Jenny Dee disses Rumble for one-off gig in Gloucester

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55 Comments

• Jen D'Angora said:

  Hey Mr. Marotta - any good reporter would check his facts before running a story. And yours are wrong. We are available to chat anytime. You obviously CAN make this shit up.

  April 13, 2011 3:08 PM

• Jen D'Angora said:

  Hey Mr. Marotta - any good reporter would check his facts before running a story. And yours are wrong. We are available to chat anytime. You obviously CAN make this shit up.

  April 13, 2011 3:08 PM

• BabaoREALLY said:

  Why are you dissing a band who is actually HONORING a contract? How many times will a band be a no-show because they get a better paying gig or more exposure at another venue?  Plenty! So I say Kudos to Jenny Dee for doing the respectable thing and believe they will get more gigs/exposure by this press vs the past winners of the Rumble.

  April 13, 2011 3:17 PM

• Goo said:

  Pretty douche-y spin on this, Marotta. The good news is, they'll get more exposure from this silly drama than if they were to play the Rumble.

  April 13, 2011 3:31 PM

• GoldenLungs said:

  A performance being canceled due to a booking conflict? Unheard of.

  Seriously, I couldn't agree more with Babao.

  April 13, 2011 3:35 PM

• MARSMAN said:

  Having a band honor a contract is the most admirable thing a band can do. I have booked shows in this town for a few years and I cannot tell you how many times bands have disrespected the clubs and their business by pulling out of shows last minute. Jenny Dee and band should be commended on their professionalism and not have a piss take on their behalf by a paper that makes good revue selling ads to rock clubs struggling to stay in business. What they did is standup and quality to Captian Carlos what Michael Marotta is doing here to Jenny Dee is NOT

  April 13, 2011 3:44 PM

• Ryan said:

  O-Snap! I was completely looking forward to the Jenny Dee / John Powhida matchup. As noted above, Old Jack are more than worthy and could end up winning the whole thing. Any cannons to fire over the bow of the ship, John Powhida International Airport? What a turn of events!

  April 13, 2011 3:50 PM

• WeaklySuD said:

  NO need to diss the rumble or the Dee! It just sucks that I can't see a night that opened with metal went to 60s pop then the crazy motherfucker Sickert & his toys and funky airport all on one bill!! But good for old jack! I'm still gunning for the crazies in the Toys  pure freaks! All these bands rock!

  April 13, 2011 4:27 PM

• dave said:

  Sometimes ya gotta "PULL OUT suddenly " or you end up with writers like Marotta .....

  April 13, 2011 4:30 PM

• Mike Howlett said:

  Wow- I find your sour grapes surprising. The band is showing integrity and you give them shit?! How about showing some respect to a local band who is very talented and respectful of prior commitments. The Phoenix still likes the local scene... right?

  April 13, 2011 5:13 PM

• Davidk said:

  Why would you take a shot at a band for Keeping a gig they had booked a long time ago , would it be better if they left the other place "hanging" ? .. sounds like the right thing to do is Honor a prior gig , also how many bands have claimed "if it was not for the Rumble, i would not be where i am" we know how it works in the end some wildcard get's in for the win at the last minute .... It's great the clubs are packed for a few weeks , but where are these local rock "fans" the rest of the year ? .... You want them in the Rumble , Let them play the Thursday , that simple .

  April 13, 2011 5:43 PM

• TeenageWhat?!land said:

  Its called "double-booking" and , although not a mortal sin, there is nothing honorable or professional about it. They knew this might happen and took a chance anyway, they knew they were risking any fallout this may have caused. "...The Rumble decided they could not accommodate Jenny Dee..." why should a 32 year old competition with 23 other-bands change anything to accommodate one band? Like I said, these are good people, they just took a chance and it didn't pan-out. The biggest loser here is the band that was 25th on the list.

  April 13, 2011 5:55 PM

• Ronan G said:

  Well said BabaoREALLY. Who wrote this crap? I heard from a band who were in the competition a few years ago that they were allowed to switch nights due to a scheduling conflict. Why not Jenny Dee? Tainted competition now cause one of the best bands will not be competing.

  And after reading this crap from the Phoenix, I will be putting it in the trash every time they deliver it to my bar.

