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The following is a letter written by Le and Thomas Popov, owners of South Congress boutique FactoryPeople.
As life-long independent music lovers and long-time Austinites (at least one of has lived here since 1989), we have come to love mid-March when the SXSW Music Festival brings Austin to life. After the events of this year's fest, it’s unlikely we’ll ever feel the same affection for SXSW. On Thursday, March 15th, an inspector of the City of Austin’s Fire Marshal’s Office shut down the FactoryPeople after-party within an hour of the doors opening. He held in his hand a list of 19 other events he would visit that night. Friday night saw a rumoured 26 parties targeted while Saturday saw even more confusion.
bad taste in their mouths."
In the three years that we have had our S. Congress retail store open, we have hosted numerous parties the largest during SXSW and ACL Fest. We have always gone out of our way to create a safe environment that is also law abiding. As such, we employ two off-duty APD officers to monitor such things as crowd control, noise levels, as well as to provide a level of service to our guests like flagging taxis at the end of the night (which we sometimes pay for if the guests have had too much to drink and can’t afford the fare). Two weeks before our most recent event, Officer Tankaksinanukij set up a time to visit us and discuss details. On the day of the event, two other officers stopped by get more information as well. We were never asked once if we were in possession of the public assembly permit. This new ordinance was news not only to us, but to the very professional and informed officers that we hired for our event. Would we have known about this new ordinance if we had been in communication with the Fire Department? We’re not so confident.
Los Angeles based label-head and promoter Franki Chan made multiple trips to Austin organizing his official SXSW showcase and two after-parties. The fire inspector visited the site of one event numerous times last week and never discussed the ordinance nor did he ever request a copy of any permits (with full understanding of the large-scale event that was going to take place there). The night after our event was shut down, Franki’s party was too for the same reason – lack of permit.
We might have been two of the biggest events to be shut down, but we weren’t the only ones. Parties in conference rooms, outdoor venues, established party spaces and downtown clubs were all affected. The Fire Inspector had direct orders to shut these parties down, not for safety issues, but for non-compliance to a mystery ordinance. Visitors from all over the world who descend upon Austin every year for the music festival were left wondering, what is going on?
While the organizers of SXSW would like to believe that these guests come only to buy a wristband and attend their officially sanctioned events, the city and people of Austin know better. They come to eat great Tex-Mex, shop on S. Congress, enjoy world-class hotels and see great bands during daytime and after-hours parties. A lot of record label executives, booking agents, bands, sponsors and music lovers left Austin with a bad taste in their mouths.
Unfortunately for Austin, they are now looking to spend their money at other festivals next year. CMJ, WMC, Coachella, Art Basel, Fashion Week and Sundance will all happily provide alternatives. Every party that was shut down affected not only the locals who staffed it but also the sponsors, bands and labels that organized it. FactoryPeople will not risk the relationships that we work so hard to build on another event being shut down by the City of Austin. Nor will we lose another dollar (and yes, we lost a lot) on an event that we worked on for over six months only to be shut down in just one hour.
One would hope that a festival built on the premise of connecting independent bands and major record labels would see the benefit of positive evolution. Without the unofficial events that are thrown during SXSW, many of the bands who come would suffer financially. They depend on being able to play multiple parties not only for exposure but also for income. The reason [that] the Sundance Film Festival is the force that it is and is many times more important than the SXSW Film Festival is the peripheral parties and events that compliment it. The networking that goes on during these events is one of the main reasons for attendance. Ironically enough, FactoryPeople also hosted the after-party for the “Billy The Kid” premiere which won the Best Documentary award during the SXSW Film Fest. Interestingly, that party was not shut down.
SXSW has sustained a reputation for being imperial and difficult to deal with for years. Whether it’s delaying the 2007 band roster for several weeks or filing multi-million dollar lawsuits for copyright infringement against small companies or appearing to be involved in the shutting down of unofficial events, these are not the actions of people who claim “SXSW is what it is, and we do our best to stay out of its way.” SXSW has not kept secret their frustration with non-sanctioned events. Well-documented efforts on their behalf to shut down private parties and alternative SXSW events were carried out by the Fire Marshal as far back as 1994. Unfortunately, in lieu of open communication, conspiracy theories will abound.
We have enjoyed SXSW as participants for years, well before we opened our shop. And quite frankly, for a shop that bills itself as one that “sells clothes to listen to music in,” we probably wouldn’t have opened in Austin had it not been for its music-loving reputation. As business owners, we see first-hand the benefits that SXSW brings to Austin.
This year the City of Austin became an official sponsor of SXSW and waived close to $100,000 in fees for permits, street closures and manpower. Why they choose to support some businesses and actively penalize others disappoints us greatly. In some instances, the Fire Department allowed events to continue this year as long as a department official was on site at $120 per hour. Mayor Wynn even got involved in keeping one business open. Obviously none of these offers were made to us (and others) as we would have taken them.
Ultimately, FactoryPeople didn’t obtain the permits and we accept full responsibility. We’ve returned all sponsorship checks and apologized to all who were affected. It’s a mistake we won’t make again. We do, however, have the right to know why this happened.
Someone compiled the list of parties. Someone targeted music-related events during the SXSW Music Festival. We have the right to know who and why. FactoryPeople is filing a freedom of information request for access to any records detailing the communications between SXSW, The City Council, The City of Austin, the Fire Department, and Lt. James Hoad of the Austin Fire Department.
If you were affected by any of the above, please email thepartysover@factorypeople.com.
Love,
Thomas and Le Popov
FactoryPeople
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Thank you, Factory People, for being open. And the filing for paperwork is awesome and should make this into the real media story it deserves to be.
If only SXSW would be honest and open, too, then the conspiracy theories could stop swirling and we could all work together to make mid-March an awesome time to be in Austin for people with and without wristbands and badges. How would more good times hurt SXSW, anyway?
Please send this letter to the Mayor and City Council. Request a hearing. The Council passed this dumb ordinance, and only by applying political pressure will it change.
Great way for SXSW to say thank you for the $100,000 in taxpayer charity/bribes they received this year.
Austin and its culture are part of what make SXSW the draw that it is and the producers of SXSW have shown that they are perfectly capable of holding the event without taxpayer funded charity/bribes.
Yet the producers of SXSW cried and whined that didn't receive any special treatment and finally they do and this is what we get. Great job SXSW and City Council. Bravo!
...and the plot thickens..
nice investigative work. well written argument. good luck with that.
reminds me of the rave crackdown a few years ago... except hipsters are way more annoying.
I keep forgetting, do people come here for the music or to party all night with their powderfingers?
FUCK YES, THANK YOU. I have been talking to people all week about this, and I am so glad that someone is actually trying to do something about it. DON'T LET UP!!! Good Work!!!
I would recommend forwarding this to Rose Reyes from ACVB as well.
Methinks Factory People are getting a little paranoid. Basically they are alleging SXSW runs the Fire Marshall's office. Apparently SXSW told their Fire Marshall lackeys to close down their party and all other non-official SXSW events.
If SXSW didn't have their own problems with Fire Marshall's office, I might buy into this. However, the Fire Marshall almost closed down two SXSW stages the day before SXSW started (the Mohawk - who had to pay for a round the clock on-site fire marshall presence). I know I saw the fire marshalls out a lot this week, patrolling official SXSW clubs, checking on capacity and other violations.
