I've already spoken my piece several times about Bernie and his retarded business ethics, but I'll continue to do so for as long as I want...

There are always going to be two sides to this issue: the people who see how Bernie/NEC REALLY are, and the people who don't pay enough attention to what's happening to others as a result of the retardation of Bernie/NEC. Just because YOU didn't have anything bad happen to you doesn't mean that they're on your side or that others probably deserved to be dicked over. That would be wrong.

My old band played the Cryptopsy show at Good Times last June; we sold all of our 50 tickets, plus probably 25 more, and helped our buddies Downfall out with selling a good handful of theirs. Bernie told us we were the first band to come up with all of the money, and one of only few to actually have all the money, so he was grateful. Then, we played the Suffocation/Goatwhore show at Mark's last July...if anyone doesn't remember the clusterfuck that weekend was, here's a recap (it's long, but I don't give a fuck...people need to know this bullshit):

The first Suffocation show was on Friday, July 28th (I think that's the correct date) at Mark's. The second show was supposed to be at Good Times in Somerville, MA, but they most likely told Bernie to fuck off because he is a piece of shit. So, Bernie announced that the show would be moved to Mark's...meaning that the same show was going on two nights in a row at the same fucking place with just different local bands trying to whore themselves out. To make this matter even more awkward and trying for the bands selling tickets, Bernie decided that anyone who bought a ticket for the first night would be able to get into the second night, or vice versa, FOR FREE. Nice guy, right? Helping out all those fans...WRONG. Anyone with an ounce of fucking intelligence would tell the bands that had to sell tickets for the second night that they didn't have to worry about getting all 50 tickets sold, since there were going to be most likely at least 100 kids showing up FOR FREE. To top it off, this all happened a few days before the show was supposed to happen so it didn't leave anyone enough time to prepare. I thought Bernie would be lenient, but no, he had to get his panties in a bunch. He eventually cut the bands some slack only because he realized everyone was against him, but he was a dick throughout the entire fucking night. When I showed up I had to argue with security to let me in since I was in one of the bands, while Bernie just stood behind him saying nothing for 5 minutes then reluctantly let me in...nice guy, after saying how grateful he was for our hardwork the last show we played for him. After we got off stage, I loaded my stuff back out in two trips. After the second trip, security wouldn't let me back in. I told him I was in a band and that he had seen me loading my stuff in and out. He proceeded to argue with me...what kind of fucking bullshit is that??? One of the fucking bands playing can't come and go as they please, ESPECIALLY when loading out? What kind of a way to run a venue is that shit? Still, Bernie was standing behind the guy for 5 minutes before telling him it was ok. After expressing my feelings towards the situation and how fucked up it was that he could be such a nice guy when we're giving him money not-so-hard-earned for him, then turn around and be the biggest dick ever to try hiding the fact that it was HIS mistake for not bringing in all the money he needed, this fucking idiot says, "You'll never find a show in New England again." I don't know if this is more hilarious than it is fucking pathetic. Bernie and New England Concerts are far from a local concert monopolizer and I haven't got shit to worry about.

The way that Bernie does business is completely ass backwards. As a promoter, this douche factory should already have the tour guarantee in pocket before the show even fucking starts. If you can't deal with the fact that you'll lose money most of the time, you shouldn't be a promoter for UNDERGROUND METAL MUSIC!!!!!! If a band's guarantee is too much for you to handle, fucking bargain with them. If a band asks for $1000 and you think they can't draw that much in whatever area you're booking them in, you talk them down and then the 2 parties eventually come to a reasonable price or that band just doesn't work with the promoter, it's as simple as that. Bernie is doing a huge injustice to underground music trying to capitalize on something that is more about passion and pastime than it is about business and making money. Make bands sell 75 tickets at $20 a pop to play with The Misfits...don't force 6 or 7, sometimes even more, local bands sell 50 tickets each to see an underground metal band, no matter how "popular" they are. I'm sure Mark's can't even hold as many people as there are tickets to be sold for most shows. Some people may say it's smart business, but it's not smart business when everyone in the fucking world is going to eventually hate you and refuse to do business with you.

Anyone that is blind to this shit needs to wake the fuck up and realize that just because it looks like you're getting treated well and being given the opportunity to play with huge touring bands and sometimes your idols, it doesn't mean that there are more people/bands/businesses suffering from how fucking retarded this sort of business is. I don't give a fuck what anyone has to say to oppose me, because you're fucking wrong. It's not about supporting the bands, it's about making fucking money. It may be about supporting the bands to the locals and to the fans, but not to the person you're shelling out more money than you need to, and that's the fucking problem.