  Your always welcome at Precinct Bar Jenny

  April 13, 2011 6:01 PM

• Michael J. Epstein said:

  Ronan, bands being allowed to switch nights during the semis would make no sense and would absolutely be bullshit.  I'd flip over that if it had happened. I doubt it ever has before as the band groupings are based on the prelim nights.  Someone may have switched a prelim night previously, but a semi?  I doubt it.

  April 13, 2011 6:19 PM

• Music is (supposed to be) good for you said:

  Wow. Way to bring down an honorable band and an entire city at the same time. Musta really stung that a cool band from the big city decided to play the booked gig instead of effing all of us and assuming from the beginning that they would even win the Rumble. Way to give more press to a band that's not playing in Boston  than you ever give to North Shore bands playing IN BOSTON. You. Are. So. Kewl.  

  April 13, 2011 6:37 PM

• Taylor Green said:

  Boycott the rumble and the beatch that runs it. I'ma go see Jenny Dee at Capt. Carlos instead!

  April 13, 2011 6:51 PM

• Michael Marotta said:

  I wrote this crap. And yes, it's "tainted" because one of the best bands decided to bail midway through.

  I think it's bullshit that Jenny Dee & the Deelinquents took the spot of another band in the Rumble prelims knowing full well they had a prior commitment for one of the semi-final nights. It was widely-speculated they would advance. The Rumble, I gather, did not grant their request to switch nights because if Jenny Dee won the whole thing, it would appear organizers facilitated their progress when, in fact, EVERY band participating was told to keep their schedule clear. End of the world? Certainly not. But why play the Rumble if you have other stuff going on?

  Ronan -- I enjoy your bar, and I wish you a great Deep Heaven Now festival this weekend. We'll continue to support that event and your other shows, even with our papers in the trash.

  April 13, 2011 6:51 PM

• Totally biased said:

  The strongest argument in this comment thread is Marotta pointing out that JD&D took one of 24 spots available to a pool of thousands of bands knowing they'd bail on the semis. But whatever, they're awesome and Oldjack is great, so if this is their decision I think we as an audience can do better than referring to Anngelle as a "beatch".

  Also, Precinct sucks. Shitty staff, shitty sound, and apparently one of their employees doesn't know the difference between "your" and "you're".

  April 13, 2011 7:42 PM

• Fred the Valet said:

  Why on earth couldn't the folks at the rumble just have Jenny Dee & Co play in Thursday's semi-finals so that they could honor their contract AND take part in the rumble?  Seems the best possible solution.

  April 13, 2011 7:47 PM

• April said:

  Well Congrats, Michael... because now Boston Phoenix can help to facilitate a band that didn't even earn their spot in the semi-finals.  I think it's bullshit that you talk with such disrespect to one our best local bands like that.  The Phoenix's Rumble isn't worthy of a talent like Jenny Dee, and you've just proven why.

  April 13, 2011 8:01 PM

• Kerri-Ann Richard, Apple Betty/Boston Band Crush said:

  Damned if you do Damned if you don't! No matter how this played out someone would have been pointing fingers saying CHEAT! LIAR! FIXED! JD&D had to back out RnRR stuck to the rules. Imagine, adults making decisions and sticking to them...SHOCKING!!!

  April 13, 2011 10:12 PM

• Everything's gonna be ok said:

  It was made clear to the bands participating in the Rumble that they needed to be available every night of the competition in order to take part. Many of the bands canceled gigs in order to comply with this, and I'm sure there are bands who wanted to participate but did not because they wanted to honor previous arrangements. That's fine, there's nothing wrong with that. I think that the main issue here for many people is that JD&Ds agreed to play in the Rumble knowing that they had another gig booked during the event. I like the band and I don't want them dragged through the mud or anything, but I think it's wrong to praise them for honoring previous commitments while letting them off the hook for double booking. In honoring one booking they dishonored the other.

  As far as the Rumble not allowing them to switch days - good. I wish they could play, but it would be unfair to the 23 bands who didn't mess up. The rules are the rules and were made clear from the beginning, to expect them to be changed for the benefit of one band is unreasonable.