Any veteran of SXSW or clubowner can attest to fire marshalls shutting down a show, or making part of the crowd leave or otherwise creating long lines at the door as they adjust club load capacities to what they think is safe. Basically they are doing their job, whether it's popular or not.
"Someone compiled the list of parties." Uh, yeah. It frankly wasn't hard this year for anyone to get a list of all the parties and free shows. Austinist, Donewaiting, Showlist Austin etc, all had such lists online. I suspect the Fire Marshall's office has internet access now.
Officer: Do you know why I'm here?
FactoryPeople: Because you got beat up in high school?
Officer: No. It's because you're having too much fun.
FactoryPeople: Ooopps!
I fully support Factory People and many others who are offering alternatives to SXSW. While I appreciate and respect the nature of SXSW, I think it is important to offer Austin locals and visiting music fans a variety of options during this festival. SXSW would do well not to inhibit or "compete" with the so-called "unsanctioned" events. It diminishes their standing in the music community and increases the likelihood that more unsanctioned events will develop. Props and much respect to Thomas and Le for expressing their dissatisfaction here.
well, boo-hoo to the uber-hip factory people. boo-hoo. as i see it, their parties are for the chic druggies and a lot of knuckle heads who have very little to contribute to the music scene/world. if factory people are so involved with the music scene, how is it that they don't seem to do anything but host parties for the cooler-than-kools and sell expensive clothes that austin musicians don't buy. i think they contribute to the problem of dumb shits gathering together and making trouble.
give it a rest. your store could close next week and no one would be crying except for the local coke dealers.
Not to rain on the anti-SXSW parade, but didn't Austinist write up an article on this ordinance last year? I remember it being in the t.v. news and in the newspapers/blogs as frat houses felt it to be unfair (at that time people were all for it saying that frat parties were out of control and created dangerous situations with that many people in one place not built for it....hmmmm).
On top of that - when throwing a large event (more than 50 people) in a public place. I would use common sense to say that there has to be some kind of assembly permit, just like rallies and other demonstartions/protests/events in this town. I personally ignored it last year when I had a party at my place, but I did know it existed and a lot of my guests joked about me having it as well.
Okay - time for the $600 torn jeans hipster attack....
As an event organizer the first thing I do is check with officials to determine what, if any, permits I might need to host an event. It would never occur to me that an event, even during SXSW, could be held without obtaining permits first. SXSW surely has a slew of permits for the events they sponsor.
The Factory People party and other unofficial parties are tag-alongs to the real event. It is not SXSW's responsibility to educate or inform such hosts.
Sounds like Factory People has breached the contracts they had with sponsers and are looking for a scapegoate.
It was a witch hunt. Nothing less. The code/permit thing just changed and if you were not aware on your own behalf no one was going to tell you.
Its a terrible feeling, but its going to get worse. Every party/venue needs to come out about this and really let the council know what happened.
Don't hold back, fight the power.
1. Every douchebag scenester within a 50-mile radius of downtown had a copy of the ubiquitous "free list," with all of the afterparties listed. Shit, I saw these girls who had it laminated, in a folder - profesh. Point is, anyone and their mom had knowledge of them, so the Factory Peeps may be a little paranoid.
2. I don't put anything past SXSW, though - especially with HUGE day & after party talent like Redman, Diplo, Snow Patrol, and the Melvins all coming here, but not playing the fest. It looks like some got fished away from SXSW, and I'd be pissed too.
3. People are jerking off naked in Factory People's changing room.
i know of at least 3 venues who had issues with either their liquor/beer licences or fire marshals and permits last week. like--out of nowhere. the mohawk was the only place that was having official sxsw showcases (that i have heard of) that had this problem.
i know that scoot inn had their liquor licence yanked on wednesday...so they had to set up a separate "booze" tent as a catering licence, i believe. it wasn't a problem for the rest of the week, but i know it was apparently dramatic when the fire marshals/tabc strolled in to shut down their *gasp* late night show that conflicted with other sxsw showcases. nope, they didn't come do this in the daytime--they waited until evening to do it! creekside also was hosting unofficial free night shows on their back deck and were harassed by fire marshals for having too many people on the back deck, even though there were not even that many people there!
i know that the two bands that stayed with me who have been coming here for the past 4 years, have told me that they will not return because their labels don't want to come back to sxsw anymore. they're not very band-friendly at all. treating the band members like criminals and cuffing them with their wristbands and then not even paying them to do the show. these are musicians! how the hell do you think these "independent" artists who you say the festival is FOR can afford to get down here? they also made it nearly impossible for load-ins and outs of clubs, giving no parking passes and sometimes making bands load in 3 blocks away from their showcase venue! as for me, i'll never go to another official sxsw showcase again.
It was a witch hunt. Nothing less. The code/permit thing just changed and if you were not aware on your own behalf no one was going to tell you.
Yes. It just changed. Like 6 months ago. And was cleverly hidden on FOX News and Austinist.com.
If you're throwing a party and spending 6 months to plan it, spend 2 hours and research all the laws and permits. Or hire someone to do it for you.
There is a daily texan page from october (can't post url here for some reason)
Which states that AFD and others are becoming more efficient about cracking down on parties that are not properly filed with permits. Presumably this means they are actually paying attention to what is happening around town and then checking to see if the permits are filed. Lord knows we don't want 600 hipsters to die in a fire.
*gasp* They are doing their job! Obviously a conspiracy by the evil sxsw overlords.
Seriously guys, if you're throwing a massive party, call someone who is experienced in the permit process. It isn't the city that looks stupid when you get shut down for not having some permit, its you the party-thrower.
That's funny for being so in the "know" they were shut down for not knowing the law. ignorance is not an excuse. And I personally attended some great parties such as the playboy party that left a great taste in my mouth. and you know what? It wasn't shut down to my knowledge. (I left at 4.)
Maybe you should trying branding your store a little better and maybe you wouldn't have so much backlash from your own community!
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or
*******the right of the people peaceably to assemble,******
and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
'nuff said.
Awwww, poor little hipsters didn't get to drink their little fuzzy navels and bubble teas on the roof of Factory People because of nasty old city fire marshalls, who just want to ruin it for everyone.
Now you coke snorting little snots know how I felt when I got kicked out of one of FP's soirees beause I didn't look like one of "their people," i.e. the sort of schmuck who would pay $300 for a "vintage" Foghot T-shirt. As far as I'm concerned, the Popovs can take their New York attitude back to NY.
From my imperial position I noticed that this is a pretty amazing document in that there are really only two completely true statements. :
#1 "Ultimately, FactoryPeople didn’t obtain the permits and we accept full responsibility"
We have to wonder how you've lived in Austin all this time and were unaware of how many times the Austin Fire Department has cracked down on venues at all times of the year and have shut down or delayed SXSW shows. The first thing SXSW does when we get a new venue for a show or party is find out if the Fire Department is going to let us have an event there, and how many people we can admit. The assembly permit is not new. You ask "Would we have known about this new ordinance if we had been in communication with the Fire Department?" It's a stunning admission that you didn't even bother to check on what permits are required by the Fire Marshals to hold a safe, public, advertised event.
