Portland deserves some of the credit here. My record label attended the 1998 NXNW (at considerable expense) and was made to feel unwelcome, perhaps because we operate outside of the grunge clique. Willamette Week wouldn't even display our entry in the poster exhibition. A 4' x 3' glossy, 3D computer-generated poster for an Internet concert was called "inappropriate." But throw some cliche ink-spatter on legal paper and you're in. What a joke. Ours was a stunning example of indie ingenuity and DIY spirit. What would it have hurt to show it? Clearly, Portland wanted our money but didn't want our input.