An Open Letter from FactoryPeople: We Love You Austin and SXSW, But You’re Freaking Us Out

Fuckin' liberals.

Nice work so did you guys make any proggress?

Also one of my close friends is a firemarshall and i can tell you that he refused to give a few places that were SXSW official a permit and is now under some heat

im right now training to be one

Next year i will be sure to cause SXSW some hell for shutting down the 07 parties

I will make sure to shut down their big parties

boycott this corporate acl festival(city council of austin) taking hush money from AMD until they stop the new office complex on has Polluted the Barton Springs watershed in Zilker Park with huge amounts of sediment that washed off their sites with modest rains on March 26Th(1.49 inches at Camp Mabry and 1.2 inches at the airport). It was enough to wash untold amounts of construction pollution off two large building sites in the fragile Barton Springs watershed. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) polluted the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer with dirty runoff leaving their construction sites. Fortunately, we were there to take pictures and video of the pollution.

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is building an 860,000 square foot office complex in the Barton Springs watershed. Rains on March 26Th washed construction sediment over, around, and literally through AMD's erosion and sedimentation "controls." The result is muddy, silt-laden water leaving the site and flowing into a tributary of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer.

Save Our Springs Alliance and many other groups and thousands of citizens urged AMD not to move to the Barton Springs watershed, in part because of concerns that they would pollute the aquifer and springs during construction. AMD insisted that they would their project would be "green.The City of Austin has reportedly given AMD a notice of violation of city rules, but the City did not issue a stop-work order or fine AMD.

please tell all the bands this there will be a protest this year will presidential hopefuls coming to Austin where the fuck you going to coll off if it gets into the 100,s like most years Visit the SOS Alliance Website

221 E. 9Th Street, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78701

Hi all!

You are The Best!!!

Bye

Peace people



We love you

You have to love that LB came out and outlined what happened in a positive way in Page Two. A much better approach than the assumption slinging brouth forth by most of you.

It still all boiled down to having the permit or not.

And where is that "well documented proof about the ties" between AFD and SXSW? Post please. That is if you aren't talking out of your nonsense ass.

We do run our busses at night. But it's a different service called the Night Owl. If you'd called the phone number on every Cap Metro sign in town you could have found out about the late night service.

This was my third SXSW and i also left the city with a bad taste. I don't get whats up with ground transportation in your fair city but every year it seems to get worse and worse. For chrissakes RUN YOUR BUSES AT NIGHT!! If you're going to take the liberty of fueling every knucklehead in greater Austin with insane amounts of liquor you should also assume some type of responsibility for getting them safely home at night. At this point i really can't see myself returning next year and blowing hundreds of dollars if every night ends up in a Katrina-esque disaster scene.

Cheers!

Artists? on drugs?

Has else anybody found a full copy of the "49 people law"?

The closest I have come is secondary sources- news stories about frat parties, mostly. AFD's website (which is most often cited as the place to go for the permit) does not reference a "public assembly permit" on its permits page. I have my doubts about the existance of such a permit. That's why I asked for a citation of a primary source for the law/ ordinance that requires it (see message #185).

For Blue Genie, I doubt it was designed for occupancy by more than a handful of people. Even if it has a metric pant-load of roll-up doors, those don't count as exits- an exit has to be a door that your garden variety moron can open while defecating on himself because he's running from a fire (and running from other morons running from a fire). In addition, working art studios generally have a bunch of hazardous & combustible materials (such as paints, solvents, various comubustable drugs and/or liquors, etc.) stored in a haphazard manner, and that just adds to the dangerous goodness. Factories are not suitable spaces for parties- it doesn't matter that what is manufactured is "art".

Stan, this is not about Factory People. This is about the City of Austin passing laws that shut down live music. Blue Genie is a different venue than Factory People, which I never mention. Blue Genie is a huge warehouse complex that host events all the time. The Blue Genie Theatre is an active playhouse on the lot. The separate Artspace building on the lot hosts the Art Bazaar, a big free version of the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar (except with better art and bands) and always has a cash bar.

Don't compare the situations, but compare the Blue Genie physical space to the Paramount. The Paramount has a narrow hallway and steep stairs to funnel hundreds of upper balcony people through a small door. Same with the Alamo Downtown, another SXSW venue. The Blue Genie is ground level and has huge warehouse doors big enough for firetrucks to drive through. In real life, if I'm exiting a fire, a permit paper or zoning law has no value in making my escape easier. In real life, I'd rather run through the Blue Genie doors. My point here is to show the absurdity of placing importance on a piece of paper that says "more than 49 people are ok". Long live the Paramount, long live the Aus Chron building, and long live the Blue Genie when (if) it is reborn according to code.

SXSW is not the root of this issue. This blame lies on the City of Austin for passing the permit law. It is excessive, unecessary, and limits freedom of individuals and businesses. The blame will ultimately rest on the public if we allow it to continue and don't stand up for ourselves.

Stan I appreciate your answer that other places are "zoned for events". If anybody else has something to contribute, please do. Two weeks later, there is still little understanding on the full details of the law that shut down the parties. It frustrates me that more music in the future may be stamped out in this purported music capital.

The zoning answer is a start, but not the full answer. Fire Marshalls were not showing up with zoning maps or demanding the zoning code of lot. Has else anybody found a full copy of the "49 people law"? Please share.

Stan, this is not about Factory People. This is about the City of Austin passing laws that shut down live music. Blue Genie is a different venue than Factory People, which I never mention. Blue Genie is a huge warehouse complex that host events all the time. The Blue Genie Theatre is an active playhouse on the lot. The separate Artspace building on the lot hosts the Art Bazaar, a big free version of the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar (except with better art and bands) and always has a cash bar.

Don't compare the situations, but compare the Blue Genie physical space to the Paramount. The Paramount has a narrow hallway and steep stairs to funnel hundreds of upper balcony people through a small door. Same with the Alamo Downtown, another SXSW venue. The Blue Genie is ground level and has huge warehouse doors big enough for firetrucks to drive through. In real life, if I'm exiting a fire, a permit paper or zoning law has no value in making my escape easier. In real life, I'd rather run through the Blue Genie doors. My point here is to show the absurdity of placing importance on a piece of paper that says "more than 49 people are ok". Long live the Paramount, long live the Aus Chron building, and long live the Blue Genie when (if) it is reborn according to code.

SXSW is not the root of this issue. This blame lies on the City of Austin for passing the permit law. It is excessive, unecessary, and limits freedom of individuals and businesses. The blame will ultimately rest on the public if we allow it to continue and don't stand up for ourselves.

Stan I appreciate your answer that other places are "zoned for events". If anybody else has something to contribute, please do. Two weeks later, there is still little understanding on the full details of the law that shut down the parties. It frustrates me that more music in the future may be stamped out in this purported music capital.

The zoning answer is a start, but not the full answer. Fire Marshalls were not showing up with zoning maps or demanding the zoning code of lot. Has else anybody found a full copy of the "49 people law"? Please share.

Stan, this is not about Factory People. This is about the City of Austin passing laws that shut down live music. Blue Genie is a different venue than Factory People, which I never mention. Blue Genie is a huge warehouse complex that host events all the time. The Blue Genie Theatre is an active playhouse on the lot. The separate Artspace building on the lot hosts the Art Bazaar, a big free version of the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar (except with better art and bands) and always has a cash bar.