  April 14, 2011 12:47 AM

• Confused said:

  Jen D'Angora said "Hey Mr. Marotta - any good reporter would check his facts before running a story. And yours are wrong."

  I'd like to know which facts are wrong here, if for no other reason than clarification. It seems to me that the posting says that Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents have a booking conflict and so they decided not to continue in the Rumble in favor of the other gig and that now Oldjack is taking their slot.

  April 14, 2011 12:59 AM

• Richard Mirsky said:

  Love Jenny Dee et al, but still waiting for a Dents reunion!!

  April 14, 2011 6:57 AM

• MattS said:

  I really don't see where all the hate against the phoenix is coming from here. Sure the post was snarky, but you guys are making it seem like the phoenix is hating on Jenny D, which I just can't see here. Nobody is holding it against the band for keeping their previously booked gig. The problem is this:  if they'd known about it for a year, they should've graciously declined a rumble slot due to a conflict, which TONS of bands would've gladly cleared their schedules for. That's the part that's not cool, not that they are "honoring their commitments". Jenny D & The D's are a great band, but it's not hard to see how they messed up here. Blaming the phoenix for expressing wild disbelief is really just shooting the messenger.

  April 14, 2011 7:24 AM

• Mantis said:

  As a TV Concert Series producer I understand the issues of artists over booking. Yes, knowing the winning would involve a conflict wasn't sensible and would make their endeavor pointless, they are, as Charlie Sheen would say, "WINNING"!

  April 14, 2011 8:30 AM

• Arturchin said:

  Michael,

  You obviously don't respect those who think about their actions and do the right thing. They honored a venue that supports them on a regular basis. I agree with what Jenny Dee said. Get your facts straight before you write bullshit about one of the best bands in Boston. You represent bad media. Good luck in life....

  April 14, 2011 8:58 AM

• boston5454 said:

  Kerri-Ann, you were overheard giving judges shit for not voting for Old Jack. You must be thrilled!

  April 14, 2011 9:01 AM

• huh? said:

  In response to Jenny D's first post: I'm trying to figure out which facts Marotta didn't check.

  April 14, 2011 9:09 AM

• Arturchin said:

  For the record, I did embellish the Jenny Dee quote. Just wanted to make sure she didn't get the blame for my words.

  April 14, 2011 9:22 AM

• Like to get stuff going said:

  I like to get stuff going.

  April 14, 2011 9:23 AM

• john powhida said:

  mr. marotta is an excellent writer. jenny dee and the boyz had to play by the same roolz as everyone else. lets fucking RUMBLE! enjoy the cleslaw up at capt carlos.

  April 14, 2011 9:25 AM

• mfkBoston said:

  sheesh, i hate to say it, but some of these comments remind me of teabaggers. Which facts did MM get wrong here? Everyone is saying "you didn't get your facts right"  or "you should've checked your facts".

  April 14, 2011 9:26 AM

• JesseAlanSherman said:

  I played in this year's RnRR. This is from the email my band recieved in January:

  "Please know that if you do agree to participate, band must clear its live schedule so as not play any Boston area shows for the 2 weeks leading up the Rumble - no local shows after Sunday, March 20th.

  Additionally, please make the band available for the entire 3 week duration of the Rumble in the event you go on to the finals."

  did you all read that?

  There is no "honor" in JD "fulfilling an obligation."

  She dishonored the Rumble when she took the gig and did not clear her schedule like the rest of us.

  Maybe not everyone cleared their schedules, who knows, but she got caught and had to make a decision. She chose the $$$, simple as that.

  My band gave up a Saturday night at Great Scott to play the rumble. Oh sure it's not as prestigious or lucrative as playing the opening of The new Long John Silver in Seekonk or what ever but the point is that we had that booked months in advance.

  Save all the bullshit about Jenny "doing the right/honorable thing"

  She isn't

  She is trying to have her cake and eat it too and now she wants everyone to tell her it's ok.

  It's not.

  April 14, 2011 10:53 AM

• cap'n geech said:

  i gotta say i'm siding with Jenny Dee and her gang here. It must have sucked for them to walk away from the opportunity of playing the rumble after advancing, but i would have done the same thing. a commitment is a commitment. this is a really shitty smear campaign here. you're giving the rumble a bad name.