#2 "Someone compiled the list of parties."
Yes, the Austinist, Done Waiting, Showlist, the Austin American Statesman and numerous other blogs worked overtime compiling lists, maps, schedules of as many parties as they could. When are these bloggers going to take some responsibility for all the times they wrote "the free parties give away beer" which put these parties on the radar of the same agencies who scrupulously monitor SXSW events?
You make reference to "well-documented efforts on [SXSW's] behalf to shut down private parties and alternative SXSW events were carried out by the Fire Marshal as far back as 1994." Please name one "well-documented effort" and cite your supporting evidence.
When this accusation started spreading this week we looked into it and could only find seven parties that were affected out of the literally hundreds held last week. Four parties shut down early due to lack of load cards and fire inspections. One party shut down because part of a balcony collapsed. Two parties ended at 2am instead of their advertised 4am end times. Maybe there were more, but we don't know because we were a little busy last week with our own event.
But consider this: if "SXSW has sustained a reputation for being imperial and difficult to deal with for years" why would we have waited until 2007 to close down events we supposedly don't like? If we have this much power, and wanted to shut down parties, then why would we have stopped at seven?
Come to think of it, your first statement isn't really completely true. Factory People posted this to blame SXSW, not to take responsibility for their mistakes. Having looked at the long list of corporate sponsors on the Factory People website (Including Yaris-SXSW!!) I understand your need to find a way placate the sponsors who lost a lot of money on your party.
Roland Swenson, SXSW
Uh, yeah right - don't expect the Chronicle to write a story. Mr. Black and the City of Austin are cozy. I can't believe a FOR PROFIT like SXSW was given a break on city fees. It's criminal. Shame, shame....
It's obvious that too many people are letting their personal prejudice towards a specific business (or perhaps their unannounced affiliation with certain commercial entities--anyone know Louis Black's most recent Austinist nom de guerre?) cloud their judgement in evaluating the merits of this particular heavy-handed enforcement of a RIDICULOUS ordinance.
Believe it or not, the Austinist and the Daily Texan (and Fox News for that matter) do not have any sort of wide readership outside of their very specific audiences. It seems to me that if a Fire Inspector were "doing his job," he would have let whoever he was inspecting know about Austin's new permit requirement for large parties, instead of letting agents of the state close down a private party on private property. I have had first hand experience trying to navigate the miasma of Austin's arcane permitting process one month after learning about this new permit requirement. Apparently no one at City Hall knows what the fuck is going on, so I have nothing but sympathy for those who lost not just a party, but substansial amounts of money as well...
But the largest issue is that this ordinance is just another in a long line of measures slowly chipping away at citizen's rights to peaceably assemble in a time and place of their choosing, without the fear of intervention/intimidation by the powers that be. In what way is it EVER the business of the police/fire department/dog catchers whether I have 5, 50, or 500 (one can dream) friends at my house or business? Does factory people need a permit if 50 people decide to show up and start shopping during the day?
Don't get me wrong, I think that there is a need for fire inspections/spot checks to make sure of unblocked fire exits/ capacity violations, etc, but what right does a government entity have to require a permit for a gathering of people in a venue that has already been approved for holding a far larger population?
It's interesting how Roland Swenson of SXSW prefaced his post with "From my imperial position" in an attempt to be sarcastic or joking --yet, his entire post was actually pretty condescending towards people who actually hold real grievances.
Another example of how SXSW has become extremely disconnected from the true feelings of Austinites.
Same exact story, new scene, different businesses... same small town government of Austin, Texas.
This is the exact same thing that happened to the Rave and DJ scene of the late 90's. Ask Coy West or Noah Balch.
It's funny because after it was all said and done via internet posts, on television, and in court. The city effectively ended that scene in Austin.
This is the end of the afterparty for the second time.
See you in 6 years.
The sooner we all accept that SXSW is The Establishment, the sooner we'll all get along.
*** removed for violating comment policy ***
Anon,
Yes, we did post about this ordinance back in September...
www.austinist.com/archives/2006/09/07/party_safety_no_longer_an_oxymoron.php
all the people who are ragging on Factory People need to understand that this isn't just about Factory People or it's clothes or it's parties or the people that go to the parties.
FINALLY SOMEONE WOULD SPEAK UP!!!!
F*CK SXSW
This past sxsw was ridiculous! Thomas needs to understand though the whole sponsors and everything leaving sxsw is exactly what the organizers of sxsw want. Iheartcomix had 17 sponsors for one party. The police came in there so fast it was dangerous with sirens blaring what the hell were they doing???
The same year the city decides to give sxsw a break the same year a record number of parties are busted??????
This is not just about Factory People....quit whining that you cant get into one of their parties. This has nothing to do with that. The Iheartcomix party was open to everyone and was on it's way to being one of the best if not the best party all week.
"In what way is it EVER the business of the police/fire department/dog catchers whether I have 5, 50, or 500 (one can dream) friends at my house or business? Does factory people need a permit if 50 people decide to show up and start shopping during the day?"
You answered your own question with: "I think that there is a need for fire inspections/spot checks to make sure of unblocked fire exits/ capacity violations". FactoryPeople probably is load carded for over 50 so your example isn't relevant.
Your house probably isn't designed for holding 100 people. The elks lodge balcony that collasped was built for 100 but had more than that on it.
"but what right does a government entity have to require a permit for a gathering of people in a venue that has already been approved for holding a far larger population?"
Check out Supreme Court case Hague v. CIO. Most parties aren't going to fall under the accepted definition of what the right to assemble entails.
To sum it up for you, it has to be somewhat political in nature or deal with "national issues". The original idea behind the right of assembly was the right to assemble in order to petition the government for redress. Not for 600 drunk hipsters to congregate. This is why assembly permit requirements have been constitutional for decades.
So, your parties just need a "Bush Sucks" rally component, provided it meets all the fire codes.
SO ROLAND
EXACTLY. I Heart Comix had a 17 sponsors, and hot bands from all over the world - few or none of which were playing the festival. If the organizers lured any of those bands from SXSW, they should have know they were fishing in troubled waters - i.e., dot yr fucking i's and dot those t's. You go agains't the king, you best not miss.
Same for Factory People. As Roland points out, they fucking admit they didn't get their permit, and didn't even bother contacting the AFD. Case fuckin' closed - what more do you want?
SO ROLAND ARE YOU DENYING THAT SXSW HAD INVOLVEMENT IN THESE PARTIES BEING SHUT DOWN?
I AM FINDING IT HARD TO BELIEVE JUST FOR THE SIMPLE FACT OF WHAT PARTIES WERE SHUT DOWN AND WHAT PARTIES WERE NOT. IHEARTOMIX WAS SENT A CEASE AND DESIST LETTER FROM SXSW THE PREVIOUS YEAR FOR HAVING SXSW ON A FLYER FOR A DAY PARTY AT THE BEAUTY BAR. THIS PARTY ALSO HAD 17 SPONSORS WHICH I AM SURE YOU GUYS WERE CRYING ABOUT!
17 sponsors and not a one thought to use some of that money to get a lawyer to make sure everything was tight and legit?
Dumb doesn't begin to describe. So what do the sponsors think of this? When do the lawsuits begin?
