Revisiting the Gig from Hell

[jeffl]

We're playin' the venue Saturday where we encountered the drunk soundman last year. This year we told 'em we'll set up our own sound. This was the gig where one of our guitar players had to be restrained from goin' after the sound guy. Everybody's a little on edge gettin' ready for it. We haven't had any blowups since that one, but the memory's still a little fresh. We had two guys quit for about a month after that one. Our curmudgeonly guitar player wanted to run the board this time, but we made some excuse to keep him off it. He's plenty capable, but he turns into an asshole when he runs the sound, and starts orderin' everybody around & gettin' a little verbally abusive. We'll just pass on that one.

[ricochet]

Couple of years ago we went to see Billy Bob Thornton's band at the House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Soundman had to have been drunk. Worst professional sound I've ever heard. Band was great, but everything was muddled together in a mashup so you couldn't distinguish the instruments, and couldn't understand a thing Billy Bob sang.

[jeffl]

I'm surprised Billy Bob didn't charge the soundman.

[Buffalo_Bill]

I'm just an observer, but I think a band should bring it's own sound system and soundman for just these reasons, plus you don't want to pay to use a club's dubious system and help.
Bill

[stumblin]

Best of luck, Bubba. Stay cool
I guess I've had pretty good experiences of soundmen recently. The only problem I had this year was in January, when the guy couldn't understand why I wanted my 12 String to be played at an audible volume. Everything else he did was fine, even got my tricone miked up nicely, but seemed to lose interest when I produced a third guitar.

[jeffl]

There's always gonna be sound issues to some degree; our problem is that we have a couple guys with poor "conflict resolution" skills.

[jeffl]

The drunk soundman from last year showed up again! He had no memory of last year's fiasco. I guess he WAS really drunk last year. He offered his services to us again, lol! That's when I realized he had no recollection of the debacle. Of course we politely declined. It turned out to be a great night.. maybe our best played gig ever, which ain't sayin' much. We only play out 5-6 times/yr. Nonetheless, it was one of those hot, hot nights; and the sound was nearly perfect. I think we exorcised the demons from last year.

[somatter]

my first gig was a treat....but the tornado...Oh, that was thrilling!! Ha! Thanks for stopping by James...just listened to one of your collabs...Great stuff!!