  April 14, 2011 11:16 AM

• JesseAlanSherman said:

  January 16

  "Please know that if you do agree to participate, band must clear its live schedule so as not play any Boston area shows for the 2 weeks leading up the Rumble - no local shows after Sunday, March 20th.

  Additionally, please make the band available for the entire 3 week duration of the Rumble in the event you go on to the finals."

  April 14, 2011 11:29 AM

• Michael J. Epstein said:

  I have to say, I love JD+D and support them, both as a band and as people, but the facts do seem plainly presented here.  I don't see any misrepresentation, except in the comments.  "Honoring their commitment" would have been playing the Rumble show just as much as it is playing the Carlo's show.  How did both end up on the same night?  This I do not know. Did they expect they would be on Thursday in the semis?  Perhaps.  Were all of the bands told to keep every night of the Rumble open and told they were not allowed to participate if they could not do that? They were.  In the end, I think we all agree, it's not a huge deal.  We love JD+D and want to support them, but there needs to be accountability where accountability is due.  A lot of us involved in the Rumble are pretty bummed by this.  We take the whole thing very seriously, not so much as a competition, but as an institution. It's sad to us that someone didn't play by the rules and it does damage the integrity of the whole thing.  I am a firm believer that we all need to step up and take responsibility for our choices and actions in all situations.  They double booked and took a gamble that it would work out all right.  It happened not to.  Blaming Marotta for calling them out on it seems a little absurd to me.  Let's not demonize anyone, but being proud of them for "honoring a commitment" is kind of a laugh to me. Let's just respect them for being a great band and great people that had to make a tough decision after taking a gamble and let's just respect Marotta for doing his job reporting what is going on in the music scene.  

  April 14, 2011 12:15 PM

• Jonathan Donaldson said:

  I wrote an feature on Jenny Dee & the Delinquents last year.  Michael and the whole gang at the Phoenix were excited to give this band some coverage.  They rock!

  This blog post doesn't do much more than repost the band's public statement on their site, and call it controversial.  The writer then tells you what side of the controversy he stands on, which given the fact that the paper has been covering the entire event is sorta understandable.

  The idea that this situation is controversial is obvious considering the range of comments and opinions.  Writers often get accused of creating controversies, when it's pretty plain to see that the controversies do just fine existing on their own.  If nobody cared, then, well no one would care.  

  The question as far as I can see is this.  Is the Rumble a big deal, or is it not a big deal?  The Phoenix has been covering the shit out of the event this year, so in fairness, this posting does substantiate the idea that the Rumble is a big deal.  If it were looked at or ignored even by the writer as just a vanity project or a local-yokel battle o' the bands, would fans of local music be more up in arms?

  And lastly, no one EVER comments when the band in question isn't cool or popular.   :)

  April 14, 2011 12:43 PM

• Rumbler said:

  What is there to "make up"? Comment above clarifies all.

  Other bands had to cancel shows, so either keep your schedule wide open and participate in the Rumble, or choose not to. Simple as that. Whether or not the band simply forgot, or did in fact know, rules are rules, end of story. Not trying to be hostile, but there is wonderful tool called a "calendar" that helps keep track of your shows.

  Best of luck to all bands advancing in the semis!

  April 14, 2011 12:51 PM

• TheFacts said:

  I would like to reiterate Jesse's comment...

  January 16 (Email to all Rumble Bands)

  "Please know that if you do agree to participate, band must clear its live schedule so as not play any Boston area shows for the 2 weeks leading up the Rumble - no local shows after Sunday, March 20th.

  Additionally, please make the band available for the entire 3 week duration of the Rumble in the event you go on to the finals."

  April 14, 2011 1:14 PM

• Grumble said:

  Wait lets get this straight:  All working bands were supposed to clear their schedule in Boston for FIVE weeks in order to participate in the Rumble?  

