Sucky News…
Posted by Cindy on August 29th, 2006
October will mark 4 full years of my doing a local/regional music blog. First it was called something else, sold that name, and started this blog. I’ve gone through up-and-down phases, discouraging times, many of which I just wanted to toss in the towel and find something else to do.
Nowadays with all the emerging blogs and music websites, it seems that it’s “cool” to be a prick…”cool” to bash bands that you don’t like, rather than praise bands you do like…”cool” to do so anonymously in many cases. And then there are the local music sites/blogs that are in this for financial gain, and care not about content, much less integrity. I don’t get it…but that’s just me.
There is one person in particular that I’ve come to, not only respect and admire, but also love to pieces, and that is one Mr. Sam Machkovech. Many of the times I just wanted to trash this whole thing, he always gave me encouragement to keep plugging away. Although I’ve disagreed with his articles and columns and thoughts ad nauseum, I still always respected the fact that the guy isn’t afraid to say (or write) what he really thinks and even when it’s not-so-nice, he still has the guts to show his face at their show.
Sam is a true music lover. He’s passionate about it. He seeks it out in his spare time, as well as his time as Music Editor of the Dallas Observer. He’s introduced bands to me that I love to this day. He’s always been an honest caring friend, as well as a “colleague” in this hideous music biz. He’s always been fair to me, fair to bands and artists I’ve sent his way, and that’s a helluva lot more than I can say about a lot of other folks.
I just got word that Sam was handed a pink-slip this morning. Dunno why…dunno details…I just know that I’m very very very unhappy about it…we lost a good one…at least for now.
You can look for Sam’s final farewell column in this week’s issue. Read it. Now I’m off to write a letter to the editor. This freakin’ sucks.
UPDATE: – From SaMach hisownself:
To better clarify, I was fired. I was not fired by anyone in this office in Dallas, but by a corporate office outside of Dallas. The reason on my goodbye letter says “you are being terminated today as a result of the performance issues we have discussed with you on multiple occasions.” I will better dispute both the “performance issues” and the “multiple occasions” in the near future, but I’m trying to both tread cautiously and answer all of the “WHAT THE FUCK?” questions at the moment. All will be answered before too long, but I figure this bit of info should be at least a little more illuminating. Will be broadcasting soon. Thanks -SM
August 29th, 2006 at 12:05 pm
man tell me this is a lie this is horrible news keep ya head up Sam and thanks for loving the hiphop scene….
August 29th, 2006 at 12:17 pm
Oh, Red…dammit
August 29th, 2006 at 12:21 pm
I’m so pissed…
August 29th, 2006 at 12:29 pm
*stomping*
This is insane. In the past few months that I have grown to know Sam, I have found that not only is he delightful to talk with, he is far more open minded, positive, supportive than I ever imagined.
Even though I have often disagreed with Sam, he has a sense of diplomacy that he balances with no-holds-barred opinion that I admire. Once I had the opportunity to meet the man behind the moniker, I realized what a wonderful person he truly is. He will also help you eat your french fries.
This is truly disturbing.
August 29th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
This is some shitty news!
August 29th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
What is going on here?!
August 29th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
I posted this on MySpace…
To better clarify, I was fired. I was not fired by anyone in this office in Dallas, but by a corporate office outside of Dallas. The reason on my goodbye letter says “you are being terminated today as a result of the performance issues we have discussed with you on multiple occasions.” I will better dispute both the “performance issues” and the “multiple occasions” in the near future, but I’m trying to both tread cautiously and answer all of the “WHAT THE FUCK?” questions at the moment. All will be answered before too long, but I figure this bit of info should be at least a little more illuminating. Will be broadcasting soon. Thanks -SM
August 29th, 2006 at 12:45 pm
“performance issues” and the “multiple occasions” sounds suspicious…
i concur with pikahsso and i am sure there are bigger and better things for you in the future.
August 29th, 2006 at 12:53 pm
sounds like corporate horseshit
August 29th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
fuck. I mean, really. dunno what else to say.
August 29th, 2006 at 12:59 pm
Who is to replace Sam?
August 29th, 2006 at 1:08 pm
NOBODY can replace SamRed
August 29th, 2006 at 1:10 pm
ahhh but someone will.. it’s the way of the world.
August 29th, 2006 at 1:13 pm
That’s what really sucks. I think Sam has done a great job, and I’ve actually watched him get better and better each passing week.
Not only that, but he’s an avid supporter of music, both locally as well as worldwide. He GOES/WENT to shows even when it wasn’t required by the D.O…I don’t even wanna think about someone replacing him…
August 29th, 2006 at 1:18 pm
SH|T!!!!!!!!! Hang in there Sam!!!
August 29th, 2006 at 1:38 pm
That’s bullshit. Sam is a damn good guy and has done really good things for this scene. This just seems really random to me..
August 29th, 2006 at 1:43 pm
Sam was the worst informed and most opinionated music editor the Observer’s ever had. Don’t know him personally and from the sounds of it, he’s a nice guy who cares about the scene. But the guy doesn’t know squat about the music biz. To trash The Edge for not playing enough local music his first week was the worst. The Edge is a Clear Channel owned station in the #5 market in the country. The fact that they play ANY local music is huge. They played WAY more locals that any other Clear Channel station in a large market. They’ve had a long history of going above and beyond in championing local bands. Sam didn’t help the scene, he hurt it and alienated many people and artists along the way.
Good Move Observer! Now I’ll read it again.