First Louis and now Roland?! Is that the jingling of a chain mail vest I hear?! Uh oh, watch out, he swings a pretty mean bat...
Why does everyone else get to be total jerk ass' but when Roland acts slightly annoyed at people hacking at his knees he's suddenly the jerk?! The general douchebaggery around here is staggering.
I'm fairly amazed at all of the crying around here. I heard from so many people that this year was the best SXSW in a while. Both from people who attended and just people who partied at non-sxsw events during the fest. I am totally opposed to any government subsidy of corporations. Though I'd prefer that someone who actually backs up the name of LMCoTW rather than a someone who's just hear to take resources. SXSW brought in way more than that money in hotel/motel taxes with their registrants. I don't understand the hatred, I wish someone could explain it other than just saying how horrible SXSW is without anything but hearsay.
Well Aaron...SXSW just brings out the general douchebaggery in ALL of us!! They must really be pissed if Louis Black and Roland Swenson climb out of their dark offices and take a swing at all the public critics! This is what they do...monitor any bad press about SXSW an then try to sue,blame,mislead,cheat,abuse and generally screw the Austin public! Remember...according to Brent Grulke...THEY DON"Y CATER TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC!!! This is an industry event! (Which brings the question...why does SXSW care about what ANY of us are saying...we AREN'T the industry...makes ya think...do WE have more power over SXSW than we realize? Let's explore this as they are starting to show some "chinks in their armor"! Love it!
you know, i am loving this new era of music blogs...it really shows how much power the people can have over corporate events or people who think that they can dictate the rules! fuckin great! you should all be proud of "waking the sleeping giant" called roland swenson!!! fuckin' sweet!
Hey Roland! Are you guys still in town? I thought you guys at SXSW would be sitting on a beach somewhere in Mexico with your millions of scammed dollars from the Austin public and sipping Penis Coladas! What's up? Need to cover your ass before you fly outta town? Ha!
Well Billy...When tons of people start piling on and telling people how evil people are and how they climb out of dark places they come out and give their names and set the record straight. I didn't see him threatening to sue anyone. Sounded like he just pointed out what seemed like fairly pertinent facts. But I'm sure you know better.
Aaron,
"The general douchebaggery around here is staggering...I'm fairly amazed at all of the crying around here."
When you say "here" you must be referring to the entire city Austin, right? Surely you don't mean austinist.com--these arguements are not exclusive to this website, it has merely provided a venue. I've had these same sort of discussions outside of my computer.
I can guarantee you these are the same Austinites that read the Chronicle and Statesman, or the same Austinites that attended free shows or parties, or the same Austinites that bought tickets, wristbands and badges. These are the voices of Austin, not just here at the Austinist.
Anon,
I guarantee that the vast vast vast majority of Austin couldn't give a shit less about the iheartcomix party or any other party.
I guarantee that the vast vast vast majority of Austinites and out of towners who attended ANY SXSW event had a great time.
I guarantee that all these voices you are hearing complain (here and outside of your computer) are in such a tiny minority that it doesn't matter.
If you can make guarantees based on your own conjecture, so can I.
FactoryPeople and these other parties did not have the proper permits. People advertised the shit out of events that could only hold 1/10th the number of RSVPs. People put all the party info and bragged about free booze on the internet. If the city decided to crack down on what was definitely illegal (capacity violations, alcohol for minors, permit violations, etc), bully for them.
Iheartcomix, Factory People, and whomever planned the Elks Lodge fiasco should be happy the party ended without someone dying or being injured.
A man was beaten to death on 7th street on March 10th coming home from the bars. You don't think that couldn't have happened at one of these overcrowded parties fueled by free alcohol and drugs?
I consider FactoryPeople lucky that they don't have blood on their hands.
In all sincerity, can Roland, Aaron or anyone else present a compelling argument as to why exactly SXSW should be subsidized by tax dollars? As has been pointed out, the festival has succeeded in the past without this special treatment and now that it is even more successul seems even less to need this apparent taxpayer funded corporate charity. The culture of this city and its people are part of what make Austin successful and it seems like a slap in the face to ask to be shown special treatment and waive the permits and fees that are the cost of doing business in this town. Other local businesses have to pay these, why should SXSW be exempt?
I pointed out that I don't think any private entity should get any direct tax relief or subsidy. Though if the COA chooses to trade income due for sponsorship they are at least getting something. I am not privy to the inner workings of the deal. How about the sweetheart deal between ACL and Zilker? Free grass? That's good payment.
As for all the fee waivers everyone's so up in arms about, where the fuck were you when Samsung got some $58 million in waivers and abatements? Or Intel, before shitting out the shell we just barely demolished? All you yahoos up in arms (Kelso included), talking about how the other civic events the city sponsors like Cinco de Mayo or MLK day parades are non-profit, are barking up the wrong fucking tree. Sire, SXSW got like $90,000, but that's in exchange for $40 million in tourist revenue. That;s only shit like hotel tax, booze and such. Factor in shopping, travel, the army of Kinkos and flyering, indie-rock day labor like roadies, and maybe even one or two lucky Austin bands landing a deal - not to mention other conventions SXSW attracts, like the instrument maker's conference, and you're probably hovering just under $100 million, in the holistic picture. All from a local, homegrown business.
It's not a fucking parade or 10K, but look at what it brought in!
Are you people seriously crying about Factory People's lost revenue? They had 6 months to plan this party and only lost money on the event because they didn't have the required permits.
Go cry into one of your $200 pair of underwear and shut the fuck up!
There is a conspiracy to shut down anyone or anything not dumping money into the black/grulke machine. Long live the revolution.
All of the companies like Factory People who use SXSW to try to gain their own exposure are extremely unethical if you ask me. SXSW is the BEST thing Austin has going for it. Actually, I think that if it weren't for SXSW, Austin would be a hillbilly college town like San Marcos. You all who bash SXSW are complete fools. I am a business owner and SXSW brings more money and exposure to Austin then you realize. I am grateful for the fest and all of you should be too. Shame on Le Popov for being a leech and for accusing SXSW for shutting her party down. If I was them, I would sue her dumb ass for making false statements. Boycott Factory People!!!!
austin is full of a bunch of snivelling, whiny bitches on BOTH SIDES of things. what a bunch of spoiled jargoffs this town is full of. and most the parties suck anyway or are just variations on a theme: cheep booze, idiots, average music, repeat. lame. stay home and read a book or something, douchebags.
Loose Change,
For your information I have always been against the city of Austin giving away our money to Samsung, Freescale...the list goes on. SXSW isn't any different. I don't care if it benefits the public or if they provide a public good, giving SXSW or any company money is a shame. Local government is suppose to provide only for the basic services (roads, water, police, fire), they should get there damn grubby hands out of everything else.
To all of those who applaud the $90,000 taxpayer gift to SXSW, y'all probably loved or would have loved Kirk Watson and Will Wynn for that matter. They are the posterboys for corporate welfare at the taxpayers' expense.
Brewer,
I could have sworn Fuel, Wave, Pure, Treasure Island, and Spill are all still in business after your festival had a very successful weekend in those bars with a shitton of good bands playing.
I could be mistaken; Maybe Roland and Lewis fired up the torches and pitchforks and burned the clubs to the ground on Friday night and I just missed it while I did coke off of Brett Gulke's ballsack.