  April 14, 2011 2:21 PM

• Ronan G said:

  Having worked with Jenny Dee many times, I was a little pissed off yesterday when I posted a comment about this article and pretty much took it out on The Phoenix. I was wrong to do so as my issues should be with the author (I still believe the article is a nasty, nasty piece about a great band) The Phoenix has been very supportive to local bands and establishments throughout the years, including Precinct. To anyone I may have offended at the Phoenix, I apologise. To Michael Mortta, I disagree with the way you wrote the article and treated the band, but look forward to reading future articles in the hope that they are a little more supportive of the hard work local musicians do

  April 14, 2011 2:52 PM

• Mumble said:

  @Grumble Yes, the bands are asked to clear their Boston shows for the Rumble, as it has been for years mostly to avoid things like this. If a band is unwilling to do that, they don't have to participate.

  And before anyone starts in with the Rumble hating working bands schtick, the bands are all paid for their performances. The Rumble works it out with the club so that each round the bands get a set fee, knowing that they are all working bands and their talent is valuable. I'm sure some of the bands that have posted on here can elaborate on that.

  April 14, 2011 3:28 PM

• Mister Jones said:

  Wow, What a bunch of gossipy bitches. It's so awesome to see so much togetherness in the music scene. Are you all people that never made a mistake or planned something poorly, OR ROLLED THE DICE and took a shot at something? At least you are able to band together to trash a colleague in the name of scene unity. Nothing more rock n roll than sitting around crying about rules and gossiping about your "friends." BTW, Epstein... cloaking your trashing of JDD by prefacing it with how great they are as people is completely transparent. By all accolunts, you're a good dude. I'd hope that if you were ever involved in some controversy that YOUR friends wouldn't jump in to MAKE SURE everyone knew that you were in the wrong.

  Those of you continuing to cry about this and say that it tarnishes the reputation of The Rumble are the ones bringing it down. Let it go, move on. You are not respecting Angelle of The Rumble by continuing to make this a bigger issue than it is.

  But what do I know? It's your scene....

  April 14, 2011 3:31 PM

• Rulez are Rulez said:

  Its a great article. I played in the Rumble as well, and although having to cancel/turn down shows sucked, it was all part of agreeing to participate in the Rumble. If my band pulled something like this, then what the hell, Marotta should call us out on it too.

  Not only did they disrespect all of the hard work that Anngelle & co have put into organizing the Rumble, they also disrespected the other 24 bands who had to sacrifice shows.

  April 14, 2011 3:45 PM

• Stumble said:

  A quote from above:

  Blaming Marotta for calling them out on it seems a little absurd to me.  Let's not demonize anyone, but being proud of them for "honoring a commitment" is kind of a laugh to me.

  ------------

  I don't think anyone is blaming Marotta for simply "calling them out". At least I don't. I do take some exception to the snarky accusatory tone, however. He could have simply reported the facts as he knew them without belittling the band in such a harsh way. Maybe there ARE some extenuating circumstances, and he probably should have at least spoken to someone in the band.

  That having been said - my take is roughly the same as Mr. Epstein's above, and I would love to hear a definitive response from the band other than their initial statement, which was probably meant to spin things the best possible way, and doesn't address the specifics of WHY they were double booked. Were they verbally assured beforehand that they wouldn't get slotted on that Friday? Who knows? Knowing that they are responsible veterans and pros makes me think there is something has not come to light beyond them taking a 50/50 gamble that they would be on the OTHER semifinal bill.

  April 14, 2011 4:26 PM

• Rulez are Rulez said:

  (continued)...and clearly I cant do math. 23 bands.  

  Kudos to Captain Carlo's for some bomb calamari though.

  April 14, 2011 5:15 PM

• JesseVonKenmore said:

  I've played the Rumble 4 times and can tell you from personal experience that Jesse Sherman and Micheal Epstien have this spot on correct. But allow me to put it another way .The Rumble is an institution that is  32 years old that includes of 24 bands a year. That equals 768 bands participating in it's history. Yet only one has ever pulled the jive-ass bullshit move that JD&TD just did. They won the battle of   behaving like the most self centered, arrogant and selfish jerks out of SEVEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY EIGHT FUCKING ROCK BANDS by a mile.That is a staggering accomplishment . Hell,  I can't even think of a close second in the entire history of the Rumble and I've been around for a good minute).Heavy  are the heads that wear that crown.