August 29th, 2006 at 1:58 pm
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!! LOL!!!!! dum dum the witch is dead the witch is dead. What a wonderful going away present. Hopefully this will be the end of a very dry era for Dallas of backstabbing and drama and be the beginning of something positive and wonderful for the music scene. Hopefully someone will come in and actually present the better side of Dallas (if there still is one). There is only one woman who I and many people think is qaulified and repected enough to take the job and she’s the one who wrote this blog. I know she will not agree or appreciate my comment here but this really is for the best. You can only piss on people for so long. A good writer means being able to look at all sides and have the knowledge and maturity (which usually comes with age) to relate an artistic expression to artists as far back as the 20’s and 30’s from various cultures and from all styles of music. That’s when it becomes interesting. Sam was nothing more than a cheap Tabloid writer with a bad attitude trying to stir up some drama. But Sam, if you’re reading this, and I’m sure you will be, my letter to you yesterday still stands true and I promise I will still send a pic of the naked cowboy and I to you once I get up north. ALL HAIL A NEW MUSIC SCENE! LET IT BE BORN!!!
August 29th, 2006 at 2:02 pm
I don’t know the guy, and I’ve only read a handful of his articles. But I have to say that Clear Channel is bullshit, and people should trash the Edge. Any station that plays nickleback on high rotation should be burned to the ground.
I have read some of Sam’s posts on other blogs though, and he always seemed to handle himself well against attacks like Dale’s or the anonymous poster on WSJR’s posting for this topic. I wish him well.
August 29th, 2006 at 2:14 pm
are you kidding me hedenberg? Sam was honest. i don’t know your band, but give me a break dude. good luck in new york (yeah right)
August 29th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
You know, I know there are a lot of bands/people that loathe Sam, but I’ll tell ya one thing, Sam handles his often malicious critics with more grace than anyone else I have ever known.
August 29th, 2006 at 3:01 pm
The thing is, when you are dealing with musicians, artists and such, you are dealing with egos (sometimes fragile sometimes massive) and you are also dealing with something so incredibly personal and important to the bands and artists…their work, their talent, etc. Nobody can like everything. Even though Sam was a paid writer/editor/critic, he still had his own opinion, and that came out in his writings.
Sam was honest, even at times when he knew he\’d piss off people like 102.1 The Edge and the Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and whatever else…hell, even me!
Blogs such as We Shot JR are saying many of the same things Sam tried to convey. I don\’t like it much of the time, but that\’s the beauty of it. They have their opinions and I have mine. They take a different approach to the \”scene\” as we do here at The Fine Line…which is a good thing for readers of either (or both) site(s).
You also need to keep in mind that Sam wasn\’t the end-all decision-maker as to what was published or even what he could write about. New Times is a major national company with editors, publishers and higher-ups. Hell, Wilonsky has to approve any and all of the blog posts on Unfair Park (the Dallas Observer blog).
It\’s a tough job and for an early twenties guy who went from concert listings to editor…well, in my opinion, he deserved more time and much better treatment.
August 29th, 2006 at 3:05 pm
that wasn’t me Solis!
August 29th, 2006 at 3:08 pm
Awwww… Hell… Clearly!
August 29th, 2006 at 3:16 pm
Nowadays with all the emerging blogs and music websites, it seems that it’s “cool” to be a prick…”cool” to bash bands that you don’t like, rather than praise bands you do like…
And why is it you want me around, Cindy?
August 29th, 2006 at 3:17 pm
Cindy, I think one thing you said summed it up best…
“Sam wasn’t the end-all decision-maker”
The irony is that many of the people who spit venom at Sam sure do act like he was…
As for Dale…you said, “Sam didn’t help the scene, he hurt it and alienated many people and artists along the way.”
Again, all this finger pointing at how much the “scene” is hurting…Sam had no control over the “scene” but merely an opinion about it.
The people that DO have some control over the “scene” often can’t even bother to stay and support the bands they share a bill with, tell their friends only to stay for their portion of a show, and often do more badmouthing of their bretheren than any blog or critic I’ve encountered.
The onus is on the music lover and the music creator, the onus for the “scene’s” survival is squarely on Dallas’ music community and its friends, and NOT in the hands of one music critic at one newspaper.
August 29th, 2006 at 3:18 pm
For the record, anyone who somehow thinks that Sam not being at the Observer is going to result in a massive shift of their music tastes away from say, refined indie rock, to, oh… metal is… how to put this… a fucking idiot.
A few bands may shift, but the main thrust will remain the same. And if your band is truly marginal, you will continue to be ignore and/or slammed. Deal with it.
August 29th, 2006 at 3:21 pm
Hime you are the exception to the rule…for some reason I worship your venom and ridicule…
August 29th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
The reason the music editor at the Dallas Observer is a critical role in the local music scene is becuase it has the largest circulation hands down with the most readers. Period. People who know nothing about music or the “music scene” only know to go check out bands when they read something is worth trying out. When nothing but negative presonal slanders are made for an extended period of time then who in the world would want to deal with it. An audience does not purely consist of your friends and family and the friends of the band before you, it should consists of a room full of strangers and friends alike. The music scene is like a circus and the person holding the microphone is the Dallas Observer music editor. No they do not control the lions and elephants and clown but when sitting in the stands who has your attention when you hear the voice. Robert Wilsonky at least gave you options “I hated this band. Sounded like their amps were melting and shorting out…but the crowd seemed to love them….”. Sam had none of these qaulities and truth has nothing to do with it when you’re expressing opninions. The debate seems to be whether opr not his opnions were educated or simply the raving opinions of anyone they could stick in his chair. Everyone seems to have an opinion so what makes Sam any different from anyone else. Like a monkey waving around a hand gun. Robert would slam bands, but he at least make an accurate comparison when doing it. He was hated in his day as well but you notice how he is still around? This city has seemed to loose a sense of itself. The mid 90’s and early 90’s was a true music scene. Three completely different bands on the same bill, the clubs were packed, and everyone appreciated each band for what they were. I haven’t seen that sort of respect in over 10 years. The position at the Observer comes with a lot of responsibility, and like any band, puts that person in a position to be equally ridiculed and insulted. I have also expressed these thoughts with Sam directly when slamming each other. The relationship Sam and I had was personal in that many of you will never read the e-mails and slanders that went back and forth. You only read his slam on Belafonte and we often laughed and signed those articles at shows. It was other things that lead to our hatered of one another. So I do not expect any of you to agree with my celebration. It is what it is. He and I said our farewells to one another this week. He will move on to better things and I can only hope we do as well.
