Star reporter Kevin Smith is an avid collector of mornings after, enjoys bands in which members wear white belts, and could murder a pint of Stella at this very moment. He can be reached at the north east corner of Reid Park, between the hours of 1 and 6 a.m.

1. thanks for the link kevin. are you going to dress in fatigues for the show?
   — Dan    03/06/2007 05:09 PM    #
2. I guess I’m pleased with the response of the Congress, but I would be more pleased if they cancelled the performance. “Thanks, but not thanks.” Wonder what they would have done if the request and been for “No jews, blacks or hispanics in any form allowed within the event.” This is a “discriminatory” group that should not be welcomed by our community.
   — Paul Hart    03/06/2007 05:54 PM    #
3. I think military personel should get in free! How about no Brightblack Morning light in Tucson?
   — Jim    03/06/2007 07:03 PM    #
4. Why don’t we get a large group of soldiers and vets, in dress uniform, to attend as a group! The ones that have instruments and talent, bring them! Take the stage!
   — Scott    03/06/2007 07:56 PM    #
5. Awww..poor Brightblack Morning Light, sorry to offend you with our military presence, would you rest easier if we wore uniforms with swastikas? Oh, wait, WE’RE the reason why that’s not possible!!
   — Tina    03/06/2007 09:00 PM    #
6. Its good to see,that with all our Men & Woman defending our Flag. There are still,Bussiness that care for the Kids over seas.
   
   The Brightblack Moring Light Band…...Isnt the Brightess Bulb on the block.
   
   Club congress..Your Rock!!
   — c.k.    03/06/2007 09:36 PM    #
7. Wow.. a band comes to perform in a city that is majority military people (retired, active, reserves, civilan workers on base, spouses, etc) and then say military not allowed? Hurtin the revenue with that one.
   
   I like your comment Tina, very true
   — Patch    03/06/2007 11:00 PM    #
8. At least they’re being honest, unlike many on the radical left who are opposed to the war.
   
   The biggest lie of the radical left is “We support the troops.”
   
   More of these folks need to come on out and say “We hate the troops, and think they are all morons for joining in the first place. Not only that, they take every opportunity to kill innocent civilians…” ad nauseum.
   
   Come on, lefties, say it loud. Spit on the troops as they arrive back, or walk down the streets in uniform.
   
   Just don’t whine when you find yourself on the ground with missing teeth and a dislocated jaw, and find the nice police officer being told (and accepting as gospel truth), that you tripped really, really bad.
   — Steve    03/07/2007 12:30 AM    #
9. To clarify,
   
   I booked the show because I really like the record. It really is very good! When we saw the rider request, I got really annoyed. This is the kind of self righteous, elitest, exclusionary attitude that usually comes from spoiled brats who never worked a day in their life. I swear I wanted to give free passes to everyone David Monthan. That being said, cancelling their show would be just as bad. They have a right to ask for these stupid requests, and we have a right to deny them. If they decide they don’t want to play because I’m allow military personal (or mexicans, or lawyers, or muslims or christians, or disabled, etc) so be it.
   Don’t play.
   As a nightclub we are undeniably a left leaning, anti-war, undiscriminating outfit. But we welcome everybody. Even arrogant musicians. Perhaps they aren’t jerks at all, I’ve only seen their rider. This at least will give them a chance to explain…
   — david    03/07/2007 01:20 AM    #
10. is it possible that by “any u.s. military entities” they simply mean recruiters?
    
    i refer you to the recent “arthur” magazine cover story on tv on the radio, where they talk about full-on u.s. army recruiting at venues where they were opening for nine inch nails, and also at a radio show they did in philly.
    
    it’s an increasingly common practice at big venues and festivals. in fact, although this is pure speculation, i again suspect that the reason that ozzfest is going to be “free” this summer is at least in part due to military recruiting. see, for instance, this article from 2005:
    
    http://209.157.64.200/focus/f-news/1463147/posts
    
    granted, it’s silly for them to request such a thing at a club show, but i bet it’s just a left-over rider from summer festivals (brightblack played a bunch of ‘em).
    