Don't compare the situations, but compare the Blue Genie physical space to the Paramount. The Paramount has a narrow hallway and steep stairs to funnel hundreds of upper balcony people through a small door. Same with the Alamo Downtown, another SXSW venue. The Blue Genie is ground level and has huge warehouse doors big enough for firetrucks to drive through. In real life, if I'm exiting a fire, a permit paper or zoning law has no value in making my escape easier. In real life, I'd rather run through the Blue Genie doors. My point here is to show the absurdity of placing importance on a piece of paper that says "more than 49 people are ok". Long live the Paramount, long live the Aus Chron building, and long live the Blue Genie when (if) it is reborn according to code.

SXSW is not the root of this issue. This blame lies on the City of Austin for passing the permit law. It is excessive, unecessary, and limits freedom of individuals and businesses. The blame will ultimately rest on the public if we allow it to continue and don't stand up for ourselves.

Stan I appreciate your answer that other places are "zoned for events". If anybody else has something to contribute, please do. Two weeks later, there is still little understanding on the full details of the law that shut down the parties. It frustrates me that more music in the future may be stamped out in this purported music capital.

The zoning answer is a start, but not the full answer. Fire Marshalls were not showing up with zoning maps or demanding the zoning code of lot. Has else anybody found a full copy of the "49 people law"? Please share.

Anon - maybe you don't have a keen interest in denim (and indie jean companies) like some folks do. But Barney's claims to. They carry Crate in many of their stores around the world. Their sales managers and clerks portend to be knowledgeable in fashion trends. Their ignorance would be similar to you not knowing whether you carry Mickey's Big Mouths at the gas station you work at.

Make that "public assembly permit." A search of the city's website doesn't yield squat.

I know it was originally conceived to fight out-of-control frat parties. Maybe we're all on "double secret probation".

No, you nitwit: stores usually have the same zoning as bars, restaurants, theaters, etc.: CS or CS-1 (same as CS, but with liquor SALES as a permitted use). Some occupancies in CS aren't suitable for large crowds due to the construction (unsprinkled, too few exits, too far to the exits that are there, etc.), but it has ZERO to do with the zoning.

In all of the hubbub about the "public occupancy permit," I haven't seen any actual citation of the ordinance requiring it, or any official publication of the requirement (only links to secondary and tertiary sources, such as news sites and blogs). Any primary sources available? If so, please point me to them.

I thought Crate made crappy nu-metal guitar amps.

I'd be in favor of shutting down in-store appearances at Waterloo if the staff/owners of Waterloo did not get the required permits to give away free booze, have a band play, etc.

And, there you have it -- "The only parcel on the block zoned for liquor sales is the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store".

Factory People is not zoned for these kinds of events; The Paramount Theatre is.

Factory People needs to get a permit; The Paramount Theatre does not.

If you don't think Grindhouse is a nitwit for trying to compare the situation at Factory People (a late night party in a clothing store) with the Grindhouse premiere at the Paramount (a movie showing at a theatre), I don't know what to tell you.

Lots of places are "zoned to be a store," yet have promotional events. Some of them are even "keep[ing] Austin weird" (Waterloo Records comes to mind).

Stan, are you in favor of shutting down in-store appearances at Waterloo, because stores aren't zoned for events*? Why do you hate Austin?

* BS, by the way- FP has the same zoning as the Continental Club on the same block- CS (plus some overlays NCCD & Neighborhood Plan). The Continental isn't zoned for liquor sales, but is a non-conforming use (grandfathered pre-existing use). The only parcel on the block zoned for liquor sales is the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store (but not its parking lot). If you are going to spout off on someone else being a nitwit, it might help if you didn't show your ignorance at the same time.

When you're as cool as these people, it can be close to rocket science.

But - duh! Who doesn't know that Crate denim doesn't have a women's line? How uncool can people be?

Grindhouse,

You're a nitwit.

The Paramount, just like Emo's or Beerland or La Zona Rosa or Opal Devines or Sullivans Steakhouse, is zoned for events.

Factory People is zoned to be a store.

This isn't rocket science.

Grindhouse - me thinks you know of what you speak! Yup, nothing makes me laugh more than the thought of 120 stoned elitist hippies hanging out between the buildings on E 40th Street at about 4 pm on a Thursday - when suddenly the cops and fire department show up asking for a change of use public assembly permit... and it wouldn't surprise me if they were to also find a fair share of funny cigarettes laying around during the visit. ...

RickySnz - you got it backwards, dummy. Barney's CO-OP wishes it were as cool as FP. All the CO-OP is is trendy, not cool. I quizzed a clerk at the Domain about Crate jeans, and he told me he was pretty sure they were going to be getting in the girl's line soon. Hello, Crate doesn't make girl's jeans. Dumbass.

The small Austin Chronicle building is unsafe for parties of more than 49 people. When the crowd switches from work mode to volleyball hangout, that is a "change of use" and legally requires a permit. Seriously. The Chronicle has over 120 regular employees as listed on their website (go to auschron.com, click contact, scroll down for directory)

This doesn't count bands, groupies, and the other folks hanging on. When the new Chronicle issue is out on Thursdays they get to squeeze in some extra volleyball and celebrate. Let's all call the Fire Marshall on Thursday and report a party gathering without a permit. When the Fire Dept shows up, they'll see a bunch of stoned people playing music and volleyball and lounging on a broken golfcart. If that doesn't qualify as more than 49 people partying without a permit, I don't know what does. I need all of you to help keep Austin safe, please everyone call. Describe the small building and large partying crowd (both indoors and in the backyard) at East 40th Street and I-35 (or 4000 N IH 35). Call 311 first, then the Fire Chief at 512-974-0130. I am going to start calling around 3pm. With any luck we can keep Austin safe and save a life.

There was a line down the block for the Grindhouse premier. Louis Black cut in line in front of me going into the Paramount. Isn't that some kind of fire code violation to block an entry and obstruct a moving line? There were definitely over 49 people gathered at the Paramount. Can someone explain how this event doesn't need the mystery permit? Can you imagine being stuck in the top Paramount balcony with 500 people leaving a fire and cramming and funneling into one of the two small stairwells? Blue Genie's venue is practically half outdoors, with many huge open warehouse doors that several trucks can fit through. If you use the same standard that says Blue Genie isn't safe, how is the Paramount's tiny doors safe? And why is Louis Black cutting in line and blocking that tiny door?

How's about we all just scrap SXSW and the parties and everything and get on with our lives? Wouldn't that solve all our problems?

I think so. It would for me at least. I totally support this plan.

From now on, they shall be known as Roland "Narc" Swenson and Louis "Gestapo" Black. How un-rock and roll can you get, shutting down other people's parties? Remember when years ago, SXSW tried to tell bands that they could only their officially sanctioned SXSW gig while they were in town? Same attitude. And the attitude is - FASCIST.

People will soon learn that FP is a Barney's CO-OP rip off. Maybe if Le would've let the right people in the party, it wouldn't have been shut down. Like people who actually shopped there. She's just an austinite with a store and a clipboard. I guess it's not some exclusive party palace afterall. It's time to move on.

Factory people has Carlos Falchi heels? Those are better than an $80 wristband that gets you nothing!

