So this is for Joe…
I booked most (but not all) of the hardcore/punk shows there from the 90’s until we closed in 2006. I never booked the Queers. You were booked by an outside promoter who handled the money. If you want to cry that you were ripped off, you should have said something then and there and I would have sorted it out on the spot. When an outside promoter books a show, I hand the net money to him/her to pay the bands. How much the promoter takes before giving it to the bands I don’t know. Often times a promoter whos stuffs his/her pockets will blame any appearance of missing money on the door staff. Many bands that have felt ripped off have had the common sense to come to me directly and ask to see how much money came in and how the breakdown of expenses works. I have always shown them and taken time to explain it. I spent many years playing and touring in a band myself so I understand these questions. It’s pretty lame to make these accusations years later.

As to not signing contracts… well boo-hoo. Take that up with your booking agent. We worked with contracts… that was never a problem. I dealt with countless contracts and guarantees and even went out of pocket on a few where I took a loss. Your booking agent did not deal with us. Your booking agent booked through an outside promoter . Check it out.

As to your comment that our benefit shows were “another scam for them to make tons of money”… well genius, in case you haven’t noticed we really were being closed down. I’m not sure how that was a scam. Also the benefit shows raised very little money. We spent more money flying bands in to New York and putting them in hotels than we made from the shows… many from overseas. Sham 69, Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Conflict, Anti-Nowhere League, Raw Power, DI, Circle Jerks, Vandals, Flipper, Adolescents, Zero Boys, etceteras… all had to be flown in and put up. The benefit shows were more about raising awareness than raising money. We needed to raise public awareness to put pressure on local politicians to help get our lease renewed.

Now… as to the personal insults.
Well… yes, I am fat.
I also am a motherf*cker I supose.
Was I “stuffing” my face with a cheeseburger?
Well if I was having dinner with the other staff up front, yes I probably was… though I’m not sure how eating a cheeseburger is an insult.
This comment has me confused though…
“had a vaguely thug air about him”
I’m not sure if I should be insulted for having a thug air about me… or that it was only vague.
I found the insults amusing.

Except for one.
You called me a thief.
I spent years plaing in punk bands and booking punk bands… going back to the early 80’s.
The bands I booked on the shows I booked have nothing but praise for the job I’ve done.
I have a solid reputation as a promoter.
You feel you were ripped off and rather than open your mouth and say something years ago to straighten it out, you publicly accuse me of ripping you off.

I look forward to discussing this point with you in person the next time you play New York.