    anyway, i could be wrong, but i’d be annoyedly surprised if they specifically tried to bar individual members of the military from a given show. shit, they could be non-denominational chaplains for all brightblack knows.
    — curtis    03/07/2007 03:11 AM    #
11. I’m not surprised that Brightblack Morning Light or most any contemporary band other than country doesn’t want our military personnel present at their performances. The arts community is for the most part off the chart leftist and have no respect for America or American values of earning an honest living, individual freedom and responsibility, respect for others including the law and the reality of freedom through strength. Without our strong military we would have ceased to exist as a free country long ago and we’d all be doing the goose step in one form or another.
    The Club Congress management deserves a thank you for resisting the urge to jump on the leftist bandwagon which makes up a majority of our pop culture.
    — Bill    03/07/2007 06:20 AM    #
12. #9, From the tone of the responses and the fact that their “Request List” has found it’s way into the local media, a request for a public statement from the group would seem reasonable. #10, Take the oath, put on the uniform and for sure you’re a “US Military entity” and I probably wouldn’t consider Club Congress a “big” venue for recruiters. All that said, maybe a little “free” publicity is the goal. You know, creat a buzz, draw the curious, etc. etc. Will be interesting to see how this all plays out. David, I think the
    “spotlights” on you.
    
    An additional observation. I see from their list the following “If you are supporting corporate agriculture selling tickets for our band then you are essentially part of what we are trying to destroy.” Vegetarian and “organic” is also high on their list. Oh, BYW are those animal furs covering their heads???? Oh yea, their on the higher moral gound. What if we gave a show and no one came…...
    — Paul Hart    03/07/2007 06:54 AM    #
13. If these guys were anybody this would appear to be offensive, as it is, this appears to be a cry for attention (or publicity).
    — Mike    03/07/2007 06:57 AM    #
14. Steve (12:30 am), you’re an even bigger idiot than the band.
    — Aztex    03/07/2007 08:37 AM    #
15. What else would you expect from a group of misfits?
    
    Honestly, every time I hear things like this it is a reminder to me that I live in the greatest country in the world.
    
    This kind of “attention grabbing” BS isn’t worth getting angry over. Instead celebrate the fact that as an American or non-American in this country, you have a voice.
    
    This is nothing more than a reason to celebrate our freedom!
    
    Thank you to every military member and their family, both past and present, for your sacrifice. It has not been in vain as evidenced by the fact that even the least deserving of our society can freely speak their mind.
    
    Ed Lowery
    USAF 1983 – 1992
    — Ed    03/07/2007 08:37 AM    #
16. I think Curtis’ explanation for this sounds more than likely, but the band should definitely make themselves available for comment before Bill O’Reilly gets ahold of this rider and gets himself all red-faced and fired up for a new boycott like the ones he launched against French cheese (or was that Canadian bacon? Estonian mushrooms?)
    — Jorge    03/07/2007 08:42 AM    #
17. Here in Mexico it is very common to not allow people in uniform in bars. Often there is a notice at the entrance that states “no uniformes.”
    — donal    03/07/2007 09:20 AM    #
18. #17 There is alot of oppression in Mexico. This sort of open, blatant discrimination isn’t permitted in the US. O.k., it’s against the law but alot of people still do it.
    
    This band, I will never even listen to a note of their music. Why only the U.S. military? The band has the freedom to play what they want and say what they want BECAUSE of the US military.
    
    I would understand if they wanted to block the governing entities that put us in Iraq! lol
    
    And a good point was made earlier…if they are vegetarians, why the animal furs on their heads?
    — Diana    03/07/2007 10:11 AM    #
19. re: Diana
    
    Nevermind. Looks like someone beat O’Reilly to the punch.
    
    How about we let the band fully explain the rider before we decide to burn them at the stake of FREEEEEEEDOM!!!
    
