#1645915 - 05/22/05 02:28 AM
The Gig That Wasn't
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Jeff Klopmeyer
10k Club
Registered: 10/13/00
Posts: 16810
Loc: Redondo Beach,CA,UNITED STATES
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Grrrrr. 
We got to our gig tonight, and at the hotel club we were playing at, there was a party going on in the banquet room across the lobby. It was a 50th wedding anniversary, and they had a 12-piece Tejano band playing loudly, with horns, keys, several vocalists and so on.
There's no seperation of these areas, other than the registration desk area in the middle. Sound bleeds through in both directions quite loudly.
So, we were set up by 8:00 and scheduled to start at 9:00, but the party in the other room showed no signs of slowing. We asked a bartender what the deal was, and he didn't know. There's no way we can start rocking... it would have really screwed up this party with probably 150 family members there, so we would have been the assholes.
So we sit around and wait. Finally, at 10:00, they get the entertainment manager there, and she apologizes to us, and than says that if we want to wait until midnight to START, we could play until 1:00 as usual.
Well, we laughed at that, told her to write us our check, and we tore down and left. So much for our grand finale at the hotel.
Sure, we got paid, and it was the hotel's fault for double-booking events that were incompatible. But after you mentally prepare for a gig and set up all your shit, what do you want to do? You want to play, and it's a bummer not doing so.
- Jeff
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#1645916 - 05/22/05 04:27 AM
Re: The Gig That Wasn't
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nursers
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Registered: 03/31/01
Posts: 10141
Loc: Australia
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Yep - that's a shit. The time it takes to set-up, you want a payoff beyond money.
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#1645917 - 05/25/05 04:44 PM
Re: The Gig That Wasn't
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jimb213
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Registered: 03/07/05
Posts: 56
Loc: austin
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Had 2 similar situations. One was back in highschool. The club we were set to play at was shut down when we showed up. There was a notice on the door that it was closed by the health inspector. That's always a comforting sign.
The other one was within the last year. The club manager cancelled a show the day of, 'cause one of the bands cancelled. So we roll up with our gear, and the door guy tells us nothing's happening. nice.
at least you got some money (but at least I didn't have to set up then get shut down!)
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#1645918 - 05/25/05 06:44 PM
Re: The Gig That Wasn't
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Jeff Klopmeyer
10k Club
Registered: 10/13/00
Posts: 16810
Loc: Redondo Beach,CA,UNITED STATES
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Yup, it sucked. Plus, we already knew it was the last time we were playing the hotel, so instead of going out with a bang, we went out with a whimper. Actually, not even a whimper... the only sound we made was me tuning the guitars. We didn't even get to sound check.
- Jeff
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#1645919 - 05/26/05 12:29 PM
Re: The Gig That Wasn't
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freelance
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Registered: 03/18/02
Posts: 349
Loc: Oh, I forgot?
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I think I've had a "gig that wasn't" maybe 4 times over the years (with about 4,000 gigs that's not too bad). But, each time it was a let down.
Normally, I find that sitting at home getting ready for the gig (shower, shave, load the truck, etc) I'm often not in the mood. However, as I drive to the gig, listening to tunes, going over new material in my head etc. I start to get pumped. By the time I pull up to the club I'm ready to go.
I'm sure given that it was your last gig there you really wanted to make a statement, rather than waiting for nothing. I feel your pain!
Oh well - another story to tell in the future!
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#1645920 - 05/26/05 03:30 PM
Re: The Gig That Wasn't
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Botch.
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 08/17/00
Posts: 8149
Loc: Ogden, Utard
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Did something similar but different. Drove 45 minutes south of Dayton Ohio to set up in a club we'd been doing quite a bit. I was the first one there; unloaded, set my stuff up, ordered a beer, and still no one else there. Then some guys come waltzing in the door carrying PA and instruments, I looked at them, they looked at me, and just then the bartender yells, "Botch! Phone!"
"Botch, this is Bear"
"Hey Bear, where the heck are you guys?!"
"Did the drummer call you and tell you the gig was double-booked, but that we did get a replacement gig in Carlisle?"
"No."
"Obviously. We're set up now in Carlisle, and start at 9:30"
"I'll get there as soon as I can!"
panic. I rush to tear my stuff down and the other band was admiring my pedal steel, fiddle, and shiny new DX-7, and said, "Hey, why don't you sit in with us tonight?"
"Well, better not, my band's waiting for me in Carlisle (another 20 minutes down the road)."
I actually got there and set up in time to play at 9:30, but I couldn't get settled down til about the third set. Setting up/tearing down twice for one gig is no fun. 
_________________________
Botch "Eccentric language often is symptomatic of peculiar thinking" - George Will http://www.puddlestone.net
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#1645921 - 05/27/05 12:38 PM
Re: The Gig That Wasn't
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freelance
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Registered: 03/18/02
Posts: 349
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Botch, Great story!.
I once set up (drums)in the wrong room at a hotel that had 4 different party rooms (the leader told me the wrong room - 1st time I ever subbed for that band). Much like you, I'm all set up when the band walks in (not the band that hired me). They were surprised to see me - and when we all realized I was in the wrong room they got a good laught at my expense. I had to check with the hotel to figure out what room I should be in, load my gear out, drive around to the other side of the hotel and set up. Like you, I got it done in time, but was pretty wired going in to the 1st set.
I also got a call once to sub. I loaded the car and drove about 1/2 hour to the gig. When I got there the guy I was subbing for was there already loading in. He had originally told the guitar player he couldn't do the gig - but then changed his mind (I made him pay me 50% of the pay).
Another time I got a call to sub and when I got there someone else was already setting up - it seems the leader was calling several people to get a sub, and offered it to two people (me and the other guy). The other guy was nice enough to offer to split the gig (each play a set or whatever)- but since this was only 15 minutes from my house I declind and went home (got some recording done at home that night).
I guess it's better then not getting any calls!
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#1645922 - 05/27/05 04:26 PM
Re: The Gig That Wasn't
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Jeff Klopmeyer
10k Club
Registered: 10/13/00
Posts: 16810
Loc: Redondo Beach,CA,UNITED STATES
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When I was about 17 in my high school band, we were going to play a daytime gig at a house party. One of the neighbors saw us pull up with our gear... long haired guys carrying Marshall stacks... and called the cops in ANTICIPATION of us being loud.
So, we set up, counted off the first song, and I hit my opening chord. At that VERY moment, the cop pulled into the driveway and hit his siren. They then came in and shut down the party, presumably for underage drinking.
Hee hee. I was PISSED!
- Jeff
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#1645923 - 05/27/05 10:16 PM
Re: The Gig That Wasn't
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Botch.
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 08/17/00
Posts: 8149
Loc: Ogden, Utard
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Originally posted by Jeff Da Weasel:
One of the neighbors saw us pull up with our gear... long haired guys carrying Marshall stacks... and called the cops in ANTICIPATION of us being loud.
- Jeff
_________________________
Botch "Eccentric language often is symptomatic of peculiar thinking" - George Will http://www.puddlestone.net
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