The Jung Seeds, Valentine Giant, Pink Wonder and Bella Anna are the first big–name booking at the Quality Value Service Annex. This is problematic for us, since a note sent along seeking publicity for the show intimated that “you can’t ignore us now!” When that wasn’t the issue at all.

Does that sound like us? Overlooking the local bands and waiting for a national act everyone’s heard of to show up?

We’ve been wrestling with our conscience to find the proper way to deal with this venue. Too much of the wrong kind of press, we know from experience, will get them closed down, yet what they’re doing over there is too important for any self-respecting music journalist—and even us—to pass up. There’ve been theme shows, new band revues, side projects galore, open mics and happenings, all within a matter of weeks. So why have many of you faithful reader/scenesters probably not heard about the place?

Because, on a few levels, it’s operating illegally. Not if its shows come under the definition of “private parties,” for which everyone in attendance has been personally invited. But not if they really want to running a club. Which they do.

We’re caught in the middle here. Bands that don’t understand the circumstances are convincing themselves that we are ignoring QVS Annex because we’re willfully ignorant, or petty or something.

“If these shows were at the Bullfinch, you wouldn’t be ignoring them,” one wrote. Well yes, but that’s because the Bullfinch has a back exit, handicap access, a liquor license, an ASCAP license, bouncers and managers who know and care what the capacity of the joint is, and other niceties largely implemented for the audience’s safety and comfort.

“Unfair,” another correspondent shouts about the lack of Annex coverage. What seems unfair to us is how the real clubs in town have to worry about, and shell out serious cash for, all these provisions and cautions while the Annex loox the other way.

We respect the volunteer efforts and magnificent growth this alternative club project has shown. We fear, though, that it will be strangled in its infancy by lack of foresight and common sense. We know that makes us part of “the establishment,” but it’s the branch of the establishment that wants these fine bands to be seen in relative safety, not the kind that wants them shunted off to some creepy warehouse with bad wiring.

Anyway, The Jung Seeds, Valentine Giant, Pink Wonder and Bella Anna are the first big–name booking at the Quality Value Service Annex. Do with that info what you may.

Elsewhere: Cajun Belle Pepper, Moonsong and Opera Supreme at Hamilton’s… The PowWow, Double Wave, Suncatcher and Trailing Petunias at The Bullfinch… “New Blossoms” festival of high school and even junior high school bands at Dollaire’s, with Semi-Dwarf Meteor, Montmorency, Danube, Red Juice and The Lapins….