Ever have this happen to you?

[oi_pride]

So my band decided to get it's feet wet after taking some time off to record our new album, we signed up for a battle of the bands.

First I know that battles are pretty much crap but we had that itch.

So we get to the club and we are informed that we would have to play the drums they had, even after I was told that there would be no backline. This pissed our drummer off as you might expect.

Then during a conversation with the sound guy he told me that if I wanted to use my rig I would have to turn down as low as possible or else it would ruin the mix. I told him not to mic my cabs and to run D.I. into the board.

Jump ahead to when we play.
We hit the stage, I set up, and I make sure my amp is turned down(as i am sure all of you know 1 is the lowest setting next to 0). The sound guy told me that 1 was way too loud and that I needed to turn my rig away from the drummer. "Ok" I said. Then after checking the mic I turn around and my whole rig is facing the wall with two mics stuck right up in front of it. FACING THE WALL.
Not only did he mic my cabs like I told him not to, but he turned my whole rig to the wall. So long story short, the bass sounded like dead distorted crap coming through the monitors and I couldn't even hear my bass over the drums.

Besides not hearing my bass, my cabs are painted and I painted them for a reason. You couldn't even see the fronts of them.

We lost by the way, but damn did we play like our lives depended on it and the crowd loved us. The judges hated us but it's the crowd that we cared about.

[Ric5]

Some sound men seem dedicated to producing the worst sound possible.

[pie_man_25]

the only battle of the bands I've ever played in was a few years ago and I was the drummer in the band. Given that my kit was literally falling apart, I was thrilled to be using a backline drum kit. Other than that, the show sucked.

[Lazylion]

I was in a country music BotB once that was sponsored by Marlboro. The Marlboro dude got all the various musicians together before the show and told us the rules. He specifically said to keep it country, and not to do any rock stuff "you know, like Hendrix or something".

The winning band's big showstopper tune?

A banjo-driven version of "Purple Haze".

[Smokin' Toaster]

battles are for armies, not bands.

Music is an exhibition, not a competition, please - no wagering.

And that, boys and girls, is why American Idol sucks and I won't watch it.

[the byronic man]

many battles have benefits that make them a MUST for younger groups, such as studio time or gift certificates for gear. these are things that many younger kids can't afford otherwise. they are incredibly useful for bands both young and old.

Originally Posted by Smokin' Toaster

battles are for armies, not bands.

Music is an exhibition, not a competition, please - no wagering.

And that, boys and girls, is why American Idol sucks and I won't watch it.

[ubersku]

Our story isn't quite that bad, but last summer were doing a show at the local outdoor venue. When we got there, the promoter decided to tell us then that there was an opening act and that we wouldn't go on for 90 minutes! Then, and this is the funny part, that first band wanted to use the our sound system that we just spent 90 minutes before that setting up. We said sure, $150! They paid!

[theundecidedone]

Some sound men seem dedicated to producing the worst sound possible.

sigh, too true. I let the guitarist I mix for turn it up, because they need to be in their comfort zone. when the guitarists are comfortable, everything else falls into place! (by guitarists I mean all of 'em, btw)