[Emergenza]

V.Interesting comments being made on the competition. i Must say I am most disappointed that the majority of participating bands did not call/email the office with their queries, but instead chose to slate us in a forum.

To clear up a few issues: All bands were told that they would receive £50 back for 50 tickets sold. Secrets We've Told sold a lot more and made £130 back on their tickets, i am sorry if this has disappointed you guys, but most bands would be delighted to make so much money for a 25 minute gig.

It is a £40 enrollment fee. Not pay to play! This fee covers the loss of unproffesional bands who do not turn up for gigs. For those who do turn up, what do you get for that? Sticks, strings, advertised on our site, admin. costs and money back on your ticket sales. May I also point out that this is a ONE OFF FEE and any band wishing to gig with Emergenza or enter this event again are welcomed FREE OF CHARGE.

"Emergenza keep the money" is another interesting point. Actually, the money goes towards paying for gigs at large venues such as Fat Sams, Carling Academy, London Astoria and hiring professional sound and stage personnel. It also goes towards flying our winning bands down to London, to Germany and eventually to the USA. Some is spent on all the tickets and posters the bands are issued. Some on the national advertising campaing in the NME and Kerrang. Some on the many visits I made to Dundee to meet with you all (although I am sorry some find the competition badly organised) and some to repair the laptop needed to keep an accurate account of band time slots and meeting dates which, for the record, had broken down, not lost.

As for the sticks and strings, they were given out at the gigs. If anyone would care to check our website, it does state quite clearly that the first 260 bands enrolled receive these, but as Dundee was the final city almost all bands received freebies.

The passes were made available at the very first Dundee heat...where's the problem here? One band came along to a heat in Glasgow before the Dundee heats started and were welcomed in and not charged.

As for sound/stage tech's claiming to know about the results of votes, they are paid to do their job and have absolutely no idea what the votes are on the night.

Supposedly we do not count the votes? What would be the point in that??? I am not tied to any band in Dundee, or anywhere else for that matter, so what reason would I have to 'fix' votes? Also, we do a hand count in front of EVERYONE so the votes cannot be fixed! This is a fair process as the crowd can vote as many bands as they please.

Winning bands are not decided upon ticket sales.

Example 1: DUNDEE, 3 tickets sold, through to the final.

Example 2: GLASGOW, Sound Development Agency, no tickets sold, through to the semi final.

Example 3: SOUTHAMPTON, Toupe, 2 tickets sold, won their Regional Final, won the UK final, played in front of 35,000 at the Taubertal Festival in Germany, with Emergenza.

If you are good enough you will win any crowd over regardless of how many tickets you sell.

I put one band through each night on the band vote. Why? As I want this to be a battle of the bands, not a battle of the fans. Now I am reading that this is out of order as it is not what I said at the first meeting?? What's your point here guys? These changes are made to make it a better competition, giving all bands a fair crack at the whip regardless of how many fans they bring!

Tickets were actually £6 on the door. We advertise £8 on door so fans will buy tickets from the bands...i.e. so the bands make money! The majority of bands who played Emergenza walked away with at least £50 in their pocket, something most organisations can't say.

We encourage bands to sell tickets. Why? Well our worst night saw bands playing to a crowd of 150 and our best night saw them play to a crowd of 350. Surely this in itself makes Emergenza a worthwhile gig.

All nights were 18+. All bands were told this at their initial meeting.

I hope that clears up everything but if not please feel free to contact the office directly with your queries.

It is most disappointing to see bands who took part (and have mentioned nothing at the meetings set up to cover any issues) are slating us. Especially as a few of you are through to the final.

On a lighter note, myself and the Emergenza team are very impressed with the quality of bands in Dundee and look forward to seeing you all again on the 17th at Fatties.