08/21/07

The Show That Never Was

Hey there everyone, I hope you all had a great weekend, and that your Monday work sailed by painlessly and quickly.

Normally I like to share with you the details of a good show, but these are the details of a show that never was. Though we were all looking forward to playing at Sylvie’s Saturday night, and though we had a decent turn out of friends and fans, it never happened and here’s why. We were told that our slot was 10 or 10:30pm, so we told people to be there around 9:30 or 10:00pm. When we arrived, some band conveniently decided without consulting us that we wouldn’t have any problem going after midnight instead, and Sylvie didn’t seem to think it was a problem either.

Now, even though I feel I’ve paid more than enough dues as a musician, I’m willing to pay more as long as I have fun doing it and as long as it’s under certain conditions. I stress to my band mates that we present ourselves professionally, and I believe that we do. We aren’t a garage band of fourteen year old rock star wannabies who have cigarettes hanging out of our mouths while performing a delusionary massacred version of “Come As You Are.” We’re organized, cooperative, we work hard to put on a good show and we are professional. In return, we expect bands, venue owners, and the people we work with to treat us professionally and with the respect that we deserve. That was not the case Saturday night.

We are not about to ask or expect our friends and fans to sit around for what would have amounted to nearly three hours to see us do a show, when it would have gone something like this: our friends would have been forced to listen to two bands that they didn’t come to see, and then when it would have been our turn, do you think the other two band and all their friends and fans would stick around and support us? There would have been a whole lot of “We’d love to check you guys out, but--- blah blah blah blah blah blah blah and blah.”

We discussed it and considered the feedback from people who came to see us and decided to pull out. Whenever Brian or I have booked a show with other bands, we always make sure everyone is happy with the setup and is aware of how the show will go. We don’t tell them one thing and then give them another at the last minute. It’s simple, do unto others as you want done to you, and if you can’t do that then you can play from 10 till one in the morning by yourselves. If you don’t have enough material to fill the night, then maybe you and Sylvie can try doing stand up comedy to keep the customers around because we’re not about to be duped into doing your dirty work for you..

Fortunately we were able to catch everyone before they went in and paid the cover charge. If by some chance any one of you showed up after we left and wound up paying just let me know and I will be happy to reimburse you.

I know all of you who came out were looking forward to it and we’re sorry it wound up the way it did. Jim, Gail, Pam, and the rest of you guys came a long way. Sorry. Thanks to all of you who did come out and a bigger thanks to all of you for understanding and supporting us in our decision.

Have a great week.
John