I think Ray will calm down. I mean, the reason he’s upset is that the cover photos of this week’s Flag Live (Aug 24-30) 
are all photos of Ray’s 111 (Not “my” 111… it was mostly run by Argent and Rachel, mucho props to them! Argent is even awesome enough to have his band play the “last stand show @ 111″ -Ray), which is what the article is about, yet when Nicki Escudero emailed Ray to get the sweet photos from our friend, Mihio (Mihiomanus.com), she didn’t ask Ray a damn thing. His story is completely omitted. Yet, all the images on the cover come from the era when Ray ran the club (and there are even more great shots on the website.) Hell, we named the damn place One Eleven. Both of our bands are on the cover.
The understanding that will come though, before Ray or anyone else involved and omitted, gets on top of a building and thins out some of Flagstaff’s population yelling “Nicki Escudero fucking did this!” is that the One Eleven, or Wildman’s (pronounced WILL-DMINS), is just a building. Jim Mansene, the building’s owner is not some crook or douchebag. Well, maybe he is, but it’s nobody’s business. Mansene letting dumb kids or not letting them, use his property to make noise is just the same as any other property owner/landlord making that decision. Most, however unfortunately, would not let dumb kids into their property to do god knows what, like make art, or whatever.
When Ray called up last night, from the bar, and asked if I’d seen the article, I told them that I had, but hadn’t read it, as there was another article, about our new band and I was too amped about being the king of the week to care about the stupid One Eleven (Read it here. Let it go, already. I did however look at the photos. Which are awesome.
So I read it, and it was even more laughable than an article written by Nicki Escudero is expected to be. First of all, the guy doing the shows now, trying to “save the venue” is the real douchebag. He’s the guy paying the rent and whining about it being summer and there being no one in town to support his money making scheme. Effing ridiculous. The shows I’ve been to this summer, all summer, have been packed. Nevermind, everyone having the time of their lives. Fuck this guy.
“I don’t know if I’m ready to give up on the music community here in Flagstaff,” he says. What you need to give up on, meathead, is making $2000 a month off the Flagstaff music scene. Move to LA, dimwit.
The other incredibly funny moment of the article is when the promoter that followed after Ray’s Biblical exodus from the venue in question, Shan Dan Horan says, “I mean he’s definitely a business guy, you know?” about Jim Mansene. This is fantastic, and reflects somewhat poorly on Horan and makes him out to be a retarded eighth grader with a savant type affliction for stating the obvious. He’s a business owner, of course his concern is getting people into his business; this is not some dark lord oppressing you. He’s just a dude that doesn’t give a fuck about art. Hey, there’s another one. There’s another one. But it also reflects so well why Escudero’s writing provides us writerly types with such fodder for her effigy burning. Not only does she include this quote that all but smashes Horan’s credibility, but doesn’t even try to edit it into something that reflects some thought by the speaker, but rather the sound of a random spontaneous brainfart.
(For the record, Shan is neither an 8th grader nor a retard. What Bobby’s trying to say is that Nicki’s article is so poorly written, she pretty much makes him look bad. I know this is repeating the last paragraph, but I have a sneaking suspicion that an 8th grader and/or retard could browse over the said paragraph and misinterpret what it’s meaning truly is. -Ray)
Which is why Ray will calm down. Because no one cares. This is Nicki Escudero we’re talking about here. The young lady that seemingly everyone loves to hate. Hey, she fucking lives in Scottsdale. Writers might call her a hack. (Hey, takes one to know one.) Others might call her a bit superficial. Others, perhaps, might say that she’s a bad, lazy journalist. But who cares? The One Eleven might be doomed. Who gives a fuck? Ray does, because he (and alot of GOOD kids! -Ray) put a good eight months of his blood, sweat and semen making sure it was a tits art gallery and venue that sustained itself, which was on track had he not been railroaded by the fact that the guy that owns it couldn’t give two fucks. But for everyone else who just complained that it wasn’t as good as a house show, in an ideal world, will simply get off their asses and keep on keeping on. And Ray will calm down. The music will do that.
