Special kind of disaster - Event follow-up

[studio42]

Well, I seem to live here too much.

Had a show last night. Stank to high hell and back. Got stiffed, so in other words they pulled a Maven. I'm sticking to paper contracts as what has been going on just isn't sufficient anymore.

Starting out:
No load of the trailer Friday as I wanted due to a task that was placed upon me to get some vests. Hey, time doesn't appear out of nowhere. Anyhow, that went well. The load out on Saturday went well. My brother-in-law, well, he can pack that trailer like nobody's business! I mean, I can never figure out how to get everything in there. He got everything in there and there was still tons of room left over. If I brought my electronic drums, he could have stuffed that in there, but I think adding the rack with the analog 1/2" 8-track would have been a no-go. 15-foot trussing span had to be strapped to the top of my 4Runner, but that was the plan all along.

Load-in to the venue was a disaster. The venue was not prepared since the people who hired us FAILED to tell the venue where we were going to set-up. Owner of venue, a very nice lady, was definately NOT informed about this stuff. Not good. So load-in was delayed 30 minutes and required 2 trailer moves to let people OUT who I blocked it. One move resulting in some "settling" and a light got a bracket broken. Thank goodness that was the only damage. I can fix that with a hammer later.

So, we're going along, crew kicking ass, things going good, but pressure was building. We got sound on schedule, and lights were under the gun, but getting the damn band to do their part was, well, the typical pain it is. Soundcheck, hell, line check(good enough) was done in front of the audience. I had to tell one keyboardist 5 times to set his crap up. Guitarist was late, but made up for it. Main keyboardist showed up, left, came back late. Drummer had his crap together, which was totally unexpected. Monitor check was painful, but did work out fine.

Events really do start out with issues, as I'm told that "I need to turn it down because there are small children here". Really? When did that get drafted into law?

So, the band is playing. Yeah, it's about as good as they get. Party is fine. Suddenly crap starts happening. Personal agendas start showing up. Guy want some ballroom dance standards played. Where the hell does this come from? People want CD's played, but as a policy, I do not play burned CD's that I can assertain quality of. Policy: I do not play burned CD's at an event, do not even ask. I can play mine, I have the source material sitting in my stacks of discs at home.

First dance: American music redone by Vietnamese "talent", IN ENGLISH, but done as a deliberate copyright side-step. Uh, royalties and licensing!!!! I hate those.

There is this portion where the couple goes around table to table. The purpose of this is two-fold. I've been through this myself. One purpose is to receive goodwill and compliments from guests, videotaped, of course. The second, and most important, is to receive the money gift. That was going fine, we have a CD we play during this portion of the evening. We also use it for walk-in as well. At any rate, massive chaos begins to unfold and would reveal itself at the end. First off, the band is playing before the couple is done. This drowns out the voice. Well, not really, but tell idiots who don't do audio this simple fact. Anyhow, I do tend to agree that at this point, it should be the CD lightly played since really, let's keep it low and crank it again later. I've got the mains OUT, and only the monitors going, and well, it's audible. Again, try telling uninformed people the reality of a situation. Turns out the person who hired us wanted the band to play. I have no idea who is paying so I have no idea who is calling the shots. Bride and groom are simply put fairly useless right now, they are stuck with the task at hand: collecting money.

Goes from people telling me "People want to dance, all the old people left and if you(referring to me) don't do something, other people are going to leave". Well, then I'm yelled at for not bringing dance CD's. Hmm, it is a BAND event. Another individual, who later identifies himself as an attorney, tries to alternately to be nice while throwing insults. I doubt he's a real lawyer based on his actions later. Of course, since I'm an engineer, I tell them to instruct the band to play dance music, but alas, since I provided a solution that is obviously too difficult to follow, it's of course now my fault.

Now the band is "c(aca)" and is "holding me back". Really? Hmm, I have 3 albums out in Europe, done 1 other that I'm not credited with, a movie and countless big name artists. How is this holding me back? This ain't my day gig, dumb-asses!