We all know about how last year some press credentials were revoked, blah blah blah. You're clearly alive, kicking, and throwing shows from noon to 2am in 5 or 6 locations.
But, you're right. It's a goddamned conspiracy.
mark,
it is sometimes easy to confuse 'snivelling, whiny bitches' with opionated people.
i think factory people have an old school austin spirit that is vital and they connect many creative people with each other in the fun environment they create!
i love going to their parties!
i don't envy the clean up they have to do after their many swell parties!
viva factory people always, tender souls, lovely people
lovers and supporters of austin music and beyond!
frenchie smith
let's all pile on the sxsw hate-fest!
but first, ya gotta play a wicked hame of Let's Pretend...
let's pretend all those evil corporate sponsors that support sxsw weren't the same folks holding day and night parties and feeding ya free booze.
let's pretend all of these parties would happen if SXSW wasn't around (cause we all know how many companies host huge free bashes in Austin any other time of year - yeah, those would be the same ones who go to Utah at any time other than Sundance. no sxsw, no parties. its an easy concept). (oh, and while its a hell of a rationale, Sundance was and is a huge force because "gasp!" they cater to the film industry and always have.)
let's pretend the Fire Marshalls only target parties cause they just don't want people to have fun (cause ya know it's not like they make sxsw jump through hoops to get permits and then make try to shut down showcases if they think the club is over capacity.)
most all let's pretend that no one ever has to take responsibility for their own actions. its not factory peoples fault - blame sxsw, the city, anyone but ourselves.
its all the evil man!! ya know - the first people you'd sue if ya got hurt dodging cars on jammed streets during sxsw or got injured at some hipster party.
what a bunch of whiners. of course sxsw operates as a corporation - you try scheduling 1500 bands at 70 clubs over 4 nights without any sort of structure. even the companies that run free parties with bands hire event organizers to keep everything in place and on schedule.
Anyone who couldn't find several bands to see for free last week probably couldn't pour water out of a cowboy boot with instructions written on the heel. (I think this was an Ann Richards joke). That said, next year my band will be playing for free at the site of the demolished Intel building. We're called Blogger and the Douchebags, come check us out. free beer too!
Stan- Minor's drinking? They carded to get into the iheartcomix party...They had police officers as guards. The fire marshall closed it for the permit that they were told they already had. I know the promoters of this event and they didnt just put together some party without going through the proper channels that is why there is so much confusion.
This party was FREE there was no money in it for the promoters it was for the music and the people badges or no badges. I keep reading all of this non sense about capacity violations, alcohol for minors, permit violations and I know first hand at the iheartcomix party these were non issues. In the end though the answer is always going to be they did not have their permit.
Dear haters, I offer you a nice plate of cheese to pair with your incessant whining. I was at the i heart comix party at 11:30pm on Wednesday, Thursday, whenever and it was AMAZING.
first of all, slagging off "hipsters", "scenesters" and people that shop at factory people will ultimately get you nowhere. this isnt about one store, a permit, or a party. its about the enormous amount of crap now associated with sxsw and all that comes with it. i was at the factory party, there were uniformed security guards, a spacious entrance, and an emergency back exit. the cops showing up in a hour to shut it down for not having a permit is lame, seeing how a walk down sixth street at any time during the festival only is not only dangerous, but full of all types of violations. im not condoning the decision to not get a permit, but everyone should relax. once a year, austin,tx(a town that always strives to keep "wierd") gets an influx of business, tax dollars, and entertainment. its funny to me that a so-called "liberal", "cultured" town chooses to be straight laced and conservative when it suits them. and as for the drug use? please. walk down sixth street and try to not get propositioned for blow or weed. grow up folks. thomas and le have a good point
Woah, Adam Brewer posted, what up brother! Awesome! Let's all go camping in San Saba!
Peep this John Peel (my ultimate hero) quote from a Dandelion singles collection I just scored:
"I didn't discover anyone, artists discover themselves, I just played their music."
Ah yeah! All y'all cornnuts should shut the fuck up and bang some Jandek, bang some Mr Lucci, bang some Los Llamarda, bang some Blackhearted Force, there's so much amazing shit out there year-round, fuck SXSW you clowns! Or for Msr. Brewer, bang some .38 Special. Haaaaa! Goddamn y'all crack me up. Love y'all! Austin's the best, fuck the haters. Lick my nuts bitches, all y'all mice are making my kitty cat come out. Let's play!
PS I love .38 Special, for real. Well, those 2 songs at least...
first off...people need to chill out with the hipster name calling. not only is it totally immature and shows your own personal ignorance, it really has nothing to do with the issue at hand. also, most of the "coke heads" i know in this town are all red river rock and or rollers, most of US douchey scenester hipsters you're complaining about...we spend all our money on "vintage" foghat shirts and "$600" jeans, where the hell do we have an extra $100 for an 8-ball?
Regardless, and back to the point at hand:
This year SXSW was a bit fucked all around, and where that finger of blame is going to land i'm not really sure, but it would be nice to hear something official from somebody, if for any other reason than to get an explanation.
I helped Franki Chan plan his I HEART COMIX parties and I can tell you 100% that we met with the correct officials and asked about everything from permits on down the line to port-o-pottys, and not once did we catch wind of the permit in question. We had all the correct permits that we were instructed to acquire, and upon doing so, went forth in stacking up more sponsors than anybody else, because we're hipsters and we can do that kind of thing.
HERE'S THE SCOOP WITH WHAT WENT DOWN ON FRIDAY NIGHT AT BLUE GENIE:
on thursday night there was a party held at the Blue Theatre, directly next to where the IHEARTCOMIX party was. That party was broken up, for what reason i am unclear. On friday night, the same Fire Marshall, along with a handful of the same police returned to the venue perhaps assumming that our party was in fact the same people they had busted the night before trying to pull a fast one. So, they were pissed off from the get go and looking to bust heads.
The sad thing about this is that not only the people involved with I HEART COMIX but the employees of BLUE GENIE, who turn out some of the most amazing, and recognizable art work in this city were held responsible and given fines.These are the guys, and this is the venue responsable for one of the BEST christmas bazzars which showcases some amazing local talent, and now they are in jeopardy of being able to continue on with that.
I'm an Austin native, and been involved with SXSW since 1994 when I was a freshman at Reagan High School and covering the weekend for our school paper. I've attended every single year since...EVERY SINGLE YEAR SINCE! and never ever can i recall something as insane as what took place this year.
let's look at the obvious:
SXSW HAS GOTTEN TOTALLY NUTS. The past two years have been an overload on the senses. So many parties, So many bands, So much everything...and as the cliche goes, too much of anything is always bad, so it makes sense then that this year the balloon began to deflate.
