We haven’t wanted to say much about our shows at the Horseshoe, other than it could be a good venue. But it’s not. We like its location. We like the sound men we’ve worked with. We like its cover charge (free!). We even liked chatting with the owner. And once we start playing, we always love playing. However, something just isn’t right.

Our first show there was fine, although the collapsible mic stands are held up with gaffers tape, so they have a tendency to be, well, spontaneously collapsible. We showed up the evening of our second show there, and no one at the venue knew there was a show that night. So we went home. We showed up the evening of our third show — a Friday night — and guess what: no one at the venue knew there was a show that night. But the sound man was in the area, and we ended up playing. But to no one. There was no one in that place on a Friday night, in a decent area, with no cover. Also, the draft beer tasted old, and they had only one pour of Scotch in the whole place. After we finished playing, and were chatting over some complimentary beer, we noticed the owner gave the sound man a decibel meter, which as we’ve experienced, can be a bad sign. We would have stayed later, but got kicked out at 11:30 as they were closing the place (again, on a Friday night). So twice now, I’ve had people show up there to see us, only to have the place closed.

The quality of equipment and booze, and even the scheduling mishaps could easily be forgiven if the place was welcoming and loving of music and people. But it’s not. I get the feeling that the staff would prefer it if we all went home and watched TV, and not bother them with a possible sound-violation fine from the city. I hope things change there, because it could be made into a nice place to see music.