Dance-sport stuff flops. Simple put, people aren't into it. I will say this, that lady must have been tired, she did all 6 dances, but it was split with 2 men. And you know what? They did a good job. I didn't personally care for it, but that's just me. Lots of confusion ensued getting all that to come together PLUS I had to play2 burned CD's, which really pissed me off. I own the system, I get to say what does or does not happen. I'm only operating within what protects my legal rights and my vast investment.

Well, it just goes downhill from there, rapidly. This rather pig-faced lady is the trouble maker. We're told the band is done. So I have my crew start striking monitors and instruments, which isn't going to happen. Why? It's too dark, they can't see. They do what they can, which isn't much and have to stop. Anyhow, it's pig-face who yelled at me for not having CD's. Let me cut out the details and cut right to the bottom line. She was told TWICE that she is to NOT touch any of my equipment and if she did so, or anyone else, I would shut it all down. So, I'm trying to strike monitors and well, she fails to understand her native language, so I shut the whole thing down: FAST.

Drunken riot ensues. I can't calm my family down, but it doesn't really matter, nobody listens to me anyways. Legal threats are tossed around, loads of insults, lots of call-outs. I simply remain calm since nobody is going to listen to me anyways. I find out through this channel that the party was scheduled to go until 2AM. I have a gig the next night: same thing, different location.

Anyhow, I'm now taking more personal abuse from the wife now. I am cancelling today's event. Screw it, get their deposit back, I'll mail it. I don't need this frustration and being treated like this. I got better paying events and UWA to focus on. Divorce seems more and moe likely at this point. Life sucks. I cancel my ad tomorow. I'm tripling rates to weed out the trash. I'm done.

[studio42]

Update, overdue:

When I said they pulled a "Maven", that's code for "they didn't pay". However, I'm not knocking Maven, they were cool, but they do owe me. I think at the Maven show, we were pissing off 5-8 people trying to play pool, which was a larger crowd than was for the show.

Anyhow, back to the topic at hand:
They paid up, minus $100 since "I ended the party early". Yeah, well, you know what, you stupid mother f*ckers? If their little skanky pig-face wench didn't decide to go hosing with my gear, you would have had a longer party. Last I checked, every single nut, bolt, cable, adaptor and bit of electronics was paid for outta my damn bank account. I'm not a gear rental company, I'm a production company.

I did a 3+ hour set-up under less than favorable conditions. MAJOR lighting(missed 3 trusses, 4 cans, 3 effect lights, mirror ball and pin spots though), full sound and a real sound check AND full front of house. Took over 2 hours to tear down and unload. This isn't the typical 2 dopes with a pick-up truck and some speakers, this is a full-featured audio production system, not some toy.


Damn ingrates, the whole lot of them. I'm pretty well put off on the VN community in this area. But, I'm the ONE sound company they haven't been able to bully around, so maybe that's part of the problem. Just call me Cheap Toilet Paper, since I ain't taking any crap off anyone. I've got MUCH better clients. Hell, I'd rather do a thousand gigs for a band like Maven for FREE than deal with these type of buttmunch crowds. UWA, Mr. Lobo, those are TWO of my better clients right then and there.

I'm going to take out ads in a Reno newspaper and a San Jose newspaper and try to get business out in those areas. At least they pay good AND are appreciative.

[Professor Pimpstatus]

Not to turn this into an arguement or anything, but WTF?

I feel bad over the situation because the members of MAVEN are my friends, and I was the one that called you when they needed help. I can not stress how thankful I and MAVEN are for the help you gave.

Now as you remember I did not discuss $$$ with you. I felt that was a topic best left between you and the band.

After hearing that you two came to an agreement over you doing the sound at 2 of their shows for them I asked the band about the money situation. From that point, less than 10 minutes after you two had worked out the deal, I was told that you were doing it "pro bono" with them and in hopes that you would record their stuff for them and work on bigger projects down the road that they would pay you for.


Now if this is not correct, then I am sorry. They are sticking to that story that you were doing the shows for free.