Factory people has Carlos Falchi heels?! Those are better than an $80 wristband that gets you nothing!

Nice PR doesn't wear Carlos Falchi cha-cha heels...

Seriously, FP, where's your subversive sense of humor? My friends and I are kinda scared to shop here now ('You touch it, You buy it!')...

As far as the TABC shutting the party down that is a whole other issue...I know the party I was at carded heavily and had plenty of security. I am not sure they would have been able to serve alcohol past 2 but I will never know the party got sut down shortly after starting...600 people and a truck load of free alcohol....oh what might have been!!

The John Kelso column was a result of me contacting him. He investigated on his own. The information is out there if people just look at all the facts. If you notice Roland Swenson commented on this very blog in the beggining????Where is he now that the fire marshall basically called him out? This issue was also front page headline news in the statesman as well as countless articles online.

EO-If you read and look at what happened your point would not make sense. You asked if sxsw has the power to boss the fire depsrtment around....No not really they filed a formal complaint which has to be investigated. If I call the fire department and file a complaint against you the fire marshall has to investigate.Is that bossing around? No,but it is pretty ridiculous and Roland's reasoning for filing complaints according to him was so that the playing field would be level? ...Roland Swenson knew that these parties wouldnt have the permit because not many people are aware of this permit even city officials. Kelso talked to the blue genie who happened to rent out their space often without parmit they had no idea.The mayor kept a party from being shut down because he happened to be there and they did not have this same permit. I was at a party the the same fire marshall came to and he did not ask for the permit??

The bottom line is this is about Roland Swenson and sxsw using the city to shut down parties they dont like because they dont make any money from them. If you read Louis Black commentary in the chronicle regarding these matters he specifically states read it carefully:

"Everywhere, there were posts celebrating day parties and touting non-SXSW, evening events as the way to go: free beer and great music to be enjoyed without either a wristband or giving a penny to SXSW Inc. There were lists of these parties and maps to where they were. Yet, despite this secrecy, it was SXSW that caused them to be overcrowded"louis black

NO LOUIS IT WAS YOUR LIST AND THE LIST THAT ROLAND SWESNON SENT TO THE FIRE MARSHALL THAT HAD THEM SHUT DOWN THE FIRE MARSHALL SAID IT HIMSELF!

Sorry I had to shout that out. This is what the sxsw crew have been saying since the parties were shut down that is until the fire marshall himself came out and said he had to investigate because Roland Swenson filed a complaint. He should be ashamed of himself for all those people who wantedto jsut have a good time....It wasnt about wrsit bands or sponsors or most of all money. Read Louis comment above for them it is about MONEY!!

Thank you Markontour for posting the John Kelso column....

This is the gift that just keeps on giving!!

Brilliant.

comments #63 & #112 are pretty telling, as they are first hand accounts of the debaucle that has become 'SXSW vs. the Parties'

Hopefully this will result in change, as SXSW has become bloated & greedy, and the city is having growing pains that the city offices and managers aren't keeping up with.

And to all the Factory People bashers, the owners and their staff are some of the nicest, most genuine people I have met in Austin. Their sense of fashion is not for everyone (and I mean that in the best way). This is America, and you have the freedom of choice to not shop there.

By the way, have you seen the prices at the Domain lately?

I know that a lot of what I am about to say here is a tad-bit off subject but here goes…..

Permits Permits Permits. in my opinion it is big brother's(no, not Hil Clint, not yet at least) attempt to shut down the party and say socialism is the way to go. Let everybody attend. No ability to discern. Lets let EVERYbody in(in this case no more than 49). How arbitrary. Why the number 49? I never knew the saying went 49 is a gathering but 50 is an assembly? This reminds me of all the fun times and fun places that were shut down by big brother: 54, LimeLight, and more recently the Roxy. The government and in this case the very local government wants too much control. Isn't competition the essence of Americana? If the free, d-i-y parties or corporate supported parties are more fun, more fabulous, and more avant-garde then that should be an indication that the times they are a changing. Paradigmatically speaking. Its time to change up the concept of south-by-southwest. Reinvention is amazing. With the way the world works today I don’t think their sentiments are that off….they don’t need a conspiracy theory to figure that out.

Which bring me to my 2nd observation of these posts. This disdain towards Factory People. Rich kids snobs hipsters 88 dollar t-shirts blah blah blah blah.

I think of the Thomas and Le as forecasters not only of trends if fashion but in music, art and culture as well. Last time I checked, not only the production of clothing but the art of dressing were considered to be an expression of who we are as people and how we are feeling about ourselves. (In a sense that goes way beyond socio-economic status!) To me that is a test of your creativity and taste not weather you have the 88 bucks in your pocket or not. {FYI there are lots of things in the store that are under 30 bucks check out the Cheap Monday and Upper Playground pieces). I was sitting here thinking on this rainy afternoon about all of the different enlightenments that they have bestowed on my thirsty pursuit of the new. ACL, Keenan Dufty, Gsus, Alex and Chloe, VHS or Beta, Peaches, Marc Spitz, United Bamboo, She Wants Revenge, Sparks, Izze, Titos, Nylon magazine, hell- SOCO and First Thursday, LCD Soundsystem, American Apparel, Yoko D. Misprint Magazine, Surface to Air, skinny jeans, and my new fav- faux-street wear. Talk about finger on the pulse of NOW. A lot of these designers they carry and endorse are artists: far removed from concern about mass production. There is a D-I-Y trend that is going on where these fabric(and jewelry) artist are creating art work and marketing it, making it, treating it, selling it, shipping it and supporting it with in-store events. T and L are purveyors of modern culture that would not otherwise be available in Austin. I have been here for over 10 years and the town has become a LOT more progressive in the last three. Their point of view is strong with provisos for evolution.

They have upped the ante. These personal attacks on them have left a bad taste in MY mouth. People were fast to blast FP but why didn’t any one ask why are the wristbands to sxsw sold for several hundred bucks a pop. Talk about North American Scum. As FP would say to those who oppose in a perfectly thought out all inclusive F you statement that is emblazed on t-shirts already: F Factory People F Surface to Air and F you too. Brilliant. Don’t you think? I just thought of a fun new version of that t-shirt that they can make!

COMMENTARY: JOHN KELSO

Buy a wristband or South by Southwest will turn you in to the authorities

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Sunday, March 25, 2007

You probably shouldn't be advertising any funny business about yourself right now in the Austin Chronicle personals unless you want the Fire Department to come by and hose you down.

That's a joke. Still, I never thought I'd see the day when those libertine hippies from the Chronicle who make oodles of cash on the South by Southwest Music Festival would turn to the narc side, I mean the dark side.

See, last week, as is usual when South by Southwest goes on, there were a bunch of free parties around town at businesses.

Folks like to hit the parties because you can get in without spending a bunch of money on an expensive South by Southwest wristband or badge.

Trouble is, it turns out there's a fairly new rule in Austin that requires businesses throwing big parties to have something called a "change of use" permit.

The permit allows parties of 50 or more folks. If you don't have the permit, mean old Mr. Austin Fireman can turn off your disco ball and send everybody home.

So last week, after the South by Southwest people supplied the Fire Department with a list of the parties going on around town and some of the parties got shut down by the Fire Department, it smelled a bit fishy.

