Sad news
There have been several musician's that I have known over the years that have died way too young.
Most recently in 2005 it was Chris Whitley.
Now another one has passed.
One of the first non-local bands that I worked with was
Shok Paris. This was back in 1987. They were the first heavy metal band to sign to IRS records. They did several tours during 1987 and 1989, releasing two albums on the label, plus one album on their previous label
. Their original drummer and co-founding member Bill Sabo passed away March 16Th. He was just 46 years old. He left a wife and two kids.
When I worked with the guys Bill had already left the group to pursue other interests. I did meet him several times during that period though. He was a talented musician and well liked.
It's sad when someone dies especially so young. It makes you think of your own mortality, he was only three years older than myself.
I will be unable to attend the funeral in Cleveland but I have sent my condolences.
RIP Bill.
Labels: Cleveland, Deaths, Musician
An old Five For Fighting photo
I was looking for an computer program that I had. Spent a half hour looking through CD's and no luck. So, I decided to check one of my other computers that I don't use and I found this photo.
Actually found a bunch of old tour photos. This particular one is of Five For Fighting from 2002. I'm not sure what venue, but I think it was one of the many college shows we did that year.
This was back when John would invite fans on stage. Glad he doesn't do that anymore.
Labels: Concert, FFF, Five For Fighting, Lighting
My HOG
I have used many lighting consoles over the years. Back when I started running lights in the early 80's I used a 2 scene LMI console. Then learned the Leprecon family of consoles. Back then these consoles didn't have computers in them like they do today.
The only moving lights and computer console were owned by
VARI-LITE. The company owned everything. They only rented the lights and consoles, which ran on Macintosh software. These guys just celebrated their 25th anniversary last year. Now like all the other lighting manufacturers you can buy their equipment yourself.
Today most of the lighting consoles have a computer processor running inside them. They run moving lights, conventional (lekos, par cans), LED's and even video. The world of lighting has changed dramatically especially the last 10 years or so.
Companies like MA Lighting, Martin and
Flyingpig (Highend) are some of the main companies these days that make them. They even make the lights themselves. The nice thing is that different companies lighting consoles not only run their own lights but other companies as well. Even those VARI-LITES run on these consoles these days.
For this next tour I will be using the
HOG iPC. This will be my first tour with this one. I have used the HOG II series consoles in the past. This newer console uses the HOG III software. It will also run the HOG II software, but the new version has some new features that I eventually want to use. Plus I figured it was a good time to move up being the fact of so few lights that I will be using.
Labels: Concert, Five For Fighting, Lighting, Touring
The work load increases
Just under a month from the first show. I have spent the last 10 days going back and forth with lighting companies. Anytime you do a tour and rent lighting, sound, buses, whatever. You contact several vendors and get the best quote.
Now on this tour we are not carrying full production. What that means is we are traveling with the bands personal equipment, but some limited production. The sound and lighting will be provided by the venue or local production company. Actually 99% of the venues on this tour have in house production.
On this tour, as in the fall, we will be traveling with a monitor system. This is the speaker system that the band uses on stage so that they can hear themselves.
Unlike the last few tours we are going to carry some of our own lights. Just some moving lights which we be on the stage placed around the band gear. If we had the budget I would travel with an additional dozen and fly them over the band.
It's fine since many of the venues have moving lights.
For this tour I had specked out
Martin 250 Entours. When I started getting bids I was offered some brighter lights for the same price from one of the vendors. They are a little bit older as far as technology but will work for this tour. I have used them on several tours over the years.
If I had the budget it would be
Martin 2000 profiles. If you attend a concert in an arena these days, many of the shows are using them. Maybe next time. So I will have my old friends the High End Studio Spot on the road for now.
Labels: Concert, Five For Fighting, High End, Lighting
Coast to Coast
Looks like I will be heading to the west coast a bit sooner than I thought.
The tour is still scheduled to start April 17, of course I will head out before that. I just didn't think it would be this soon. Now I have to fly to LA on April 2nd and do a show with John and the band on April 3rd. This is not a show that is open to the public. It is a corporate show and for whom, I have no idea. It will take place south of LA in Orange County. I spoke to the venue's lighting tech today and I'm waiting on their house plot.
It is going to be a long couple of days. I will return the day after the show. Then turn around about 10 days later and fly back out there again. At least the snow will have stopped by then. We are actually getting another snow storm as I type this here in the Northeast.
The best part of all this flying across the country is the frequent flyer miles adding up nicely. I have almost enough for a trip to Europe. I really should use them to take a vacation to Hawaii.
Labels: Airlines, Five For Fighting, Touring, Tours, Travel
PENS NEW HOME
No... not Kansas City. They are going to remain in Pittsburgh for the next 30 years. An agreement was announced today on the new arena which should open in time for the 2009-10 NHL season.
This is a rendering of the new arena.
Just a couple weeks left of the regular season and playoff fever is in effect.
The NHL playoffs will be in full swing once the tour starts. So if you come to a show and see someone working around the stage in a Penguins shirt that will be me.
I wonder if I can get John to wear a Crosby or Staal jersey on stage. Doubtful since he's a Kings fan.
Labels: Concert, Crew, FFF, Five For Fighting, Hockey, Penguins
SAVE THE PENS
This is currently the header on
ThePensblog.com.
GO PENS!!!
Labels: Hockey, Penguins
I want to see Heaven and Hell
I am as much a fan of music even though working with musicians is what I do for a living.
Back in 1980 I was in high school and like most teenagers I loved going to concerts. That year I went to see Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult. To this day it was one of the best concerts I have ever seen.
I posted sometime ago that the members of Sabbath were going to get together with Ronnie James Dio and tour. The band is called Heaven and Hell. The tour begins next week. I am not involved in this tour myself, but I thought people my be interested in seeing what the stage set will look like.
A company called MasterWorks Lighting are designing the show. You can see the renderings on
their site. Cool design. This is a slide show so make sure you let it load and watch the whole thing
They will be using a lighting fixture called a
DL2 from Highend Systems to do projection.
If you already have tickets enjoy, it should be a fun show.
Labels: Concert, Lighting, Live, Sabbath
I'm so stressed
A little over a month from now I will be back on the road. I'm so looking forward to getting back out. I must say I miss it.
I have spent the time at home trying to stay warm and shoveling lots of snow. Also watching and following my favorite hockey team, the Pittsburgh Penguins. I have been a fan since the late 80's, so don't call me a bandwagon fan.
Word is that today is "D Day" for the decision on the Pens and the new arena in Pittsburgh. The meeting should be going on as I type. Hopefully it will work out and the team will stay and not move to Kansas City or somewhere else. I have been thinking about it all day.
Oh yea, getting back to the Five For Fighting tour. The date in Norfolk, Virginia has been cancelled. I don't know why. I just received an updated schedule two day ago and it was still on there. There has been a date added Louisville, Kentucky in it's place the day before.
I may be bringing out a small lighting package with us. I have some inquires in to some companies on renting. We usually use the in house production for the shows. Which we will do on this tour, but management wants me to add something to it.
If I had the budget we would carry a complete lighting rig.
Back to searching the net on news of the Pens.
Labels: Arena, Five For Fighting, Hockey, Penguins
More dates are getting confirmed
The
dates continue to get confirmed. Albany, NY has been confirmed for May 6 at The Egg. I live in western NY state and I have never heard of it. It is a small theater I believe.
I would guess the Northwest dates will be confirmed in the next week or so.
John spent this past week playing some shows for the troops at Guantanamo Bay.
Labels: Concert, Dates, Five For Fighting
