Post #617960 by tikiyaki on Tue, Dec 20, 2011 10:30 AM

To answer the original question posted by Lucas, I'll direct this question directly to him : Lucas, you're a friend, great talent and contributor to the Tiki community, so don't take this as an attack.....BUT.....it is pretty ironic that YOU of all people ask this question....
WHY ?
The only time I ever see you at a Tiki Event is with a bass in your hands.
I rarely see you at a Tiki Event if you're not performing. You can't pose such a question without looking to yourself first. There are ALOT of Tiki Events here in SoCal....like Big Kahuna said, people like him travel far to be here in the hotbed of The Tiki Revival...Southern California. It amazes me that we always have people who travel far just to be at a Tikiyaki show.....people book trips around them, and other Tiki events too, but you LIVE HERE, and I never see you at an event unless you're playing.

So, unless you actively participate in the community, show up and support the tiki bars we have, and other artists who put their heart and soul into this thing, then you can't ask why the interest seems to be waning. Sorry, but I have to call you out on this.

As far as anything else goes. I think Big Tiki Dude's point of people just flat out being "Scared" because of the economy.....I think it's true. Let's face it, Tiki Collecting (whether it be mugs, painting, vintage etc) is a luxury hobby.No one actually NEEDS a vintage tiki mug in their house to survive....so if it comes down to that or feeding the kids....guess which one wins ?

Also, there are alot more events than in the past, and, let's face it....we Southern California people are spoiled...we can pick and choose....so it makes it tougher for the people who put on events to come up with something great. For me, this has always been a challenge for doing Tikiyaki Shows....keeping it different and interesting.
Sometimes I wish We could just have a weekly gig somewhere cool,and just play our music, but it wouldn't have the same excitement factor as doing one big show a few times a year.

Either way, if people are concerned about the popularity waning, bring your non-tiki friends to Don's, Bahooka, or The Tonga Hut, and introduce them to the experience of a great Tiki Bar....I brought a bunch of my Van geek buddies to the Tonga Hut last week and they loved the place. So, now, we'll probably meet up there again at some point.

Like alot of people on here say...."Support your local Tiki Bar" .

Words to live by

[ Edited by: tikiyaki 2011-12-20 10:31 ]