We Can't Let the Music Scene Die

What happened to being able to go hear local bands in your favorite bar minus the pretentiousness?  The Big Kahuna is extinct, and most of the other bars that provided a decent venue for bands to play have moved away from that scene.  So those of us music lovers who just want to rock out every once in a while are left with slim pickings or making the 30 minute + drive up to Philly.
On the plus side, Wilmington does have World Cafe Live at the Queen, a relatively new, two-in-one venue on Market Street where one can go to hear local bands and big names as well.  There's ample room, you can sit at a table and eat while listening to a band play and there's usually more than one event going on at a time.  You can play Quizzo on Monday nights or catch the 4W5 Blues Jam every Wednesday.  They've hosted the likes of The Pixies, George Clinton & the P-Funk Allstars, and the Bob Marley tribute band Spokey Speaky.  Not to mention Beer & Wine events, kid shows and you can book private parties.  I've only been once, but a few of my friends have played the stage there.  I'm thinking of catching Ozomatli on the 25th of October.
There's also Moodswing, which opened up last fall and is right down the street from my house.  It's in an unlikely location for a nightclub, but typically hosts a packed house every weekend.  I've been a few times when they've had live bands.  September 25th they hosted The Dirty Pearls (one of my favorite bands) and Bret Michaels.  (Yes, I was there.)  Moodswing is a good place for the beach bands to play during the off season.  I've seen Kristen & the Noise, Mr. Greengenes, Chorduroy and Love Seed Mama Jump there on Friday nights during the winter.  They offer all kinds of VIP packages and event specials, click the link for more info.
Okay, so there's Firestone Roasting House as well.  Situated right on the waterfront, the outside bar and seating is really nice.  But it's really only good in the summer.  If you don't mind huge crowds.  They typically have live bands on the weekends, the same ones that play Moodswing during the winter months.  Again, if you don't mind huge crowds.  Or anywhere from a $10 - $20 cover charge.  (I don't know how or why, but the head bouncer never takes my money anymore.  Maybe because my sister in law and I have frequented the place enough over the past year, or I inadvertently flirt with him and he likes it?)  It's always a mixed crowd which is nice as opposed to the monotony that is prevalent in a lot of other places.  Great food too, by the way.  You can go for dinner and stay for the music.  Try the pizza - it's out of this world.

That's three venues that are still making an effort to keep the music scene alive.  There used to be so many more.  The fact that there's people out there who play music for fun and do it well should be celebrated and promoted as much as possible and I know I'm not the only one who feels this way.  I also know it could be so much worse and I could live in a town where there's...nothing.  For now I will be satisfied with catching a decent live band every once in a while, or making that trek up to Philly when the mood strikes me.