Does anyone here use The Studio ?
If not why not & what would get you in there ?
Im after all opinions on the place both good and bad.About the venue,rehearsal rooms,recording studios,the beer,the bands,the staff,anything at all.

There is no doubt at all that the place is the best equipped venue in the town,yet is ridiculously under-used so we want to remedy that & I guess the first step is to ask people why they dont use it & what would encourage them to use it.

Fire away.

No. Don't like music. Nothing. I hope that helps.

I think the studio is an excellant facility!

It is superb for bands, the onstage sound is pretty much second to none.
I had the pleasure of seeing the recording side of it in use during the monkey hangerz session and I thought again that it was excellant.
I've never tried the rehearsal rooms - as we now practise at Green Dragon studios - but we used to go to pigpen for a while....I reckon dirt cheap rehearsal rooms with backline would entice most bands into using it. [probably not us though, its just too bloody far to go to practise ]

Beer is beer, and staff is staff - again no complaints from me!


But, as I said to you in the pub the other day Mr.C, it would take a pretty special band/gig to be on to entice me back into a 50+ mile round trip to see em. Ska/cover bands etc just doesn't do it for me.....Waterson:Carthy on the other hand!





I think its to the people of Hartlepools eternal shame that they dont use the place and support it!

I've been a member for a good few years now and I like the place. It's an excellent venue but sadly underused - the main reason I haven't been for a while is that there hasn't been anything on that I fancy going to see.

My next visit will probably be to see Ainsley Lister next month. I notice they also have a film club in there now - I might look into that...

I live 250 miles away

Would still like to play there at some time though.

http://www.myspace.com/thatlegendarywoodenlion

the onstage sound aint crap elvis.
agree that the front of house sound isn't the best though!

I think at any venue an audience can make a mediocre band lift itself. A lot of small places who specialise in bands tend to earn a reputation of being full of self opinionated, cliquey. music buffs who like what they like and sod everyone else. Sounds a bit bunkerish to me.

A name change would do the place good, try and rebrand it maybe?

I think it's a sign of the times with quite a few venues being poorly attended. We play a place in London 'Bridgehouse 2') that has a great small venue atmosphere, cheapish bar, great staff, good PA and mixer, great lights and puts on some great bands (other than us that is ) cheap entry and the crowds are often dissapointing. Other venues have built up a regular crowd - no matter who plays. These are basically pubs that put on regular bands from 3 to 7 nights a week. Entry is free but the drinks are a little more expensive - the bands still get paid and the audiences are always 'up for it', those that aren't can still either play pool or lounge around / chat in the pub.

I got into going quite often in the last couple of years and have had some very good nights there, haven't been in the last few months cos of change of circumstances and not out so much but would put it in my top preferred destinations for a night out in the town.

BUT the drinks are a little pricey and the selection aint great (the choice of cider is criminal) and there have been several occassions where the bottles are warm due to the fridges not being switched on til half 7. That would put people off.

Following from what Mr Ripper has said. The pubs I mentioned above (notably the Fleece in Chelmsford & the Red Lion in Stevenage for any southern based exiles) have an extensive range of drinks whereas clubs don't usually run to that kind of choice.
For people that go strictly to see a band and there is something to drink that's fine, but if someone wants to go primarily to have a drink and the band are a secondary consideration I guess it's not as appealing as the pub based alternative.
Maybe Mr Groovy needs to identify his core audience and try and appeal to them more.

hartlepool has a glitterati?! well i never

Cheers everyone,your comments have all been taken on board.

Salty - I know the 50 mile round trips a pain & makes things difficult,bear with me & I promise Idio Savant will get a gig soon.Folk Daddy likely to be 20th March supporting Harvey Andrews.

Chip - Keep checking The Studio website,Im sure you will start finding gigs that interest you more

Johnny - I shall see you at the Aynsley Lister gig,I was well impressed with him last time (his bass player too)

Hawklord - Gimme a price & Ill see if we can get you on

Elvis - The heckler crowd no longer get in there so that doesnt happen any more,nor does the elitist clique.If you are certain of filling the place then we can do venue hire or door split if youre interested.

Moto/Gerry - At the minute we are in the process of restructuring the programme & moving towards a more dynamic profile

Ripper - Beer prices are down to £1.80 a pint for a decent selection

Mutley - Are you out tonight ?

Bobby - Youre top of the glitterati list

Tonight it is free entry into The Studio with no band on but a handful of DJs playing an eclectic mixture of tunes.

Get yerself out.

Anything special planned for tomorrow Mutters?