August 29th, 2006 at 3:47 pm
Brian,
Get a fucking life man.
August 29th, 2006 at 4:02 pm
lol. Thank you for proving my point Eric.
August 29th, 2006 at 4:15 pm
Did anyone notice that Curtain Club Clearview Complex did not have any ads in last weeks issue…..hmmmmm.
Answer: I don’t think anybody noticed.
August 29th, 2006 at 4:20 pm
Brian -
Everyone knows who you are and the crap you\’ve said and done. No one reads anything you write and takes you seriously because we all know you\’re full of it. Hope you learn that before you go off to burn all your bridges in New York.
August 29th, 2006 at 4:22 pm
Sam, that sucks man. The observer lost a good writer. I’m sure we’ll hear from you again.
August 29th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
you know me? Curious since I rarely go out. Have you even met me? Didn\’t think so. You know what I\’ve done? Because Sam told you? Again, thank you for proving me point. And rumor and heresay become fact.
August 29th, 2006 at 4:27 pm
Brian, will you please just move to New York already? This isn’t about you or Belafonte.
P.S. Am I going to be sued because I used the word Belafonte?
August 29th, 2006 at 4:30 pm
Hey Hedenberg. Put a cork in it, bitch-cakes. I take issue with a lot of what S.Mach has to say and, most of the time, how he decided to say it. but so what? he can say what he wants. Regardless, he had nothing to do with “the scene.” I’ll let ya in on a little secret, chumpkins: there is no scene. There are bands doing their thing and being glad that they have the opportunity to create and perform and there are self-important ass-hammers like you who want to blame every aspect outside of their own limited creativity for their inability to draw crowds or sell records. The Observer doesn’t owe anything to anyone but its advertisers (being a free publication, those are the people who are actually paying to get the ink out ever week). There’s no such thing as bad press, so go clip out the Belafonte jabs and barbs and pretend like it gives you some sort of artistic credibility.sQm
August 29th, 2006 at 4:37 pm
i don’t know, you’ll have to ask Harry. sigh…I am not the only one celebrating today. Many of the bands are. We’ve been texting each other all day. My phone won’t stop buzzing and they’re all reading these comments laughing. I’m the only one who walked into the Lion’s Den knowing all his supporters would be here, lit off both flares and yelled “Yay!!!!!! Down with Sam Malcovich!!!!”. lol. So I don’t expect your support or your good wishes. None of you know me nor have you ever spoken with me and hear what you want to hear. I only wish I had something to do with Sam being fired but like Sam said himself, “you are being terminated today as a result of the performance issues we have discussed with you on multiple occasions.” I’m bored so I’m off now and won’t be reading this anymore. But I’m sure you’ll redirect your discontent toward me and other anti-Sam Malcovich groups. Enjoy. Cindy, in all seriousness, you deserve that job and should go after it. People in this town respect you. Even if you don’t like what they do or who they are. I’m a loud mouth muppet but there are many people in this town that will say the same. You should be you.
August 29th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
Actually, i do know you Brian and i have met you and i know your friends. And you’re a douchebag. And if you were actually any good, you wouldn’t have to spend all your time on blogs defending yourself. Does the shear volume of material on every publication in Dallas bashing you and your antics ever make you think “did i bring this on myself?”. Cuz, its pretty niave of you if you think Sam was the cause of all your woes.
August 29th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
The replacement has already been hired & should be here the end of Sept.
August 29th, 2006 at 4:50 pm
Does the replacement currently work for the Dallas Observer or are they bringing them in from another publication?
August 29th, 2006 at 4:53 pm
Sorry mate…never met you. You seemed to remember me and the three seconds I probably brushed against you in a crowded club but I certainly don\’t know you. Or anyone else who has left a comment today. So don\’t pretend that you do. And I find it amusing that so many attacks of my \”creativity\” have surfaced today when that was never the topic of discussion. It was simply the \”music scene\” and the position of the Music Editor at the Dallas Observer. (smirk). SO long Dallas. The Dallas Observer Editor asked to publish my final letter to Sam yesterday.
August 29th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
rumor has it the newbie is a chick.
August 29th, 2006 at 4:59 pm
Frontburner reports it may be a gal and she’s comin’ from Minnesota but “has ties to Dallas” or some such thing…bah…
August 29th, 2006 at 5:01 pm
Maybe if we turn out the lights and are really quiet, Brian will think nobody is home and he\’ll go away…
August 29th, 2006 at 5:02 pm
Trust me, Dallas has the better deal being rid of you, Brian. Its fair to say, you will not be missed.
August 29th, 2006 at 5:05 pm
I hate to see Sam go. He actually didn’t kiss the asses of all the stale boring shit in town. He talked about a lot of the good things happening around here locally and championed many of the best bands Dallas has to offer. He also challenged the establishment of crap here… maybe some of them got pissed like those terrible clubs in Deep Ellum. He may not have written about everything people wanted to see, but he did a good job in my opinion.