Especially since the city just gave South by Southwest a $90,000 break on city fees.

It's looking to me like the South by Southwest people don't want you to be able to get into anything without paying them first. Did they steal the manual from the University of Texas, or what?

One of the parties that got axed was at Blue Genie Art Industries on Springdale Road. About 600 people showed up. Then, when the Fire Department arrived, about 600 people left. Imagine all the wonderful stories they're going to tell about Austin when they get home.

I suspect the party would have lasted longer than 35 minutes if the owners had known about the permit.

"That's the really irritating part of the whole thing," said Dana Younger, one of the owners. "This permit just went on the books last year, and they never told anybody that you needed it."

Then there was the party at Factory People, a clothing store on South Congress Avenue. The Fire Department shut them down, too.

Take a hike, folks. And don't forget to pick up your copy of the Chronicle on the way out.

The South by Southwest people say they provided the Fire Department with the list of places having parties because they wanted to level the playing field. Hey, if a South By club has to have a permit, why shouldn't everybody else?

Well, maybe so. But I'm wondering if South by Southwest could make even more money by going after other competing events, like, you know, funerals going on at the same time as the music festival. I mean, you don't need a badge to get into Weed-Corley-Fish, right?

Too bad South by Southwest can't change the rules to require people to have on wristbands to get in to see Uncle Ernie.

The way things are going, I wouldn't be surprised.

My goodness, don't we give SXSW a lot of credit? Now they have the power to boss the Austin Fire Department around, eh?

I'm no rocket scientist, but I'd be willing to wager a week's worth of my salary (a.k.a. one pair of bermuda shorts from Factory People) that the AFD got their list of unofficial parties the same place everyone else did: online. The lists were not hard to find by any stretch of the imagination.

Regardless, it may be that the festival deserves all of the power it has been granted in the conspiracy circles. Do you honestly think those throngs of people come to Austin for your overrated little after-party? You should thank festival organizers for providing such a rich pool of prospects for not only your parties but also your business.

I've worked the door at several parties thrown by factory people (I was not working at this years) and I can safely say that I've never worked the door where the owners are as aggressive about carding everyone who comes in. They even have the bartenders (all TABC certified) card if they suspect someone slipped thru the cracks and tell all the security guards to alert them if someone appears to be underage. And let's remember, they pay 2 APD officers to work their door. If you saw someone underage at the door it was most likely their teenage daughter who gets to put on wristbands.

anon,

On topic plz.

thanx

Man, with SXSW you just have to be one step ahead. This stuff with the city is always going to be a year or 2 behind, and props to the people fighting the good fight. I really feel bad for the promoteres, but Im sure Iheartcomix over RSVPed their party to a ridiculous point, and that makes it hard for my sympathy to lie 100% with them. I rsvped to that party and wasnt really surprised when I heard it got shut down, but once youve hired your own cops that sounds pretty put together and Im sorry it didnt work out for them.

The next night I was going to go to the Vice thing which was moved to the Elk Lodge except I got to Blue Genie before I found out it was moved and I didnt know exactly where on Lake Austin Blvd Elk Lodge was. Given what happened I was glad I gave up, though it would have been nice to see the Black Lips in an apocalyptic atmosphere (maybe). Oh yeah PS to Vice: thanks for not leaving directions!!

I just gotta say to the people out there, you gotta pick your spots. For the day thats easy, theres like 4 venues on the east side that you can walk to and from. I had a really good time at shows at Ms. Beas and the OK Mountain gallery during the day, and then at Big Orange for Awthumfest on Sunday night. Or just pick a show at Emos and get there early and just dont leave.

Also I had a day party at my house and called 311 twice to see if i needed anything and totally got the run around. No one knew what I was talking about at all and I dont doubt there were situations where people asked all the right questions to all the right people working for the city and just got bad or no info on what they needed.

Also just a suggestion...By Saturday if anyone who organizes shows is listening, will you give us some free Chinese food, because everyones worn down on BBQ and Mexican by then and it would really be a nice change of pace. Cool.

And an observation: one thing I thought was funny was that almost every band I heard felt the need to address the split between the types of gigs. Like "Whoo hoo our show is so cool because its not sponsored by Toyota/Yaris" or "Yeah this is the REAL SXSW." actually the real SXSW is the one downtown, but this is the super fun bastard child that wouldnt be possible without all those other people making deals.

I did make it for one show downtown tho and the crowd was hillariously a lot more corporate (hillarious because i was drunk enough to read other peoples Blackberry conversations), but that was tight because those people dont care if you push your way to the front row. You just gotta take control and realize if theyre there for business and youre there to listen to music, you are at a huge advantage.

OK! PEACE OUT!

By unanimous vote, we hereby declare Austin to be the Live Music Permit Capital of the World. Join us next week as we shut down Little League baseball games across town for gathering crowds over 49 people without a permit.

Your Elected Officials,

City of Austin

From what I saw of a lot of guests - I'd say that FP and the otehrs who got shut down are lucky TABC didn't pay a visit.

You can't hide behind "the right of the people peaceably to assemble.." when throwing parties like that. That is just ignorant. Those are for rallies and things like that. You aren't going to go to some anti HPV vac rally and find people boozing it up for the cause. If you are going to have an event and have alcohol and a lot of people there drinking it you have to take precautions. It's to cover your ass and it's for the best intrest of your guests.

Why did the iheartcomix party get shut down even though they had all the right permits. I'm not asking in a shitty tone, I am just trying to make sense of this mess. They can't just come in assuming you are a bunch of other people from the night before trying to pull a fast one. If you produce the permits they can't shut you down.

As for the store.. you don't like it?? Do what I do don't freakin' shop there.

The actions taken by the organizers and owners of SXSW seem to be selfish and underhanded.

Being a small business owner myself, I was greatly affected by these events. I am shocked at the festival which was supposedly based on helping indie bands find exposure, taking such hypocritical actions against independent businesses.

I hope that FactoryPeople and all the other businesses, record labels, bands, venues, etc... affected by the actions of SXSW succeed in opening up the eyes of Austin's city government.

I too agree with you David Rusk. The city doesn't like this press and I'm sure they wished that they hadn't given SXSW the free ride of the city services! (Which leds me to - can the City of Austin be sued for any damages since it is now an "official" sponsor of SXSW and therefore included in the vast people who put on SXSW? Just a thought...for the future when somebody gets hurt or dies.) However, I believe the city will back off somewhat next year(especially with Factory People) when this ball stops rolling down the proverbial Press Hill! The city of Austin is not looking so "music friendly" right now (and don't get me started about noise ordinances!). I don't see this story going away anytime soon as I predict this is just the tip of the pile of shit that is SXSW).

And as for you, Ol' Pappy, NOBODY cares what don't fly with you! The only time you should pipe up about SXSW is when they shut down a party at McBrides Guns! STEP AWAY FROM YOUR COMPUTER...WIPE THE HOT WING SAUCE FROM YOU SCRAGGLY-ASSED BEARD AND GO BACK TO FUCKING YOUR SISTER!!! How's that for caplocks, you fuckin' hick!!

ol'pappy,

Is your ego really that bruised that you can't get into factory people's party? the trucker hat and fake miami shades at night are kind of sad don't you agree? 20 posts? Get a life.