  April 14, 2011 10:19 PM

• JesseVonKenmore said:

  I've played the Rumble 4 times and can tell you from personal experience that Jesse Sherman and Micheal Epstien have this spot on correct. But allow me to put it another way .The Rumble is an institution that is  32 years old that includes of 24 bands a year. That equals 768 bands participating in it's history. Yet only one has ever pulled the jive-ass bullshit move that JD&TD just did. They won the battle of   behaving like the most self centered, arrogant and selfish jerks out of SEVEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY EIGHT FUCKING ROCK BANDS by a mile.That is a staggering accomplishment . Hell,  I can't even think of a close second in the entire history of the Rumble and I've been around for a good minute).Heavy  are the heads that wear that crown.

  April 14, 2011 10:19 PM

• Michael J. Epstein said:

  >cloaking your trashing of JDD by prefacing it >with how great they are as people is completely >transparent. By all accolunts, you're a good >dude. I'd hope that if you were ever involved in >some controversy that YOUR friends wouldn't jump >in to MAKE SURE everyone knew that you were in >the wrong.

  Thanks for the accusation. I joined in here only because I thought many of the comments showed a skewed understanding of the situation.  I added what I thought was useful. If you feel like that means I am attacking JD+D, I'm sorry to hear that.  My intent was to tell people attacking Marotta/The Phoenix that I think they are wrong in doing so.  

  I am glad to hear that someone thinks I am a good dude.  I am sure some agree with that and some disagree with it, but I don't feel bad about who I am or the choices I make.  I can't sit around worrying about what people think of me.  I'm busy doing something productive.

  I stand by what I said and I think that I have a right to point out facts to people that don't seem to know them.  I think, at the same time, I have a right to say I really like JD+D, both as people and musically.  If you disagree that I am allowed to do that, then so be it; we shall disagree.  No cloaking here.

  April 15, 2011 2:58 AM

• Roger Tylers said:

  Gloucester's music scene is blowing up. Get onboard Boston. Captain Carlos will be rocking harder than any bar in MA tonight.

  April 15, 2011 10:04 AM

• Mister Jones said:

  I'd like to withdraw my previous statement. I wrote that before the mighty JVK came down from the heavens and declared the issue over and JD&D arrogant jerks. Who am I to debate someone who has been in 4(!!!)Rumbles? Case FUCKING CLOSED!

  No seriously. JVK calling someone out for being  an arrogant jerk is like Barry Bonds calling out Manny Ramirez for cheating. You can't be serious, dude? You've been a cancer in every band you've been in since you started in the 1930's. You were the biggest douchebag in Rock n Roll BEFORE there was rock n roll. If there are 3 ex-bandmates of yours that don't talk shit about you then they must have laryngitis. You're a pretty awful person and to see you jump up to diss people who are actually GOOD people (whether they fucked this situation up or not) is ridiculous. You are a perfect example of what is wrong with this world. Rather than do something positive you'd rather tear down others that do shit.

  April 15, 2011 10:30 AM

• Mark said:

  You people need something better to get worked up about. Maybe being in a rock band isn't enough of a hobby for you. Try building a model airplane or something.

  April 15, 2011 12:28 PM

• basshead said:

  I am utterly shocked by the tone of so many of these comments. What did The Phoenix do besides report the truth? All the posters who claim The Phoenix got the facts wrong should list what the inaccuracies are.

  Every band who plays in the Rumble agrees to the rules. The only victims here are the Rumble, and most egregiously, the band that didn't get to play because Jenny agreed to play under, frankly, false pretenses.  The only truly snarky thing in that article was the lighthearted press release from Jenny and the Delinquents. I think it's very important to point out that in the very long history of The Rumble no one else has ever done this. I'm not saying J.D's &t D's are bad people or anything but this opportunity they have shown such total disregard for is one some other band would have killed for. I'm not overstating the importance of The Rumble, it's no springboard to stardom, but the organizers work their asses off to put it together and I can't see how Jenny's actions can be seen as anything other than a slap in the face.

  To the people getting upset about J.D. getting slagged and the band having their reputation dragged through the mud, this is what happens when people behave dishonorably, sometimes people you like screw up and do rotten things.

  April 15, 2011 12:52 PM

• AMazed said:

  Jenny Dee backed out of the Rumble, someone else took their place, and yet the sun still rose today! It's a miracle!!!!

  April 18, 2011 9:37 PM

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