And Nicki Escudero will continue to write about bands and things that I do not care about. The guy that wrote my band’s article (which you might want to read as an addendum that provides some good between-the-lines info to the One Eleven story) who wanted to remain somewhat anonymous, (but, hey, figure it out) was with Escudero when she started at NAU’s premiere waste of space rag, The Lumberjack. Everyone that loves to hate the great Escudero, blame this guy. Check it:
“Dear ***, Hi! I was just wondering if you could give me some advice. I applied to write for The Lumberjack because I have always loved to write, and I have had some experience writing and editing other newsletters. I wanted to write for Life becaue that is the section that I am most interested in, so when Ty assigned me there, I was really excited. I feel like the whole time I have been with the section I have just been a waste, taking up space and creating problems for you and Sarah. I really got the vibe that you never wanted me there, and now that I am with News, I was wondering if you could honestly tell me if you think I have any potential or if I should really just give up because being a writer is a waste of my time. Please be honest! I would so much more appreciate you honestly telling me that journalism isn’t something I should consider than you lying to me and telling me that I should give it a try. I know that you know my writing better than anyone, so I really trust you! Thank you so much! :-), Nicki P.S. If you would rather call me, my number is (*********); thank you!
Needless to say, ***’s response didn’t nip this one in the bud.
For more info: Last Stand at the 111?
Flag’s only underage music venue faces an uncertain future
By Nicki Escudero
Ok, now it’s Ray’s turn… what prompted Bobby’s post is very simple. It’s something we both agree on. The Flag Live is horrible. HORRIBLE. Take a look at the cover story.
Who wrote it? A girl who can’t “bring her grammer” correctly to a largely distributed publication, nor lives in this town anymore. She writes horrible articles. Who’s fault is it that they get to press? It’s not her fault, it’s ultimately the Flag Live’s fault.Who took the photos? Well, Mihio did. He took them well over a year ago. The photos are also re-used. Now, I’m stoked that pictures of our bands and bands we hosted are so hot that the editors of the crappy rag re-use them, but c’mon. Plus, he no longer lives in town either. Who’s fault is it that there hasn’t been any photos of local shows, etc. It’s not Mihio’s as he is a champion and has an awesome family to take care of. The fault lies on The Flag Live’s head.
This next one goes out to Willed-Man’s. Some punk kids had no problem running an all ages venue for years with NO startup money, and not even one big ass local sponsor. You do have one thing on your side. You have a fucking lease. It’s your decision to sign a lease and not know how to run a rock venue. It was also your decision to talk shit to a local promoter who was pretty much handing over 3 months worth of free money to you (by the way of having shows already booked there.) It was also your decision to paint the place “crap ass” black and make it look something reminicent of what a stoner would do if he wanted to turn his basement into a strip club. Deal with it. Pony Up and be an “American Maaaaan!” I dealt with it when I got screwed my Mansene and his eviction notice. I moved on. I didn’t put it on any person or scene in this town like what seems to be going on in this crappy article.
Anyways, it isn’t him or me or any business owner that run this all ages scene. It’s the kids. The kids will do what they will. They will listen to horrible music, try to sneak in alcohol to legal venues. They’ll tear your heart out and make fun of it on myspace. They’ll associate theirselves with corporate area codes and put x’s on their hands, but not even know it’s origins. They’ll end up making you hate what you love, and there’s nothing you can do about it. If you take away their venues and what they love, they’ll recover and make better ones and love it more just to spite you. (Ok… I hope you’re laughing at that last paragraph, because I sure am. I mean, what’s a rant without some self-depreciating BS in it? What the paragraph really means is that the kids and bands that could have been helping you out with your venue had an incredibly awesome summer. I saw over 10 kickass houseshows over the past few months that pulled more people than the benefit @ Willed Man’s.)
Now that I think about, and have calmed down, I am VERY happy Nicki did not contact or quote me for tihs article. I’d end up looking like too much of an ass. Let’s face it, I do way to good of a job doing that on my own!
-Ray
PS: The Rumor hot off the presses is that someone got electrocuted at or right before the benefit show. Man, I hope none of those kids get electrocuted there! It sounds like a safety hazard…
PPS: Score one for Flag Live, as we DID notice that you put Phil Buckman on the only photo that wasn’t taken by Mihio. The picture of Phil was indeed taken by Mihio.