Things could get so much worse around here now depending on whom we get to replace him. Somebody that likes emo or metal or something else awful.
Sorry to hear it Sam.
August 29th, 2006 at 5:11 pm
Despite whether or not you liked Sam, nobody knows exactly why he was fired. But I am sure it has more to do than what we think it is. People usually aren’t fired for no good reason. It’s either a personality/attitude clash within management, or it’s a money issue. My guess is it’s the latter.
August 29th, 2006 at 5:16 pm
This is very sad. The last arcticle about Belefonte was probably the best thing I’ve read in a long time.
August 29th, 2006 at 5:19 pm
Sorry to see Sam go, I was just warmin’ up to him. Sam is a guy who calls it as he sees it, and when you do that you are sure to tick somebody off. Any critic that is worth their salt is going to be controversial, you can’t please everybody all the time.
Who’s next….i’m a lil’ sceered!
August 29th, 2006 at 5:20 pm
why are we still talking about Belafonte? Who cares. Really. They did their bit and they left. Like them, hate them. Who cares. I liked them but then I like a lot of things. The point of this who thing is Sam is gone and for those of us who knew him as the local music editor it is a sad day.
August 29th, 2006 at 5:25 pm
want a scene? move to austin. i thought sam always did a pretty good job, considering that 98% of the bands that form around here are so piss poor they should be panhandling on the corner, not headlining on a Saturday.
August 29th, 2006 at 5:29 pm
I just heard what happened and logged on to see what was going on. Jesus the hate and tension on this thing is horrible. Maybe Brian was right. I’m not really a fan of Belafonte (only saw them once), but Jesus. It’s knives out in here. I don’t really know Sam either. I’ve only lived here a few months and was just getting out and starting to meet people in the music clubs but I’m not really sure I want to anymore.
August 29th, 2006 at 5:33 pm
I dont think I want to either
(((((((((:(:(:(
August 29th, 2006 at 5:35 pm
Sassy, you’re welcome here. Brian has brought all this on himself and now he’s just bitter and tucking his tail and running away. The backlash at Belafonte has nothing to do with their music. It has everything to do with Brian’s behavior and comments.
August 29th, 2006 at 5:37 pm
I agree. I actually know the guys in Belafonte. Brian is definately an acquired taste. He’s a bit of a loner but he’s got a heart of gold and will take on a guy three times his size even though he knows he’ll loose if that guy is disrespecting one of his friends. It doesn’t supreise me a bit he came on here today knowing you’d all jump on him. He says he doesn’t care but I know he does. He says he hates Sam but I think secretly Sam reminds him of himself 10 years ago. It is sad Sam is no longer with the Observer and it is sad to see Brian go. I do agree that Cindy should have a bigger microphone here in Dallas. I mean, shit, we’re all here on her blog aren’t we? But this hatered attack bullshit has to stop. That includes you Brian. I’ll miss you brother but you’ve said what you came to say. So piss off. Sam you’re young and you’ll land on your feet. Surely there has to be a positive twist on all of this. Anyone?
August 29th, 2006 at 5:37 pm
“sweet”,
A lot of people on here do not know you, but I do. All the way back to your screwing of childrens charities in 1994. You have been a leach on the others around you. Please move on and realize that music is better with you in New York. In other words, Lost.
August 29th, 2006 at 5:41 pm
Jesus, can we stop please. Cindy I’m sorry but I can’t read your blog anymore, it makes me really sick.
August 29th, 2006 at 5:41 pm
o0oshit
August 29th, 2006 at 5:42 pm
Cindy, does what’s unfortunately happening to Sam right now remind you of anything that happened to you a while back? You think The Dallas Observer will also do a smarmy little write up about how “amicably” they split with Sam? That would really be eerily similar to what you experienced from those who gig others in Texas (wink, wink). Anyway, I hate to hear the bad news about Sam (even though he never added me on his MySpace page!).
August 29th, 2006 at 5:48 pm
ha! Is anyone on this thing over the age of 13? You’d wouldn’t know it reading these comments. Except for maybe a select few. Sam should have enough contacts in all the times he’s written. I’d think he’d already be calling them. Kevin, here’s you’re positive spin, Sam lands a gig with Rolling Stone Magazine but would have never known about the opening unless let go from Observer. huh? huh?
August 29th, 2006 at 5:48 pm
the debate wil rage and rage and then
something will happen to make our music/art community
breathe a fresh bit of air
it is a mystery, a vague speculation to most what that will be
to people like myself, carlin, liz, sarah jane, cindy, katie mac, amanda, undeniable, rhett (bullets), the s.o.s. people , venues that exist, and those to come, the sarcastic yet whipsmart musicians from denton ( i love you dans/rgrs/haileys people ),
jazz heads who pay no mind and just do their job and get paid nightly
it is the silent work we do,
every night
be it writing articles, creating radio shows, attending live and local events, making events happen to showcase talented artists, hosting out of town bands, whatever it is that you do that makes a difference
like it or not,
we have a damn fine group of smart, thoughtful people
here in this city
that make our music community what it is
if you want to look at solutions
don’t start with the music editor of the paper
start by looking at where we can do better
how about day events, weekend street festivals
and fairs from a grassroots perspective
house parties with live bands
look to the diy scene in denton
they are not represented in the paper at all
still
they pack houses, basements,
even venues no one has ever heard of… even places like mequite!
August 29th, 2006 at 5:49 pm
Belafante’s myspace pictures + captions are comedy fucking gold.
August 29th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
I swear to god I could hear some sort of anthem playing in the back ground as I read that. it made me want to stand up and put my hand over my heart.
