Jake, this is SO GOOD. The “NJ Pay-To-Play” owner’s attitude took me back to interning at a venue, and thinking about how insane and immature the people who run this business are allowed to be. I think a lot of this stems from older folks with money and power inherently seeing young bands as inferior. Both sides get caught up in a “you need me, I don’t need you” attitude that only ends when either one side relents, or they ditch the system entirely.

You’ve also got me missing the shows you guys threw back in the day. Those are what first made me see music and shows as a community creation, not pumped out of a massive factory. I found new favorite bands and lifelong friends there. Local shows had a massive impact on me, and I can’t thank you guys enough for your part in that. Cross Town Train forever, bro.