So I get a call from a guitarist whom I played bass for on his CD (never got paid) and he asked me to play his Promotion Release Party with the expectation of record company who's who and huge crowds being present along with a few other bands. I reluctantly agreed as It would be on my B'day, but it's a concert in the park and the cash would come in handy (yeah right). He also needed a drummer last minute so I call one of my buddies to fill in with the promise of pay.
Warning sign that things aren't all they seems:
1) He offered to pick me up and we'd ride to location together saying me gas money. Ok cool. So he shows up in a crappy van loaded with equipment and other band members, so I try to find a spot to sit.
2) After we head out he announces that we have to stop at a Home Depot to RENT A GENERATOR
3) After waiting 2 hours in the van for the generator which was supposed to be on hold for him we finally head to the venue
4) We arrive at the park and as I'm looking for the stage or bandstand the guiturd looks at me smiling and asks "where do you think would be the best place to set up?" Oh, and we're still in the parking area. :scowl:
The Gig!
5) So, I finally realize that I've been punked and we set up near the entrance to the park under some shaddy trees and all the while I'm cursing under my breath
6) My drummer shows up and with wife and two kids in tow expecting to have a nice day in the park watching daddy jam and getting paid. However, the look the drummer gives my was priceless as he too realized that this situation was screwed. But being the pro that he is decides to stick it out and enjoy the great outdoors
7) So we're finally set up and ready to play (for who, I still don't know) as the only people in the park are those having family reunion picnics and a whole bunch of wino's. More on that later.
8) Soon after setup his manager and agent drive up and they look just as shady and the only other people from his entourage were about two carloads. I'm pissed, Hot, Hungry, Thirsty and worst Stuck.
9) We finally start to jam some as I knew his material, but after about 45 mins of playing he ran out of ideas for songs a kept looking for me to come up with grooves. This went on for nearly three hours with break in between. Oh, did I mention I had my teen age son with me who was also Pissed, Hungry, Hot Thirsty and Stuck like dad. We were also told that there'd be food and beverages available as his "management team" would be grilling for the band. Never saw so much as a hot dog.
10) So, we continue to play and the local winos start taking a liking to the music so much so that one of them starts dancing and swaying right in front of me....like three feet in front of me.....for what seemed like an eternity. I can appreciate a fan but the smell of cheap alcohol and unwashed human flesh on a hot summer day in the park in close proximity is a bit too much.
FINALLY) The night is over, the horror show has ended, Happy B'Day to Me! Still Hot, Angry, Frustrated, Thirsty, Hungry and Pissed with son in tow and the guitard offers his thanks for saying his ass.
Final Payment for myself and Drummer = $$Life Lesson.00
Best thing that came out of the entire evening was the drummer and I really connected like never before and have done several well paying gigs. Well, that's my rant. Whats Yours???
Warning sign that things aren't all they seems:
1) He offered to pick me up and we'd ride to location together saying me gas money. Ok cool. So he shows up in a crappy van loaded with equipment and other band members, so I try to find a spot to sit.
2) After we head out he announces that we have to stop at a Home Depot to RENT A GENERATOR
3) After waiting 2 hours in the van for the generator which was supposed to be on hold for him we finally head to the venue
4) We arrive at the park and as I'm looking for the stage or bandstand the guiturd looks at me smiling and asks "where do you think would be the best place to set up?" Oh, and we're still in the parking area. :scowl:
The Gig!
5) So, I finally realize that I've been punked and we set up near the entrance to the park under some shaddy trees and all the while I'm cursing under my breath
6) My drummer shows up and with wife and two kids in tow expecting to have a nice day in the park watching daddy jam and getting paid. However, the look the drummer gives my was priceless as he too realized that this situation was screwed. But being the pro that he is decides to stick it out and enjoy the great outdoors
7) So we're finally set up and ready to play (for who, I still don't know) as the only people in the park are those having family reunion picnics and a whole bunch of wino's. More on that later.
8) Soon after setup his manager and agent drive up and they look just as shady and the only other people from his entourage were about two carloads. I'm pissed, Hot, Hungry, Thirsty and worst Stuck.
9) We finally start to jam some as I knew his material, but after about 45 mins of playing he ran out of ideas for songs a kept looking for me to come up with grooves. This went on for nearly three hours with break in between. Oh, did I mention I had my teen age son with me who was also Pissed, Hungry, Hot Thirsty and Stuck like dad. We were also told that there'd be food and beverages available as his "management team" would be grilling for the band. Never saw so much as a hot dog.
10) So, we continue to play and the local winos start taking a liking to the music so much so that one of them starts dancing and swaying right in front of me....like three feet in front of me.....for what seemed like an eternity. I can appreciate a fan but the smell of cheap alcohol and unwashed human flesh on a hot summer day in the park in close proximity is a bit too much.
FINALLY) The night is over, the horror show has ended, Happy B'Day to Me! Still Hot, Angry, Frustrated, Thirsty, Hungry and Pissed with son in tow and the guitard offers his thanks for saying his ass.
Final Payment for myself and Drummer = $$Life Lesson.00
Best thing that came out of the entire evening was the drummer and I really connected like never before and have done several well paying gigs. Well, that's my rant. Whats Yours???