    If – as Curtis said earlier – its just a leftover rider from the summer festivals dealing with military recruiters, then I think its understandable. If, however, it turns out that they really do want to block soldiers from their show, then by all means, don’t buy their music.
    — Jorge    03/07/2007 10:19 AM    #
20. What’s all this praise for Club Congress and David. If there was any self-respect here, this band would be cancelled. But no, the decision is to go ahead and take the bucks, while trying to disguise the insult to those in the military. The only thing missing is the usual whiny disengenuous spouting of the phrase “Thank you for your service”.
    — nopendejos    03/07/2007 11:29 AM    #
21. I read their stupid “Manafesto”. They sound like wack jobs. This show is not even worth taking a shower for much less putting on my uniform. Enjoy your freedom you stupid asses.
    — Buster    03/07/2007 11:44 AM    #
22. HIPPIES!!!
    They got a lot of growing up to do.
    — reptilist    03/07/2007 12:04 PM    #
23. Clarifying, Part II
    
    Curtis, your speculation makes sense, but the rider we recieved a few days ago was an updated version of the one they originally sent two weeks ago. The only change I could see was the addition of the military stipulation!
    And to nopendejos – Cancelling the show would be just as stupid and unprincipled. We haven’t even spoken to the band. I simply won’t honor anything anti-discriminatory. That’s the easy part. If they choose not to play after that, so be it. But we refuse to discriminate against anyone, be it military personnel or elitist musicians. Would we have them back? Probabaly not, if they are the kind of people I suspect they are, but they have a right to say what they want – Even if it’s naive, mean spirited crap. You know that bit about a free country and all.
    — David    03/07/2007 12:30 PM    #
24. Club Congress has lost all respect from me (like that matters). These over indulged kids sound like they have spent way to much time smoking rope…....don’t let the door hit you in the rear on the way out of town!! God Bless America!!
    — Lynn    03/07/2007 01:20 PM    #
25. Thanks for the clarification, Slutes. If they do intend to keep people in the armed forces out of the show, that’s pretty dumb, insensitive and, really, just kinda lame. Grow a pair and make your anti-war stance the old fashioned way: sing about it!
    
    Lynn, take it easy there. I’m sure God can hear you just fine without all the exclamation points.
    — Jorge    03/07/2007 01:28 PM    #
26. It is silly to say those opposed to the war(response #8) are liars or hypocrites, since we got suckered into this war because of lies. It is very easy to despair of this war, and the civilian leaders who took us there, but that doesn’t detract from our support of soldiers who are following the orders of their superiors. If that doesn’t fit into your pre-conceived false notions, that is your fault and not mine. This is not Vietnam, where the military took the brunt of the nation’s dissatisfaction with the use of power to resolve differences.
    — Max Edison    03/07/2007 02:07 PM    #
27. David,
    Yes, I know about “free country and all that”. You are free to make a buck without regard for decency, and I am free to have absolutely no respect for you or your organization. You are free to claim the high road of not condoning “anything anti-discriminatory”. I am equally free to say you are just trying to make yourself feel better about the low road you have really taken.
    You will never make me believe that you would allow this group to appear if they had said that no entities of a particular racial/ethnic group “in any form” would be “allowed within the event.” You would (rightly) bail immediately. No way would you take the heat associated with allowing a bunch of racists to appear in your club. And you would be right. But the military is an unsympathetic target. You can allow the event to go on and try to find cover in the weak-kneed excuse of being anti-discriminatory. I’m sure you will find sympathy from many. Cancelling this event would show principles. Apparently you only have priciples when it is convenient.
    — nopendejos    03/07/2007 02:24 PM    #
28. Sir,
    
    Why hasn’t this band’s gig been canceled with your club? As a Retired Navy Veteran I’m insulted. Absolutely appalled.
    — Louie Armendariz    03/07/2007 02:30 PM    #
29. I have enjoyed many shows at CC over several years. As a military person I am about ready to write off CC and not patronize you ever again. I will also put the word out to my military brothers and sisters to not patronize you either. There are plenty of alternatives like Plush, Rialto, Vaudeville Cabaret, etc. Think real hard about going through with this booking. It is not censorship, they can play on the street where they belong.
    — Buster    03/07/2007 02:43 PM    #
30. So it looks like Club Congress is in danger of becoming this year’s Dixie Chicks. Somehow its the not the band’s fault for putting out a vague (and definitely stupid) rider, but it’s the club that’s responsible? Come on.
    
    “Think real hard about going through with this booking.”
    
