Professional musicians and their techs

[Leftybass12]

I just a have a simple question about professional musicians, meaning guitarist, bassists, drummers, ect. and their techs. Why is that after tours many pro musicians have a different tech for each tour? Meaning after the musicians make an album they tour, then the go back in the studio and make another album and tour again, but they have a different tech. Why do they do this???

[T-Bird]

Hi.

As I haven't been a tech for anyone or having had a tech myself, this is sheer speculation.

Techs don't get paid extremely well and therefore they have to work when they can. That means that they can't adjust their working schedule according to the tumbleweeds, eh musicians, when they are on their insprational stage or what ever .

Also the techs are pros, so a pro is a pro no matter what the work. They're all good, some exellent and even the last one in the phone book will get the job done, well.

When the next tour hits, one of them is bound to be available, and that's not necessarily the same as the one year before.

Like said, sheer speculation, someone more knowlegeable about the subject will chime in I'm sure.

Regards
Sam

[Hoover]

Every tech I've ever met was a freelancer. They go where the work is. Band comes off tour, now the tech's out of a job; he looks for his next gig, and maybe it doesn't coincide with the scheduling of the previous band's subsequent return to touring. That's the nature of freelancing.

I suppose there might be some bands at the extreme top of the revenue pile who can afford to keep their instrument technician on a retainer year round...but I'll bet that's a pretty short list.

[Dirk Diggler]

I have a good friend that is a tech for many major acts, and indeed you hit the nail on the head, it is a freelancing career. However a really good tech that is appreciated by the band will usually retain their position. He will work let's say on a year long tour, when that's done he usually has several people contacting him while he's on the road to go with the next group. Like I said when the word gets out that you know your job, do it well, it's a small enough professional world that the work just falls in place.
Also the bigger bands tend to hold onto techs since they have money to keep them. Also another consideration is the musicians they work for, there are many acts that would be like a living hell to be forced to listen to their music night after night.
For instance the last group he was working for, if it were me, I wouldn't take a million a year to listen to that for a year. I give him lot's of credit. But after all it is just another job.
Dirk

[Fergie Fulton]

Pretty much as has been said but also the PA/backline company will supply techs to look after what is essentially their equipment.
Any good tech in that situation takes pride in looking after their player and will do a bit more for you if you ask, and in return, in my situation i look after them..during the tour and after the tour. If i am playing and their not on that tour and want to come, stage passes are there for there friends/partners.
Look after those who look after you.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...deoid=61919449

[Leftybass12]

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

I have a good friend that is a tech for many major acts, and indeed you hit the nail on the head, it is a freelancing career. However a really good tech that is appreciated by the band will usually retain their position. He will work let's say on a year long tour, when that's done he usually has several people contacting him while he's on the road to go with the next group. Like I said when the word gets out that you know your job, do it well, it's a small enough professional world that the work just falls in place.
Also the bigger bands tend to hold onto techs since they have money to keep them. Also another consideration is the musicians they work for, there are many acts that would be like a living hell to be forced to listen to their music night after night.
For instance the last group he was working for, if it were me, I wouldn't take a million a year to listen to that for a year. I give him lot's of credit. But after all it is just another job.
Dirk

That does make a lot of sense. Which band did your friend do tech work for?