Awaiting Ash

Tue Sep 8 2009 16:37

We played numerous shows and given the content and style of our music, we brought a crow to PJ's that typically never set foot into PJ's: the crowds from all the other bars. Here's the kicker, were any of PJ's regulars to set foot into Kite's, etc. stoic, judging glances would be lanced at them as they walked through the doorway. However, when our crowd came waltzing into PJ's, there was none of that in reciprocity. To the contrary, PJ's proved to be genuine to the spirit of the establishment. All truly ARE welcome at PJ's, and aside from the music, THAT in itself, is a uniqueness that would be sorely missed. Yes, we played for pennies some occasions. Yes, we had unfortunate circumstances surrounding some gigs. That's also how it goes in a first-venue style bar. The principle is that the bar even exists. To watch the bar as an entity fade away is perhaps the true criminal effect of all this. I still maintain many fond memories as I know the rest of our bad, our fans, and many, many others do. If it must go, then so be it. I simply fear one of the most unique, distinguishable colors of Aggieville is about to turn grey, and most will never no.

just some chick

Thu Sep 3 2009 11:00

Okay, I worked at PJ's. I drank at PJ's. A lot. I liked to see shows at PJ's. Maybe they are getting screwed. It IS really sad for the music scene because they give a lot of musicians opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have. I like that they offer metal shows and "heat" night for the gay crowd. But don't try and tell me the Tuckers have done nothing wrong and they were doing such a great job of running the place. They overcharge for poorly made drinks that are served by surly, angry people and still can't manage to pay the bands. Their paychecks to employees bounce. I'm guessing there's more to this story than a whim to kick them out for no reason.

just some chick

Thu Sep 3 2009 10:57

Okay, I worked at PJ's. I drank at PJ's. A lot. I liked to see shows at PJ's. Maybe they are getting screwed. It IS really sad for the music scene because they give a lot of musicians opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have. I like that they offer metal shows and "heat" night for the gay crowd. But don't try and tell me the Tuckers have done nothing wrong and they were doing such a great job of running the place. They overcharge for poorly made drinks that are served by surly, angry people and still can't manage to pay the bands. Their paychecks to employees bounce. I'm guessing there's more to this story than a whim to kick them out for no reason.

Dirk Diggler

Thu Sep 3 2009 01:38

I think the owners should have been directly responsible for the problems with management. I have had many of friends bands play and get 100$ to split between 2-3 bands . It is ridiculous when I could not even get to the stage and they were charging 3 $ cover. It is stupendous that they take a dollar of the bands money to cover their own expenses. They are asking everyone to scratch their backs now after they have screwed over more than a dozen local bands and who knows how many touring bands. They claim to be helping out local musicians but more and more it seems like they are exploiting free entertainment. Dot and Jaime I agree are cool people to hang out with and I wish them well on future ventures but I will not be donating money to a bar in Aggieville to keep it afloat....If you can't make money selling beer there is far more problems at hand than just a lease agreement.

Chad

Wed Sep 2 2009 21:09

Pjs sucks, dot sucks, and any band that plays there more than once sucks. They booked based on myspace requests and more often than not paid nothing. I remember a cd release show that was packed, but had 3 traveling bands on the bill, and Dot straight-faced handed $1.50....that is ONE dollar and two quarters, to the local band. If her money-management is in any way similar to her bar management, no wonder their lease-renewal was rejected. I'd hate to see another G.I. or frat bar thrown in there...but I'm glad someone else gets to use that space.

Your name

Wed Sep 2 2009 14:04

I have a feeling that there are money issues! I venture to say this is just a part of a much larger story. I say, go look for a new place, but you better have the money to finance it, which I'm guessing won't happen!