PPPS: The real reason why the title is so vulgar, aside from the fact that it’s funny and will create tons of gossip and drama is that I believe that the Flag Live will print about anything out there, so why not this? I will say that there are a number of writers that Bobby and I like, but they’re few and far between, which makes us appreciate em even more!
Damn, you guys are harsh. Correct on all counts, but harsh.
All I really want to know s, am I booked for any houseshows? I hear I have shows in September, but I don’t know for sure.
Also, I would like say I kind of viewed the photo-essay in the article being discussed as an insider commentary on how bad things have got at one eleven. Also, thanks for Argent for doing sound at the one time I played at Ray’s 111. Book me fuckers, my shit may not be original, but I am the only one doing what I do in this tiny town. By default, I am punk as fuck (in an acoustic/country kina way).
Craig
Hahahaa…
This warms the cockles of my heart. Perhaps even my sub-cockles.
You guys are welcome to write up the real story for the Noise if you desire!
To be fair, I’m not sure that telling her to give up on her “dreams” would have stopped her. It would only have made her more determined. She’s like Yul Bryner in “Westworld”: an unstoppable, determined, evil, evil robot, and no matter how many bullets she’s hit with, no matter how many times she’s set on fire, she just refuses to go down! This is someone who found the time to take upwards of 20 college credit hours per semester, work for all three student media outlets, “write” for the live, annoy the fuck out of people. My favorite Escudero story is when approached my friend Bryan and began badgering him with nosy questions. He was not amused, and must have showed it. She asked him, “Why don’t you like me?” He responded dryly, “Well, you’re a bit much.” She said, “Fine! Then I’ll never talk to you again!” and fumed off. THis is a friggin 12-year-old we are dealing with.
I hope I’m one of the writers you two like, not because I have a desparate need for your approval. But because I admire the music you’ve made and the efforts you’ve put forth to wards the music scene in town. It’s flattering for someone to return the admiration. Even if they sometimes sound like a hippie. JK, LOL, ROFL
I remember booking shows at “111″ before ANYONE ran it as strictly a “club”. Anyone see Bitch & Animal there? Yeah.
Sorry it got ruined. People are fuckholes.
craig, i believe you’re booked with dandelion junk queens and adam frumhoff at some place called “the compound.” i don’t even know where that is or what it is. awesome. i don’t know when the show is either. but i’ll be there, man (in big lebowski voice)…
jim, my approval of you only goes so far as to how wild you get at the show(s) tonight.
and, yes,i remember the bitch and animal show, i thought my roommate maren had a hand in that, but i didn’t go because it was like 10 dollars or some other nonsense. same thing happened with will oldham. now will oldham is one of my favorites. but i gotta put a middle finger up to adult contemporary bands with ridiculous guarentees. even though i am, really, a contemporary adult and would probably have a ridiculous guarentee if i could back it up.
and that’s the real story ready to publish.
Mr. B., my guarantee is a solemn pledge to play where & when I say I will, but I am looking forward to playing for 25 clams a head at the Orpheum, Flagstaff’s finest music venue, with no one I know in attendence that I didn’t put on the guest list.
I am an adult archaic musician.
Craig
1) the dandelion junk queens show is at emmetts house on leroux. i do not know the exact address.
2) bob, i don’t think you were harsh enough on mansene (ray either for that matter). when i was helping at 111, jim mandated quite a few things that made it somewhat unbearable and financially painful to keep it going. one being that he started to demand that we pay his bouncers for “working the door,” despite the fact that they’d let people with alcohol in, and sometimes weren’t even physically in the room. this might be okay if there was some sort of verbal agreement about working together, which i think there miiiiight have been, but being that we paid rent for a space that was ours i feel like this was completely unneccesary and was lazy on his part. it’d be like if he forced the tattoo shop to pay his bouncers for hanging out on the sidewalk and keeping their property “safe.”
also, for someone renting out the space from us, it made it that much more expensive and less of a reason to keep shows there going.
