Cro Mags may 13 at the worst venue in the city

[Brian]

it's not that bad, I've never had any problems with security aside from someone being a dick occasionally, but out of 150+ shows having 4 or 5 bad encounters is a pretty good track record.

[Azrael]

I always hear people defend the Masquerade, and don't get me wrong I've seen a ton of shows there since 1998 but to me it represents all that is wrong with the music industry. Favoritism, politics, mediocrity, low standards for local bands, unjust pressure for ticket sales and exclusivity.

[Azrael]

If your going just to watch a show it's fine, but as a musician I fucking hate it.

[Diana]

I always hear people defend the Masquerade, and don't get me wrong I've seen a ton of shows there since 1998 but to me it represents all that is wrong with the music industry. Favoritism, politics, mediocrity, low standards for local bands, unjust pressure for ticket sales and exclusivity.

Not the first time I've heard this. Do other clubs treat you better? I'm not being facetious here, I just figured they all did it since the whole music industry is one big date rape. Seems to come with the territory.

[badcarburetor]

Anyone know why the Cro-Mags cancelled?

Yep. They are The Coolest People Ever. But after 20 years (oh my god ) the Masquerade is like another room in my house. I would be lost without it.

I'm at almost 25 years, going back to movies and shows at the Excelsior Mill. I agree it's an extension of home. My only real complaint is that the drinks are too high. Otherwise, the sound is good, it's conveniently laid out, the sound is always good if you know where to stand, blah, blah...As for trouble with the staff, it's never been an issue and I've done some dumb shit in that building. I've seen them be dicks, but pretty much only to people who were asking for it. I'm sure there are plenty of exceptions to that. The staff turnover is high and it's just people doing the job they are paid to do and some are going to get big heads about it.

Seriously, name another club in Atlanta with the capacity of Heaven where you'd rather see a show. I don't have one. I'd rather be at The Masquerade than any other "big, pro rock clubs."

As for playing there, they used to be much more supportive of local bands. That selling tickets to play deal is super ghey. I only played one show like that, but many where whatever band I was in got paid fairly.

Ultimately, I'd rather have Masquerade in this city than not.

[GameFreac]

The only dude I hate is that fatass bald dude.

Nobody else has given me problems that I've noticed.

[Metalfreak]

If your going just to watch a show it's fine, but as a musician I fucking hate it.

yeah I haven't been on the music side so I wouldn't really know what that is like. I've heard plenty of bands gripe about it though.

As a concert goer, I like the place. I get a beer, watch the bands, mosh, crowdsurf, and socialize. Good enough for me and I'm not a dumbass who asks to get kicked out for doing something stupid. I've heard some people say they got kicked out for this, that and the other but 99% of the time, they asked for it

I know 2 girls who work there, one's a bartender named Tina and the other is now a bartender-used-to-be-doorgirl named Cara. I went to GSU with Cara and became friends with her before I knew she worked there.

There's one dude who works there that I'm not crazy about. At the end of every show, he helps break down the set. Several times over several years, I'll be up front with several others trying to get a set list and he would look directly at me and give it so some other random person, but NOT me. So, the past few times, I get it myself by running onto the stage because he won't give me one. I think we have a mutual unspoken agreement that we don't like each other

There are a few other employees that I know by face and they know me by face just cause I've been there so many times and I've never had any problems with them. Except one security guy who was new at the time...I was still DJing at WRAS and I sent the guest list in a few days before. Someone lost it and this asshole didn't believe me but the other employees standing there knew who I was. One phone call later, it was faxed again HA! Shows you, asshole!

[WREKage-Paul]

I'm at almost 25 years, going back to movies and shows at the Excelsior Mill.

Same here. The Masquerade is the longest-operating privately-owned concert club in the Atlanta metro. Sure, everyone has stories about the place, but for me, the good memories and shows outweigh the bad.

As for trouble with the staff, it's never been an issue and I've done some dumb shit in that building. I've seen them be dicks, but pretty much only to people who were asking for it.

That's mostly what I've seen. Start a fight, be a dick, or block a fire-escape route at a crowded show, and they'll get...terse. On the other hand, I've seen some of the staff step up and be really cool.

Seriously, name another club in Atlanta with the capacity of Heaven where you'd rather see a show.

Center Stage.

But yeah, for clubs at around 1,000 capacity, there is basically nowhere else in town besides the Masq.

Ultimately, I'd rather have Masquerade in this city than not.

If the Masquerade weren't operating here, we'd get even fewer national metal tours than we do now. Which would suck.

.

[Diana]

...and I've done some dumb shit in that building.

That goes double for me.

If the Masquerade weren't operating here, we'd get even fewer national metal tours than we do now. Which would suck.