Can we get a reality check here? This anti-sxsw stuff is ridiculous. do you honestly think an event this massive just happens, that sxsw has nothing to do with the 'good times' that come through the city, or that if no one bought a badge or a wristband, that 1500+ bands would descend on the city anyway? please. a lot of planning and hard work goes into staging an event as big and expensive as sxsw, and if you don't believe this, you're incredibly naive. the free parties are fun, sure, but it looks to me like factory people were shut down b/c they didn't have a permit. sxsw fights its own battles with the fire department; they might have turned over a party list, but it could have been found mulitple places on the internet or in people's inboxes. we are so fortunate to live in a place that stages an event like sxsw. these people are not the enemy.

CAPSLOCK, I see the list as a cover-your-ass kinda thing. I can't read what else you said though cause it's like you're yelling with the HFJLJFSKLHFJILGDJKLWEIUFWINC and I won't look at that.

Sorry, man. That don't fly with me.

wii man I agree that not throwing parties is exactly what sxsw wants but with all the uproar regarding this I think it will be hard for the city to allow parties to be shut down again. I think the fire marshall is a bit thrown back as well he seemed surprised about how much complaints have been lodged and that is why he called Roland out on it.

These guys are a bunch of blowhards and you know they were not well liked before this and you can tell by the posts on here when Louis Black was standing there looking like an idiot when they were selling wrist bands. The boards are going crazy and not just here in Austin and now that the facts have come out that they indeed sent out a list it is only making them look worse. I mean the whole ordeal was front page news today and it is only gathering steam. They alienated alot of people not just factory people.

So. It's not cool by your standards for me to send a clear message to Factory People to FUCK OFF! but it's ok for you to send a clear message to Louis Black to FUCK OFF! because your opinion is more right than anyone else's?

ROLAND SWENSON IS WEAK!! HE FIRST COMES IN ON THIS POST AND DENIES THAT HE OR SXSW HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH PARTIES BEING SHUT DOWN UNTIL THE FIRE MARSHALL CALLS HIM OUT ON IT.

NOW HE SAYS HE WANTED A FAIR PLAYING FIELD SO HE GAVE THE FIRE MARSHALL A LIST AND TRY'S TO EXPLAIN YOU CAN FIND THE LIST ANYWHERE ONLINE. YES THAT IS TRUE BUT ONCE YOU FILE A COMPLAINT WHICH HE DID THE FIRE MARSHALL HAS TO INVESTIGATE.NICE JOB ROLAND YOU ARE LIKE THE LITTLE TATTLE TALE I HOPE YOU ARE PROUD OF YOURSELF...YOU WANT FAIR GIVE BACK THE 90 THOUSAND DOLLAR TAX BREAK YOU JUST GOT YOU TROLL.

WHAT KIND OF A MAN TELLS THE POLICE AND FIRE MARSHALLS OF PARTIES HE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATING?? YOU DONT LIKE THE PARTIES DO SOMETHING YOURSELF ABOUT IT ROLAND.....DONT HIDE BEHIND THE FIRE MARSHALL!!! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THE FIRE MARSHALLS HAD TO WORK FOR OVERTIME FOR HIS "LIST" WHO PAYS FOR THAT? WE DO. MY TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT ON SOME IMPERIALSTIC IDIOT THATS BUSTING PARTIES THAT ARE OF NO THREAT TO ANYONE.

AS FAR AS FACTORY PEOPLE...

QUIT HATING ON FACTORY PEOPLE IF YOU DONT LIKE THE PRICES THERE IT IS EASY DONT SHOP THERE. THIS DISCUSSION IS NOT ABOUT FACTORY PEOPLE IT IS ABOUT WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THESE PARTIES BEING SHUT DOWN AND THE ANSWER IS QUITE CLEAR TO ME NOW ALL THE FACTS HAVE COME OUT. THERE WERE PARTIES THAT WERE TARGETED SPECIFICALLY AND THE ONLY LOGICAL REASON WOULD BE THE "LIST".

ROLAND "GREASY PALMS" SWENSON I WISH SOMEONE WOULD......

Now that you all know how devious and vindictive SXSW can be and IS, perhaps this will teach anyone who will be having any SXSW party in the future to NOT SEND OUT PARTY ANNOUNCEMENTS TO ANY WEBSITE ESPECIALLY THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE! Listen, SXSW has eyes everywhere (HELLO...SXSW VOLUNTEERS!!!) The simple thing to do is to make your party PRIVATE! Invitation only! None of this open to the public bullshit (besides, do you really want people like Ol' Pappy above coming to one of your events looking for free Schlitz and wiping his Dorito-stained mouth on your merchandise? I thought not). If SXSW is elitist...make YOUR party elitist! You can still piss off SXSW by bringing in popular talent that is NOT playing SXSW (of course that will COST you) or you can use one of their official bands and just not announce the band name (hello Special Guest!) and then no harm is done. But the more you promote your event during SXSW is when the sleeping giant called SXSW starts to move...and fast! Dot your i's and cross your t's next year with the City (but don't trust them fully as they are now partners with SXSW!) Stop by your favorite club and ask them what permits they have. Get ALL names of people you talked to from the City about proper permits. But seriously, every plan needs a Plan B and next year...have one (along with a Plan C-Z!) Trust me Factory People...SXSW WANTS you to quit throwing parties! If you want to piss them off...don't give up! Next year throw the best party you can afford (meaning talent) keep all details super secret and trust me...SXSW will be FURIOUS that they did not squash you and all the others! This is their plan! Please, for christsakes, don't give up! Send SXSW a message of "FUCK OFF!" This will make Louis and Roland scurry around their dark offices like the cockroaches they are!

I quote:

"Notable among many failures here:

"1) A failure on the part of the media to spend the extra handful of characters it would take to report the location of a new law in the city's official code....

"2) A failure on the part of our city to respect its duty to accessibly inform citizens of the laws by which they are expected to abide. Consider the social contract torn up, burned to ashes, and defecated upon...."

I blame Bush and Republicans. Fish rot from the head down.

So according to that article, SXSW informed the fire marshall of ALL the venues that had SXSW-related parties planned, whether they were sanctioned or not and the Popov's are pissed cause entitlement couldn't carry them through a visit from the AFD inspectors?

That's what I'm reading. I can see how that could be misinterpreted to "we are being TARGETTED!!!" but it looks to me like the Fire Marshall decided who'd get a visit and who wouldn't and the Popov's are a couple of big cry babies.

what has happened to music? networking, fashion, overload!...I cant even go to a show without being looked over like 12 times to see if I've got on cool clothes...there is nothing wrong with looking good and feeling comfortable, but this new society being bred is trying to be so different from eachother when in fact they are just turning into the same trash as everyone else. clothes don't make a person, a person makes a person...all I am saying is respect everyone AND JUST BE YOURSELF FOR ONCE thats what this city has always been about, and I feel its being threatened

what is progressive or liberal about spending way too much money on clothes, or a festival that is making a killing of controlling entertainment in a city for a week? Both sides can be looked at in a negative light. It's ridiculous how we all bitch about these things as if they are real problems, and then people have the audacity of saying there's something progressive about it. The fact is all of us are rich and comfortable from a global perspective and we have no reason to bitch about anything, whether it be a party getting shut down for violating a questionable law or a festival trying to shut down everything so they can make more money. A billion people on this planet live on less than 23 cents a day, only 8% of the population of the world owns a car, with the money we have in this country we could benefit neglected and diseased people all over the world, but we spend more money on ice cream every year than we do on helping out any of them. There's nothing progressive about any of this, anyone can critique the world around them and criticize people, why don't we start doing something.