Now however, you did bail on the 2nd gig and left them very little time to regather themselfs for their sound. So if the agreement was for a set dollar amount for the 2 shows, you breached the verbal contract by not performing the 2nd gig. That would make them owe you nothing once again because you did not do you part of the deal. I understand that there was more money for you at this other location, but the fact still remains that you canceled without working on a new date with them.

Now Chris you know I have nothing but respect for you and your company. But this crud with you slandering MAVEN's name has got to stop. You bashed their sound in their own message boards, you are bashing them here. And I am having other friends address this "issue" that you have with MAVEN with me.

Frankly if I was in a situation where I was in a band and
1) The sound guy brings too much gear to a show and makes the venue too loud that people left. On top of that the guy could not get his gear set up on time so there was not a proper soundcheck, then there was feedback problems from the monitors that was caused by the 2nd amp that was not needed in the 1st place?!?!?!
2) Less than 24 hours after the show that same soundguy goes onto my message boards saying that he knows more about what my sound should be than we do
3) The soundguy then bails on the agreed on 2nd show less than 3 days prior to the gig?

I would have a really hard time paying that guy for anything.

Again this is an issue that you and the band need to figure out. I will still speak favorly of you and your company, and hopefully if I hook someone else up with you, these problems will not come out of the encounter.

[studio42]

Let's touch on some very important points you bring up.

First off, payment was discussed. I don't work for free. Period. Considering I start at $150/hr and work my way up, well, you get a LOT.

Second: There was talk of recording shows, but nothing guaranteed although the Roseville show was a possibility, but that depended on a LOT of things, mainly getting the time to install 4 new hard drives for ProTools. It was understood there were no guarantees, but again, payment for services rendered was not on the terms of pro-bono. There was talk of splitting the door. Big mistake I will never make.

Brought too much sound? Debatable, probable, not arguable though. Less than 12 people were hanging around to see the band. It was not so loud that people left. It was that people weren't arriving in the first place. But, alas, I' work with A-listers, so that must mean that I guess I don't know what the hell I'm doing.

Now, let's discuss where Maven also hosed up things:
Late. An hour. They were supposed to help with load in and out. Failed to do so. Things take time. Let's talke professionalism here. I was there at 5:45, they showed up at 7:00. I had to secure power as well.

Feedback in the monitors: I can't comment on that since I couldn't hear it. I won't deny it. I had not
Or maybe they would like to use my patchbay. There was a patchbay wiring issue, that I fixed the next day. I had thought I had already checked out every point. Well, apparently not. I found a few other bad points too.

Maven most likely has never done a full PA show. Guitar too loud, bass too loud, drums way outta whack. Granted, I'm picky about drum sounds, but I know a problematic set when I hear one. All elements go into the PA. What Maven should have said was "stick my vocals into the PA and we'll be fine". Well, also, Nick's voice and Chad's guitar have a fairly common problem that I see in LOTS of places: they take up the same space in the audible spectrum. It takes time to tweak those to proper placement. That's a rehearsal issue. That's not a knock on them, I see it in a LOT of bands, mainly because male vocals often sit right in guitar space and vice versa. I've addressed that issue: better guitar mic. It's more optimized to those frequencies and let's the guitar "cut" through, so I can take the guitar down and now the vocals will pop out on their own. But I also think that Nick is on the wrong microphone as well, and to be honest, my wirelesses weren't going to do it. I think either a brigher mic, such as a Beta58 might be a good start since he's got some top, or else maybe an Audix OM-3,5 or 7, which are all things I intend to get anyways. I think my SM-58 would not have helped much. Nick does like to eat the mic and has otherwise bad mic technique as far as handling(hands to close ot ball). His eating the mic does help tremendously, but I think that was flat out the wrong mic for him. I've done LOTS of problem solving and each gig gets me more knowledge and I seek to resolve problems encountered.

I get conflicting information on the monitors, but the end result we will agree on: feedback issues. Well, I've done some work since then. I've also pushed the system MUCH louder in much tighter spaces. Their issue in part comes only SLIGHTLY from them. The biggest issue comes from the stage. They were in a box, so everything bounces around in there and causes those problems. I should have just used side-fills. Oh well, crappy room, what can I say? I did notch what I could out, so without a very expensive multi-band parametric EQ for the monitors, I did what I could with problematic frequencies.

