Non-smoking shows

So I've been to three shows in a row now that have been non-smoking "per artist's request."

Has this been happening more and more lately, or is this just purely coincidence that Ben Kweller, Alice in Chains and The Decemberists all requested non-smoking nights within a period of two weeks?

Originally posted by Alex:
So I've been to three shows in a row now that have been non-smoking "per artist's request."

Has this been happening more and more lately, or is this just purely coincidence that Ben Kweller, Alice in Chains and The Decemberists all requested non-smoking nights within a period of two weeks?

As did Tilly and the Wall at the Cat last week.

Probably pure coincedence. I think artists who request non-smoking shows are pretty lame though. They should get over themselves.

Also, what is the word on the city-wide smoking ban? When does that start?

I'm so out of the loop these days.

Originally posted by thingsfallapart:
Probably pure coincedence. I think artists who request non-smoking shows are pretty lame though. They should get over themselves.

Perhaps they are allergic to cigarette smoke? Perhaps they aren't allergic, but it negatively affects their performance?

I think I'd rather put on a show at 100% than please a few people that can't handle going without a cigarette for a few hours.

Originally posted by thingsfallapart:
Probably pure coincedence. I think artists who request non-smoking shows are pretty lame though. They should get over themselves.

What is there to get over? Living out of a tour bus/van for three weeks, eating fast food all the time, these things aren't bad enough? Of the four bands mentioned, I'm betting two or three of them deal with this lifestyle. After all that, wanting to not play in a closed up cancer dome is hardly ego-driven. Especially considering many do this on little to no health insurance.

I think people that smoke inside clubs are f-king selfish. I'm glad about the ban…wish it happened sooner.

Originally posted by thingsfallapart:
Probably pure coincedence. I think artists who request non-smoking shows are pretty lame though. They should get over themselves.

I think smokers who believe non smokers should just deal with their smoke whenever, wherever need to get over themselves.

Originally posted by Alex:
Has this been happening more and more lately, or is this just purely coincidence that Ben Kweller, Alice in Chains and The Decemberists all requested non-smoking nights within a period of two weeks?

The only non-smoking show "per artists request" I've been to is the Wedding Present. This article is over a year old but addresses the issue:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/28/AR2005042800694_pf.html

Originally posted by Alex:
Also, what is the word on the city-wide smoking ban? When does that start?

January 2007

Originally posted by thingsfallapart:
I think artists who request non-smoking shows are pretty lame though. They should get over themselves.

I think people who can't go an hour or two without a cigarette are pretty lame. They should get over their addiction.

So many major cities have already gone non-smoking that I think the bands are starting to get used to it and in many cases prefer it. Since we try to be artist friendly we honor these requests for non-smoking shows.

personally I think all the non-smoking shows are a good thing. It gives the fans and employees a chance to get used to the ban before it gets enforced.

<obligatory reply>
all of which shows there is no need for government to influence behavior and restrict individuals from making their own choices since its obvious that there is a desire (and market) to have non-smoking shows.

<begin remarks with opposing views>

Originally posted by Shadrach:
So many major cities have already gone non-smoking that I think the bands are starting to get used to it and in many cases prefer it. Since we try to be artist friendly we honor these requests for non-smoking shows.

personally I think all the non-smoking shows are a good thing. It gives the fans and employees a chance to get used to the ban before it gets enforced.

So how come the Back Bar has been non-smoking on two of the three occassions I've recently been to? And what's the club's policy going to be come Jan 01? Is it going to be feasible to monitor the in/out traffic for smokers?

I think chicks, especially hot ones, should be encouraged to smoke more.

<img src="http://media1.break.com/dnet/media/2006/7/134539_6b43cca7-d63c-4741-8ace-1561d8b9528a_prod_200_thumb.jpg" alt=" - " />

I went to Neko Case back in April and that was non-smoking. Of course she is actually allergic to the smoke and you don't want anything messing with that voice.

I really don't care one way or another if the show is smoking or not, but I can understand why non-smoking musicians would ask not to be exposed to clouds of smoke night after night.

Originally posted by xcanuck:

Originally posted by Shadrach:
So many major cities have already gone non-smoking that I think the bands are starting to get used to it and in many cases prefer it. Since we try to be artist friendly we honor these requests for non-smoking shows.

personally I think all the non-smoking shows are a good thing. It gives the fans and employees a chance to get used to the ban before it gets enforced.

So how come the Back Bar has been non-smoking on two of the three occassions I've recently been to? And what's the club's policy going to be come Jan 01? Is it going to be feasible to monitor the in/out traffic for smokers?

Our policy will be the same as the rest of the city, no smoking. We allow in's and out's for most of our shows now, I don't see why things would change.

Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
begin remarks with opposing views

Without the lead in California taking a stance as it did 10 years ago (or any other gov for that matter) you know it likely never would have happened with market forces alone. All things are not equal. I'm proud to be part of the example that is spreading across the nation, and the the world for that matter. Nothing the business owners predicted ever happened - profits are not down, people are still going out, and smokers can still go outside to enjoy their addiction. It just stopped affecting me, and it's great!

And yes, I will be voting to increase the cigarette tax 13 cents on each cigarette distributed ($2.60 per pack) in California next week, and I'm not even the slightest bit apologetic for it. Smokers, I'm over you and your so called rights.

I am surprised The Decemberists was non smoking considering I am surprised I didnt get a contact high at their portland show, but that is par for the course it seems at Crystal Ballroom shows.

That's a whole lotta surprise!

Originally posted by pdx pollard:
I am surprised The Decemberists was non smoking considering I am surprised I didnt get a contact high at their portland show, but that is par for the course it seems at Crystal Ballroom shows.