    Nice threat, Buster. Go cry about it to Hannity/Coulter/Limbaugh and rest. Maybe Toby Keith can write a song about where he can stick his boot up Club Congress. LET FREEDOM RING!!!!
    — Jorge    03/07/2007 02:54 PM    #
31. and the “red star”’s fightin’ 101st keyboard battalion hits full dudgeon… starting to feel like a vfw hall up in this here “nightbuzz.”
    
    keep fighting the good fight, ya’ll—may your fingers never grow tired!
    — curtis    03/07/2007 03:01 PM    #
32. Take it easy Jorgey, we “can hear you just fine without all the exclamation points.” No one said CC does not have the freedom or right to book them. Just as I am sure there are many corporations out there that you don’t buy from because they have a policy against transgender partner benifits. I would say thay you are listening to way to much Air American, but… oh well.
    
    Curtis, I am sorry if the VFW offends you. Maybe you can get your dreadlock friends to step away from the huka pipe and fight your good fight. May your bong water never come up into your bowl.
    — Buster    03/07/2007 03:17 PM    #
33. Fine…. They’ll play without ME (I’m non-military, BTW) contributing a dime to them, or Club Congress!
    — Joh Galt    03/07/2007 03:28 PM    #
34. This smells like massive backpedaling on the band’s behalf.
    They didn’t mean recruiting.
    The venue was a music concert not the batting cages on Speedway.
    Of course the military wasn’t going to send recruiters to Congress.
    
    Good story.
    — Marcos    03/07/2007 03:29 PM    #
35. Wow, Buster, it took you like, what… three posts to resort to that age-old tactic of calling someone who disagrees with you a gay (or transgendered) liberal. Like a well-played chess maneuver, I have no counter.
    — Jorge    03/07/2007 03:30 PM    #
36. Well, they’re taking a free ride in effect: All the benefits of national security, with none of the obligations.
    
    Hypocritical.
    
    Dixie Chick them!!!
    — B, Wilde    03/07/2007 03:31 PM    #
37. As a frequent patron of this establishment, I can say they will now never get another dime from me. I can also guarantee after I send a link to this story, at least 8 to 10 more people, some ex military, some not, will not be patronizing this establishment. I have always known this club to be left leaning, but took it with a grain of salt (or the occasional fight) because the beer was cheap. No longer. Shove it up your ass congress, you’ve made your beliefs clear to me.
    — TucsonHooligan    03/07/2007 03:45 PM    #
38. Well, you know the whole military thing age-old tactics are the best. I did not know I was calling you gay. So if you were boycotting grapes in the 1970’s that would make you a Mexican or a farmer?
    Your age-old tactic of a calling anyone who disagrees with a liberal as nothing more and a Rush Limbaugh or Hannity drone does not seem to be the best tactic either.
    
    What I think is funny is the whole Dixie Chick fiasco. They get mad because they were black-balled for something they said and then cry about freedom of speech. They are a business. If a business does something you disagree with, you don’t buy from them. This has nothing to do with their right to say it.
    — Buster    03/07/2007 03:57 PM    #
39. gadzooks!
    Let’s lynch the band! Right?
    They haven’t even had a chance to speak for themselves! We are talking about a line in a hospitality rider! An abhorrent, mean spirited one, we mostly all agree, but that’s all we know.
    As for our venue, frankly nopendejos makes an interesting point. No not about the money, that’s ludicrous, but about the “what if…” What if they had said “No to a particular racial ethnic group…” You’re absolutely right. I would have concelled the show on the spot. This raises an interesting issue. Perhaps we (I) tolerate it because it’s political and not racist? Both are discriminatory. Both exclude people. The difference then is a matter of choice. But then what about muslims or christians? It’s a choice to be either of these and I’ve seen discrimination against both.
    Hmmmm. I’m listening here. Does anyone on the left have a view on this? Assuming the band sticks to their guns and actually mean what we are accusing them of, should the show be cancelled? Does freedom of expression override discriminatory views?
    In our defense, this band plays all over the country, and I imagine we are the first venue to call them on this and say no to the rider. But we also feel very strongly about the right to free speech and free expression. That line is very thin here, though.
    You all have me thinking about it.
    I need to see what the band has to say though.
    — David    03/07/2007 04:35 PM    #
40. Dear Freedom Fighters,
    
    A venue provides a stage for an artist to express themselves. Why would it ever be the fault of the venue if the artist has some sort of discriminations? The artist requested something, the venue denied it. And you’re angry at the venue?
    
