Actually I shouldn't have put it on the board I guess. Although maybe if they recognize themselves they might make an effort to be a bit nicer or understanding to bands and/or customers? I'm gonna sleep on it and decide if I want to delete/modify what I wrote.
Its not just a one employee, or one customer or even one band thing. Heard a few things different places, some may be personal grudges or just personality clashes I really don't know. but it cant be all that and it seems to be growing. Reason it bothers me is I'm afraid of a build up or domino effect where maybe some bands get offended and don't want to play there, which jaxx people would get pissed about and say fine someone else will. And they will I'm sure but word of mouth travels fast and we all know bands form and reform and members go from one to another etc. The fans have their faves and support them no matter where they go and take their side in any conflict or battle. Soon small things could become big things and bands are pissed, fans are pissed and of course jaxx is pissed and decides its not worth it and the doors close, and then we have nothing! I like Jaxx and don't want that, sure its 2hrs away but its the closest decent music I have!
I may write up the things I saw, have heard, in a constructive way, without any "this suxx" or that "suxx" and give a fans/customers (mine) perspective on it, Theres a person I feel is pretty levelheaded and calm and willing to see things from all sides. So I'll give it to them and get some feedback, rewrite if needed and let them decide what needs to be said and to who. My thoughts/ideas are meant to help and save, not hurt or destroy. Its business to them which of course relies on the customer but especially in a hard economy businesses are thinking about bottom dollar and customers needs can get overlooked. What makes sense on paper or logically in the brain isn't always whats best for a business, sometimes it comes down to emotion and humanity, It doesn't make sense but sometimes it works and sometimes maybe a gentle reminder of that is needed. Is that too sappy for a metalhead?
I don't know the actual financials of Jaxx, I know times are tough and I know there were rumors of closure and sale, I see they are trying new things so that tells me things aren't easy right now. I don't even know Jay or what he's like but I think hes human right? So my bet is hes pretty stressed right now, trying to keep things going, trying to turn profit. Needing to do new things but its gotta be scary to try. It could be your saving grace, but could be the thing that ruins you. I don't know the guy but I have a lot of sympathy for him!
My other bet would be that stress & uncertainty trickles down from him to the employees even if he tries to hide it from them. Emotions, fears, anxieties are all like energies, they're felt from other people even if you don't know it. A lot of these people have been there for years and love that place, they're employees, but I'd guess they feel a bit of ownership and a lot of loyalty to it. Everything we the fans feel about the paint, the smoking, the changes, multiply it by 1000 for them. Then add the fact that it is their livelihood. I have no idea of salaries there but if they've been there years they know they wont just go into another place and make the same wage. So people are worried, scared, upset and no matter how hard they try to hide it its going to slip out, snippy remarks or looks, light drinks to an asshole customer, exerting a bit of power at someone who is whining about the changes. Its all just human stuff. It happens, Bad thing is it can start a chain reaction.
So Once I realized that myself I've tried to explain it to some customers I talked to and some band people who weren't happy and such. I know to some they wont care, they'll still feel mistreated. just like if I can write it all down and get it to the employees, some will make an effort to curb that emotion and some will still think the customers are all unappreciative jerks. Cant make everyone understand everyone else but if some do its a start (I hope)
or quite possible I am totally wrong. I could be putting myself in each sides shoes and transferring my feelings to them. Maybe I am totally naive and things like anxiety, fears, anger and insecurity aren't universal? Maybe I'm the only one with those issues, the only one who hates and fears change? It could be everyone else truly is the hardass metalhead they portray themselves to be. Maybe even if reminded about other people they really do only give a shit how it affects them? maybe they will all be laughing at this post and giving me a big F.U. Maybe they'll ban me from the board. I might get tossed out the door at the next show I go to, given to the mob in the parking lot so they can kick me til I bleed and send me down the road. I hope not, I think not, I have faith not.
damn, for a metalhead I sure do sound like some techokid on ecstasy don't I??? - We should all just love each other and be happy, hug me! - LOL I really hate those kids! But hell if it can work and get rid of some of the animosity between customers/bands/employees then I'm all for it! I'll be at the RATT show so anyone wants a hug just find me. I am not, never have been, and never thought I would be a huggy emotional type of person so this is big! Consider it my contribution to keeping Jaxx the east coast metal haven!
added bonus - cute guys can have 2 hugs

"#256"