OThe other night I tried to go to a show
But the man at the door
He told me no
He said, ONo one under 21 allowedOO
Save Ferris, OUnder 21O
Last Sunday evening, I shelled an extra $2 out of my wallet in addition to the money that I had already paid for my ticket to see the Holy Angels and Hot Rod Circuit play at Rock N' Roll Heaven. I realized that a horrendous wrong had just been committed: the great injustice of the infamous and routine underage cover charge. And this definitely was not the first time.
Over the many years I have been going to see bands play at clubs and bars in and around the Buffalo and Rochester areas, I have probably paid enough in cover charges to afford to manage my own recording company by now.
Okay, so perhaps I'm exaggerating just a little bit.
However, as the stench of the colossal permanent marker Xs that the bouncer plastered on each of my hands wafted up to my nostrils, something occurred to me. The policy that every individual under 21-years-old should have to pay an extra $2 or $3 just to get in the door of venues that serve alcohol is completely ridiculous.
It is no secret that the gluttonous club owners of the world need to bring in a little profit somehow, but to begin with, it doesn't make sense that someone who is legally permitted to consume alcohol should pay any less to see the same show as someone who is not old enough to drink. Both parties should have to pay exactly the same amount.
Granted, the person over 21 may purchase an alcoholic beverage or even several drinks throughout the night, thus providing more money to the club, but the club is not automatically guaranteed that each person over 21 will buy $2 or $3 worth of drinks.
Many bands are even beginning to actively fight back against the extra expense to attend concerts where alcohol is served, especially straight-edge bands who oppose drinking, smoking, and drug use. Finally, some fans are starting to get the idea too.
There is a very large group of young people who only go to all-ages shows, even if they have already celebrated their 21st birthday. As a result, there is a sizeable number of bands, particularly local ones, who only agree to play all-ages shows, refusing to play bar shows because of the cover charge, and, of course, because more often than not, the members of the bands are under 21 themselves.
Let's face it; young people are the fuel that keeps the music industry going. Arguably, more people under the age of 21 are out every single day, buying CDs, attending concerts, and purchasing other music-related merchandise. Without the under-21 crowd, the music business would not thrive nearly as much as it currently does, and bands would hardly have a reason to tour.
When it comes down to it, the kids under 21 are paying big bucks every time they want to see a band. Expenses to drive to the venue, ticket costs, and throw on top of that another couple of bucks just because of age, and it really adds up.
The sensible thing for club owners to do would be to use an all or none theory. Either charge everyone an extra liquor cover at the door, or charge no one at all.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
