The way to avoid unplanned stressors is to prevent them from happening. My brother owns his own PA and whenever he takes it out, his first move when we are done is to shut down everything and uncouple from house power. Only then do we begin breaking down and loading out. I have no idea why he does it that way, but after reading about OP's recent experience it may well be he's had something like that happen in the past. As his band was my first real band experience, I adopted the same basic method. When done my first move is to power down and unplug from house power, then wipe down and case my bass, unplug everything, stow my gear in its usual case and/or bag, stack it all together, and start helping break down the rest of the band.
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How would you react?
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I would immediately challenge him to account for his actions, that is, something along the lines of “why are you doing that, and who told you to do it?”. It’s one thing to just yell at someone for a bonehead move, with them resenting being called out without any self analysis of why there’s a problem in the first place, but it’s more important that they are forced to take responsibility for what they’re doing, or at least come to grips with the reality that there might be consequences for acting without thinking or getting it cleared with the individuals who own the gear(which he may or may not have an understanding of how it is operated).
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Maybe he just wanted to help but had a little Gilligan in him?
And all your gear is perfectly fine today right?
As already mentioned, it's no worse than turning your amps off with the built in power switches.
So your real complaint is to not have music to listen to while tearing down?
This isn't politics or warfare, perhaps you need to lighten up a bit?
Good luck.
As already mentioned, it's no worse than turning your amps off with the built in power switches.
So your real complaint is to not have music to listen to while tearing down?
This isn't politics or warfare, perhaps you need to lighten up a bit?
Good luck.
Not at all. I was simply taught at a young age to power off electronic equipment the correct way. It's just common sense and common courtesy.
+1
Not to condone the guy's actions unplugging stuff without care, that's a no-no for sure. But the very first thing we do when finished is turn off equipment. Leave the PA on playing music but all faders down, and instruments out of the way. I used to play with a guy that would always leave his sax onstage for ages... fortunately nothing ever happened in my presence, but it's just asking for trouble for no good reason.
We can't predict what others might do, so a little bit of care and attention on our part can go a long way to avoid problems.
I would have simply explained to him that it's possible to damage certain equipment by doing what he did. Like someone else said, make it a learning experience.
It's best to follow the simple rule: "if it's not yours, don't touch it".
Agreed, but as I was thinking about it, I can't remember playing in a bar or restaurant that didn't at least have some kind of house stereo/radio/etc. When we finished playing it was back to their choice if they wanted music. I've found that after working four 45 minute sets on the bandstand, or making/running/serving drinks and snacks, some folks just want to chat without yelling.
Ignorance of music gear / PA systems is quite common. Sounds like you encountered a person that had this condition. If you suspect he or she did it with malice, that would be a totally different situation.
How exactly does the tear down of your PA system go while you are playing music through it? Every band I’ve been in for the last couple decades muted the PA as soon as the last song was over and we did the power down ourselves before any alcohol-fueled patron of the venue attempted to “use” the PA or “help” break it down. Also, almost every venue I’ve ever played in within the last decade or two (except private parties) had their own music or “jukebox” (customer paid & selected music device) that was played at every break we took and at the end of the night.
The PA was for our live performance only, unless other arrangements were made with the person / venue that hired us to use the PA for announcements, auctions, etc.
What I’m saying is; the band should always be in full control of setup, use, and tear down of the PA. The only help offer we ever accept is movement of heavy objects after active PA gear is de-powered, packed, ready to move.
How exactly does the tear down of your PA system go while you are playing music through it? Every band I’ve been in for the last couple decades muted the PA as soon as the last song was over and we did the power down ourselves before any alcohol-fueled patron of the venue attempted to “use” the PA or “help” break it down. Also, almost every venue I’ve ever played in within the last decade or two (except private parties) had their own music or “jukebox” (customer paid & selected music device) that was played at every break we took and at the end of the night.
The PA was for our live performance only, unless other arrangements were made with the person / venue that hired us to use the PA for announcements, auctions, etc.
What I’m saying is; the band should always be in full control of setup, use, and tear down of the PA. The only help offer we ever accept is movement of heavy objects after active PA gear is de-powered, packed, ready to move.
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I don't think there needed to be tension. I think it needed to be "hey man, you can't pull power while we have gear plugged in and running, it can hurt the expensive gear. We need a heads up next time or just let us pull the power "
He was probably clueless and needs to know.
He was probably clueless and needs to know.
I would have said something to him. Someone up-thread used the term "teachable moment". I kind of agree, but he needed to be chastised, strongly enough so that he remembers and it never happens again.
I have nothing specific because (obviously) I wasn't there, but I think this calls for something between:
"Yo! What the ____ was that?" and tarring and feathering.
I have nothing specific because (obviously) I wasn't there, but I think this calls for something between:
"Yo! What the ____ was that?" and tarring and feathering.
Or rapidly deploy the “Texas Route” and drive your Lucchese up his posterior. Why I still wear pointed tipsWe would have a little "face to face" before leaving.
I would calmly explain, that in this business, "pulling the plug" is an act with very negative connotations, not to mention the potential for damage to very expensive equipment.
Then we would discuss the right "channels" to go through; simple communication - curfew? noise ordinance? or just want to clear out the crowd? We're happy to work with you... but never touch our equipment.
The message would be very clear.
In the future, you could go the "Kansas route" and plug in dummy extension cords...
Agreed, but as I was thinking about it, I can't remember playing in a bar or restaurant that didn't at least have some kind of house stereo/radio/etc. When we finished playing it was back to their choice if they wanted music. I've found that after working four 45 minute sets on the bandstand, or making/running/serving drinks and snacks, some folks just want to chat without yelling.
