We quite often get the 'have you got enough gear' or 'how much more is there to come in' or " this isn't Wembley Stadium you know" type comments. It gets boring after a while but we have sussed out why they say it. We all turn up in the van at the same time and carry the gear in and although it can look like a lot of gear in reality we have no more than anyone else, as we're a 3 piece there's probably less.Most other bands turn up in their cars individually and carry in their gear over a period of time so it doesn't look as much.
We also use our own PA and lights, we know the system, we know how to get a good sound out of it and put on a good show and we don't trust anyone else to do it right. We also play at a volume suitable to the venue and in agreement with the promoter / landlord / social secretary, that's one of the reasons for a sound check isn't it?