EAST Interview: Kat Murph of Vertallee Letterpress
Members of a rap group opened fire on a crowd outside hip-hop club Spiros on Red River last night, just after downtown bars had closed.
According to police, the conflict started when one of the groups performing at the club earlier in the evening was kicked out of the venue. Evidently seeking to retaliate, two of them went to their cars, retrieved guns, and then went back to the club where they shot round after round at the crowd outside.
The reports vary between 6 or 8 people being injured, and anywhere from 20 to 30 shots fired. One woman, who had been standing outside the club entrance, suffered a gunshot to the stomach. All were treated at nearby hospitals for non life-threatening wounds.
Both men have now been identified by club employees and witnesses at the scene, and arrests will likely happen later today.
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
Now that's a way to make people fans of your band. What is wrong with people?
i think the allure of penning future rap songs in prison is far too great. so much time, so much focus, so much inspiration...
isnt the first downtown shooting of the year the fashonista sign that bulletproof vests are officially in season?
If that's true that is so sad. I guess it's really no different than the people who think they have to do heroin or something to be creative. Both are equally stupid assumptions.
Where can I get a bulletproof vest?
Who knew that the guy from My Chemical Romance would be such a visionary?
Further proof that eventually the idiots will kill themselves off. How that place fits into the general vibe of red river I'm not sure... Britt Daniel has never shot at me outside of DeVille....
I'm lobbying to move Spiros up on campus or North Austin. Anywhere in town ignorance and mediocrity rules...
I've been sick of fighting my way though a cluster of Curve cologne, shiny clothing and VD to get to a show for years.
Idiots...
What would you really expect from a giant building designed for mouth-breathers to go rub genitals with a stranger to radio rap?
I for one am not shocked.
Just happy no one died.
Spiro's wasn't worth anyone's time before this happened.... Now that you might get shot by the entertainment?
and one more thing.
What kind of ass fires into a crowd that paid to see them?
I've met promoters and booking people that deserved personal harm.... but the randoms outside? WTF?
Just to clarify:
The building Spiros occupies wasn't designed for its current operation. It was designed as a male gay bar called the 'Naked Grape' in the late nineties. That went out of business and was taken over by the current proprietor who has retained a lot of the rennovations that were done to create the 'naked grape' experience.
Seth
What the hell is that supposed to mean? The shooters are clearly idiots, but I don't see how the victims are idiots. Even if their taste in music somehow makes them idiots, that doesn't make them criminals as well, as killing "themselves" off would require.
I don't like where my inferences lead me.
right.
well I should have used the word establishment....
I don't care about the appearance at all, or the structure itself. I was just commenting on how out of place it is on red river. It belongs over on 6th somewhere. That way we might could get another decent venue on red river... You know where the live music happens....
and 6th could get another drunk hole full of degenerate idiots.....
There are plenty of degenerate idiots filling up all the 'cool' bars on Red River and E. 7th St, for what it's worth. They just happen to dress the way you do, listen to the music you do, and (fortunately so far) haven't been involved in a shooting.
Spiro's is a live music venue, mwb.
I'm glad you posted a response to my initial comment. I fired out my responses in anger about the situation. After re-reading it.... whoops.
The people who got shot are obviously not at fault. I can't describe how angry I am that they were put in the situation and that something like this happened in our city. I'm not passing judgment related to musical taste or my clothes... I will say however, Everytime I get forced into going down 6th for any reason (usually only to get to the Parish) the whole street is filled with drunken violent idiots. Frat boys and criminals... Of every color, creed, age and orientation. In the 7 years I've lived here I've seen tasings, gang fights, and even a knifing.
I generally spend my time in music venues on RR, like DeVille, Mohawk, Beerland etc. Where the vibe is totally different so are the patrons. A frat boy looking to down 10 rum and cokes and get in a fight won't do it on Red River. They go to the bars they belong in... Which are on 6th.
This event was a tragedy and I'm sorry it happened. I still think Spiro's is a shithole, and I'm entitled to my opinion. At the same time I'm allowed to not like the place and not go there, anyone else has the right to love it and go there if they want... and not get shot at.
These guys are goin to jail. And they deserve worse.
Sorry for the harsh words earlier.
Fair enough, but I saw two drunk guys get into a fight at Beerland on Sunday night during the Pierced Arrows show and the Beerland staff had to carry one out. So drunks will be drunks and fighters will be fighters, regardless of the venue.
Shooting at your own audience outside the club? That's just bad PR.
Food for thought.
The police department (as shitty as they are) have come out and said Spiro's is a problem. Since 2008 they have responded to 172 calls from Spiro's....
Incidents like this is why I hate the current state of affairs on 6th street. Why must Austin be known for just a party spot with loads of bars up and down the street? What a waste of real estate, it doesn't do anything for the people that actually live here except bring in idiots from out of town who could care less about our city. Shut all these stupid bars down and turn downtown into something the people who live here actually want to live with. Austin has one of the nicest downtown strips and it's sad to see it's completely wasted on shitty bars filled with shitty music. Maybe this incident will finally wake people up and realize we don't have to have 40+ bars on one street, its STUPID.
And what the hell is up with APD letting these guys get away, police headquarters is literally a block away... what a complete failure on behalf of APD. Pathetic...
seriously,
Our police force is totally useless. They can arrest you for an unpaid 20 dollar fine, or write you a seatbelt ticket from a hiding spot.... But stop a violent offender.... nope.
They are great at shooting unarmed african americans and hispanic people in east austin... but that's about it.
There is a myspace for this band..... btw. You should all leave your comments.....
LG Allstars....
They represent the true "thug life" getting pissy about a showing up late to a gig and shooting down a gaggle of innocent women....
Real Thugs they are....