touring conditions

[kimstevens]

Hi Justin,

Am wondering if you wouldn't mind divulging what kind of accommodations you usually get on the road... understandably it would vary, but in general do you always get your own room, and if yes, when did that start? I've shared many many rooms while touring, and on the few occasions when I didn't have to share, it was pretty blissful. It's a hard thing to negotiate when something that you want is offered...in holding out for a perk like that you can lose the whole deal and come off as picky, while at the same time one doesn't want to sell oneself short, let alone be miserable for a couple of months.

[jmjbassplayer]

It's all dependent on the touring level and the budget. What I usually get on the road is my own room in anything from decent (Ima Robot tour) to very nice (Beck, NIN, Air) hotels. It started back in 1996 during my first year of Beck touring, and I'm very grateful and blessed to have never looked back.

But you can't necessarily demand your own room if the tour doesn't allow for it, or if you would be the only one. There are political ramifications to taking that kind of stand, which you would be wise to always try to measure in advance.

Best,
JMJ

JMJ

[TaySte_2000]

Maybe you could try really bad hygiene and have the other guys request you get your own room

[attackbass]

For the little time you actually spend in it I wouldn't even worry if it was your own room or if it was shared. I recently had a 5 star room to myself in germany courtesy of guitar hero and i slept and showered in it and that was the only time i was there!

After touring for years in a cold van and sleeping on some less than sanitary floors in peoples homes I'm now glad if the hotel is warm and there is a bed and somewhere to wash!

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by jmjbassplayer

It's all dependent on the touring level and the budget. What I usually get on the road is my own room in anything from decent (Ima Robot tour) to very nice (Beck, NIN, Air) hotels. It started back in 1996 during my first year of Beck touring, and I'm very grateful and blessed to have never looked back.

But you can't necessarily demand your own room if the tour doesn't allow for it, or if you would be the only one. There are political ramifications to taking that kind of stand, which you would be wise to always try to measure in advance.

speaking of which, a year and a half ago i lost a semi-regular gig i was doing for about 7 years by demanding my own room. i wasn't too upset about it until i found out that everyone else in our group (about 15 of us) got their own rooms except the 4 musicians. at that point i put my foot down. i got my own room...and never got a call again. it was worth it to not be treated 2nd class anymore. f 'em. i'm a grown-ass man!

i don't recommend taking a stand if you've got nothing else going on, though

[jmjbassplayer]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

i don't recommend taking a stand if you've got nothing else going on, though

You said it all RIGHT THERE.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by jmjbassplayer

You said it all RIGHT THERE.

had to learn that one the hard way, dude. that's one life lesson that stuck. not many do.

[lowfreq33]

I've never minded sharing a room. The trick to a successful "roomate" arrangement is to find the person with similar habits/tendencies as you and work it out to get the same room. So if you snore, find the other snorer, if you're a night owl, find the same, etc.

It also helps keep you on time for bus call if there's another person in the room to hear the alarm.

[rahul_2092]

When you guys travel by air, do you guys have a personal jet or travel business on a commercial flight? How many people are part of the crew & entourage? DO they travel with you?

[jmjbassplayer]

Commercial. Crew travels with sometimes, separate other times. Depends on the schedule. NIN has an entourage including all of us totaling somewhere around 25.

[rahul_2092]

Do you guys mainly travel by road or by air when touring? How comfy is the bus

[Eric Perry]

Cool thread. Thanks for the insight, Justin!