August 29th, 2006 at 5:54 pm
Still with the Belafonte slams (throw hands up). I’m think I’m done too, Sassy. That band has to be marketing geniuses. People can’t stop talking about them. Absolutely Brilliant.
August 29th, 2006 at 5:58 pm
One more Belafonte post in this comments section, and I’m taking them all out. I will monitor this post all night if I have to.
Stick to the topic, please folks.
August 29th, 2006 at 5:59 pm
yup. Too much too much. People don’t know when to stop. Good luck Sammy.
August 29th, 2006 at 6:01 pm
Amanda I think you should. For all our sanity. This blog is about Sam. nothing else. take it all out.
August 29th, 2006 at 6:01 pm
None of this taking the high road bullshit changes the fact that those pictures and captions are hilarious.
August 29th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
I think I just did the internet version of, “Don’t make me pull this car over, young lady.”
August 29th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
i meant to say that is not a mystery of what positive changes
can be made to this town to those who are working to make a difference in it.
my wording can be a bit oblique at times.
August 29th, 2006 at 6:05 pm
I don\’t get it. I just went and looked at the pics. So what? Why are they hilarious? Sam? Is that you under a different name? \”Life of Brian\” as well? Let it go guys. Really. Everyone on here is getting sick of it. I agree with Sassy, Amanda, just take all the crap about Belafonte down so we don\’t have to keep hearing about it.
August 29th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
some of my best friends have been fired by New Times, and none of them deserved it either.
my condolences, sir, but you’ll rebound. think positive.
August 29th, 2006 at 6:08 pm
Sam, a friend just told me and it sucks man. I enjoyed your shit. But I agree with whatever some one above me said earlier that you\’ll land on your feet. After the whole Texas Gigs thing Cindy seems to be doing okay. I mean we all log into to read her stuff. We\’ll do the same with you.
August 29th, 2006 at 6:11 pm
Sam,
Let me tell you something that someone once told me. Working for the corporate world is like a tree full of monkies. All the monkies at the top look down and see smiling faces. All the monkies on the bottom look up and see nothing but assholes.
Merry Christmas
August 29th, 2006 at 6:11 pm
Sorry…monkees…monki..monk-i..screw it…a tree full of apes
August 29th, 2006 at 6:15 pm
monkeys
August 29th, 2006 at 6:18 pm
Hey \”Life of Brian\”,
I just googled your bit about Hedenberg screwing over a children\’s charity and wouldn\’t you know it…it was an Dallas Observer article. They just can\’t seem to get enough of that guy. From what I hear, the charity got it\’s money from an annonymous donnor from cd sales. Guess they didn\’t get screwed after all. I also heard he stood up for all the bands on the cd and defended it under much scrutany from Robert Wilsonsky and was actually praised by the local scene for doing so. oh yeah…sucks sam…good luck…lol
Tennison
August 29th, 2006 at 6:19 pm
Sam, your writing is the reason I picked The Observer in the first place. Now there are several reasons I enjoy reading it, but the first place I turn to every week is the Music section. I hope you stick around in Dallas, because you really seem to care about saving this joke of a scene. Wherever you go, I can only imagine you’ll find success.
Unlike other bands.
Bands that are moving.
But not fast enough.
August 29th, 2006 at 6:22 pm
gee…was that a Belafonte slam? how suprising. And Tennison you\’re spot on. That\’s pretty much how it went down. Of course The Observer won\’t tell you that.
August 29th, 2006 at 6:28 pm
You ever notice that all the bands that have any sort of success, whether it be Hourly Radio, Bowling for Soup, Secret Machines, (dare I say) Belafonte, or Johnny Rollins or whoever, always flee this town at a certain point. It is all starting to become all so clear to me. And the albatross made its presence known to the ancient mariner as the fog clouded the ship…..I\’m not a musician but I\’d be terrified to express myself in this town. People are like vultures.
August 29th, 2006 at 6:30 pm
except maybe through a form of expressive dance. I will no longer speak to anyone when i am out. I will only dance for you as you converse with me. I open…..with Jazz Hands….
August 29th, 2006 at 6:30 pm
Hey, Sammy, looks like people finally had enough you beating them on the head and rubbing poo in their hair during the chicken fights, eh, retard?
Tee
Hee
Hee.
August 29th, 2006 at 6:34 pm
And from the same Observer article:
“Hedenberg says he had originally conceived of the compilation as a way to promote Glitter Freak–”or, more or less, me,” he says–”
August 29th, 2006 at 6:35 pm
Call me a conspiracy theorist but i’d guess sam was fired for not walking the party line… we’ve got two groups of people here, those who think sam was great for championing what HE thought was great music (whether you agree or disagree w/ his thoughts is your deal) and those who think he was dumb for pissing off clear channel and dissing bands/venues/festivals (deep elum music festival) who made the observer a profitable enterprise.
But i guess i don’t get it, do people actually WANT someone who thinks clear channel is good to be the MUSIC editor for a LOCAL newspaper? You’d rather have an editor who loves whatever makes money than one who loves music?
I can’t say that i’ve always agreed w/ Sam, or even that i haven’t had my complaints, but it would seem to me that he’s gotta be MUCH better than what’s coming.
When it’s some corporate office that fires you, and has vague reasoning… you can expect that it has something to do w/ dollar bills and not “performance issues”.
Sorry to those who work for the observer, but don’t expect me to bother picking up your newspaper anymore… i only read the music section and i doubt i’ll be interested in a newspaper that is more concerned w/ advertising than they are w/ making a decent product (i quit reading the front page articles because they tend to be 1/2 baked anyway… basicly a bunch of words in-between advertisements)
that’s not a dis to everyone who works for the observer, there are talented people involved, i’m just pissed that GOOD WRITING is NOT the reason this paper exists… it exists to sell advertisements and to make the rich richer.
so enjoy your wealth, your club clearview advertisements and your cd reviews of teen-pop idols written by 24-28 year olds who probably can’t stand that they are forced to write about such garbage.
