Pete Wentz Voices Opinion on Promoters Ordinance
Chicago has a music scene that is hard to rival — and that’s why discussion about a promoters’ ordinance sent some community members into FREAKOUT mode.
The purpose of the proposed law is supposedly to keep “problem venues” and “underground promoters” in check, but the comments in the Chicago Sun-Times blog suggest otherwise. Chicago Mayor Richard Daly tabled the ordinance for the time being, but not fast enough to slip by the ever-watchful eyes of Chicago boy Pete Wentz.
“I don’t even really understand all the intricate details of this ordinance or what needs to happen,” he said, “but I do understand that there are people who practice illegitimate business or dangerous business, and there has to be a way to regulate those people. But at the same time, you can’t penalize people who are creating a great counterculture and a great art culture and leave it so that they have nowhere else to go. … Kids are kids, and music is music — especially with punk rock or whatever—and they’re going to find a way to meet up with each other regardless of anything. That’s just gonna happen, because I went to shows in basements for five years of my life, and I know there were no permits on the basements!”
Um, Pete for Prez? Good lookin’ out, Wentz. Don’t let the man ruin the scene!