Ahhh, Wi Man. You and I obviously have the same experience of the people in question. We know more about what they do than they do...

A huge problem I have, that keeps creeping up in the interviews and is parroted by the city departments and other kool-aid drinkers is the term "un-sanctioned parties". (Sanction- "official approval or permission for an action.")

So, in essence, anyone who wants to have a private party during that week anywhere in the city of Austin needs to get permission from them? Let's say I want to have a birthday party during the week of SXSW and have The Rolling Stones play... I need to get their approval?

I hereby officially request that the SXSW organizers and all of their kool-aid drinkers climb down off of their delusional, arrogant, pretentious cloud and call the parties that are not put on by them, planned by them, coordinated by them, and that make them no money, by their true and accurate name..."private and/or public parties that everyone in town has a right to host if they want to."

And Swenson has the balls to be quoted in the NYTimes complaining that someone might ruin the "egalitarian spirit of SxSW" - hahahahahaha (Egalitarian- "of, relating to, or believing in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities") ..... as long as they get permission from SXSW first. Then, and only then, can all things be equal.

roland swenson is a b*tch.

Roland fesses up -- yet again -- to providing AFD with a list of parties in the Statesman: http://www.austin360.com/music/content/music/stories/2007/03/23parties.html

G'night, wee man. You still can't flame worth a damn but maybe you'll improve with sleep.

Ol Pappy...PLEASE FOR CHRISTSAKES THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING TO WATCH ON CMT!!! Maybe and ol' rerun of Hee Haw or Dukes of Hazzard! Please, can you just suck on your Jim Beam bottle and pass out in your tractor seat! Stop giving us your 2 cents about FASHION! I'm sure you are sorry 'JUST GUNS' CLOSED DOWN ON SOUTH CONGRESS!! But you can still hang out and buy guns and your affordable camouflage clothing at Wal-Mart! SERIOUSLY! TIME TO GO NIGHT-NIGHT!!!!

can't afford an

$80 t-shirt???

you're just mad because you're broke ass ain't sh*t!

keep selling cd's to make rent and i'll be thinking about you while i rock my expensive denim.

that's right i said it.

now call your parents for money!!!

Unfortunately, David, any "official" SXSW band who is playing the festival can ONLY play record store in-stores and PRIVATE parties! Which means guest list and invitation ONLY! NO free open to the public parties featuring ANY SXSW band. Otherwise SXSW will call the band, their management and/or their record label and threaten to "pull" said band from their SXSW showcase if they deviate from any of these rules. Not only that but any SXSW venue who signs up with SXSW also gets threatened if they do any day parties featuring those same bands or if any party runs over the 6:00pm cutoff for SXSW venues doing any business outside of SXSW. Facts, my brothers and sisters, SXSW is a beast who will attack when provoked! I suggest next year that you same people stand outside of any official SXSW Venue and wait and see how the crowd is THEN CALL THE FIRE MARSHALL AND POLICE ON SXSW!!! With this knowledge they may just shut their mouths next year!

Oh yeah (big mouth again) maybe SXSW needs to shrink a little in scale. It's a madhouse for people that gotta do business in this town. ;-)

*adjusts booty shorts*

I just don't see what the big deal is with the permits. The guy who wrote this is beating up bad on SXSW because he fears he lost some business relationships. I can understand that and wanting to do that, but that's part of doing business. You have to be aware of the codes of the city you're operating in. And he says he tried to do that by consulting with the Fire Marshall and all, but after he was shut down the first night, why didn't he immediately get a permit for the second night? Once you're aware of a situation like that, you find a way to work either with it or around it. You don't just cross your fingers and hope for the best.

But a much bigger issue to me is the effect that places like Factory People have on Austin culture. To me, this is more about Disel replacing Quackenbushes and I hate to be the old fart that nobody wants to smell in their vicinity but Facotry People is making this town a pain in the ass to live in the other 11 months of the year that they're not throwing parties. And sure, it's a private business, I don't have to go there and I don't, but the culture of snobby fasion facism stinks and I like to bitch about it when I can.

Excuse me for having an opinion.

THIS WHOLE ISSUE IS NOT ABOUT FACTORY PEOPLE OR THEIR CLOTHES SO LET IT GO. THERE WERE ALOT OF PARTIES SHUT DOWN THAT WERE FREE TO EVERYONE NOT JUST FACTORY PEOPLE. YES THEY WROTE A LETTER BUT LOOK AT THE RESPONSE TO THIS POST THERE WERE PARTIES TARGETED SPECIFICALLY. THE IHEARTCOMIX PARTY WAS OPEN TO EVERYONE....THEY DIDNT EVEN HAVE A GUEST LIST....OPEN TO ALL OR UNTIL CAPACITY WHICH I THINK THEY WERE CLOSE TO BEING AT WHEN IT WAS SHUT DOWN.

THERE IS NO DOUBT SXSW HAD THE IHEARTCOMIX PARTY SHUT DOWN.

WHAT ARE THEY AFRAID OF? THE MONEY THEY ARE LOSING? THE SPONSORS THEY COULDNT GET.

THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE IN AUSTIN....THEY CARE ABOUT "INDUSTRY" PEOPLE THEY SAID IT THEMSELVES. IT JUST PISSES ME OFF BECAUSE THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT ENDS UP LOSING ARE THE NON WRIST BAND/BADGE WEARER WHO WANTS TO HAVE A GOOD TIME. THIS WHOLE IHEARTCOMIX PARTY WAS NOT ABOUT MONEY I KNOW THAT FOR A FACT ON THE OTEHR HAND SXSW IS. WHY GIVE THESE GUYS A TAX BREAK? THEY USE VOLUNTEERS THEY DONT EVEN HIRE PEOPLE FROM AUSTIN TO WORK THE CONFERENCE.

THIS WHOLE ISSUE IS NOT ABOUT FACTORY PEOPLE OR THEIR CLOTHES SO LET IT GO. THERE WERE ALOT OF PARTIES SHUT DOWN THAT WERE FREE TO EVERYONE NOT JUST FACTORY PEOPLE.

The "best things Austin has going for it" include tons of creative people, a thriving live music scene, relatively low cost of living, and beautiful natural surroundings. Not to dis FP or its owners, but a store that sells overpriced trendy clothing to people (see, I didn't use THAT word) with nothing better to spend their money on doesn't really qualify for the same category, no matter how "great" their parties might be. I'm a fashion lover myself, but come on.

I've been at both Beerland and Waterloo for capacity shows, and Waterloo a) holds a helluva lot more people, and b) feels a helluva lot safer.

and I'd like to take this opportunity to once again profess my love for Lilly Allen, and Waterloo for having her there.

why would you even spend 40 dollars on some carpetbagger t-shirt?

as for forward thinking in la and new york i am ROF while i am LMAO!!!!11one

I would think that if you are making 40 dollars per t-shirt, then a permit for a party would be easy to pay for.

I betcha next year y'all have all that shit figgered out.