I'm glad the seemingly endless "Last Show At Masquerade Ever Because It's Closing Down No Really We Mean It This Time" scares have never amounted to anything. I would be the saddest girl ever.

[Ryan]

If your going just to watch a show it's fine, but as a musician I fucking hate it.

this pretty much nails it. having to sell tickets to play shows there sucks, especially since we promote the ever living shit out of every show we play and tend to draw a decent amount of people. i understand the masquerade's logic:

"if we make the bands sell tickets it forces them to promote the show and allows us not to have to worry about paying them"

but the bottom line is that people don't want to buy tickets in advance. they just don't. people have lives, schedules, work, kids, school, etc. and it's hard to predict a month in advance, or even a week in advance, if you're gonna be able to make a show. the only time people are willing to buy tickets in advance is if it's something that could potentially sell out and even then most people will take the chance and wait til the day of the show. not only that but there are a MILLION other things that people may want to do instead that night that may not come up until a day or two before the show that will cost a fuckload less than going to the masquerade. the cost of drinking at the masquerade coupled with the generally high cost of the shows and then gas costs on top of that make it something that most people just can't commit to... ESPECIALLY in advance.

now... part of the problem is that there are waaaaaaaay too many local bands that will get on a show and then do nothing to promote... no flyers, no myspace bulletins, no I_LOVE_ZUCKERPENIS whatever, nothing... they just expect people to magically know about the show and show up and that's not the way it works. if this is your band you should be ashamed... put some fucking effort in or quit, you're giving the rest of us that actually give a shit a bad name and your dumb band not existing anymore will make it that much easier for me.

i've been to plenty of shows at the masquerade that i really enjoyed but i've def had some bad experiences that really sour my opinion of the place. it's one of those love/hate kinda things where i'm glad the masq is here because they do get a lot of quality, bigger name, metal shows but the venue could be sooooooo much better and i think that's what is really frustrating. the venue is in it solely for the money, and while i understand that you have to make money and be profitable in order to stay open and do well as a business, they could def be doing more to make it better for patrons and bands alike and actually make MORE money than they are now just raping everyone with their ticket/drink prices.

Have a night where PBR master cylinders are only $2, or have $1 or $2 shots on a certain night of the week or for certain shows or have the show cost a couple bucks less for people over 21. times are tough for everyone right now, especially money-wise, and going out to concerts is something that can be cut out if there's not money to do it. The target market for all these metal/punk/hc shows that they have are generally people 16-30. Most people in that age range aren't making a lot of money, much less the people generally into that type of music, so having to commit $20 just to get in plus gas and drinks is pretty much out of the question.

wow... that was really long. to anyone who actually reads that, kudos to you.

[GameFreac]

I read it

I always buy my tickets way in advance because I'm paranoid and like to have the physical ticket in my room like 2 months before the show...even if it's not gonna sell out. But I know most people are not like that...I'm just weird.

I'd like to see more local bands at the Masquerade as long as they DON'T cut into the touring band's (and especially) the headlining band's set length. This isn't the case sometimes though.

[TheKshatriya]

The venue itself is great. Heaven is big enough to have large bands, he'll can be too big for small shows but when it's packed it's awesome. The music park is big enough for huge shows, like Megadeth and Snopp Dogg. If different people ran it and worked there it would be a great place. But whatever, fuck em.

[xforeverxmetalx]

I don't ever get tickets in advance for shows. And don't plan to, as long as I don't expect it to sell out.

Venue gets the job done for me. Sound is usually fine and I don't crowdsurf or stagedive so security doesn't bother me. Besides this one guy who told me to stop taking pics once [wtf?]. Other than that I wish people wouldn't light up beside me and smoke in my face but that happens everywhere so I guess I'm just out of luck.

[Metalfreak]

Other than that I wish people wouldn't light up beside me and smoke in my face but that happens everywhere so I guess I'm just out of luck.

I fucking hate that too. When it's not so crowded, the security will tell them to put it out. It's disgusting. I don't smoke and I don't care to breath in cancer thanks.

@Ryan - yeah I read that too haha
The Masquerade does have specials but usually for 80s night or something, not shows. Yeah, they should have some for shows. They had an open bar the other night which is pretty damn cool (the DJ payed for that though, not the Masquerade). I didn't go because I've been busy studying calculus for the past few days but I bet it was cool.

[GameFreac]

Other than that I wish people wouldn't light up beside me and smoke in my face but that happens everywhere so I guess I'm just out of luck.

I fucking hate that too. When it's not so crowded, the security will tell them to put it out. It's disgusting. I don't smoke and I don't care to breath in cancer thanks.

It's way better than it used to be. I barely ever smell smoke or see cigs inside anymore after they made it non-smoking.

Thank god.