    In what ass-backwards world does this make sense?
    
    Sinead O’Connor ripped up a photo of the Pope on SNL years ago. Would you boycott SNL, or the artist?
    
    If Club Congress only cared about the dollar at the end of the night, well then you haven’t been there on a night with a dozen people with a great band playing on the stage that people just aren’t aware of yet. Congress supports the art, and cancelling the show would be far worse. If you don’t agree with the artist, that’s just fine—don’t go support them. But blaming the venue is like blaming the coffee mug when the coffee’s too hot.
    — ryan    03/07/2007 04:46 PM    #
41. No, its not genius. SNL had no idea Sinead O’connor was going to rip up that picture, they have plausable deniablity. Club Congress knows full well this band discriminates against a certain sector of our populace, and wouldn’t allow it had it been a religious group or race. The military is an easy shot in this day and age. If the “Blue Eyed Devils” came to play at Congress, and were known to perform a song called “Ni*er Lover”(which they do), would you boycott congress for allowing them to play, if congree knew ahead of time they were racists? Of course you would, unless you have no priciples, but since its not racist to hate the military, its ok. I do see the difference in race and politics, but in my view, my brother, father, grandfather and numerous friends being singled out by these worthless hippie f*cks is just as bad as calling a black friend of mine a ni*er.
    — TucsonHooligan    03/07/2007 05:07 PM    #
42. I don’t know why it put the second half of that in bold typeface, but it was unintentional, and in no way is it meant to imply anything.
    — TucsonHooligan    03/07/2007 05:15 PM    #
43. David,
    You may have just liked the band and that’s a fair excuse for booking them but I’m not sure what would be so bad about cancelling them. You would drop them in a minute if they requested no gays! Why don’t you stand by members of your community and patrons of the club, those in the service and supporters of service men and women and drop this act. I think the embarressement will be less than the loss of buiseness. if you are not the first venue to call them on this perhaps they have stuck to their guns by leaving on their rider, last time I put anything in print for mass dissemination or to represent myself to people who do not know me I gave it a great deal of thought. Any back tracking by the band should be viewed as backtracking or pandering. They said it let them stand by it. Just as Club Congress will have to stand by it’s decision to keep the act or not. I have never in 13 years of attending shows at clubs big and small seen military recruiters, who are they talking about if not servicemen.
    
    Ryan,
    Club congress is not an inannimate object they can and should be held responsible for the acts they book. As for the dollar no club exists without it. You may think a venue is there to bring you music but they only are able to provide that sevice if they profit. Lose buiseness and clientel, no more shows. 12 peoiple never kept a club in buiseness.
    — acatdrew    03/07/2007 08:23 PM    #
44. Let this be a warning to all bands who wish to play at Club Congress! If you have something in your CONTRACT rider that the promoter doesn’t understand or agree with, he’ll go PUBLIC with the content of your CONTRACT before you even have a chance to amicably resolve this confusion about your CONTRACT. One would think the son of a LAWYER would have more respect for a CONTRACT, wouldn’t one?
    — Chris    03/07/2007 08:42 PM    #
45. As the other half of the booking team at Club Congress, I would like to share my opinion. When I first came across the controversial request in Brightblack Morning Light’s rider, my immediate reaction was similar to most of yours. I was taken aback. I was born & raised in Humboldt County (northern California) & am no stranger to the “hippie” lifestyle. It is my personal thought that regardless of one’s opinion on the current war, one should support & appreciate the people that are out there risking their lives for our freedom & comfortable livelihood.
    
    To address the possibility that “No U.S. Military entities in any form allowed within the event.” may have been referring to recruiters, I must say this is possible but a bit unbelievable. Entities, the plural of the word entity, is defined “something that has a real existence; thing” by the Random House Unabridged Dictionary. Synonyms for this word include: article, being, business, creature, crew, existence, individual, legal entity, person, personality, single, society, system, or thing. I find it very hard to believe that an educated person, particularly one savvy in the industry of business, would choose the word entity to indicate recruiter.
    