Again, on monitors, I am mainly a FOH guy, so now I'm in a position where I've got to run monitors from my FOH mix position and run both mixes at the same time. It's not easy, even more so in a bad room.

Criticicing my knowledge about what they should sound like? Well, the CD they gave me was unplayable, but that's irrelevant. A proper mix is a proper mix. Period. Works with any style of music except "african american oriented" "music"(yes, I did sepparate those terms on purpose). I mean, we've got an overpowering bass rig and an overpowering guitar rig. BUT: they look cool on stage and overall DO in fact sound good, so that's a strong start. The drums from a performance point of view are great, but from a technical perspective, it's a disaster. I won't comment negatively on the flat cymbal positioning. It's what we call "not wise" since you can crack cymbals easier. But hey, it's only money, right? Damn right, and not mine. He's tall and got long arms, so oddly enough it works, but still, the sound is brittle due to attack angle and doesn't decay as one might expect, it is shorter. Then again, maybe that's what he's going for, more of a brashy short sound. However, the better way is to crank down the wing-nut a teensy bit more and allow the cymbals to resonate fully and they'll cut through without slicing through. Move overtones and timbre instead of raw metal meets wood. Kick is deader than my dad(he's dead, you know, died of a massive heart attack, January 1 of 2003). OK, dumb comparison. Sick, in bad taste, but I got issues coming from that, so I'm a freakin' basketcase.

Second amp not needed? OK, learn pro audio and get back to me. The amps are matched to the cabinets, I do not "mix and match". This is for efficiency and proper powering with adequate headroom. As far as mains: actiive. Amps in the speakers.

Now, in regards to bailing on the second show:
Where's my money?

Customer has a disaster, gives me over $10K a day plus expenses to fix it. I'm there. Covers my sister's salary AND expenses for a year with dough left over. I can't predict these things and hey, they've been my customer for 8+ years and they buy big and pay big. Should I say no? No. Hell no. No f*cking way. Priorities. I am trying to ensure long-term success for my data communications business as that pays my bills and keeps me housed and fed.

Note:
I've quite literally killed folks for less.

But my issue is resolved, and I have no issues. Work will be done with a guaranteed agreed upon flat payment amount to my organization. In other words: I get paid for my services. I'm not part of the band, I'm an independent organization.

Considering I got off a plane from the NY International Music Festival in Las Vegas for a performance, right into a pre-production meeting with Maven(Thursday), ran sound for Kenny Loggins the next day for sound check(Friday), got back at 3AM Saturday and had Maven Saturday, well, that's quite a work week.

So, Maven stiffed me. Big deal. Bitter? Yeah, maybe. Fun? Yes. Would I do it again? If payment terms are clearly spelled out, sure. Want to record? Ok, but only as part of doing live sound too. Oh, and I gots lights.

They've got something. That's good. Not sure what, but then again, I do like indy rock, so that's good. I am interested in working with them after the new year, but they've got to be serious about working with a sound company and following a real production system. They might want to get and stay on my good side since I'm working with major label acts and working with A&R reps as well as becoming an affiliate for one of the largest labels in Europe and will have contacts that might be beneficial to them.

If they want 6 shows a month out of me, I'd be glad to do it, but they've got to work WITH me and as such, I will work with them. It takes time to develop a truly integrated show. It's not something that is just thrown together. The more I know them the better I can do.

Slander? Nope. Truth. Just not favorable to them in this case. However, pissing off some small sound company isn't going to hurt them. Someone wants to take them on? Go for it, as I know my experience was isolated.

Oh: Libel. This is in print, so it's libel. Terminology and semantics are critical issues.

Considering I did Loggins even more blind that Maven and made it work while their main sound guy was too ill at the moment(needed to puke, ate something bad) and made the sound check happen, hmm, I might know what I'm doing. You can insult me all you want, I am totally unemotional. I seek perfection and give nothing less than 100% The FOH engineer used my mix for his basis, but did need to adjust aux sends for the band's requirements since he knew the effects required. I just ensured a clean and clear loud mix. Audience loved it.

