Wyldeyng said:
I would venture a guess that the area that Harpos is in is the most dangerous place to see a concert in America. Complete and absolute getto. I shit you not, when I pulled up and into the alley to park, two giant rats strolled right in front of me on my way in. I have seen some great shows there over the years, but last night was the smallest amount of people I've ever seen in that place. 100 people tops and some of them left when Symphony X went on, apparently they were there for the local bands. I laughed at the irony of the WRIF banner flying above over Russell's head. I thought that was kinda strange though when I heard they were playing Harpos, being that it holds 2200 people and they last played St. Andrews with BG and that place only holds 500 people or so. I don't think they have many options when it comes to the venue selection. I thought they would play the Sheltor or the Irock(another shit hole).
I really enjoyed the show though, Russell's voice just floors me.
wow, where do i start...
first off, i wouldn't say harpos sucks. sure, the neighborhood sucks, but thats never stopped me from going. in fact i was down there the day of the show buying liquer at the store across the street cause they sell to minors! anyway, SX should have played the i-rock. they're more of an i-rock kinda band anyway, and even though i-rock is less than a mile from harpos, its still in a far better part of detroit.
harpos has gotten alot better in the past 5 years. nothing too crazy ever happens there anymore. i still love the place though.
anyway, i'm not surprised it was that dead there. There was little to no promotion. they have their website and the occasional metro times ad, but thats it. there hasn't been a good show there since dio in december. and before than it was like april of 02 when i saw in flames there. That place has gone downhill as far as whats come there. I've been there 70-80 times for shows and alot of local shows. i'm sure all the local bands were puke inducing. 98% of detroit local bands blow and aren't going anywhere. They'll play god awful 8th rate Down/slipknot/wiggercore clone shit out of horrible gear. so they not only play like shit, but they sound like shit too.
Anyway, that show sounds like it was basicly a local night that symphony x just so happend to get booked on.
harpos can hold at least 3000. friends of mine have worked there on nights when powerman 5k played there. they'd oversell the fuck out of the place. the fire code thingy on the wall says capacity is 1700.
st andys hall isn't a bad place, but i just hate venues with hired goon security like "x-men" or whatever. i prefer harpos type places. more exciting. i've snuck 5th's in there in my pants so i don't have to buy that shit beer they sell. no one cares what you do as long as you don't fight or get on stage. if you do fight or get on stage you'll get your ass beat so bad by the harpos bouncers.
i-rock is completely different though. i got kicked out of in flames last time they were there after i got jumped by 3 faggot ass hardcore kids durring killswitch engaged. long story... basicly i shoved some kid who was windmilling and they all jumped me. but when i got kicked out, they just were like "come on, lets go", and i talked my way back in cause i'm just that smooth
if that was at harpos, i'd have lost a few teeth probably.
anyway, i forgot where i was going with this, so i'll just stop typing.