Outdoor venue, great PA, big stage, no covering on stage; open to the elements.
Its the 80’s. Our keyboard players are running Roland and Oberheim gear.
I’m running a hybrid: acoustic snare, Paiste cymbals, Pearl DRX 1 Analog Drum Kit with an Emulator sample package for the kick drum, and Roland 707 Drum Machine.
We carried our own monitor system because most venues at that time were not set up for all the electronics and our stage reinforcement needs. Lots of sequencing, arpeggiation and digital delay timing.
Half way through the show the sky opens up and drenches us. The sickening feeling of pouring water out of the Pearl Drum Pads and watching one of the keyboard players drain water from his OB-8. I can’t even imagine how the sound company felt.
Total garbage and crap. Shame on the promoter for lack of attention to detail; shame on us for taking the gig. Stupidity.
Fast forward 17 years. Outdoor festival in the desert, middle of August. I’m playing a Roland TD-10 kit, the keyboard player is using Yamaha and Korg gear. One hundred and six degrees on stage, no canvas or protection over the stage, open to the elements. Our LCD displays turn to liquid, not able to read programs. My rubber cymbals melt. Total garbage and crap. Shame on the promoter; shame on us for taking the gig. My Mama always said, “Stupid is as stupid does.”
Keep your eyes open. It’s not always about the next gig.
Can we help you in anyway?
2 responses to “Bad Gig”
Loved this one. Did I really say that?
You’ll hear it said by wise dominoes players, “All money ain’t good money.” Meaning, that 10 points you just scored could be creating 40 more for the next player. Keep this in mind as you make your move!
You give wise advise here. The gig may sound great, exciting even. But, stop, slow down, check it out and make sure you don’t get drowned or burned by your own excitement and impatience… or even worse, apathy about details.