Closure of the Ash Street Saloon is sad news indeed. They offered slots to new bands and supported the hard-working but not big enough for the Crystal bands. The PDX music scene has really suffered as developers continue to suck the life out of Portland.
Portlanders have always been free to band together to purchase these buildings if they want them for a specific purpose. Just because you were a long-time patron of a place doesn't give you any say in how it's run.
You want a space to give smaller bands a chance? Put together a business plan, find a location, get a bank loan, buy it, renovate, maintain, and operate it. Portland is only "selling out" because you never personally bought in.
You want a space to give smaller bands a chance? Put together a business plan, find a location, get a bank loan, buy it, renovate, maintain, and operate it. Portland is only "selling out" because you never personally bought in.