    However, after speaking personally to the band, there is a possibility that, much like the childhood game of Telephone, their words might have been misconstrued. Perhaps the band told their manager that they didn’t want recruiters at their show (as suggested by Curtis a few comments above), maybe their manager passed this on to so-and-so at Matador & forgot to say “recruiters” & the rest is history. It’s possible & if this is true, here is a lesson for the band in double-checking what is said by the people that represent you.
    
    The band, Club Congress, you, & I all have the right to speak freely. This is just an example of the possible aftermath of exercising this right. Brightblack Morning Light has the right to express their feelings toward the military & military recruitment just as we, Club Congress, have the right to express our feelings about their request. You have the right to express your feelings about the whole situation. Thanks to the military for constantly defending our freedom of speech.
    
    To respond to the people who have stated that Congress should have cancelled the show, I strongly disagree. In doing so, we would not be allowing Brightblack Morning Light to explain themselves or even retract their request (which they did). They are a great band with great music. We want to see them play but under just terms. If they are willing to do this, I think that is a beautiful result.
    
    As a Jewish woman, I can honestly say that if a rider requested that Jews be barred from attending a show, I would not cancel said show. Instead, I would take the same actions we are taking now. I would gather up all the Jewish people I know & say, “Let’s go!” In our decision to keep the show, we considered the band & the military. This is the best & most fair decision on both sides.
    — Nicole    03/07/2007 08:46 PM    #
46. Boy, it doesn’t take much for the fascism to unleash itself on a band that has an anti-war/anti-military recruitment stance (they’re anti-recruiting, not anti-personnel, by the way; read their label’s response), does it? As annoying as this may be to those who hate free speech when its disagreeable, it’s still a protected right (see: U.S. Constitution, Amendment 1, Freedom Two).
    
    It’s only too bad that club personnel have had to placate those who have a flag rammed up their ass, by saying how “annoying” the band’s attitude is.
    
    If you don’t agree with the band, don’t go to the show. Plus, shouldn’t you be supporting the troops this time of night, anyway? I thought so.
    — Simon Frith    03/07/2007 09:04 PM    #
47. Well thats all fine and dandy Nicole, and we can all hide behind the free speech banner, but what you need to realize is the effect this will have on business. You only exist because the public spends its money there. Offend the public, the money stops. Anything you’ll make off of these dirtfarmers playing you club will be lost within a month from regulars taking their dollars elsewhere.
    
    I agree, all people should be able to speak thier minds, but realize that your tacit approval of what they believe by allowing them to play after displaying their exclusionist tendencies causes us to excersise our free speech by not giving you anymore money. Just because a private business exists in America, does not mean that the owners aren’t allowed to exercise a certain amount of discretion when choosing there acts. The first amenedment keeps the government from supressing free speech, not the small business owner.
    
    Business is in it to make money, so political beliefs be damned, but you need to balance acts and profit. Piss off the people, you lose customers. Ban all controversial bands, you lose others because you don’t provide ample entertainment. It is most certainly a tight rope, but know that in the eyes of many regular patrons, you’ve come out on the wrong side of this one.
    — TucsonHooligan    03/07/2007 09:05 PM    #
48. Simon, just the socialist I was waiting for to bring out the word “fascism”. Obviously you have little knowledge of true fascism, since this is hardly comparable. You’re quite the lefty with absolutely no understanding of how the Constitution was written as well, so lemme bring you up to speed. Free speech is protected from GOVERNMENT supression. Me, not being an employee of said government, also have the right to call this band a bunch of worthless turds. Of course speech is free, but consequences are as well. If I called you a limp-wristed socialist pussy to your face, would you not be allowed to get mad, since my speech is protected? (see: U.S. Constitution, Amendment 1, Freedom Two). Of course not. Thats what we’re doing here, exercising our speech in response to theirs. At what point did anyone say that the police should come in and shut it down? That would be when you could bring the First in. Until then, read up on your constitutional law, and quit trying to act like some crusader for freedom.
    — TucsonHooligan    03/07/2007 09:18 PM    #
49. Dear Hooligan,
    Perhaps you’ve never heard the term “fascism” used to describe one’s opinions that mirror the government and military’s perspective in an attempt to quash the opinion of one who disagrees with said government (and, thus, not in a literal sense). For this misunderstanding, I am truly sorry.
    
