The following is a 2002 article from the now-offline (at the time of this writing) Star City Punk website.
Of all the things, good and band, you hear said about Roanoke, the comment, “There’s nothing to do!” probably surfaces most often. However, that statement simply isn’t true. There are dozens of good, professional bands in the Roanoke area just waiting for people to come and listen to them. Unfortunately, many of these bands are turning their attention out of town because of a lack of local support.
A prime example is the band Fallout. Fallout has a vinyl EP in local stores and is receiving airplay on the West Coast, in the Netherlands and in Australia. Currently, the band is enjoying better album sales in the Netherlands than in Roanoke. In spite of international airplay and press, Fallout still does not receive any attention from local radio stations.
Thee Wanderers another Roanoke outfit, formed in 1988 and since then have put out a vinyl EP (available locally) and begun work on a full-length CD due to be released by the end of the year. Thee Wanderers play frequently outside of Virginia but seldom play Roanoke more than once every six months. They feel they are more appreciated in places such as Richmond, Nags Head, Charlotte and Raleigh than in Roanoke and they do better out of town anyway. The oldest of the songs that Thee Wanderers do live are no older than two years, yet they maintain an original set list of more than 40 times.
Bassist Rand Dotson says, “I’ve never seen an original band get good support here. Things are getting better but lack of airplay really hurts local bands. The commercial stations couldn’t care less.” Dotson feels that there is potential in the area but he believes there needs to be more support for local talent, “Look at a scene like Chapel Hill, you swing a stick without hitting a band that has an album. Roanoke has a lot of good bands, as good as anywhere, but something needs to tie the bands together a local record company or radio station that would play the music,” Dotson also feels that for the most part the local media do not cover the Roanoke music scene and do not seem to take it seriously. Another Roanoke band that is turning its focus decidedly outward is Pleasure Void. Together since 1988, Pleasure Void released their first full-length alburn, Shadows of Doubt in early 1991 and is planning to release a new single soon. However, playing locally is not top priority with the band because, as drummer Mitch Bratton puts it, “The Roanoke scene is pitiful, nobody goes to the gigs … and there’s a lot of hostile vibes. There are some very good bands but that doesn’t make the scene. People should come to the live shows because that’s where the interesting stuff happens … When you see a band live they have one chance to impress the hell out of you … that’s why you’re apt to see something exciting as opposed to listening to an album. It’s their chance to blow your doors off.” Pleasure Void is yet another Roanoke band that is receiving airplay out of town, but is still not having any luck in their home market. As far as improving the Roanoke scene, Bratton feels,” We’re all in the similar boat of trying to make the scene work. We need each others’ fans and the bands need to support one another.”
The bands mentioned here are only three of many. Other exceptional bands to watch for here, in the record stores and in the clubs are GRIND, the Mockingbirds, the Richard Jesse Project, Murata, Visible Shivers, Crawl and about fifty other tight, professional regional acts. As with any scene, the success and excitement can begin only when people attend the shows and show their support. In addition to going to shows and buying the locals’ albums, it’s simple matter of calling up your local radio station and newspaper and requesting, nay, demanding airplay and press for local talent. Ultimately, radio stations, the print media and clubs rely on the support of you, the consumer, and you have the right and the power to demand support for the local scene. As many who have traveled to places like Atlanta, D.C. and Seattle will tell you, there isn’t a scene possessed of more talent in as many genres as Roanoke. What is missing is media and crowd support—so support the scene!
—Drew Little