August 29th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
Clear Channel just fired Michael Savage and now Sam….who’s next?
August 29th, 2006 at 6:41 pm
“and there are self-important ass-hammers like you who want to blame every aspect outside of their own limited creativity for their inability to draw crowds or sell records.”
hahaha… this is so right on.
quit the race before you get trampled, dude….belefante isn’t big in dallas because they AREN’T VERY GOOD. they will do worse in New York because that’s where a lot of VERY GOOD bands go AFTER they’ve done all they can where they are from (you have done nothing here, and will do even less there)
enjoy working at a Barnes and Noble, dude.
August 29th, 2006 at 6:52 pm
So hedenberg is guilty of starting a compilation cd to help promote himself and that\’s why he\’s an ass? lol. what a weirdo you are. Get your facts straight. You sound like you should be writing for the Dallas Observer.
August 29th, 2006 at 6:54 pm
I logged in. I read everything. I threw up. You people make me sick. Go start a Belafonte Blog. The first half was about Sam and the entire last half has been a slam on some band that\\\’s moving. This town is a bunch of gossiping drama filled hens. Loggin off.
August 29th, 2006 at 7:02 pm
Yo chisle chest,
I am from New York and it doesn\\\’t sound like you have a fuckin clue what New York is all about. You talk that kind of smack in my city and you better be ready to back it up. That town ain\\\’t easy for nobody. Anyone that is willing to move there and give it a shot then hats off to \\\’em. I bet you ain\\\’t never been hotshot. What? you went on a weekend get away? You stayed with your buddies for a week. You don\\\’t know shit. That city is so diverse anyone has a shot but it ain\\\’t going to be easy. Just cause no one in this town like these guys all of a sudden no one in the world will…cause Dallas is the know all and say all of good music in the world. I hope this band that\\\’s moving does do well so they can rub it in your face you worthless pile of shit. And for the rest of ya, you ain\\\’t much better. I been reading this milarky all day off and on at work holding my tongue. I finally had enough of people bashing, band bashing, Dallas bashing, New York bashing. I read this hedenberg\\\’s statemtns. They were a bit out of line, but after readin what you all had to say back to him he\\\’s startin to make some sense. Cindy I don\\\’t mean no disrespect typin this bad stuff on your blog but enough was enough. Sam, like any New Yorker, you get knocked down and you jump up swingin.
J-J-
August 29th, 2006 at 7:09 pm
THEY ARE GOING TO FUCKING MAKE IT MAN! FUCK
August 29th, 2006 at 7:13 pm
http://www.dallasobserver.com/Issues/2006-06-29/music/isthison.html
one of my favorite and fitting articles by sam.
August 29th, 2006 at 7:22 pm
My favorite part of that whole article was…
“Out of every fractured genre, touring act and booking agent…if just one person involved with any of those sees this and gets it, please, do something. One fan at a time–somebody needs to be that fan right now.”
August 29th, 2006 at 8:21 pm
He did a hell of a job with his big feature about local blogs, too: http://www.dallasobserver.com/Issues/2006-06-22/news/feature.html
Also somewhat fitting for the occasion. Someone pointed out that he was always gracious with his critics. If I remember right, StonedRanger from weshotjr didn’t have too many nice things to say about Sam or the D.O. in general before this article came out; even so, Sam featured him in the story and never blew his cover. Sam really does love music, especially Dallas-area music scenes. He also stood up for his freelance writers, which is admirable. I hope the next person in line for that thankless job cares even half as much as Sam.
August 29th, 2006 at 8:49 pm
The only thing I know for sure is that a dear friend of mine lost a job that meant a lot to him today. I won’t go into what Sam may or may not be experiencing emotionally, but I will make note about what he may be facing financially (see lack of paycheck) and for the time-being, at least from my past experience, that’s a scary place to be.
I’d like to ask for some respect on this comment thread for a guy who deserves it and is in a pretty crappy place right now.
August 29th, 2006 at 9:10 pm
delicious…
rolling stone?!? boy, that crank’s gettin’ toxic, eh?
geoff, could’nt ya just drop the malmsteen nonsense? talk about batman and buttboy……..
August 29th, 2006 at 11:30 pm
Don’t know Sam, but he was doing precisely what needed to be done to reinvigorate our music scene. I’m just another Dallasite who became jaded. Sam’s enthusiasm brought me back into the fold. Don’t see how a replacement couId do better. I do, however, see better things in store for Sam.
August 29th, 2006 at 11:51 pm
Sam was a critic. Unfortunately, he was a very myopic critic. If the music performed by bands did not fit in his narrow audio tunnel vision of acceptable music, it was crap. And that doesn’t truly serve the music scene as a whole, because the majority of the music scene is nothing like those bands. I see band after band after band as a sound-guy. I have run sound for literally THOUSANDS OF BANDS and SHOWS in this scene and abroad. I have worked with the most horribly inept, self delusional, arrogant asses you can imagine, and the most professional, respectful, and talented bands ever to come from the DFW area. Unfortunately when talent is involved, the numbers are not in most peoples favor. The majority of bands in this city are either not very good or musically interesting. (But, and here is the key… they and their friends all think they are.) But having said that, there are greater numbers other than the .0001% of the bands that the observer historically worships who are worth seeing, and they have friends and scenes that support them. Some are bands just starting out and trying to find a voice. Others are just doing it for fun and to impress girls. Others are way too serious in their own minds. And just because you do not respect metal for instance, does not preclude there are some decent metal bands in this town. Personally, I hate most hip hop. Should I just bad mouth any hip hop artist booked to do a show I have to run, and make fun of them to people at the bar and club? No, I run sound for hip hop acts with the same effort and enthusiasm I would for any other type of act. I am a sound-man, and it is my job to be as objective as possible, and not throw my bad attitude and ill opinion into the mix. I can’t just decide I only like to run sound for Chemistry Set and Salim and fuck everybody else! The same is true for a music critic. You have to look at the totality of the scene, not disparage it as all garbage outside of your limited tastes. What if your food critic only ate steak tartar. Hated seafood? So therefore every restrauant is not worth the salt on the table if they serve seafood, cause only steak tartar rocks! That’s not very informative. It borders on obsessive though.