    What I am getting at here, is that anytime anyone exercises their right to disagree with the military establishment, current war, administration, etc. all hell breaks loose and people like you threaten to boycott an establishment simply because they allow someone with these opinions to express them. It’s your right to do this, of course, but why get so upset about it.
    
    You’re not calling for the police to shut the show down. However, I’m wondering, if they did, would you support them or the band and their perspective?
    — Simon Frith    03/07/2007 09:39 PM    #
50. Hooligan, were you spitting all over your computer screen as you typed that last rant? Just curious.
    
    At the root of the matter is this question: Why DID David Slutes/Club Congress go public with this rider before getting the band to clarify?
    — El Dorado    03/07/2007 09:44 PM    #
51. On another note, it’s unlikely that the hotel will see much, if any, negative economic ramifications because they chose to allow a band with a political opinion to play. While it’s true that they are a business, the hotel is also an historic building that hosts lots of shows/events/guests throughout the year. Plus, if you hadn’t noticed, Hooligan, it resides in a rather liberal part of town (as much as I am annoyed by liberals). Thus, only a small minority, I believe, of people like you will stop patronizing the hotel and its club/bar. This would end up benefitting me, in an odd way, in that I think the club is often too crowded, and I don’t like to be squished between people when attempting to make my way to the bar. So, hey, thanks a lot!
    — Simon Frith    03/07/2007 10:01 PM    #
52. Hell no. If the police stepped in, I would oppose that more than I would the hippies playing, but thats rooted in a whole different argument on the role government, etc. And anytime someone on the right talks about “supporting the troops”(also, something I think of as shallow and meaningless), some lefty such as yourself flies in with the fascist, unilateral, bush-is-hitler garbage, so it goes both ways. Don’t make it seem like you’re in the minority, fighting the evil right wing behemoth. It may be true on this discussion board, but nowhere near reality in the greater Tucson area. In fact, you are much more safe spewing the views you do in this red city than I am. As for El dorado, no, no spit, just righteous indignation for those who piss and moan obout freedom of speech, then cry everytime someone who disagrees takes advantage of it. But nice job refuting my views instead of attempting a witty insult about my writing style.
    — TucsonHooligan    03/07/2007 10:05 PM    #
53. Glad to help, but don’t underestimate who will stop going. Theres no way to say this without sounding like a braggard prick, but many of us, as in 15 to 20, have been going to that bar weekly for the last 10 years. No longer. Plus any bands that used to book there, plus military personell and families, etc. It may not be a visible change, but when the books are done at the end of the month, the point will be made. You will get a beer easier, but it may cost a bit more to cover the operating cost and loss of patrons.
    — TucsonHooligan    03/07/2007 10:09 PM    #
54. So hooligan, basically anytime someone or something goes against your political views, you ostracize or boycott said person or place for eternity? Is that correct?
    
    So, then, what’s currently on your boycott list? I’m guessing the Dixie Chicks, anything imported from France, films starring Tim Robbins, Canada, and now Club Congress. To paraphrase the show “Heroes”: Are you on TucsonHooligan’s list?
    — Bob    03/07/2007 10:22 PM    #
55. I don’t know what the show “Heroes” is, but I hate country music anyway, France hasn’t done anything since Napoleon, Canada was ill conceived from the beginning, Hollywood in general disgusts me, and club congress is added to the list. Also on the list are all Budweiser products for supporting gun control, all Miller products for supporting racist organizations such as La Raza, The AFL/CIO for being a socialist labor organization, the ACLU for the same reason, and Taco Bell for all those commercials with that little dog back when. If this band had said they didn’t want you father, brother, granfather, friends, etc, at their show, and congress shrugged and gave them the go ahead anyway, would you still give them money after that? So you’re telling me that you have no scruples? That if a company did something you found abhorrent, you will still give them your dollars? Sounds like you need to stand for something, maybe grow a pair.
    — TucsonHooligan    03/07/2007 10:31 PM    #
56. And contrary to popular belief, I am not some war mongering, NASCAR loving, beer swilling, “Go America!” redneck Republican. And yes, you do something I disagree with, I speak with my money, the only thing I can do to show disapproval. Unless I was a Demorat, then I could try to pass legislation to supress talk show hosts i disagree with, then throw the word “fair” around at every turn to keep simple minded fools thinking they’re being screwed. Thank you for your time, I’m unable to continue due to unforseen constraints.
    — TucsonHooligan    03/07/2007 10:37 PM    #
57. seriously….someone already asked it, but: just wondering wtf the promoter was thinking when he released the band’s contract (which the rider is an integral part of) to this website? especially before seeking clarification from the agent/band?
    