[Professor Pimpstatus]

Chirs as I said and I hope you understand I respect you and your company. I harbor no ill feeling towards you.

What made me go off was the fact that you were using the phrase "Pulling a MAVEN." IMO that is slandering their name. Now a bad business transaction may have gone down between the two of you, for that I am sorry. We will never know 100% what the deal was it is your word vs their 4 words. I am not taking sides at all on the matter. And I understand that you would not do things for free. But even on the problems that they had with you, they are not saying "oh this soundguy is Pulling a Studio 42." That is not professional from anyone.

In terms of soundguy, I do know what I am talking about. Remember the only reason why you got the call in the 1st place is because I would not work for free, let alone work for free on my wife's birthday. Now you have taken over as the offical soundguy, something I have no problem with since you do a good job. I used to run remotes for 2 different radio stations that I have worked for and threw dance parties too. So sound is something that I do have a knowledge of... not 100% to the extext you do though.

I think all in all that you know that I am cool with you and your work. I just wanted to clear up any bad air. I do wish that you will stop using the phrase "Pulling a MAVEN." That is all.

[Rob Wilds]

ok, Now I have to chime in.

"Remember the only reason why you got the call in the 1st place is because I would not work for free,"

Matt, first of all Chris got the call to DJ because Tristan (our former sound man) was going to screw us. I knew that, so I called for help. You wouldnt work for free? You gotta be kidding me right??

Next up is this, I WISH PEOPLE WOULD STOP USING THE WORD SLANDER. If your gonna use it at lease learn what it means. This is not a personal attact on anyone but im using another quote from Matt

"What made me go off was the fact that you were using the phrase "Pulling a MAVEN." IMO that is slandering their name. "

Slander : ~ To tell an untruth about a person(s) while implying CRIMINAL intent.

Its cool if ya wanna bicker, But Matt, that was a cheap shot about the working for free thing. If you recall WE (thats you and I) couldnt get the board to fire up after idiot boy Tristan messed with is, then Chris saved the day. So dont use my business as a point in other business transactions. Yeah, thats what im trying to say..lol..Now come on guys, group hug ;D

[Professor Pimpstatus]

Rob, props for you for jumping in. I'm sorry but I must have had a different idea of what you ment by saying "Matt you are now my soundguy."

Yeah we could not get the board to work, that is why in the weeks between the Plexis show (which I did the sound for you) and the May 22 show I constantly said, lets get the board down to Skips so we can figure out what is going on. I knew it was an easy fix, but since neither one of us had the instruction booklet, I did not know what it was. Did you ever call me up and say we were doing that? Never. In fact come the day of the show, I asked if you took it to Skips, your answer was "Tristan got it to work, so we did not need to." I asked how, you said "I don't know, I wasn't paying attention." So the day of the show comes, the same problem was happening. So what was I doing, I was taking apart the board to take it down to Skips. Just as I got the board unplugged, that is when Chris walked in and did his thing, and he did a great job... and it did turn out to be something simple (there is a 5 minute delay when you switch off the Phantom Power before sound comes out)

In the weeks prior to the show I asked you about payment for doing 6 hours worth of work for you (setup and sound) and to quote you exactly you said "Don't worry I'lll kick you some scrills."

So the Tuesday prior to the show we had an e-mail exchange (and I still have the e-mails on my work CPU) I asked point blank "So are you going to pay me for this show? I'll perform the Star Spangled for free, it would be my honor to do so, but to work the sound is a different story." You in return acted shocked that I asked, and said that maybe this will not workout. The next day is when you contacted Chris. I even remember the e-mail exchange between us where I was saying how cool it was for a soundguy to take a booking on Wednesday for a show on Saturday.

So yes I was the sound guy prior to Chris, unless you are now saying that either you lied to me, or your word is not worth a can of spit? What is it?

And on the topic of Slander, you are right that is not the correct word to use. Slander is ORAL communication of false statements injourious to a person(s) reputation. (Official definition)

So since this is a text board, what is being done here can not be slander... it's defamation of character... which is a criminal offence!