Personally, I blame Robert Wilonsky for young Sam’s impressions, because these are the same basic bands and venues Robert touted 8 years ago, or at least the same musicians, and Roberts a pretty charismatic and opinionated man. Hey, Ol’ 97’s are great. Sorta are incredible when they are. Midlake..not my cup of tea. But there you have it. You can’t accurately cover a music scene when you only focus on an extremely narrow faction of it. You are playing the ‘cooler and more informed than you” card that used to be the role of the snob in the music store. That role is not helpful to the readership. I doubt the majority of the readers of the D.O. are into Midlake, or Sorta. I can usually confirm that by their attendance records. And that my friends, is the subject nobody wants to accept. It’s not about the art, it’s about money, and American Idol is freakin huge man! .
Radio has never cared about the music that is played, they only care about the advertising they can sell. MTV has never cared what style the music was, or the message being spread, just how much revenue in ads it can produce. And clubs and promoters ultimately don’t really care what bands play, they care about selling alcohol and tickets. And the majority of professional acts don’t care who pays them, as long as they get paid. Sad fact of life, not very inspiring, but that’s the way it is. And if everybody in this town continues to have a stick up their asses about showbiz reality, there won’t be anyplace left for your fledgling band to play. It will all go away. So get your bags and start headin for San Fran, or NY, cause the scene here is being destroyed by arrogance and apathy. Everybody in this town acts like they are immediate stars simply because they shopped at Buffalo Exchange and Urban Outfitters. Not everybody can only play on the weekends. And NO club in this town has a built in draw anymore. Not enough people to sustain it. Bills are really high in case you haven’t noticed. Can you imagine how much it costs just for electricity in most of the clubs in this town? Everybody acts like the clubs are their rich friends dad’s house. They are not. If you don’t spend money, the clubs will go away. It’s up to your band to try to inspire friends to see you, and to work hard to get on bills that complement your music with someboy who draws more than you. (Perhaps I will start a blog pointing out facts of life about any music scene. I’ll let ya know. )
Granted Deep Ellum has taken a large kick in the ass in the last two years. It’s unfortunate for me to see, because when I was the age of most of the local bands now, there were NO places to play. Deep Ellum started out as a place where kids could get together and create something new. It’s really a shame to see this new generation just kick it to the curb. You will regret it eventually.
I wish Sam the best of luck in his future endeavors. Getting fired abruptly is never a cool thing. But he has cost me a lot of work as well thru closed nights directly due to his juvenile verbal attacks on a scene he doesn’t fully understand or support. He doesn’t live in it like those of us who work it on a day to day basis, trying to provide a garden for talent to spring forth. Sometimes there are droughts Sam. Sometimes there are droughts.
August 30th, 2006 at 2:11 am
yay! number 99!!
wow.. 98 was a mouthfull
August 30th, 2006 at 8:09 am
Just think how nice it would be if 99 people had written 99 blog posts about 99 bands they had seen or were going to see.
August 30th, 2006 at 8:17 am
I’ll be looking forward to the day I open the Observer Music section and read something that makes me excited about the Dallas Music Scene. In Sam’s reign I’ve grown tired of his soap opera life spilled before me. I’m sure Sam’s a good guy but his ego writings are better fit for his personal blog and not in a weekly for a community of this size.
Many of us welcome the change.
August 30th, 2006 at 8:20 am
Nice thought. Here goes. I did. I was at the final Belefonte show. The opener David Ramirez, was quite good I thought. Thoughful lyrics, nice keyboard and some pretty rocking guitar. I had not seen Belefonte before and frankly I really enjoyed them. I don’t know anything about any of the drama. I can only say, I thought they put on a heck of a show and everyone there at the tea room seemed to really enjoy themselves. I was disappointed that more people didn’t stay to the end to see Blackheart Society. Their BJM, Doors and Neal Young inspired music was quite good. Great guitar, thoughtful lyrics, All three voices nice melodic harmonies.
I’m certainly no critic. But I have to say, I enjoyed the show.
August 30th, 2006 at 8:25 am
Will D – nice post man. I agree with you 100%. I won’t be picking up the Observer anymore either. And will someone please just tell me why Brian is still claiming he’s from Scotland and using the word “mate”?
August 30th, 2006 at 9:29 am
“Bill” must be one of the following:
a.) a member or Belafonte
b.) David Ramirez
c.) a member of Blackheart Socety
or
d.) a complete dumbass.
August 30th, 2006 at 9:42 am
Just think how nice it would be if 99 people had written 99 blog posts about 99 bands they had seen or were going to see.
and all of those bands performing “99 red balloons”.
August 30th, 2006 at 9:46 am
*internet dap*
August 30th, 2006 at 9:48 am
Gosh, since those are the only 4 choices, I guess I’m a dumbass. I enjoyed the show. It’s just an opinion.
