No fun - we just got bumped off the Black Eyed Peas tour.

Benjamin Strange · #1 02-11-2010, 09:55 AM

I post this in OT, because it clearly has nothing to do with music, but with money.

My band, Prototype (weareprototype.com, was invited to open for The Black Eyed Peas a few months ago, and were scheduled to start with them next month. We've been promoting this for months, booking shows in between stadium gigs, practicing our asses off, organizing, and building up necessary gear for the tour. This was to be our big break - and then the plug got pulled.

I don't know all the details, but here's what went down: we're signed to Keith Harris' (drummer, songwriter, and producer for the Peas) production label, and he requested to Will.I.Am and the rest of the Peas about getting us on board. They liked our band, and invited us on, and that should have been it. But then businessmen and promoters got involved - again, I don't know all the details, but the end result is that Ludacris BOUGHT himself onto the tour (for reportedly $100,000), and we got bumped. There was little that the Peas could do about it (not that I think they cared TOO much) - the promoter got some extra money in his pocket, and a promising young band was just had the biggest break in their career stolen from them.

The did offer us a consolation prize: a 5 minute set at the beginning of the shows in San Jose and Sacramento... BEFORE the doors opened. Umm... no thanks.

So we're back to square one... we lost all this time that we could have been booking shows, so we're set back by a few months. We're scrambling to fill the time, but it's going to be largely impossible to get any gigs until at least May. We're all pretty discouraged, and it's hard not to think of just throwing in the towel. We're not really sure how to proceed at this point. No fun.

MakiSupaStar · #2 02-11-2010, 09:59 AM

If there was a contract involved, then you might have a legal case here.

Relic · #3 02-11-2010, 10:00 AM

So sorry to hear that dude, really I am...

This is why I really just cannot stand the industry anymore. I've heard story after story just like this. Honestly, I don't even know how bands can "make it" anywhere anymore.

MakiSupaStar · #4 02-11-2010, 10:01 AM

Oh yeah, I forgot to say that I'm bummed for you.

**pacojas** · #5 02-11-2010, 10:02 AM

no contract to dispute?

Buslady7803 · #6 02-11-2010, 10:02 AM

That sucks!!! Yeah was there a contract??

Do keep on fighting for that break, keep practicing...and keep the dream alive. Don't let this crap get you guys down. There's always another chance.

Nikoubis · #7 02-11-2010, 10:03 AM

That's just horrible. Stories like that are why I'd personally prefer to play music just as a hobby and not even bother trying to make it big. I'm really sorry to hear that man.

Darkstrike · #8 02-11-2010, 10:04 AM

Sucks testicles...

RWP · #9 02-11-2010, 10:05 AM

^^^ Well said ^^^

hover · #10 02-11-2010, 10:07 AM

Oh come ON! What does Luda have to prove these days? That freaking stinks.

I truly hope there was a contract involved. I'm truly sorry to hear all this.

Benjamin Strange · #11 02-11-2010, 10:08 AM

I don't really know about the contract stuff. I wasn't involved on that end, so I don't know the details. Contract or no, it's not a battle that we can really fight: demanding to put back on the show or suing for damages would probably be counter-productive.

Mark Latimour · #12 02-11-2010, 10:11 AM

Tough break Ben.

I'm not really sure what could help. Maybe try hooking up with John Mayer for a short, well publicised fling and then having him make comments about your sexual appetite in a Playboy interview.

In all seriousness, I would wait until things cool down a bit and see if you can have a quiet word with the drummer about how you guys really lost out and that you don't bear any grudges, but could really do with a hand if there was anything he could do to help. He might be able to hook you up with another tour or help you in some other way. It doesn't sound like he's a douche.

Relic · #13 02-11-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjamin Strange

I don't really know about the contract stuff. I wasn't involved on that end, so I don't know the details. Contract or no, it's not a battle that we can really fight: demanding to put back on the show or suing for damages would probably be counter-productive.

The way that I see it, is that even if you were to use the contract to get put back onto the bill, you know full well that you would be screwed with every step of the way. There's so much of that sort of shite in the industry that it's not even funny.

Craigmartini · #14 02-11-2010, 10:11 AM

Man, I am sorry to hear that!

I have had plenty of rugs yanked out from under me too brother, I feel your pain.

Craig

MakiSupaStar · #15 02-11-2010, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjamin Strange

I don't really know about the contract stuff. I wasn't involved on that end, so I don't know the details. Contract or no, it's not a battle that we can really fight: demanding to put back on the show or suing for damages would probably be counter-productive.

I say you're wrong. You might not be put back on stage, BUT you could fight and win a case for breach of contract. These music execs, and promofos know that most likely a small band will just roll over and take it in the pooper. Also, how many times in your career has this happened before? It usually happens on a small scale, and these promofos are counting on that you'll just shrug your shoulders like a chumpy local band and take it like you have in the past. You have to stand up to these guys, so they don't do it to the next band. Don't just roll over.

EDIT: I'm talking about the promofos, not the drummer from B.E.P.

Smurf-o-Deth · #16 02-11-2010, 10:22 AM

I say we unleash a horde of rape goblins on the lot of 'em.

Lazylion · #17 02-11-2010, 10:22 AM

You got screwed this time, but...
The fact that you were considered at all for the tour is a very good sign. Shake it off, keep getting better, and keep trying to make stuff happen. Another opportunity just might come along. Don't give up.

Steve Clark · #18 02-11-2010, 10:25 AM

I agree with looking into the contract issues. At the very least learning more about contracts and process would be valuable. If there is a contract perhaps Mr Ludacris would want to drop another $100K as a settlement. I can't imagine what a massive let down like this must feel like.

superfunk47 · #19 02-11-2010, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smurf-o-Deth

I say we unleash a horde of rape goblins on the lot of 'em.

Teh sigxxorz.

FL Knifemaker · #20 02-11-2010, 10:30 AM

It would seem to me that if you had to put forth all that effort and expense, some sort of binding contract should have been in place. In any other business, if handled correctly something would have been in place to protect loss and reinforce commitment. Deals that large cannot be sealed on a handshake.

That said, it really sucks