Louisiana State University - Gumbo Yearbook (Baton Rouge, LA)

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BIG BANDS One thing (besides perhaps free beer) that definitely en- hances the overall lure of any loc- al establishment is the appear- ance of a real live band. Or. bet- ter yet. a really good live band. Besides possessing the ability to take requests and provide a temp- ting target for certain aluminum or glass projectiles, a live band can and will always give that fes- tive impetus that a tape deck just can ' t provide. Obviously, any profit-minded bar would much rather hire a competent, wel recieved act than the dubious alternative. Perhaps due to this factor, in recent years the amount of live music featured at local establishments has increased sig- nificantly, leading many, parti- culary nosy yearbook-folk. to wonder about the local bar band scene, particularly book- ing methods and the competition. Boasting a whole host of local, rahid en- thusiasts, rockabilly mavens Dash Rip Rock make it a violent habit to play local establishments Popular Bands Find LSU Following if any, that is involved. I really don ' t see the increase in live entertaiment at local bars entailing any sort of competition; actually it ' s good for the local music scene. Such is the civi- cally-oriented attitude of Tim long considered to be the Whis- ky A Go-Go of Baton Rouge. ■ The acts that play at The Chimes are booked by various means. continued Tim. refer- ring to the large amount of live music that The Chimes is known Hood, co-owner and manager of for hosting. Some newer bands The Chimes, a restaurant bar approach us asking for dates 26 Popular Bands in I ocai Bars

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With only a passing intrest in a passing paparazzi, a melodic troupe of Tri-Delts do justice to the Fanjazztic Swingsa- tion they presented in conjunction with Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Man D»:»bbins they chose to practice all par- ticipants came through with only the best to show for it, that is, the best of music from decades past (and not so past with the late great revival of the older hits.) The sounds of years gone by filled the Centroplex Theatre in the gala performance, Friday Feburary 26, 1988. From Delta Gamma and Phi Kappa Psi ' s rendition of Dixie to the winning team of Chi Omega and Delta Tau De- lta ' s version of the Beatle ' s hit Here Comes The Sun (com- plete with shades to protect thier eyes from the bright lights of stardom.) A solo performance in an up- beat jazzy style by Lisa Wagues- pack set the mood for the rest of the evening. The festive mood was completed by the perform- ances and comic commentary by Steve Colson delights the audience in Lambda Chi ' s Broadway Hits produc- tion. Master of Ceremonies, Jules d ' Hemecourt. Proving that it was contagious, the audience joined the team of Delta Delta Delta and Lambda Chi in a hearty chorus of hi-de-hi-de-ho! Although the number of parti- cipating groups has decreased over the years due to what Co- Chairman Lauren Butler called, the competition and expense. Next year ' s committee hopes to spark renewed interest in the function by trying to reduce the expense. But however the groups pay for (or is that play for?) Song- fest 89, chances are the outcome will be more of the same. After all, it ' s a great way to meet peo- ple and have alot of fun! An opinion chorused by many of the participants. Janet M. Barklase SONGFEST 1988 25

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7i while others are had by actively pursuing their management. It is indeed a method that has work- ed well for The Chimes for sever- al years. Although The Chimes caters mainly to a roots, blues, and cowpunk taste, near-stellar acts such as Leon Redbone. Jerry Jeff Walker, and the maniacal folkie Mojo Nixon have all used The Chimes as a venue while on tour. One of the newest additions to the number of local enclaves who boast live decibels is the Dougout (previously Doc ' s). Confound- ing some in the beginning of the fall promising The Smithereens and other prominent acts, the Dougout has nonetheless pro- vided a surprisingly active sche- dule of musical events. ' The problem with the Smithereens was that we had everything but a signed contract and we were out- bid by about $2,000 by some bar in Memphis. said assistant manager Mike Lamendola. attesting to the ephemeral nature of the industrv. Addina to some of the early difficulties experi- enced by a new establishment trying to edge into the local music circuit is the circulation of a com- munity petition by homeowners residing directly behind the Dougout and their acclaimed patio. This petition has thus far forced the fun associated with a live performance inside the bar. resulting in a few cancellations by otherwise-accessable bands. If we had access to the patio. said Lamendola. we ' dbekillin em right now! Another local bar that has al- ways featured simultaneous rock n roll is everyone ' s favorite pledge tank. Murphy ' s. Although Murphy ' s has only re- cently began to vigorously adver- tise and promote their reputation as a viable live music source, according to manager Mark Brown, Murphy ' s has always featured live music ever since it ' s opening in 1980. Even with such a history, one rather im- pressive coup that the bar has scored were the shows both Will (Sexton) and the Kill, and Guadalcanal Diary played there last year. Those were had almost by pure luck, com- mented Brown. We found out that Guadalcanal Diary was in town visiting the guys in Dash Rip Rock and were willing to do a gig. while Will simply had a free date, and there we were. Despite the various monetary principles that are involved in the reasonable healthy local rock n ' roll environment we sometimes take for granted, the enthusiasm local bars express in attracting ta- lent has indeed sparked an in- terest in the local music scene. Because of this, the appeal that a living, breathing, chord- thumping ensemble enjoys over pre-recorded sounds will, hope- fully, always prove to be more profitable to bar owners and en- joyable to patrons. Besides, it just isn ' t any fun to throw a beer bottle at a tape deck. J. Steve Zaffuto POPULAR BANDS IN LOCAL BARS 27