August 30th, 2006 at 10:22 am
“and all of those bands performing “99 red balloons”.
Above is reason #99 why I adore Paul…
August 30th, 2006 at 10:47 am
Commenter #98, SG: If you started a Dallas Music Scene blog, I would absolutely read it.
People who bitch and moan about “no scene” in Dallas are discounting the freedom of the very blank slate they are whining about: make your own. A scene is what you make of it, just like a city — just like this city. Ripping on the tattered reputation of this city’s music scene (or those supposedly responsible for it) is the easy, lazy thing to do. Instead, do your part to repair it the way you’d like to see it restored.
Many people already are.
August 30th, 2006 at 10:48 am
wow.
August 30th, 2006 at 11:07 am
Wow, I came into this late. I supposed I need to get my ass out of the practice space and into the real world every now and then.
I’ll miss Sam’s writing, even the things I didn’t agree with. I would miss the writing of anybody that did what he did: praised what he thought was praiseworthy, bitched about what he thought was bitchworthy, and did both with what seemed to be little regard for the powers-that-be within this little music world we live in.
Oh, and who the heck is Belafonte? Am I really that out of touch?
August 30th, 2006 at 11:13 am
I had the chance to talk to sam for a while at a savethescene meetup without knowing who he was. He seems like a nice enough guy IRL. It sucks to see anyone lose their job, hope you find something else soon sam.
August 30th, 2006 at 11:31 am
[...] Sucky News… [...]
August 30th, 2006 at 11:46 am
sack of kittens.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:42 pm
I have to agree with SG wholeheartedly. The reason why more than half of you are crying is because Sam validated your narrow viewpoints and opinions on the music scene or praised your friends band REPEATEDLY every week. I’m sure he will be replaced with someone with the same narrow view on music who will hang out with you at shows so you can make good and get your band written about again. Don’t cry, it’ll be allright. Maybe Sam will go back to working at CD Source and you can all go ask him what CD you should buy. You’re acting like the guy got murdered when all he did was face what every person has to face when they aren’t so hot in the talent pool. Reading his articles was like reading his blogs, but guess what? I’m sure he will still keep his blog going, you will still have your opinions validated and the world will keep turning.
August 30th, 2006 at 1:25 pm
INSIDER INFO on SM:
Thank God! What you all did not know is that Sam spent his entire professional career reviewing VIDEO GAMES before his current (read: former) gig.
His taste in music generally sucks, and he doesn’t write well. He seemed like a good fit for the horsepussy publication we call the observer; maybe, they decided to go legit, and start by letting go of the game genie bitch in sheep’s clothes.
Hope we never have to read him again.
August 30th, 2006 at 1:38 pm
RE: “the scene”
You know, there are quite a few good shows this week. How’s about everyone head out and see a show and support a band/local venue sometime between now and Sunday? Maybe even buy some merch and tip the bartender. Oh, and Friday is pay day!
I bet Cindy and Amanda will tell us who’s where when…
August 30th, 2006 at 4:27 pm
This is real bad news for the local music community…Hope this is just a bad joke, though it doesn’t seem so. Keep your head up Sam. Thanks for the efforts on my and the music scene at large’s behalf. It meant a lot, and I hope you resurface in a great position soon! To whomever did this at the Observer…you seriously set the music side of things at your publication back with this move…
August 30th, 2006 at 6:10 pm
Maaann.. “real baaaad news”! LOL, get some perspective..:-)
That just cracks me up.
The Observer will roll on like it always has. Nothing will change. Sam will find a new job. The local music community will continue to rock or suck, depending on your perspective as it always has.
I can appreciate you standing up for someone you like though. Nothing wrong there I suppose. But seriously, it’s not a life or death situation. There are lots of lessons to be learned here folks. Pick you battles wisely.
Now go out and buy your favorite band a beer. That works for everybody involved. It’s the single greatest thing you can do for your local music scene. Everybody wins.
August 30th, 2006 at 6:38 pm
his replacement, according to Lyons, is a Fort Worth native, Trinity Valley alum, and former editor/writer for the Santa Fe Reporter, Jonanna Widner
August 31st, 2006 at 10:11 am
whoa…
August 31st, 2006 at 10:45 am
Someone really should take the newbie out and introduce them to all the live music scene people. Get them on a first name basis and involved personally with everyone. That would probably go a long way in avoiding problems and tit-for-tat highschool bullshit drama this town is plagued with.
August 31st, 2006 at 12:19 pm
Sam helped elevate DFW hip-hip to a place it should have been years ago.
Those who don’t like Sam, He’s gone.
Those who do, check out his blog. Blogs are more relevant than print media anyway.
Why all the negative vibes?
September 4th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
Just happened upon the news that New Times axed another editor (just days before they cut Christgau loose at the Village Voice).
Never particularly agreed with Sam’s taste (championing local hip-hop was a step in the right direction in terms of coverage… just too bad Dallas hip-hop generally blows), but the floundering of the local scene is hardly his fault. He didn’t go out and start a hundred bad Spoon-wannabe indie bands (though he was too kind to them), nor did he start a thousand bad butt-rock acts – the two biggest crimes of the ’scene.’
He was critical, as a reviewer and guardian of ‘the scene’ should be. (Personally, I thought he was less dismissive than past regimes – ’sack of kittens’ anyone? oh how I miss that feature…)
Watch for the Observer to start importing even more coverage from the national New Times network – that’s how they cut costs. Paying someone editor-money for articles vs. paying someone in Duluth freelance money and printing it in a dozen papers nationwide. Don’t believe for a moment this will improve local coverage in any way.
September 5th, 2006 at 9:56 am
Milo you could not be more dead-on…