My question Ian is did Waterloo Records have a SXSW booth or buy an ad in any SXSW publication? If so, that is your answer for getting a slap on the wrist! Also I can't BELIEVE you guys get a 300 capacity load card (even a temporary upgrade on your existing one) during your SXSW in-stores! Thats amazing considering I know Beerland gets about 225 or so and Emo's gets about the same (on their inside room!) during SXSW! I believe Emo's and Beerlands normal load cards during the rest of the year is around 150!! Geez you guys have less room and are more dangerous for a larger gathering than Emo's or Beerland! Consider yourself lucky (either that or John Kunz is blowing someone on the city council!!!). HA!

Ian,

I am guessing you meant the Fire Marshall said to keep Waterloo at a MAXIMUM of 300 people, not a MINIMUM.

Anyway, some reasons why Waterloo might not have gotten in trouble:

1. The store can probably hold 300 people (or close to it). There are 3 sets of doors along the front of the building and (you would know) probably some other exits available.

2. During SXSW, I've noticed that other clubs occupancy ratings go up. A few years ago, Beerland's normal sign said 75 people but there was another sign with a range of dates for SXSW taped over it that said 100. (Maybe they made improvements, maybe they forged that, I don't know or care but the point is Waterloo could have some sort of temporary arrangement)

3. Ordinances for sound, alcohol, whatever all vary by time as well as neighborhood. If you live downtown, you can't walk through your condo parking lot with an open beer. You can walk through your driveway in Hyde Park with an open beer, right? Same with times; Waterloo's instores are during midday during SXSW which may be different compared to Factory People at night.

4. Instore record performances are explicitly allowed by SXSW's artist agreements.

I threw #4 in there because it's a fact and probably will ruffle some more feathers!

Live and let live, that's what i reckon...

it's a free country, if someone wants to buy a t-shirt for $8800 then they can....doesn't mean people should hate them for it and not let them have a party.....

"We had a list of every event in Austin that we knew about - parties, clubs, everything. We said, 'if you're going to lean on our clubs then here's the rest of SXSW. You have to pay attention to this to.' And apparently they did," he said.

"

Um, to me this just says, "Hey! If you're going to be keeping an eye on us, then lookit what all these other people are doing, too!" Duh! Deflect, deflect, deflect; I'd do it, too! And so would you! You know you would.

Honestly, such a hullabaloo. I was BORN here, and I hate traffic, I hate people, and I loathe the extra work it brings me each year and yet even *I* realize that this event brings millions of dollars & many more squiggly good feelings to my sweet, sweet hometown.

Jeez.

anon

i work at waterloo records, and would like to address your question. we were actually visited by the fire marshall during SXSW as well, and told we were to keep the number inside to a minimum of 300 during the instores. now that to me is mind blowing...300 people is a lot of people to cram into Waterloo at one time, not to mentiont that to my knowledge we didnt have this public gathering permit. So how is it then that we were able to get away with a light slap on the wrist while a few parties were busted up? I'm not sure.

This brings me to a point. I dont think that the discussion here needs to focus on who screwed who, but to why the city is too unorganized to inform people what permits are needed. I do think that a movement needs to be raised to perhaps have the wording re-phrased on this public gathering permit because it is effecting evrybody.

oh and to all the people here slagging on factory people and their clothes...have you guys even been into the store...i shop there regularly and to my knowledge i've never seen a "thrift store" shirt sold for $88. in fact i most of their t-shirts arent over $40 for a designer limited edition print. I mean i know we're all texans and kind of ass back wards when it comes to forward thinking culture down here, but damn, that $40 is kind of a deal. In NYC or L.A. that same shirt could go for $88. So if you're into that kind of stuff, you're stoked, if you're not, then keep shopping at thrift town. it's all the same, in the end i guess you'll have more money to spend on lone star then i will.

.IAN ORTH

March 18, 2007 New York Times

Mr. Swenson said the advertisers — many of which hold invitation-only events — run counter to the "egalitarian" spirit of SxSW, where anyone who pays the registration fee has access to its events. An even bigger concern is the festival's continuing ability to book the best performers for its own official showcases.

"Frequently, the big fight for us is over the talent," he (Roland Swenson) said. "What we are worried about is South by Southwest turning into an event where the acts that are most in demand only play these private corporate parties. If it turns into that, then why would anyone sign up for our event?"

Sugarplum, I don't want to write about fashion. And I don't give a fuck that the cops busted up some rich asshole's party. I don't give a fuck that the cops busted up 19 rich assholes' parties and I certainly don't give a fuck if Louis Black personally told the fire marshall who to target while giving him a handjob in the lady's room of the brand spanking new Northcross Wal Mart.

I give a fuck that about 5 years ago or so I saw an ad in the Chronicle for Factory People that advertised $88 used t-shirts and it pissed me off so bad I've held a grudge against those assholes since then. This is the first time I've ever seen them named and in the public eye so lemme yell at them a bit ok? Now you just sit back and whack it to the lovely mental image of Louis and Co. in the Wal Mart...

Dear Factory People, I may buy what you sell, but will defend to the death your right to party while selling it.

Again...Pappy if you want to talk about fashion then write to Vogue Magazine (or in your case "Pigfuckers Digest") but the WHOLE point of this blog is about Factory People's SXSW party and the beast that is SXSW! Fashion is moot! Your complaints -(and I'm sure at some point two things are true: 1. you have NEVER been to Factory People, or 2. You have and you bought a faux '70's Rod Stewart t-shirt and you thought is was Dolly Parton and Factory People wouldn't refund your money!)- are falling on deaf ears! Except mine...because you just seem so darn rascally and too easy a target to pass up!

Maybe it's just from my perspective, having enough sense to not pay $88 for a t-shirt cause some pretty boy tells you it's cool is a better thing than being dumb enough to believe the hype surrounding fashion. But if you wanna see everyone as two dimensional - cool or not cool according to what some magazine told you cool was - than have at it. Really it don't bother me none. But I personally think it'd benefit rich people to not have to believe in the shit that Factory People's feeding them.

You need to take troll lessons cause you're not pissing me off enough.

Ol' Pappy...please step away from the keyboard, pick up your tallboy can of Bud Light,put on your Dixie flag trucker hat, turn on CMT and wait for any bubba to say: "Git er done!!!", laugh so hard your beer belly bust your saucer-like belt buckle that reads: "Free Moustache Rides", while choking on pork rinds dipped in Ranch dressing all the while jacking off to the new John Deere tractor catalogue...please!

Dear Backtori Peeple,

I say, "This is what happens when you sell stinky old used t-shirts for $88" but that got cut off for the html tages but I HAVE TO SAY IT CAUSE IT'S TRUE!

karma.

I like it when this shit happens.

GLOMPZ,

ol'pappy.

Dear Factory People People,

Now look what you did. I hope you're happy, making people say stuff to one another. >_

Hugz II,

ol'pappy

do factory people have their permits in order for the big texas relays afterparties in a couple of weeks?

zing.

I have to say, someone should've known about this. sure it didn't seem like a big deal and sure the city just wants to make money. but that's what cities do and I guess they were pissed that people didn't get the permits.

anyway, it was still total bullshit and south by probably did it because they want money too. it's all money money money. I just wanted to party.

but actually I'm glad blue genie got shut down, I HATE that place. the elk's lodge was kick ass until the wall fell down. but that was kind of kick ass too since no one was hurt.

anyway, as someone else said, think of the children.