Freakshow

Tue Sep 1 2009 12:54

The problem is obviously lease issues. There's always issues beyond that with any venue or live music bar. We've all had some good times at PJ's! Good music has come through as well. Good music to fall on deaf ears. Many of the problems in this town is the poor turn out to see live traveling bands. We could go on and on about needing more live music in this town or a good live venue...but the truth is, you still wouldn't come out to see them or pay to see them, would you? Nope, and you proved that time after time at PJ's. They worked hard to book bands and all you did was sit on your fat butt at home watching the idiot box. Have fun watching the music scene disappear...haha.

Dan S.

Tue Sep 1 2009 11:06

I see as much neg. as positive comments about pj's . I say if your as good as the positives say then go to the bank and get a small loan and move on down the road. If you can't do that then maybe you are not suppose to be going forward. I say take all the suggestions on here and run with them. You start over in a new place you can make it better, and more inviting. Not to mention, do you really want to rent from someone that is going to make your life hell for the next 3 years. I'm guessing not. It would only make it impossible for you to smile everyday, and no one wants to come to a place without smiling faces. Good luck with the battle whichever route you choose. I do love the live music, and local band scene.

Burnt band..

Mon Aug 31 2009 22:45

Dot ran a good bar for a long time, with a solid rep among area bands. Our last visit to this venue, however, was more than disappointing, enough that we really felt like we had no reason to ever set foot in that bar again, and recommend that none of our friends do the same...

This is the first I'd heard of Dot being associated with the bar in about a year. It's always sad to see bars go, but with the clientele and management associated with PJs in the last year, I can't say I'm gonna miss it...

Your name

Mon Aug 31 2009 22:21

"...they are getting screwed over."...."anyone who tries to take that away"...."victim of landlord greed"..."...because these greedy actions"..."money hungry developmental types have the ability to drive hard working American's out of their business is preposterous!"

You're all SO right! Just because someone owns property does NOT mean that they should have any control over what happens with it! Just because they're renters should not count against them, nor that they have a contract they're trying to break! How DARE the owners of the property attempt to make a better return on their investment - the cads! What we need are developers who have no interest in making money!

Learn the lesson, and move on: If you don't own it, you don't control it. Don't rent - buy. And stop the temper tantrums, for goodness' sakes...you sound like a bunch of spoiled ten-year olds!

Brian Chambers

Mon Aug 31 2009 21:37

The Trap in Topeka will someday meet a similar fate when the Hospitals come calling for more land. I hope PJ's is able to either figure it out or move to a new location. I would be glad to hold some benefit shows or something to help out. Many of the same bands that come through The Trap are able to do so with a follow up show in Manhattan. Fight the good fight!

Brian Chambers
Owner The Boobie Trap Bar

Tracy

Mon Aug 31 2009 20:02

PJ's has been a second home to me for years. The mere fact that money hungry developemental types have the ability to drive hard working American's out of their business is perposterous! PJ's may indeed have it's problems but for those of us who have a pure and unadulterated love of live music, it's truly the only place that we can feel at home. PJ's offers several subsets of people who ordinarily wouldn't have a place to go, somewhere they can can have a great time, while not feeling akward and out of place. Metal heads, homosexuals and Latinos are all given this opportunity. Tell me drag queens, would you feel comfortable dressing up and heading into Kites? Latinos, where else are you given the chance to salsa to your hearts content? Metal heads, where else can you listen to live local metal other than PJ's and Mel's? Don't let the man get you down guys. Jamie and Dot have been like a second family to me for years, as well as the regulars. There may have been some bad decisions, staff wise, for instance a bartender with an ever increasing scowl in his face and a mightier than thou persona who literally drove patrons out, but name me one business that hasn't had some sort of staffing issue.
Support small business, it's what this country was built upon and if we allow "the man" deal yet another devastating blow to Manhattan, when will it stop? How would you feel if you were being forced out of your home, your business? Do you hope to God that there is someone willing to stand up for you and say enough is enough? Well here we are....standing up and proudly showing support for one of the only bars in this ridiculously money hungry college town, that doesn't give in to the "fads". A place where people can just be themselves, without pandering to the college and college affiliates. Stay Strong!