Now I want this to end. Crud Rob, this should have never involed the two of us. This beef was with Chris and MAVEN. Neither one of us were there to hear the phone call that took place between the two of them. I got from Nick, the guy who made the deal in MAVEN, that the arrangement was "If they make money off the show, then payment would be made." As I said already they were in the hole from their manager splitting on them. No I have no idea what was made at that show, but most people left the bar saying it was "too loud" I even have some on tape. So if people were leaving due to improper sound volume...
So how do you make money when people leave the show saying it is too loud and demanding money back?

Anyways, as I have said Rob & Chris I like both of you guys. Rob, damn man you're one of my bros as far as I am concerned. I do not want to burn any bridges here. However, I am not going to sit and let anyone talk trash about another group of friends, just as I would hope you would have my back in a simular situation.

So ask yourself Rob, has Matt & Alicia ever lied to you? Have we ever treated you poorly? When you were injuried, who showed up and moved a bunch of yours and Tristan (that lazy butt's) stuff? Who was the guy that canceled a days plans to bail you out when you needed a soundguy, when you called him only 2 hours before the show? Now I am being fair here, and I am being honest again.

I am also tossing open the arms for a "hug and makeup." I don't need this, and neither do the two of you I am sure. I'm am sorry for the situation, and the aftermath of comments made by both myself and Chris.

[Rob Wilds]

Oh now Matt, you know I cant get mad at you. But I can get irritated. Now lets just clear this matter up. First of all You never...Eeeeeever quoted me with the word "Skrills" I dont speak like that and everyone knows it.
As for you being my sound guy, that was for the production company im trying to get together. However when that happens you got a job with me.

"either you lied to me, or your word is not worth a can of spit?" Whats with that? You don't need to toss out such hostility.

"So ask yourself Rob, has Matt & Alicia ever lied to you? Have we ever treated you poorly? When you were injuried, who showed up and moved a bunch of yours and Tristan (that lazy butt's) stuff? Who was the guy that canceled a days plans to bail you out when you needed a soundguy, when you called him only 2 hours before the show? Now I am being fair here, and I am being honest again." Again, why are you so devensive. Maybe you outta re-read my post cause your sure getting your undies in a bunch. I didnt attack you in any way Matt, please don't get personal again.

And

COME SEE THE SCHOOL D-CHEEZE..lol

Rob

[studio42]

Well, I've heard some excessive BS in my life, and this, while not the most excessive, is still way up there.

SO, excuse the F*ck out of me for doing the job properly. I'm sorry that Maven is not aware that when done properly, the ENTIRE band is put through the PA system.

"It's too loud". Ah, STFU. I brought a lot of PA, ran it at 25% and still had loads of room to go. I kept the room below audible saturation and below 96db, C-weighted. It was, legally speaking, NOT too loud.

As far as proper volumes, well, then I guess Prince thinks I'm a f*ck-up as well, since I ran several events for him personally, but I wasn't up to his attitude and most importanty, touring, for the kind of scratch he was offering. I guess Ted Turner at TNT must think I'm an idiot too since I organized and ran and operated an even for him an at NBA All-Star event, and while I'm at it, I guess the NBA hates my guts too for the same reason.

So, I do things properly, at concert levels WITHIN local ordinances. EXCUSE ME for being a professional and knowing exactly what the hell I am doing. I'll make sure I hit myself in the head with a baseball bat, or even better, I'll have Rob perform an Wild-Driver on me, which sounds painful in and of itself and probably involves head trauma, before I do another show for a club band.

As I said to Rob, Maven honestly does have something in a good way, but it's going to take at least 2 years to develop, and after that, they MIGHT get a chance to be a quickie opener on a multi-act tour on a west coast leg, at best.

I do strongly advise that Maven stay on my good side. Once they cross that line, there is no crossing back.

And I've learned my lesson: Half of nothing is nothing. I will require my payment terms to be set in stone and guaranteeing my payment, regardless of the band making money.

Thread closed. This bores me.