Did We Just Play for the Mob?

[dbsfgyd1]

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.

Spooky indeed. I’ve definitely played for the mob on more than a few occasions, but that was in the days well before cell phones,digital cameras, not to mention the “Gottcha” media craze going on today. I ran into no problems and most of those gigs were pretty normal. I always got paid and food was always a given.

What you may have encountered may or may non be a mob related event, but make no mistake, it was going to be a “Private” affair and they aimed to keep it that way.

 

[InhumanResource]

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.

Common in the defense world. When I was in that industry we had lots of work locations with no wireless communications off any kind allowed. Sometimes that is a lab or an area of an office building, sometimes it is the entire location.

 

[dalkowski]

Pics or it didn't happen.

 

[Kitsapbass]

Common in the defense world. When I was in that industry we had lots of work locations with no wireless communications off any kind allowed. Sometimes that is a lab or an area of an office building, sometimes it is the entire location.[/Q

Yep. Work at a DOD controlled installation and yep, phones stay in your car unless you want them digging into everything, and then potentially losing your job after the fact. Seen it happen more than once.

 

[five7]

Played many a prison, similar rules. You always wonder if they are really going to let you leave.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

Played many a prison, similar rules. You always wonder if they are really going to let you leave.

My brother was a cage kicker and I brought many a prisoner to jails. Giving up my cell phone was no sweat (it belonged to the job, anyway. No personal phone), but having to put my weapon in a locker (and being locked in, once) gave me an aversion to giving up some personal items.

 

[JohnnyBottom]

Did a couple for the Pagans motorcycle gang. Deep in an industrial park. Very organized, almost regimental.
We got help loading in out, we were the youngest of the people there and the only ones smoking pot, off to the side. Maybe they were endulging otherwise out of site. The guys had leather jacks with their names... Tugboat , Roadblock, the ladies had leather jackets... Property of Roadblock etc.. They told us not to take pictures, we didnt take pictures...(the stupid one, me took a couple..fearless at that age). Definitely an experience

 

[Chickenwheels]

I work corporate/wedding. I’ve been in these scenarios a few times now. I’ve never had my phone taken or been guarded, though. Intimidating stuff.
One example: An agent booked us for a “bike rally” and lead us to believe it was all beards and Honda Gold Wings. Well, we ended up in an outlaw gang compound for the evening. We saw plenty of weird stuff. We were well treated but extremely uncomfortable.

 

[darkwasthenight]

And you know this because...

If you think the no phones clause is rough, my friend once went home from a bar accompanied by a solid B-list actor and you should have seen the pages of forms she had to sign... There's a reason celebs usually end up dating/hanging around with other famous people. It's a paranoid world out there.

 

[factory presets]

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.

You'd think at the armed guard level, you'd also need some security clearance. And, I would assume, an induction process where you'd be made aware of the conditions of entry to the site. Not saying it didn't happen. Just that your mate should've paid more attention.

 

[factory presets]

Did a couple for the Pagans motorcycle gang. Deep in an industrial park. Very organized, almost regimental.
We got help loading in out, we were the youngest of the people there and the only ones smoking pot, off to the side. Maybe they were endulging otherwise out of site. The guys had leather jacks with their names... Tugboat , Roadblock, the ladies had leather jackets... Property of Roadblock etc.. They told us not to take pictures, we didnt take pictures...(the stupid one, me took a couple..fearless at that age). Definitely an experience

Back home in the 80s, well B4 mobile phones,let alone smart ones, a very large street gang used to run a clubhouse as a nightclub at weekends. Interestingly, it was regarded by musicians, including the union, as the premium gig at the time. Not only were bands well looked after, but there was a well enforced policy that no one could boo or heckle, no matter what they thought of the music.

 

[theduke1]

If the money was right I leave my phone in the van anyway, and they treated you right, what’s the problem?
I take that gig every month
Duke

 

[coy garcia]

Sign me up! Like I always say, "I've done worse, for less".

 

[sotua]

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.

That's exactly my point - when you get to "armed dudes searched out van and demanded phones", I would not be 100% sure that "ok, that's a nope for me, I'm going home" would be well received by said dudes.

 

[Mildew Jones]

I did a gig once for an opening of an auto repair shop absolutely devoid of any tools, supplies, autos to be repaired, we were paid pretty well. It had a very money laundering feel to it...

 

[5StringBlues]

Fuggedaboutit.

 

[perfektspace6]

You got paid well and fed? Assuming you were otherwise treated with respect, and mafia guys know about respect, then it sounds like a cool gig. Whatever on the phones. If they don't want you taking pictures for various reasons then so be it.

Do it again! Even if they are criminals you are just playing music.

 

[Polish Thunder]

I am not saying you should be paranoid now, but the last TB member that told a similar situation disappeared soon after he posted his story. I think it was a coincidence, though, in his case.

I would not worry...too much....

 

[wysiwyg248]

I'd worry if the host asks you to say hello to his little friend LOL.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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

What happens if you get an offer you can’t refuse?