and two, because they are so ridiculous. The first seminar we played was South by Southwest (aka South by So What). This show rated high on the “Spinal Tap Alert” list. All the bands had to share a dressing room which was a womens bathroom with overflowing toilets, the stage was put together so poorly it broke and we had to buy our own drinks. There was just an overall disregard for the bands that make the music that makes this kind of event possible in the first place. Also, it was an outdoor show, and all the kids who could not get in threw cow tongues over the fence into the crowd of industry types (actually, that was a highlight)

But back to today….. After an afternoon of doing press (an Entertainment Weekly interview and photosession. This was also the day I did the MTV/AOL commercial (oops, I mean “news” piece), and we headed for the show.

Next is the list of mishaps that have me ONCE AGAIN SWEARING NEVER TO DO ANOTHER INDUSTRY KISS ASS SHOW AGAIN!!: 1. The equipment rental place messed up, and we had all the wrong stuff. 2. Between each song, we took time off from being a primal rock machine to fumble with unfamiliar knobs and cringe at the sound that was coming out of ’em. 3. (I have to take a break from the list to add that I was the only one who loved the SVT amp head that I got, it sounded GREAT!! WELL, THAT WAS UNTIL IT BLEW UP halfway through the set.) 4. I threw a bass player hissy fit in public (so embarrassing) 5. Other things went wrong that had to do with the ever-so-unnecessary politics and posturing of this type of event, and I don’t want to bore you with the gory details.

In all fairness, I will list the good stuff that happened to:

1. The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black and Mother Tongue opened the show, and they were GREAT! 2. Seeing all of our New York friends was groovy. 3. Ummm, oh yeah, we played “Packin’ A Rod,” which we haven’t done in a while.

(After I look back at this entry, I realize it is kind of vague in regards to what an “industry” show is and why they exist and why we agreed to do this one in the first place, and all. Personally, I don’t have the energy to get into it, maybe if there are any other bands, music industry folks or gig goers who want to go into any explanations, please feel free to post responses.) I’d like to know myself!! peace, jennifer