Without getting too carried away with this news, I feel bad for the new upcoming bands, who in-turn will be feeling a bit cheated that they dont have the same opportunities that bands in the past have enjoyed in regards to playing live and honing their stage skills.
Sure the Civic is open but only 8 bands a week can play there, and who says they will stay "Metal Friendly". Indie bands Punk Bands Dance Acts, Cover bands, Touring bands and every other genre in town need venues too.
To me its very alarming that the bottom end of the Metal scene is falling out, so new bands aren't coming through the ranks like they did in the past,and I can only see it getting worse, I'm sorry but thats how it is.
The old saying goes " You gotta start somewhere!!", nowadays its more like "You got nowhere to start!!"
Since when were young up and coming bands owed a favour? Never in my time...
For the longest time I remember the only way I could ever get gigs with my (then) new bands was to work my ass off and try to convince venues to put us on when they otherwise had no interest in live music at all. Even way out places like the Seaview Tavern were difficult to book for a new band - but still do-able. It has always been difficult.
Seeing any venue close is a shame, and The Castle may have been good for the metal scene, but as you suggest, opportunities are closing for
all bands of
all styles right now - original AND cover.
Its not a case of metal not getting a 'fair go' or young bands missing out - Its just a sign of whats going on globally. Companies are failing because the money isnt there to support them. You can blame it on punters as much as you like, but they have bills and overheads to pay too - and like just about everyone else right now, the money may just not be there for them to continually keep going out and spending money on taxis, entry fees and drinks at the bar.
Also, we can joke about missing hand-towels, warm beer and holes in the floor, but its entirely likely that these conditions also contributed to punters attendance declining.
The Civic isnt necessarily 'Metal Friendly'. I myself played at the Civic a few months ago and admittedly it was a pretty hard slog getting people to the place (Manny nearly put himself in hospital with the stress he put himself under to make the show successful), but punters DID show up through perseverence and hard work.
Any new band could do the same.
I doubt Frank (Civic promoter) would even care what bands are in attendance - as long as their supporters are too.
To be fair, if metal bands start losing venues to rock, pop, indie or punk bands, they'd have only themselves to blame - through lack of promo, professionalism, or business sense. In fact, right now, if a venue is to be successful, it needs
bums on seats - and I doubt they would care which band or musical genre brings them.
My $0.02