Promoters risk profit to focus on music

"We're somewhat of an incubator," Wells said. "We provide a stage for a lot of up-and-coming bands."

But you can't spell Crowbar without "bar," and the venue often falls into the same patterns as most downtown watering holes: out-of-towners are rarely booked on weekends, and the bar's biweekly schedule of regular acts such as Velveeta and Green Eggs is almost never preempted by a touring act. Is there a synergy between Crowbar's infallible schedule and the bar's liquor sales?

"Oh yeah, definitely," Wells said. "I mean, Nickel Night with Velveeta, Giants of Science with half-priced everything. People definitely identify those two things together."

And, with so many nights booked months (if not years) in advance, there are fewer and fewer spots for out-of-town acts to fill.

State College promoter Ted Swanson knows this trouble all too well.

Though some venues in town may be interested in hosting live music, there's another aim that often takes priority.

"Most of these places are bars," Swanson said. "Their goal is selling alcohol, and that's where they make their money."

Zeno's, 100 W. College Ave., is one of few State College bars that still regularly hosts original acts. Manager Dave Staab, who books all of Zeno's music personally, understands the merits of the vertical booking system.

"It's certainly easier to book the same band every night and let it run," Staab said. "There's just a lot more at stake when you try to change things up."

Although there are certainly familiar acts with regular slots at Zeno's, Staab maintains a flexible schedule and continues to book original bands when he can. He says, like any businessperson, he's out to make a profit, but how he's made that profit differs quite a lot from most other State College managers in that he believes in the profitability of good music.

"You can sell 10 cent wings and $1.50 pitchers of Miller Lite, or you can have a good selection of drafts and good live music," he said.

Gabbard and Staab, both longtime veterans of State College business, differ in their viewpoints on the trouble with the town's music scene. Gabbard believes the current model is in place to optimize profits to the bars.

"Somebody finds a formula that works," Gabbard said. "There's a conservative element in how they pick the band, and in how much money they think they're gonna make."

But Staab maintains that no bar, even the music-friendly Zeno's, will book a show if they don't think anyone will show up.

"You just can't get away from the fact that, if the kids wanted it, it'd be here," Staab said. "I've been to other schools, and they've all got clubs that offer live music at least four nights a week, and they're packed. A school this size, with the amount of kids that are here, it's a shame that kind of thing doesn't get any support."

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It's been a struggle, but Van Fossan's Roustabout! has managed to survive within the conservative nature of the State College bar scene.

"You've gotta understand, I didn't ever have any expectations that it would be successful," he said. "It's not something I'm making money on, even still."