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we played at a club where there was a stabbing, and we all got pulled out back to do a lineup for the victim.
I once saw a guy having a fight with his car on St. Patrick's Day. He was soooooo drunk, he couldn't get the key in the door to open it, so of course he resorts to trying to punch the driver's side window out. (Window doesn't break, but you can bet the guy's knuckles did.) The cops show up, and while they are talking to him, the car's actual owner walks up, gets in and drives away, completely unaware that his car had been assaulted. Yep, it wasn't even drunk guy's own car.
I was playing a gig in Houston in about 1977 and they had a wet T-shirt contest. Don't know what started it, but two guys got in to it. So some others wanted to play, too. A couple of guys fell on the stage, but jumped back down on the floor to continue the fun. It became a full on brawl that made it into the parking lot. One of the poor damp contestants needed help, so I graciously gave her a shirt and took her home to warm her up.
Earlier, about 1971, play a Navy enlisted club. The stage was cool. It was behind a semi-circular bar and raised up pretty high. A couple of sailors got in to it while we were playing Johnny B. Goode. We just played louder and faster. The Shore Patrol came in and broke it up.
Earlier, about 1971, play a Navy enlisted club. The stage was cool. It was behind a semi-circular bar and raised up pretty high. A couple of sailors got in to it while we were playing Johnny B. Goode. We just played louder and faster. The Shore Patrol came in and broke it up.
Yep, many fights in the bars we've played over the years. There are just too many to recount here.
However, we once did an April 1st gig where we planned for a bit of a fight as a part of the show. The bar owner and manager were in on it; they loved it. Essentially, we had a few semi-pro backyard wrestling (think WWE-style) buddies pretend to get into a brawl during one of our songs. We had a strategically-placed table for one guy to throw the other guy onto it. There were also a few modified folding chairs located nearby for them to beat each other with. Being that the bar staff already knew that this was going to happen, they made sure to have enough security staff in place to hold back other patrons from joining in. The end result was great and very entertaining. Once the two wrestlers were done, out singer then announced through the PA that it had all been planned as an April Fools gag. The crowd gave tons of applause and laughs. Great night!
However, we once did an April 1st gig where we planned for a bit of a fight as a part of the show. The bar owner and manager were in on it; they loved it. Essentially, we had a few semi-pro backyard wrestling (think WWE-style) buddies pretend to get into a brawl during one of our songs. We had a strategically-placed table for one guy to throw the other guy onto it. There were also a few modified folding chairs located nearby for them to beat each other with. Being that the bar staff already knew that this was going to happen, they made sure to have enough security staff in place to hold back other patrons from joining in. The end result was great and very entertaining. Once the two wrestlers were done, out singer then announced through the PA that it had all been planned as an April Fools gag. The crowd gave tons of applause and laughs. Great night!
My band was once playing an outdoor party at a hacienda-style house out in a remote area. Patio crowded with dancers, everyone having a good time when this crazed looking dude starts harassing people. Found out he was on acid. The homeowner threw him out. Twenty minutes later he shows up with a hunting rifle, threatening people. A bunch of brave drunks chased him into a bathroom with a door facing out onto the patio. He locks himself in (with the rifle) and the brave drunks are pounding on the door yelling at him. At this point we (the band) hurriedly pack up our gear and get out of there. As our drummer is pulling out of the driveway the crazy guy—who had apparently escaped from the bathroom—comes running after his car, throws himself onto the trunk, yelling "I need to get to town!!" The drummer stomps on the gas, leaves the guy lying in the dust.
Only once so far, several years ago. Never did find out what started it (besides booze, and possibly Seek & Destroy 
). Table and chairs falling over, then it came towards the stage and knocked over a mic stand or 2, nothing broken. It was over pretty quick.
). Table and chairs falling over, then it came towards the stage and knocked over a mic stand or 2, nothing broken. It was over pretty quick.
Worst one I played, I was in a country -rock band back in the late 70's and a fight breaks out. Half the people run for the door the other half are fighting. We are playing and the owner tells us keep playing don't stop. It was our last song that set. Fight gets broken up and some guy with a knife in him sitting against the wall. We end our 10 minute rendition of that song. Which of coarse was a Waylon Jennings song : Ain't Living Long like this. Then we find out the previous week the bass player there was stabbed in the alley. You can't make these things up. Hopefully we all have enough sense to stay safe.
That's the wonderful thing about bars...the way they attract the crème de la crème of society and bring out the best in them.
Was casing out a bar with the guitarist from my last band, we're chatting with the owner, things are sounding promising, when suddenly there's this odd rhythmic "crack crack crack" sound behind us - wondering if someone's starting to jam, I quickly look around - nope, it's one guy beating another over the head with a cue stick - laid a $20 on the bar and walked out, never went back...
If you are man enough to play a T-40 standing up for 2 sets I would not mess with you!I remember being really glad I carried my weapon of choice for mass mayhem, the Mighty T-40, when the last band I was in played some seedy biker bars and parties.You swing that at someone once, they won't be coming back at you.
Stabbings, gak!
Reminds me of walking through Hackney, East London, and there had been a fight in a pub that spilled outside and become a stabbing.
There was blood all over the sidewalk, which bar staff were trying to mop up with a toilet roll.
It was late afternoon, and commuters were already walking up the road with their noses in the Evening Standard.
One such man passed by reading his newspaper, then walked off with a shoe trailing a long festoon of bloody toilet paper.
Ah, urban life...
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I was recording a show, where the headline act had very graciously allowed one of the support acts to use their backline, and drum kit.
The support act finish their set, by destroying all the gear.
Headline act rush the stage, and what was a rock gig, becomes a MMA fight - the whole audience rooted to the spot, mouths agape.
The FOH sound guy was pretty close to tears, collecting up smashed mic's, stage boxes, and wedges.
Brand new Ampeg stack kicked over, and torn up. Marshall head destroyed. Broken cymbals etc.
But the audience were very well behaved.
The support act finish their set, by destroying all the gear.
Headline act rush the stage, and what was a rock gig, becomes a MMA fight - the whole audience rooted to the spot, mouths agape.
The FOH sound guy was pretty close to tears, collecting up smashed mic's, stage boxes, and wedges.
Brand new Ampeg stack kicked over, and torn up. Marshall head destroyed. Broken cymbals etc.
But the audience were very well behaved.
this was a stabbing on a dance floor that had lots of rockabilly people on it (a previous band played rockabilly). a guy came into the club, saw someone he knew and disliked and stabbed him right there. there were enough people and he kept his hands down that nobody saw it happen!
You know... People shouldn't just go around stabbing people they don't like. Bad form!
Big Hoss
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Have yet to work a bar gig. Did a bachelor party a while back where the best man, and one of the groom's brothers got into a nasty smack down that eventually ended with a high dollar pool que stick broken over the brothers head, and for some odd reason, the best man and the brother almost simultaneously break out in hysterical laughter and go back to drinking. The guitarist and I never stopped, but the drummer and vocalist were just standing on stage with their mouths open....
For what it's worth. I've known most of these people for at least 20 years. This is not an odd event...
For what it's worth. I've known most of these people for at least 20 years. This is not an odd event...
