Did We Just Play for the Mob?

[5andFretless]

As some of you know, I play in a cooperate party/wedding band. Depending on the gig there are between 8 and 12 of us on stage. We read music and do those types of songs. We don't play together often, but we all play in other projects. We have a management group that books us.

A month ago we were called and asked if we would do something out of the normal. A person that had seen us somewhere wanted to know if we could imitate a bar band - dress like we were from a 70's and play that type of music. They were going to pay us very well, so the core 5 of us - Drummer, bass, guitar, keyboard, and singer, agreed to do the gig. We thought it would be fun to do songs that you can't do at the normal gigs, and they had given us a list that included Give Me 3 Steps, U and Ur Hand, Son of a Preacher Man, Me and Bobby McGee, and You Oughta Know - songs we would never play in our normal configuration.

It was Saturday afternoon. We were met at the gate by armed security, who searched the vehicle and us, then took all our cell phones. We were escorted in and we had a chaperone that watched us unload, setup, play, take breaks, and pack out and leave.

We were paid in cash. We were not allowed to interact with the guest in anyway. A waiter brought us drinks (non alcoholic) and food.

I have no idea who threw the party, who was in attendance, or what the party was for. As soon as we got in the car and clear we called our booking agent and told him never again.

 

[westrock]

Sounds like a swims with fishes going away party.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Being asked to hand over your phones is a red flag. Probably one for your collection of "gig stories" to never be repeated.

 

[4SG]

 

[devnulljp]

You now have to go on the run in a dress

 

[lokikallas]

I’m not handing over my cell phone for any gig. That would have been a hard buh-bye.

 

[1st Bass]

I had a co-worker once who told about a welding repair job he was called to do on railroad tracks inside a missile base (repairing the switch-portion of the rails—-called frogs, here in the US.)

He said it was really creepy, trying to do his work with a guard standing directly over him, holding a sub machine gun. (He claims they had it pointed at him.) Even if that part was exaggeration, and I suspect it was, I would have suggested they call off their dog or find someone else. Train one of their own folks to do the welding… something.

I agree: the “Hand over your cell phones” would have sounded a whole lot like “Have a nice day, goodbye.”

Creepy, all the way around.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Depends. When Derek Jeter played, he apparently asked everyone for their cell phones when they entered his house.

Go back a generation, and for any private party at a residence, your only access to a phone would be to ask your host if you could make a call, and your only access at a business establishment would be a pay phone (good luck trying to make a phone call where someone could hear you).

But certainly something that should have been brought up prior to load in.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Was the password "Fidelio"?

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I had a co-worker once who told about a welding repair job he was called to do on railroad tracks inside a missile base (repairing the switch-portion of the rails—-called frogs, here in the US.)

He said it was really creepy, trying to do his work with a guard standing directly over him, holding a sub machine gun. (He claims they had it pointed at him.) Even if that part was exaggeration, and I suspect it was, I would have suggested they call off their dog or find someone else. Train one of their own folks to do the welding… something.

I agree: the “Hand over your cell phones” would have sounded a whole lot like “Have a nice day, goodbye.”

Creepy, all the way around.

I was in the Army in a Pershing missile unit (nukes) and did a fair share of guarding individuals. They were watching him closely, but it's unlike they were pointing firearms at him. They had rounds in the magazine but unlikely that they had any in the chamber. Accidental discharges are a big problem for everyone in the chain of command and that's just an accidental discharge into a clearing barrel designed to catch an accidental discharge. But someone suited up in body armor and carrying an M16 or M4 is intimidating, by design. And the time we had a contractor pull out a pellet gun during a vehicle search. Are you seriously that stupid??

 

[sotua]

I’m not handing over my cell phone for any gig. That would have been a hard buh-bye.

Yeah, when it's armed non-government security demanding your phone, the hardness of the "buh-bye" might not be the one you're thinking of.

 

[gln1955]

Considering all the stupid crap that ends up on social media, I can see the no cell phone thing for anyone famous or infamous. The whole scenario is kind of creepy though. I assume they made an offer you couldn't refuse.

 

[steamthief]

 

[cnltb]

Sure you want to go public with this?
Might want to be careful ...

 

[Grinderman]

Reminds me of the father of a long time neighbor who was a professional musician and vetted regular musical performer, I believe part an ensemble, at Bohemian Grove.

 

[SC Bassboy]

Sounds mafia to me. On a related note many years ago, my band played a casino gig that was completely on the up-and-up but the security was ridiculous. All the gear was searched, they made us hand over our driver's license in exchange for a pass that we had to keep on us at all times and the load in.... God almighty the load in. It was terrible. Both in and out of the building. They paid very well though.

 

[lokikallas]

Yeah, when it's armed non-government security demanding your phone, the hardness of the "buh-bye" might not be the one you're thinking of.

No, it’s simply saying I’m going home now. If this wasn’t in a contract I’m not interested in weird games for any amount of money.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Sounds mafia to me. On a related note many years ago, my band played a casino gig that was completely on the up-and-up but the security was ridiculous. All the gear was searched, they made us hand over our driver's license in exchange for a pass that we had to keep on us at all times and the load in.... God almighty the load in. It was terrible. Both in and out of the building. They paid very well though.

We had a casino gig on a semi-regular basis pre covid craziness. They didn't take our phone but were very strict about taking any photos, they had to be of the stage ONLY and there was a guard loitering around while we played. It was a strange situation but convenient load in and good pay.

 

[Lenny JG]

Lol you guys should see what I go through to sell merch for guys like BTS and Metallica if you think that's bad.

Actually even setting up conventions I've been told no interaction with guests, don't even let them see you when they/you arrive. Yadda yadda.

Sometimes places have rules, and I'm getting paid.

Some places you get booted for having your phone out.

As far as taking them? Not really something I've dealt w more than a couple times for some odd activities.

 

[J Wilson]

I'd take all those gigs I could get, provided they kept us at arm's length like that. Do the job, get paid real well as they can't get just anybody, and I am World Class at keeping my mouth shut when need be. In a web-driven world, there's any number of reasons why whoever it was wants complete privacy, and is willing to pay to enforce it.

GOT to be more interesting than one more 5-hour slog at the local do-drop-inn.