Bands crawl Downtown to promote metal scene

by Estaban Sena

Daily Lobo

The Spring and Fall Crawls have spawned an evil creation.

Albuquerque will host the Route 666 Halloween Crawl today.

The event features about 20 Downtown venues, including Atomic Cantina, Burt's Tiki Lounge and Knockouts.

Bands such as Anesthesia, Five Minute Sin and Unit 7 Drain are scheduled to play.

Vocalist Jake Pacheco, of Anesthesia, said the city should have more crawls to promote the local rock scene.

"It's great they put on crawls," Pacheco said. "But it's the only time they recognize the rock and metal scene."

Pacheco said Albuquerque seems to support only cultural music.

"They have the cultural stuff like Spanish and Navajo music, which is great," he said, "but they need to realize there is another scene going on as well."

Vocalist Steve Beneath, of the Ground Beneath, said the city shouldn't sponsor events, but local businesses should.

"If the city gets involved, things will get totally screwed up," he said. "But if local venues want to put on a crawl, I say

hell yeah."

Pacheco said the more exposure the local music scene gets, the better it is for the bands and Albuquerque.

"Those that are able to promote it should," he said. "Look at Austin. Everyone knows the kind of music scene it has because people promote it and host all kinds of events."

Crawl venues help people find new music and show the camaraderie of the local music scene, Pacheco said.

"It's cool to walk down the street and see your friends playing at one venue," he said. "Then walk back and take the stage and see other friends in the crowd."

Route 666

Halloween Crawl

Oct. 31

8 p.m. - midnight

$5 entry fee