THAT BEING SAID, I DO FEEL THAT ANYBODY WITH AN OPINION IN THIS MATTER...BE YOU PRO SXSW OR PRO US LITTLE PARTY PLANNERS, WE NEED TO BEGIN AN OPEN DIALOGUE VOID OF GRADE SCHOOL NAME CALLING AND FINGER POINTING. SXSW IS A FUN WEEKEND, AND I AM SAD TO SAY THAT AFTER THIS PAST WEEKEND I KNOW MANY PEOPLE ALREADY PLANNING TO NOT ATTEND NEXT YEAR. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AND I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH THE NEED FOR US ALL TO GET TOGETHER AND FIGURE OUT A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM, WHICH IN MY OPINION HAS MORE TO WITH THIS PERMIT THING THAN SXSW FEELING HIGH AND MIGHTY.
thank you
IAN ORTH
Yeah! What does it matter if I want to have 500 people over to my house?! So what if my balcony can't hold that many people and it falls down and I've been giving them beer and advertising it as a public event. It's my damned house! I don't need a permit. Law smaw. By god this is Texas. the government should stick to abortion, gay marriage, and excellently running the school system instead of sticking their nose into such things as public safety. Common sense and law be damned. Someone must be to blame for my ignorance and I'm 100% sure, based on fact that I won't share here, that it's the well established and long running music festival. That's the only answer, because they're know to be evil, backed up by their staff, and have been here successfully for a long time. Damn you all! You're ruining Austin, it just hasn't been the same here since Louis Black personally killed Buddy and Janis, and then burned down the Armadillo using a flaming million dollar bill. He just sat back and laughed as he counted his money with his balls.
"This party was FREE there was no money in it for the promoters it was for the music and the people badges or no badges."
Also, it was for the advertising. For the label, the sponsors, the bands, and the venue. Exposure. It may well have been put on for the love of bringing people music, but everyone involved was set to gain from it. Don't pretend otherwise.
I can't believe many of you are so bitter about FactoryPeople. It's honestly one of the best things Austin has going for it. I agree the store has price points that could be scary for many college kids and still-wanna-be-in-college kids, but it's by far one of the most innovative, passionate, and well-conceived ventures the city has ever seen. If it weren't for places like FactoryPeople and By George, Austin would be College Station.
so i am a long time austinite - been here since 1989 and played the 2nd SXSW fest as well as many others. i am a musician and i like factory people's clothes and parties. i also love places like beerland and trophy's. in fact, i have played all three many times. there is a place for all in Austin.
i love that i can walk around sometimes at 2:30 am and find something going on... whether its a house party down the street or an after party downtown. to me, this is just another case of a pointless squashing of what makes Austin an exciting city. another case of this city publicizing its music capital of the worldism in the state house while pulling the rug out in the back room.
whether you like factory people or not, or the people that frequent the place, its a nail in the coffin to shut down events like this. burn one book and next thing you know all you have left to read is the currently sanctioned version of the bible. these events whether sanctioned by SXSW or not are what make this city worth livin in AND what draw others to SXSW.
i vote for the ongoing support of the possibility of random enjoyment over blind censorship of lifestyle as long as its not hurting anybody. thats just me.
Won't someone please think of the children!
"SXSW is the BEST thing Austin has going for it. Actually, I think that if it weren't for SXSW, Austin would be a hillbilly college town like San Marcos."
Schulyer,
That is the stupidest fucking thing, in a long line of stupid fucking things, said on this website to date (followed closely by mark's exceedingly lame usage of the word "jargoff).
And don't worry craig, though I don't really understand your assertion that I have answered my own question (requiring a permit for 50+ people to me is much different than making sure all safety measures are in place) all of my parties have a "Bush Sucks" component, and you are officially invited to the next one.
Yes. I think that there are excellent points on both sides. Me? I went to the Blue Genie party and the Vice party, both of which were shut down just about as they were getting really fun.
Nonetheless, I'm from rural Texas and realize that non-family friendly events will be shut down for whatever reason and no matter what law or precedent you shout out, a cop can and will arrest you for anything he has on his mind. I'm a strong constitutionalist, but I've always felt that way. I've seen that thinking in action more than a number of times from cops and people that have felt the wrath of cops.
Me? I can stand on law books all the livelong day and proclaim my rights, but without being rich or famous, I really don't have many rights. That's a fact in my American experience. Not according to laws, of course, but according to common practice here in town and elsewhere in my life, an inconvenient truth. ( ;
All in all, I had a good time with the fest and most all the outoftowners were very pleasant and well mannered, educational and fun.
Lewis Black is a total a$$hole though.
I can promise you that the SXSW folks will always be ready with an answer. To be sure, they will twist, contort, exaggerate, inflate, deflate, diminish, pretend, belittle, and spin an issue. They will even offer grains of truth, just to keep you off balance. Sounds a little like Al Gore or the ACLU, huh? Kind of like looking at the piles and piles and stacks and stacks of millions and millions of flyers, co-sponsoring papers, magazines, etc. in the lobby of the convention center during the event and then being asked to believe that they claimed this year to be "carbon neutral." But they will have an answer for that, too.
But, I digress.
#1 It is possible that SXSW had a hand in making the lives of many party-throwers miserable, but you probably won't be able to prove it. And it is possible that they didn't.
#2 I find it hard to believe they looked into anything this week other than their empty little baggies. Especially how many parties got shut down.
#3 They HAVE earned a rep for being imperial and difficult to deal with. They have had to make nice with many people whom they have pissed off over the years who run businesses that are integral to the conference. And his answer to that assertion is hilariously void of any attempt to counter that claim.
#4 FYI - A major percentage of the "literally hundreds of" parties last week were coordinated by High Beam Events - the private party planning arm of SXSW.
#5 The Assembly Permit IS NEW! The 'more than 49 person public assembly permit' was only decided on last Aug 31, 2006 at the Austin Police Commander's Forum. If you try and find info online regarding permits required by the city for putting on a party - you will find ABSOLUTELY no mention of this permit on either the City, Fire Dept. or Police Dept. websites. All you will find is info on:
Parade Permits
Alarm Permits
Hayride Permits
Fireworks Permits
Hazmat Permits
Open Burning Permits (including candles)
Tent (temporary use) Permits
Banner Across Street Permits
Barricade Permits
Blasting Permits
Building Permits
Commercial Sign Permits
Curb Cut Permits
Driveway Permits
Food Permits
Health Permits
Horse-drawn Carriage Permits
Noise (in Parks) Permits
Sound (not in Parks) Permits
Residential Parking Permits
Right of Way Permits (ROWMAN)
Right of Way Permits (ROWMAN) Non-construction
Street/Lane Closure Permits
Temp Use of Right of Way Permits
Tree Dev/Removal Permits
Vendor/Valet Permits
#6 I wonder if the permit applies to buidings/businesses that already have established load cards with the city/fire dept., such as restaurants/nightclubs. No point here, just wondering.
#7 It is so easy to take the piss out of SXSW, because in all reality, they are just arrogant pretenders who know how to schmooze the right people, grease the right palm, tell a good story and promise the right movers and shakers that they'll introduce them to rock stars and actors. The old fake and shake. How else do you explain the $95,000+ concessions and fee waivers that the city gave them prior to the conference. And why does the City of Austin need to 'market itself' to the music industry by co-sponsoring the event? Because someone in the upper ranks REALLY wanted to meet Pete Townshend, I suppose.
#8 All that said, it is safe to say that your real beef ultimately lies with the city... the Mayor's office, City Manager's office, Police Commander's office, and Fire Chief's office, etc. (Because enforcement of the August 31, 2006 Public Assembly Permit lies with the "Public Assembly Code Enforcement Task Force" which includes members of the zoning dept, the police, the fire department, city code enforcement and the TABC.)