    speaking as a tour manager (and one that has been to the congress more than a few times), there are plenty of potentially embarrassing things in many bands riders (smokinggun.com if you don’t believe me). they may be slightly less controversial than this one but still embarrasing. and i would have to think that if i were one of those bands, or any band/agent/manager i may think twice about dealing with nicole and david. any way you look at it it doesn’t seem like a wise business practice to publicize an “entity’s” (did i use it properly, nicole?) private business documents.
    maybe not illegal, but not a big brain move either.
    — ds    03/08/2007 01:53 AM    #
58. For all of the people that still insist on taking the” no military entity” personally and defend it by saying we would all be goosestepping… we are, and more importantly, you are.
    
    Did you fight in WWII ?
    
    I don’t think so.
    
    Entity in legalese specifies recruitment, not people!
    Our veterans have been largely mistreated at Walter Reed. Many people feel they have no other choice than the military. And that is because the recruiters are at the schools, malls, public events, sport games,radio events, pizza place, on TV, and now at you local friendly concert.
    — DL    03/08/2007 08:31 AM    #
59. Maybe bands need to put a condition in their contract that their contract is a private legal document, not something to be waved around and discussed publicly without consent of both parties.
    
    P.S. Did Brightblack play the show? Were there protesters?
    — Truth    03/08/2007 08:37 AM    #
60. I’m glad the band made it clear about the recruiting and all that…but it’s nice to see how people react to poorly written English….(i.e. riders, news articles, immigration laws, history books, etc.) Interesting…
    — Odette    03/08/2007 09:21 AM    #
61. #61. This band should be 100% boycotted, & Club Congress should be forced to cancel the show.
    — Bill    03/08/2007 09:41 AM    #
62. 100% Boycott, huh? I think you’ll have a hard time convincing everyone to boycott the band… Club Congress should be forced to cancel the show? Yeah, I guess you could get President Bush to enact martial law on Congress Street. Good luck with all of that.
    — Truth    03/08/2007 09:54 AM    #
63. It sure sucks when people accuse you of stuff without even giving you the chance to explain yourself. I thought it was innocent until proven guilty! I guess the same rules don’t apply at Club Congress.
    — Mary    03/08/2007 11:01 AM    #
64. After reading the contract, I decided it was time to show my appreciation for the band. Took a little time yesterday evening to drop off a bag of McDonalds double cheeseburgers for the band. I enclosed a note expressing my appreciation for their point of view.
    
    While they are entitled to their opinion, they are not entitled to descriminate against anyone. This is typical of the left and their version of free speech. Eat beef, stay slim. tim
    — Tim Curry    03/08/2007 11:42 AM    #
65. This is ludicrous.
    
    They had a poorly worded phrase in their rider. It’s been clarified. The band’s intent is now clear.
    
    Get over it already.
    — doozer dumpkins    03/08/2007 12:54 PM    #
66. This band deserves to go into oblivion in another country. As a vet who was spit upon in the sixties I wish these ungrateful scum were flushed down the toilet in the rubber jacket that should have been prevented their creation.
    Please go elsewhere and stay out of our country.
    WE DON’T NEED OR WANT YOU HERE.
    — Tom    03/08/2007 02:40 PM    #
67. We feel everything that could be said about this has been said so the comments are now closed. Thanks to everyone for sharing their differing views. Ain’t America grand?
    — Jaynelle Ramon, AZNightBuzz editor    03/08/2007 03:29 PM    #

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