Playing Shows With Past Acquaintances

[BryanM]

My band was offered an opening gig with a local band for a few weeks down the line through a former co-worker. I tentatively accepted pending the rest of the band being free and have no qualms about doing so, but one of the members of the former co-worker's band is a guy with whom I used to fight incessantly back in middle and high school. I'm talking broken nose, blood on the gym floor kind of fights. Last I saw him we weren't necessarily on bad terms, just had grown to run in different circles but I'm wondering if unresolved bad blood could make doing this show troublesome. I harbor no resentment towards him and I doubt I've crossed his mind in years but I'm still cautious. Any opinions?

[coffin blurt]

Do the show. If anything goes and he hits you beat him to ****.

[nukes_da_bass]

Keep your eye on him and at the HINT of any aggression on his part sucker punch him into tomorrow- bring a Chinese instrument if you need to really knock his lights out...
J/K!
Most of these childhood rivalries people grow out of- I can't think of one person I used to feud with that I'd worry would actually come to fisticuffs.
Adults settle these things over coffee and worst case scenario, assault is a criminal charge and we have police and a judicial system-I haven't thought like a punk since I was in my mid 20s.

Is the guy that worrisome? You both grew up right and avoided major jail time and other issues? Be the first to buy him a beer and dont worry about it.

[dra6n]

I would approach him in a professional manner and let him know where you two stand. let him know there is no bad blood between you anymore as you have both grown and matured as adults. assure him there is no tension and remind him its just about having fun thats what you are there for.

[Plays_For_Dog]

+1 to just talk to him. Lay it all out on the table and let him know you're past it. Share with him you are there to do a show and to provide entertainment to the crowd. I'm sure he will probably feel the same way. You don't have to be his friend, but you are going to have to share a stage with him. After you have made peace, avoid him. Not in a hostile way, just keep to your crowd and make no effort to join his. Also, don't get drunk and leave after your set if he is.

[Smokin' Toaster]

Buy him a beer and have a laugh about when you both were young and dumb and used to fight. Tell him that you’re glad you’ve both come to this point in your lives where you can share a gig, a beer, and a laugh. See what happens; keep vigilant if you feel necessary. You may be pleasantly surprised.

[Tampabass]

could turn out that you'll become pals. stranger things have happened.

[jnuts1]

i am friends with a guy i had gotten in a fights with. so it should be cool. but there are definitly guys that no matter how long has passed i know they are still A-holes but i really don't care so they can continue to be A-holes if that is what they want to do. as long as it is not directed at me.

[Phalex]

He doesn't remember any of it. If he does remember it, he remembers it totally different than you do.

The thing that surprised me most about Face Book, was the sheer number of mortal enemies that wanted to be my friend. Sure it's been like 35 years or something since I've seen them, but I don't know that douchiness has an expiration date....

[tangentmusic]

Originally Posted by Smokin' Toaster

Buy him a beer and have a laugh about when you both were young and dumb and used to fight. Tell him that you’re glad you’ve both come to this point in your lives where you can share a gig, a beer, and a laugh. See what happens; keep vigilant if you feel necessary. You may be pleasantly surprised.

+ 1
My sentiments exactly

[Steveaux]

Originally Posted by Smokin' Toaster

Buy him a beer and have a laugh about when you both were young and dumb and used to fight. Tell him that you’re glad you’ve both come to this point in your lives where you can share a gig, a beer, and a laugh. See what happens; keep vigilant if you feel necessary. You may be pleasantly surprised.

^^ This. ^^

Excellent advice.

[dra6n]

yeah you never know, you guys might end up friends in the future.. It happens!

[lindseyp]

Originally Posted by BryanM

... Last I saw him we weren't necessarily on bad terms, just had grown to run in different circles but I'm wondering if unresolved bad blood could make doing this show troublesome.

Reads like he's living his life. Why waste oxygen concerning yourself?

Originally Posted by BryanM

I harbor no resentment towards him and I doubt I've crossed his mind in years but I'm still cautious. Any opinions?

So what you're really saying is you have unresolved issues. Would you be upset if he doesn't give a snot either way? I have found that some people actually get MORE upset when they realize their nemesis doesn't even remember the issues.