#9 I am involved in planning a fundraiser for a non-profit in the coming months... We have never needed a permit such as this in the past. I suppose I need to look into one of these mysterious permits. Wonder how much it costs.
I must side with Ian on the name-calling. If you're going to shit directly on anyone particular or in general (anything ending with "ster", those who organize SxSW, Factory People, midgets, or people of color) in the comments section here, you need to have some reasonable substance behind it.
This is no locker room, and we are no longer in 7th grade.
Otherwise it distracts from the real, honest discussion at hand (yeah, I know, it's no Darfur or drowning polar bear cubs, but that doesn't mean it isn't a discussion worth having), and eventually we'll be forced to start cutting mean-spirited-yet-substance-free comments out entirely.
Please don't force our hand in this. We like having things completely open for discussion. It really CAN help people learn some shit about "alternate points of view". Plus, none of us here needs the extra headaches brought on by the toils of subjective censorship.
Now please, carry on.
I know this is about SXSW, but as there's so much Factory People bashing, I feel the need to clear up a few things.
Le and Thomas are two of the nicest, most generous and grounded people I know. The only reason they throw parties is because they have passion for music and people. If you've ever seen the aftermath of the parties and had to work mere hours after the last party ended like they do, you wouldn't question their motives. People generally only work that hard because they love it so.
And about their parties, minors drinking and drug free for alls? That's absurd. Their parties are always 21+up, and they always have a security guard or cop carding at the door and another standing by the toilets. It's much easier to find drugs and fake IDs downtown.
As for the "$200 underwear" and such, retailers generally don't try to alienate and drive away potential customers with cost, especially not the Popovs. They both have lived in and loved Austin for years, and just like anyone who's been here more than a minute, they know this isn't really a fur and diamonds kind of city. However, they want to offer something unique and special, and unfortunately those things don't come cheap. Some of their clothes come from overseas or are limited in availability, and they all are made with better fabrics, care, and fit; all of which make for increased cost. But believe me, I occasionally work with them on their lines, and they try really hard to keep a balance of affordable yet nice, cool clothes in stock.
If you take issue with prices, bring it to the designers, not the retailers. Anyone who's ever tried to make any sort of garment knows. You can make a bag dress with any remnant fabric from hancock in 10 minutes, but if you want it to fit perfectly and look and feel unlike anything else with an amazing fabric choice, it takes more time and money.
As with most cases, I'm sure a lot of the bashing comes from people who have never even stepped into the shop or met the owners because their preconceived notions are strong enough for them to stay away. I know because I often have the same feelings. Intimidation of the "cool kids" is a strong deterrent, but don't let that keep you away. Go in and meet them, they'll shoot the shit with you as long as they're not busy.
As for the matter at hand, most everyone I know who takes part in the festival gets more out of the unofficial shows and parties than their actual showcases, which makes the shut-downs smell of cahoots to me.
so anwyay, the busts were a bummer. I just wanted to dance!
haha, Factory People! *points* That is the lamest letter ever and Roland the SXSW guy called you on it. You "accepted full responsibility" only after blaming everyone else you could think of. HAHA
And it sucks for everyone else, but lose the conspiracy theory attitude. Just get your fucking permits next year.
The most common argument for fee waivers that I have heard is to incentivize outside businesses to due business here (open corporate headquarters, stage productions, etc.) In the case of SXSW, the festival *is* already here and isn't going to move. The culture and natural beauty of Austin is one of the big draws for people to come to festival to begin with. SXSW in Dallas? I don't think so. Bottom line is the city would have gotten the same $40M or whatever in toursist revenue *without* the ~$100,000 donation to SXSW. No, I don't hate SXSW and I firmly believe that the producers have the right to run their business as they see fit, but I don't see why it should be subsidized by tax dollars. In all seriousness, can someone please rationally explain why exactly SXSW deserves this special charity? This is a sincere question and isn't meant to bait anyone. Roland, City Council Members, anyone else, care to offer a reasonable reason for why these incentives make sense and maybe change some minds?
i hope factory people burns down.
We're watching you "Just Gunz" - if that's your real name...
I hope Faggot Craig burns down.
So they screwed up regarding the permits and now they "take full responsibility" yet are blaming everyone else. "It's a plot!" Anwyay, nice and mature, Factory People. I hate that place anyway.
This is why I left Craigslist Austin's political post.
It was full of lame ass name calling, for heaven's sake lets all keep to at least the bare minimum of sound rational argument.
And Allen Chen, if you are out there, is this the most commented (80+) article to date?
Little Bird-This party was FREE there was no money in it for the promoters it was for the music and the people badges or no badges."
"Also, it was for the advertising. For the label, the sponsors, the bands, and the venue. Exposure. It may well have been put on for the love of bringing people music, but everyone involved was set to gain from it. Don't pretend otherwise."
Who benefited from the Iheartocmix party the people or Franki Chan the promoter? The sponsors paid for the party not him. He brought in a great lineup for free plus alcohol for anyone! What did he gain what did the sponsors gain? The sponsors got some exposure sure but by and large this was a party for the people. Franki Chan could have made money off this party easily he could have charged 5$-10$ cover charge for this lineup and he would have gotten it. The line to get in was 300-500 people long before the party even opened and it was going to go until 5 am.....
The losers in this were the people here at sxsw that didnt have a badge or wristband like myself that wanted to see this lineup some of which were not playing any other shows or parties.
On the other side Franki did not lose any money just 6 months of planning and has decided not to do a party next year. Who benefits when he chooses not to promote any more parties here? SXSW! Who loses when he decides to not promote parties here? We do the people. He didnt even have any bands from his own label play this party so he could have made this a showcase of his bands he chose to bring in the lineup he did and the buzz around the lineup and party were equal to any sxsw was having.
Fuckin' liberals.
The Fire Marshalls and "Smart Growth" panderers with their noise ordinances are the ones that are killing SXSW. Their power trips are out of control--I can't see any other reason for their behavior. Roland, Louis and Brent frankly work their asses off to make this work (especially Brent). And if you worked 80 hour weeks from October through March for the last 20 years, wouldn't you like to make a living at it?
As for the plain old SXSW haters, think here for a second: would you like to see SXSW go away? What would take its place? It's the SECOND LARGEST MUSIC FESTIVAL in the WORLD, people. It's also one of the strongest advocates this city has in terms of bringing THOUSANDS of people in that would NEVER have come here otherwise. These are right-thinking, blue-staters with creativity out the ass and who go away amazed by what they see and find here in TEXAS, which after all, is seen elsewhere in the world as a step next to hell (and home to "W"). The forces of Round-Rock-ization are strong here. SXSW is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, ally we have in keeping our city great.
As for the permit waivers, I'd like to see what permits/fees the Travis County Livestock Show and Rodeo get waived. How about the Republic of Texas Rally (from hell)? How about the Pecan Street Festival? How about the Swamp Romp? How about AMD? How about CSC? How about Austin Film Studios? All of these bring money, people, and bucks to this town, for-profit (as some are) or not. Get over this one. It's a good thing.
