Concert review: The Raven Charter

Kelly_Silver, says:

HEADLINE - Writer should concentrate on music, not bar.

First off, Ouch! Cliche, unfortunate, un-unique, unoriginal, lost, afraid. Quite a harsh list of adjectives found throughout this short review. It is important to remember that sometimes the best way to give negative press is to not give any press at all! If you are not a fan of the band, or more importantly the type of music, then perhaps you should go review someone who is a little more your own style.

Speaking of style, what bands sound similar to Raven Charter? What is their live show like? Do they do anything during these shows that sets them apart from other bands? It seems you failed to inform your readers of any information that describes what the Raven Charter are actually like.

In addition, my sources tell me that Raven Charter had around 120 paid fans at the show. This means that even though there were 40 minors at the bar that could not drink, there were 80 of age patrons who could. I also dont see why this portion of your review holds any significance to their music. Perhaps you should try writing for the business section.

By the way, which Raven Charter album did you listen to? And, would you mind listing your top 10 favorite rock bands?

P.S. - Never admit to liking Nickleback ever...

jtmbls, says:

Yowza Chuck! Did someone in the band sleep with your girlfriend?

Reads a little more like an axe grinding than an actual music review. I am still wondering why I shouldn't go see this band. But thanks for the book report!

jtmbls, says:

As an aside, PegNews HQ, I am also very disappointed that there is no review of Vanilla Ice. I am dying to know if he has two backup dancers, two backup singers, or just two backup wet t-shirt girls. Where are your musical priorities?

Chuck_Golden, says:

You have a very good point, Kelly. The genre of music that The Raven Charter falls under is in fact not my favorite type of music, however, we all have a right to our own opinions and since I have to lean on my own perspective here, i am sorry it is not agreeable to you. We cannot always glorify everything we see or hear.

If you were driving down the road and somebody cut you off would you get angry or would you sit back, take a deep breathe, and tell yourself their just having a bad day? You have a right to make that decision. I, personally, get angry and it seems your apple doesn't fall far from that tree either. I respect and applaud your criticisms of my writing as I hope you can respect my criticism of this particular band.

As for the performance: It seemed to mimic that of an amiture Spoonfed Tribe show. The bass player wore a neon jumpsuit and was constantly headbanging, while the lead vocals were provided by "Bond" in a band directors coat. It was cheesy staging to say the least and ahe vocals did not move me in any way. This, in particular, was disappointing since I am a very emotional person and a singer's voice, if powerful and moving enough, can easily bring me to tears. A similar sound may fall under the AFI sector. (AFI meets Star Trek The Next Generation...personally I preferred the original) Their music is repetitious with unoriginal rhythm and although the readers may want to hear more about the band itself, as Crisman said, it "would not have necessarily made for a more favorable review." As for your sources, I saw the entry chart with my own eyes.

JTMBLS: if you would prefer not to read my "book report" you can always look on Myspace and check them out for yourself.

Top 10 Favorite Rock Bands: Cold War Kids Andrew Bird Architecture in Helsinki Ghostland Observatory Muse Led Zeppelin Heartless Bastards Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Management (MGMT) New favorite: Ha Ha Tonka

jtmbls, says:

Uh, Sarah, please duly un-note as that was complete sarcasm after viewing some rather odd pics of the performance on one of those other sites! Although, as much as I hate to admit it, he is Dallas (area) grown.

No need for me to do that now Chuck, as your follow-up had much more meat on the bone. Thank you expanding your original critique. And for being a good sport about it!

Travis, it was a toss-up. Drunken Hippie Pirate art show or Vanilla Ice. We flipped a coin. :b

DC, says:

I once played in a ska band and we made $200 a show plus all the beer we could drink. For 12 people it wasn't bad.

In another vein, if this review does not involve breathing in the death fumes from an expired raven in a brown paper bag, count me out.

JohnnyUtah, says:

Chuck,

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and you surely are as well. However, it is important when writing your review that you get your facts 100% straight.

I know for a fact that the show was over capacity (250+) for over 2 hours Saturday. Raven Charter fans made up for the majority of the attendance. The reason for the excess of minors at the show is due to the fact that Main Support band Werewolf Therewolf has a lot of underage fans. And according to the bar policy they have to abide by a ratio of people in the bar over 21 and under 21. And another thing, The Raven Charter has been headling The Boiler Room since its beginning a few short years ago. Why would a venue book a headlining act that isn't A.) going to draw and B.) draw people over 21. As a matter of fact they have another headling show at The Boiler Room on October 23 w/ Bronze Wailer and Moving Atlas. Chuck I recommed you check with the facts including the bar about Saturday's attendance before you decide to smash a bands reputation based on your own neglegence. Also do you honestly think that your readers are going to base their opinion on a band based on who their demographic is? Come on man, Im not a teenage girl and I onced liked the Jonas Bros.

I welcome people that view this site to listen and see a Raven Charter show to fully grasp their music and concept. I also recommend checking out mydentonmusic.com's review of The Raven Charter...hint, it actually talks about music!

Chuck_Golden, says:

JohnnyUtah,

Sounds like you may actually be A)in the band or B)friends with the band. I am very aware of the following The Raven Charter has had at the Boiler Room, although the venue has actually been open a little less than 2 years. All venues have to start somewhere. In my earlier comment I did review a bit more of the music, but I'm sorry it was not enough for you. I actually write for mydentonmusic.com as well and am happy to see they have a more favorable review than I, myself. The capacity at Boiler room is 250 and that was met the night of The Raven Charter show, however, surprisingly enough the other two bands, Eclipse of a Nation and Wherewolf Therewolf (great Young Frankenstein reference, by the way) both had a very large pull. Enough about the bar itself though. That was originally a side note. Not a review of the band.

JohnnyUtah, says:

I asure you I am not a part of the band, thank you for your response.

Best of Luck,

JohnnyUtah

mrnvisible, says:

As someone who works at the Boiler Room and deals with the bands directly I can assure the writer of this article that the bar never allows 40 minors in the bar, we cut off at 30. Second of all, I can also guarantee that "reporters" never see our tick sheets, yes we had our maximum minors that night, but it was not all from Raven Charter, the opening bands drew the majority of minors with only 7 accounted by the headliner, so yeah a band that draws 83-93 drinkers does get booked again.

Michael_Trabtree, says:

Wow. Chuck, I'm not sure how or why you have been elected to serve as a "Guest Contributor". From what I read, it seems you are more concerned with displaying your knowledge of weak bildungsroman folklore than giving an informational review and opinion of a performance.

I was at the show and I happened to be around many people who had never seen the band before. Needless to say, they were blown away by the performance. Also, I believe the capacity for The Boiler Room is in the 250's and they were not allowing people in because they were at that number.

I think you discredit yourself entirely if you compare Nickelback to The Raven Charter, and obviously you have poor tastes if you listened to them in the past. I pretty much doubt your musical knowledge or abilities entirely and would challenge you to match any member of The Raven Charter. Don't insult or diminish people or entities that you can not hold a candle against.

I am sorry for your misguided soul; hopefully one day you will see the light and maybe elevate yourself from the "Guest Contributor" status. Maybe a good start would be writing a review with some content?

Good luck!

mrnvisible, says:

Just rechecked the numbers, 108 over 21 paid for Raven Charter, 18 under 21 paid for Raven Charter. Next time you write about a band how about you get your facts straight.