I just searched the entire municipal code for '"public assembly" AND permit' and found nothing remotely relevant to this particular permit.

Try it yourself at http://www.amlegal.com/austin_nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&vid=amlegal:austin_tx

Notable among many failures here:

1) A failure on the part of the media to spend the extra handful of characters it would take to report the location of a new law in the city's official code. Or else a failure to investigate when it becomes apparent that a putative law is nowhere to be found in the public record. (Yes, you too, Austinist, because blogs aren't exempt from a duty to the public unless they also want to be exempt from the right to Freedom Of The Press.)

2) A failure on the part of our city to respect its duty to accessibly inform citizens of the laws by which they are expected to abide. Consider the social contract torn up, burned to ashes, and defecated upon.

3) A failure on the part of SXSW to respect an even older social contract: the maxim that "good fences make good neighbors". If a party crosses the fence and actively promotes itself as a "SXSW" party, then SXSW has every right to pursue that organization for copyright/trademark infringement.

But if a party's only offense is to occur during SXSW, and book some bands who are also attending SXSW, and invite some guests who are also attending SXSW, that's the other side of the fence and SXSW should be neighborly enough to stay on their side.

It doesn't matter a whit that these people would never be in town if not for SXSW, they're here, and when their time is not promised to SXSW they are free to do what they like with it. Get over it, SXSW. You're acting like a bride who reports her own groom's bachelor party to the cops.

There's nothing neighborly about delivering lists of non-SXSW parties to the authorities, no matter how public those lists already were. It's already the job of the authorities to decide where to do their enforcement without needing any of your help.

Didn't anyone teach you in kindergarten that no one likes a tattle tale?

Listen El Pollito Osca (can you shorten you fake name a little, please?), I too know ALL parties involved and I can honestly say about Brent: BOO HOO! He HAS to go overseas to festivals or conferences in Midem, or Australia or CMJ in New York or visit labels in horrible Los Angeles!! WAAAAH! What a shitty life he has!! I want that horrible position he's in! And if the glamour has worn off or he is tired of his job then, HELL, MOVE OVER!!! I assure you I could do a better job DRUNK (which, come to think of it, he has done in the past!) than he is currently doing! And as for Roland and Louis...if you want this to die down then SHUT THE FUCK UP!!! Every time you two guys mouth off is like throwing gasoline on a flamin' bag 'o dogshit (which of course, you guys will do and thus get the metaphoric hot dogshit on your brand new suede loafers you recently bought at Nordstrom's with the money you managed to scam from the musician's whose eyes were once filled with stars but now are looking at their checkbooks and wondering why they bought all the ads in your Program Book and a booth at the Trade Show and flyers, and new instruments, and new matching suits and a new van or plane tickets and hotel rooms which probably cost them a half a year's salary and took a week off from work which they have promptly returned to disillusioned and broke because the dream of SXSW is not about them getting attention or grabbing the proverbial "brass ring" on the carousel that is SXSW...it is about you guys Roland and Louis and all the lovely green cash that you suckered from your yearly medicine show. And all of us spectators drank the same potion you feed all the doe-eyed musicians and we feel dirty and ashamed (and possible sexually assaulted but can't really remember anything as we were in a haze) so we will quietly go back to our weekly shows at Beerland or Emo's and stare at one another and wonder if the guy and girl next to us was also suckered but we won't say anything...because it is just too embarrassing to admit we fell for your promises...but in the end you guys will be caught...and the real SXSW will emerge when people discover what was behind the Ted Bundy-like sweet sweet smile on your faces!

hahahahahaha

i just called the city of austin's city manager office, and said i was looking for information on permits for throwing an event.

they sounded very confused:

me: hi i was wondering where i can find information regarding what permits i need to throw an event in town.

them: what kind of event are you doing?

me: (basicly described an event exactly like the iheartcomix party)

them: yeah im pretty sure you dont need any permits to do that.

me: are you sure because there were a lot of parties shut down last week for not having a public gathering permit or something, and im pretty sure im going to need something for noise.

them: umm one second let me transfer you

*click, ring

operator: hello, parks and transportation department.

hahahahaha, wtf austin.

So lemme ask this: when Waterloo has an in-store, they sell merchandise, give away free beer, provide free music and definitely have more than 50 people each time. These also happen outside of SXSW, all year long--so, do they have to get a permit as well?

So now every party in Austin during SXSW that's not making money for the Austin Chronicle is going to be harrassed by them. I guess that there were no such things as Sprink Break parties in Austin until the good folks at SXSW made it fashionable? What's next, you gonna report Padre Island for stealing your thunder and riding your coattails?

searching the city of austin website for "public assembly permit" turns up 0 results. searches for "party permit" and "gathering permit" turn up results that aren't particularly helpful. in 5 minutes on the city's website, i've figured out how to apply for a hayride permit (yeehaw), but not a public assembly permit. if city officials are going to enforce this kind of stuff, they should make it much easier to find out what permits are necessary for what events. perhaps a special event-planning page would be helpful, particularly during sxsw and other festive times. you shouldn't have to have your own special city liaison to put on an event in this town.

Hey Wii Man and Busy bee--I know Brent a hell of a lot better than you do, I guarantee it, even without knowing who you guys are. He's been busting it for 20+ years on this. Sure he's got help, but he's all over the world for SXSW, all year long, and believe me, the glamour of it all wore off years ago. Being a punching bag for telling the truth ain't easy either.

Dear Factory People,

You guys charge way too much for some shitty labels that will go out of style in a year. It's not a problem for me because I don't fall for that game, but please, for all the stupid rich people out there who are too dumb to know better - please close.

It will benefit humanity.

Hugz,

ol'pappy

Anon:

I didn't know this comment board was being used to measure penis size. You win. Ok? You win.

>>>>>"Roland, Louis and Brent frankly work their asses off to make this (SXSW) work (especially Brent)".

I'm just getting a kick from El Pollito Osco comment about Brent Grulke. You really don't know him too well do you? As far as Roland and Louis - if you define paranoia as "working their asses off" then yes, they surely do that!

Wi Man - you obviously know them well, too. You are so right about all three you reference. They work hard at doing not much while everyone else works hard, and we know where their paranoia comes from...

Big brother is so cool that he didn't even get the irony comment. lmao.

Oh my god...here's your smoking gun from News 8!:

"South by Southwest does make complaints. We did receive some complaints saying this is going to happen from SXSW. We did receive complaints from nightclubs saying this other night club is going to do this or that. We don't necessarily care SXSW or non-SXSW. Doesn't matter," he said.

SXSW director Roland Swenson said lists of non-sanctioned SXSW parties are easy to come by - even the Austin American-Statesman prints one. And he doesn't DENY sharing it with the fire department."

I can honestly tell you - this is what SXSW DOES! They get extremely paranoid about any event taking the spolight or even the talent away from SXSW! This will continue! And the city will provide the muscle now that they are "official" sponsors!

Big Brother - I just want to make sure that everyone is on the same page here. I assume we all know that Just Guns along with some other fish/pet store made up the retail locations of the existing Factory People store.

Thus Just Guns has come back from the dead to haunt Factory People and wish that it burn.