Your name

Mon Aug 31 2009 19:10

If you want something different than the cookie cutters bar scene and the opportunity to listen to live music with variety I can only think of two good places, PJ's and Mels. While some of you were crammed in Last Chance on Fake St. Patty's day, PJ's had live music all day, different artists and different music. I say fight to the end Dot, McCullough Development is not trying to move you out for bad business deal, they see how they can ripped the students off some more. Soon there won't be much left of Aggieville except over price living quarters because I'm sure it won't be big enough to accommodate much more of anything else.

Shane the drummer

Mon Aug 31 2009 18:19

The Tuckers are good people and I have had a lot of fun in that bar.I love Dot and Jamie like a family but I really dont think fighting this isa good idea. Sure there are some things that should change and if you know the whole story it has been an uphill battle since Paul left Jamie hangin with the place when they built it. Kudos to The family sticking together and pressing on as they are trying to do here but in all honesty if PJ's is really meant to go on then I would say just bite the bullet and relocate that dang place! Do you really think anything positive is going to happen with McCollough after you sue them? They will just find a way to get you later and they still win. Not to mention the money you are spending on a lawyer could probably have been used towards a deposit on a new building etc. It's never a good situation to go up against the people that actually OWN the place and expect everything to be okay after you try and take them through the ringer. However if you are fighting just to finish your lease then by all means I got your back for sure. People do need to be held accountable for thier actions and in this case the action is honoring a lease. What would be fair in my oppinion is for them to give you the deposit and also pay you the average monthly income of the place for however many months they are shorting you! There's a way to get into a new place.
A place like PJ's is defintely needed and I support anyone who gives up as much of their time and lives as the Tuckers have. It's not like you see them rolling around in Hummers and Vipers to thier houses on Colbert Hills so I would definately say they arent being frivilous with the little money they make at PJ's. The best advice I could give would be to move PJ's and screw the man. Sure it wont be the same place but it will be up to each and every one of you to support it to make it work. Some of us have depended on the Tuckers at one time or another and if Pj's relocates it will be up to us to keep it.

Your name

Mon Aug 31 2009 18:12

As long as O'Malley's remains, I am happy.

3000

Mon Aug 31 2009 18:06

True, PJs is not the place to play if you wanna make money, or to go for a fabulous meal. But, there is no other venue that provides the service that they do. So many bands have cut their teeth in that place that you cant imagine the inspiration, fortitude, and ability that has been forged there. The majority of people could probably care less about PJ's because they dont go there. Thats their loss already. Manhattan will lose culture because these greedy actions.

Your name

Mon Aug 31 2009 17:20

all things considered, best all-around venue in manhattan. sad? maybe. you have to respect the way they give bands of all types a chance to get out there and play. of course, they don't have the best sound, atmosphere, etc, but they have made up for that in many other aspects. a lot of the places in this god forsaken town have fraternity type booking policies, which is too bad.

Will

Mon Aug 31 2009 15:40

PJ's is the victim of landlord greed, not poor management. Were it not for PJ's, Manhattans music scene would be exactly nothing. PJ's is one of the few places in the 'ville where EVERYONE is welcome. There are many genre's of music performed there, and all walks of Manhattan and K-State can find some quality entertainment. If you believe that what Manhattan needs is yet another overpriced and underwhelming apartment complex, built only to line the pockets of those who wish to take advantage of college students, (which is exactly what you'll get, not another bar),then you side with the landlord. If, on the other hand, you believe that music, and entertainment for the diverse and dynamic cultures of our city and university should be protected, then you side with Jamie and Dot. Give 'em hell PJ's!!!

roach

Mon Aug 31 2009 14:51

I have had some great shows there with a couple bands. rip pj's, they had a good run

Tony Beats

Mon Aug 31 2009 14:44

Played there 2 or 3 times in the past year...its a great small venue. Manhattan can't afford to lose a place like PJ's and still have a local music scene. Think about it.