Days and Days
We are in the middle of four in a row. No wait make that three since we cancelled tonights show. Scott the bands singer is having a bit of vocal cord problems and needs to take some time off. It was decided since we had monday and tuesday off anyway canceling the show made sense. Sorry to the fans in Hartford.
It has been a couple of interesting days. One of them doing a show in Providence a venue that should just be flattened. The place had a bunch of sound and lighting that is old and just plain broken. The club owner just refuses to pay to fix anything. The place had a bunch of old LMI dimmers that they claimed buzz when they are used.
Friday's show was at a nice venue with a very small stage. It is basically a billards hall located downstairs which made load in fun for the stagehands.
Yesterday was spent in Albany New York doing another one of those "fun" radio station festivals. Twenty bands and two stages side by side. The worst part was the guys from production who were unorganized and we also had no help loading in or out.
So here we sit in Secaucus, New Jersey. I know you are asking why not in New York City? Well it is easier to park a bus here which many tours do. The area here at Harmon Meadow is well known to anyone who tours with a band.
It reality we are only about 5 miles from Manhattan. I am still trying to decide if I want to go into NY tomorrow. We are trying to get a new backdrop and set pieces made for the Canadian tour and I need to make it happen tomorrow. Time is getting short.
Labels: Finger Eleven, Roadies, Touring, Travel
One day at home
Yesterday was spent in Dayton Ohio doing a radio festival with nine other bands. These are always interesting. They can also be fun. Ran into some old friends who are working with other bands. There were many ladies show off their assets.
Today is a day off and it was decided that we would spend it in Rochester, which is where we are playing tomorrow. The good thing for me is that I live about 45 minutes from there, so I decided to come home for the day. Upon my early morning arrival I find that the lawn needs mowing, so I ended up doing some yard work today. So much for rest and relaxing.
We have just ten shows before the Canadian tour. I have been trying to get info from the Sum 41 camp regarding the lighting plot that they would like to use. It appears that I will be using their design which I can work with. I just need to see a copy of it soon.
Labels: Finger Eleven, Lighting, Roadies, Touring, Travel
Late Night TV
We are taking a break on the way to Minneapolis as I type this. Yesterday we spent most of the day at the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. I have done the show before. This time the band performance was done by two separate artists. The Finger Eleven performance will actually air this Friday the 14th.
The guests were Dwight Yoakam and Billy Bob Thorton. Dwight was there and also performed, however Billy Bob cancelled for some reason. I was disappointed because I really wanted to meet him.
Everything went very well. Everyone also went downstairs and took pictures with some of the Price is Right games including the wheel.
I also found out that they got my work papers so I will be on the Canadian tour next month. The guys will be co-headlining with Sum 41 doing arenas across the great white north. It should be fun since I am doing some cities I have never been to.
Labels: Canada, Finger Eleven, Late Late Show, Touring, Tours
What's that smell
Five days in and things are off and running. I haven't been on a tour like this in years. We are all on one bus and so far have played some very small places.
The band is as good as I remember them. I finally got my lighting package up and somewhat programmed. They showed up late in Reno after the freight company dropped the ball. The show was then nearly cancelled do to inspections from the fire marshall. The venue owners had failed to take care of some previous violations. In the end we did the show but with no real lighting except for what we are carrying.
Tomorrow we head to Tempe Arizona to play another dive. Then it's on to LA on Tuesday and an appearance on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
Then it's off to Minneapolis, yes you read that right LA to Minnesota and another one of those long submarine rides. We will probably stop somewhere along the way and spend a day doing nothing while the driver sleeps.
Labels: Concert, Finger Eleven, Lighting, Touring, Tours
It's good to be busy?
I realized this morning that I only had five days off since last weeks tour ended. Tomorrow it's back to the airport and off to California. This next run is for the month of September so I will be back by October 1st.
It's back to the clubs and I mean clubs. I think the biggest venue on this run is like 1200 capacity. The band and crew are traveling on one bus with a trailer for the gear. Space is limited so I had to cut back on the moving light package that I wanted to bring out. It is going to be just a few moving heads, some strobes and a console. It should be fine though, it's always a fun challenge to create a show in these places.
Wish me luck.
Labels: Concert, Crew, Finger Eleven, Lighting, Touring
Shameless Plug
If you are a fan of hard rock or metal especially old school you know by now that Van Halen will be touring with David Lee Roth fronting the band again. It's too bad that Michael Anthony will not be on board as bassist. Fans don't seem to mind since many of the shows have already sold out.
Anyway someone I have known for many years has released a book on the subject of VH. It's titled
"Everybody Wants Some: The Van Halen Saga"and it is written by Ian Christie. He also wrote "The Sound of the Beast" which is a history of metal.
I first met Ian in 1984 or 85 when he was around 13. At the time I was working in radio and did a heavy metal shows on Saturday nights. He used to come down and hang out and talk music. Eventually he learned to run the board and started doing a show of his own during the week. Now he has a show on satellite radio and is a musician and of course author. You may have seen him on the VH1 Heavy:Story of Metal series.
If you are a Van Halen fan get out there and buy the book. I think he would appreciate it.
Labels: Authors, Book, radio, Van Halen
