10 Questions w/ Ryan The Terrible, an interview by Jeff Rowe
Ryan “The Terrible” Agate
Ryan is not only and old friend of ours that we love dearly, he is also one of the most integral parts of the Boston music scene. And to be honest, that still kind of sells his importance short. You would be hard pressed to find a local band, or a national touring act, that has’t played a show that RTT booked. He books the world famous O’Brien’s Pub in Allston, as well as having his hand in myriad other venues when OB’s is booked or not a good fit. To say that we wouldn’t have this label without the likes of RTT, would be putting it lightly. It’s people like RTT, with the true generosity and passion for music, that make our world much kinder for the arts and for those willing to put themselves—their music—their poetry—their art out there.
-Jeff, SIR
1.) How did you become a show promoter?
Ahh what a twisted tale…Well, it started when I was in high school in a pretty bad band that no one wanted to book, so we started booking shows just to get to play/trade for more shows, which was fine, and after the band broke up I just noticed a lot of the shows I liked to see weren't happening as often as I'd like so I just started booking my friends bands/bands I liked to have a good time and then it just uh… it just kept happening and bands would ask me for shows and well here we are today!
2.) What do you feel is the most valuable facet of having a local music scene?
I think meeting all kinds of folks from all walks of life really opens your world up, which is something I find is missing from people who aren’t involved in the local scene. Its a tough one, but I generally meet thousands of people a year and from all over the world, so it exposes you to things just outside of your little world. And getting involved in the local scene, well, yeah kinda the same? I dunno if this is really what you are looking for but it like gets you out of your own game for a little bit and has to make you think collectively.
3.) If you could, describe what local and national music looks like post covid—in your opinion. What aspects do you think will be fundamentally different?
Oh shit, I think it's gonna be a fucking mess but that can kinda be exciting? I hope we don't lose all our venues, I hope bands don't just give up but I think it's gonna be a lot more starting from scratch and big bands at big venues, and the middle is going to have to fight really hard to find homes for their spaces. A lot of people write off the small/midsize venues but I think we're going to find out how important they are.
4.) What is the most memorable show you've been a part of booking and promoting?
Oh jeez this could go a variety of ways, from one of the first shows I booked at a church in Nashua, NH where the folks there saw all us spiky punks coming and locked the doors and didn't allow us to have the show (which was also a canned food drive remember those? They'll be coming back) and having to find a random party in the woods to throw the show or randomly asking the Marked Men to fly to Boston to play a show just because I wanted to see them and them agreeing to it, or the time I booked Matt & Adam to open for Sundowner and everyone was talking during their set until Adam started singing Blacked Out & Blue and the room went silent, to just sitting at the bar with you Joey and Mikey after a show, who cares about the show in some of these situations its about the connection we make you get it?
5.) What local band have most of us never heard of that blows your mind?
Ugh too many to name probably but Hyber and Allison & Moon are two that I'm pretty into that I don't think have gotten out there in huge ways yet that probably should.
6.) Ok, so covid has been eradicated and you get the green light to book a show... it's a four band bill... who are you booking?
Fuck! OK. 1st 3 band bill, 2nd probably Save Ends, Me In Capris, Choke Up would be a bill that would be a dream but there are so so so so so many bands/acts I'd love to put together, and maybe throw on a spoken word act in there too.
7.) What is the wildest thing you've seen happen at a show that you booked and promoted?
I mean...maybe that kid puking up a whole fresh meal of Chinese food all over OB's the second that Big Eyes started playing? I mean I am sure there are more exciting things or like "wild" things that have happened but that you know sticks out. Shit, also maybe the early 00s are a bit fuzzy but there were some wacky basement shows in there that probably had some real wild moments that are better off lost in the ether.
8.) What would you say to young folks that are passionate about music and want to do what you do?
Just keep doing it, don't listen to people who don't support it, find a home for what you are doing if it makes you happy. Making music doesn't have to be financially rewarding regardless of what some parents say, its about enriching souls not bank accounts. It'd be nice if it was valued more for what it was and treated less like a commodity, but you can really make anything you want successful if you give a fuck about it. AND now with more tools to create than there were, everyone who wants to make music just should.
9.) Being a parent now, what role does music play in that relationship?
It’s probably more important now than ever as it's what gets this kid going, he wakes up we sing, he goes to bed we're singing, he is learning to dance from watching me which if you've been to a show where I am up front its probably gonna get him some funny looks when he gets older but its opening his world to new sounds and what gets him excited as well as what I like. Lots of Wheels On The Bus but he also LOVES ska so we got that.
10.) Lastly, what has been your go to music through the pandemic?
Oh, well I've rekindled my love of 90s anarcho-punk so on top of the Public Enemy/Propaghandi that constantly lives in rotation, I’ve added in Human Investment, Aus Rotten, Behind Enemy Lines (all have the same singer huh?) and like added Discharge to the mix as well so yeah definitely testing the limits of my wife’s patience lately.