3) nicki escuedero does not live in town and should not be doing articles about local issues that are so half assed. she never mentioned the hive, she never mentioned house shows (this i don’t mind as much, although i think they could have gotten a nod without disclosing other details that are important to keep discrete). laaaaaaaaazyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.
4) i totally laughed at that paragraph.
the cover of the noise this month is awesome. and the content is decidedly worth the read as well. kudos.
It’s intriguing to see the words “punch” “fucking” “bitch” “in” “face” all in one headline on the front of Robothouse. Womanfest!
Also, let it show that Corey Dieckman invented the term “Willed Man’s” but was not associated with the preceding editorial.
I gotta go watch a fat guy in a tron suit tell me how much he loves the internet now.
Nicki is a great person… I mean she wasnt the one that picked out the pictures.. that wasnt her job! In fact the only thing she was *required* to do was make an article that made wildmans look credible (wildmans credible hahaha)…. I dont know the circumstances behind what was actually said by who ect.. but I will admit I said jim mancene was a business man and of course he wanted to make money as well as club 111 is doomed because lets all face it… it is.. I feel like this is a metaphore… lets relate club 111 to the ring in lord of the rings… were all mad we cant have it anymore and we secretly want it but the only way for us to stop careing is to pretty much burn it down… Im not saying go out and do that because that would be a felony… and most of us have warrants… but 111 is the past and its dead to me…
Being that I started the Club 111 and not anyone else, it seems petty that you guys claim any fame to this. Your rents that you paid didn’t even cover the costs of utilities. And by the way, most of you never paid your rent. You ruin the floors, tore up the bathrooms, never got insurance, etc. If you want a venue it is more than boking bands. Alsom, it was always required that two doormen had to be on premise. Too bad you couldn’t follow the rules
yes, julie started the one eleven. we would pay her fifty bucks to rent it for the night. we weren’t the first to do so. i don’t need the “fame.” never mind that that’s not the point of the article (that was written over a month ago.) for all i know, julie was the first one to have a show there. it could’ve been black flag for all i know. but then who made the flyers and made sure no one died on the night we rented it? oh wait, that was us. the only reason ray took on the responsibility of “running” the one eleven, because i mean, that was, by all means, the sweetest deal in town, then and now, was julie couldn’t keep the calendar straight and ray wanted to make sure his show was gonna go down. i feel like, despite leaving on very bad terms, (being evicted), ray left the property in better shape than he recieved it. especially the bathrooms. so i don’t understand the rest of julie’s comments.
shan, though the title and some of the content of the article, written over a month ago, are intentionally harsh for reasons of garish sensationalism, the article is not attack on esqudero as a person, but as a journalist. or a writer or whatever. basically i’m jealous that her writing and body of work has engendered such a violent response. do i think her writing is bad? who cares? but yes, generally i think it’s humorously bad. which also, in my warped mind, also makes it genius. what reflection does this have on esqudero as a person, a human being as relatable and awesome or whatever? absolutely none. none at all. i don’t know esqudero. that’s really not the point.
as ray already pointed out, the article, or at least ray’s addendum to it, is a critique of one of flagstaff’s only mass media outlets that has the power to write cultural history. they do it poorly. could i do it better?
doubtful.
i don’t want the one eleven. it’s ownership has proven incompatible with punk rock management. this is not a surprise. plus, the sound sucks in there, no matter what you do. what made it a good venue was the economy of it. that’s gone. move on. let’s find a real venue, that, if julie’s right, can crash and burn on our watch. we’re all in this dump hole together. i just happen to love this dump hole. it’s got nice trees and mountains.
to clarify:
sorry, i guess you can’t edit comments.
the second to last full paragraph is in reference to the flag live. the last paragraph should have like an “also” or some other transition word to show i’m talking about something else. nerdville!
I concur.. lets move on… Im tired of the drama and high maintenense of club 111.. I remember when “julie” opened up the club and it was 400 square feet but what I also remember is us the community and us local bands filling it, selling tickets, keeping it safe for kids and making it a local place of notice.. because lets face it.. with out us I dont think there would of been any “fame” to that place…. it would of stayed and empty black room…. also, I dont think julie plays the guitar but I could be wrong… I might pay to see that hahaha… but I dont know if she pulls alot in this town kid wise hahaha