In short: SXSW is one of the finest things this city has to offer people both locally and internationally. We benefit greatly as a city from its presence. So many people like to bitch. Imagine Austin without it, and get over it.
Stew: yes, this is definitely among the top five most commented posts ever, but it looks like Walmart and the Smoking Ban were hotter topics.
All: let's take a deep breath and calm down, yeah? this will only degenerate into senseless name-calling at this point.
Bottom line:
It doesn't matter what you think of sponsorship or Factory People or ____-sters, or SXSW, or whatever, if you are given an official list of permits that you are required to have for an event, and then you get them, and then your event gets busted for not having a permit that was not included on your list, that is TOTALLY F-ED UP. Seriously. What's the problem with everyone agreeing that it's completely wrong? And that during SXSW week, some events were busted, but others weren't, and that is weird and sketchy? And that it's really questionable if one thing is going on during the day it's fine, but at night the same thing is illegal? There's definitely something going on and IT STINKS.
Don't worry 'Just Gunz' I appreciate the punch line there.
I wouldn't shed to many tears over iheartcomix's woes this past week. Wednesday some good music was played intially - Lionheart Brothers, Lo-Fi-Fnk, Franki Chan - but a pre-Peaches DJ set put on by a weak, completely undeserving-of-stage-time performance by Flosstradamus' Kid Sister made me feel as if I was at an American Idol audition.
It was nausiating listening to her while standing amongst broken beer bottles, bins of overflowing trash, beer created marshes, and spot lights that would put LA's night helicopters to shame. I looked around in horror as she awkwardly shuffled around the stage belting out "oh's" and "woah's" over top 20 hip hop beats wondering why such a bush league amateur would even be on stage.
Felt bad for Peaches as she ultimately had to play to a near empty audience following Kid Sister. That place off of Chicon was a mess.
All the Factory People haters sound a lot like people who might have gotten picked on in high school - it's hilarious.
Zeus-I agree with you as I was at that party as well Wed. night. The fact is I dont feel sorry for Iheartcomix I feel sorry for the 300-500 people that were looking forward to the party at the blue genie before it got shut down. They had a great lineup and regardless of who performed well wed. night it really does not matter in regards to this party or any sxsw party does it. I rarely go to a party or a show at sxsw and like everyone playing. The Iheartcomix party seemed to be running smoothly lots of security they checked id's so what happened wed. night is irrelevant.
I just wonder if sxsw was behind these parties being shut down. If not we have some of the most disorganized city officials I have ever seen. They came into the Iheartcomix party like it was a scene from Reno 911 and I am serious. There was no need to have sirens blaring with 5 police cars racing down the very small road to get in there. I had trouble getting out because there were so many police cars??? The music wasnt even loud.
All conspiracy theories aside, this is probably the result of two phenomena, ultimately:
1. SXSW exerting its influence to get this ordinance passed so that it can exert full dominion and control over all events claiming to be SXSW-related.
2. Firemen and other law enforcement officers who are just doing what they're told.
Number 1 is a shame and probably the true culprit here, while Number 2 is a completely predictable result of Number 1.
I think you're following the right scent by requesting all public information about this issue that's floating around City Hall. But I doubt anything will be resolved any time soon; public information requests on the municipal level are, shall we say, about as effective as staging peaceful protests on the Capitol steps.
This isn't cynicism; it's just reality. The best way to affect the way SXSW handles the festival is for business to pull out of it next year. THen they'll get the point. After all, money talks.
I don;t think Big Brother understands the irony of his own post. Now that's hialrious.
Hey S.- do some research - the ordinance was past mostly in realtion to large frat parties.
It does make you wonder if Louis has been funding these large frat parties over the 10+ years in order to create a climate in which the idea of this permit would be more easily accepted. Unknowing to the rest of the public, his main goal (planned out years ago) was to shut down the Factory People party this year in particular, because he knew they were to lazy to actually hire someone who knew about permits and throwing legal events. The man is a mad genius!
"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!
Damn me to hell for being unable to resist the bait. But, um, there's nothing "ironic" about pointing out that many of these posts seem unreasonably vitriolic (on both sides to be fair) and appear to have little to do with the original posting. "I hope Factory People burns"? So, yes, I'm going to assume that personal grievances, past wrong-doings, missed proms, awkward adolescence, and party invitations that never arrived in the mail are coming into play.
Damn me to hell for being unable to resist the bait. But, um, there's nothing "ironic" about pointing out that many of these posts seem unreasonably vitriolic (on both sides to be fair) and appear to have little to do with the original posting. "I hope Factory People burns"? So, yes, I'm going to assume that personal grievances, past wrong-doings, missed proms, awkward adolescence, and party invitations that never arrived in the mail are coming into play.
news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=181207&
confirmation that sxsw was calling in parties to the fire marshall
and scene.
"calling in parties to the fire marshall" ?
You must be reading a different article than the one you posted. They made the list of parties available so they would have to go through the same scrutiny as the sxsw clubs. Is this not understandable?
Either way, this is certainly different than "Hey, Fire Marshall, this is Roland. Go shut down Factory People! Yeah, just like you did IHeartComix! Sweet!"
Smith (Fire Marshall) said he's unsure of who complained about Factory People, but confirms that SXSW itself does indeed regularly file complaints about non-sanctioned parties.
March 22, 2007 News 8 Austin
Reporter Andy Langer said, “County Chief Smith confirms that SXSW does indeed regularly file complaints about non-sanctioned parties.”
"South by Southwest does make complaints. We did receive some complaints saying this is going to happen from SXSW." said Fire Chief Smith.
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.
"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.
Sounds like a "well-documented effort" to me by SXSW to shut down non-sanctioned parties.
Now what about the city's/fire marshal's tactics?
Roland Swenson completely contradicted himself! In this comment section he said, "but we don't know because we were a little busy last week with our own event." Yet, he admits to having a list and giving recommendations to AFD. Ah, how pretention reigns at SXSW HQ. That's pretty lame, man.
What he said to News8 is basically a politicians answer to "yes, we do tattle tale":
"
Smith said he's unsure of who complained about Factory People, but confirms that SXSW itself does indeed regularly file complaints about non-sanctioned parties.
"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.
"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.
"
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.
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 is so cool that he didn't even get the irony comment. lmao.
>>>>>"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...
Anon:
I didn't know this comment board was being used to measure penis size. You win. Ok? You win.
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
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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!
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?
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.
do factory people have their permits in order for the big texas relays afterparties in a couple of weeks?
zing.
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
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.
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!
You need to take troll lessons cause you're not pissing me off enough.
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.
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!
Dear Factory People, I may buy what you sell, but will defend to the death your right to party while selling it.
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...
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?"
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
"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.
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.....
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
*adjusts booty shorts*
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. ;-)
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!
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!!!
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!!!!
G'night, wee man. You still can't flame worth a damn but maybe you'll improve with sleep.
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
roland swenson is a b*tch.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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......
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
anon,
On topic plz.
thanx
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.
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.
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.
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!
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?
Thank you Markontour for posting the John Kelso column....
This is the gift that just keeps on giving!!
Brilliant.
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!!
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!!
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!')...
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!
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
I thought Crate made crappy nu-metal guitar amps.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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".
Artists? on drugs?
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!
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.
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.
Peace people
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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
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