phil.c60 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 (edited) Right, here goes. We have been trying to get a gig at this particular venue for a while (pub). Man who books the bands will only book you for a Friday or Saturday night if you do a Sunday afternoon first so he can see what he thinks (or more accurately what the staff think and how busy it stays as he's never there). Fair enough, but our guitar guy really doesn't do Sundays for family reasons. We persuade him to do it as a one-off. It goes well: so well, we are offered 6 (IIRC) more Sundays. Sorry, we say, you knew this was a one off. OK, says man, here's the only Saturday left before Christmas. If that's OK we'll book you for next year. We take the Saturday offered, turn up on the night, set up, and a grubby looking guy comes towards us. "Oh F***" says harmonica player "I know him,. he's a pest and he's useless". Grubby guy starts talking to our guitarist, tells him he makes his living busking (clearly not a good living, looking at him) and can he play with us. "Play what?" says guitarist "harmonica" says man. "Ask him" says guitarist pointing at harmonica player. "Can I play but I'll need to use your harmonicas" says guy "No" says harmonica player. "Definitely not". I can see why. you wouldn't let him spit in your beer for you, would you, so why let him spit in something you are going to suck through later. "Can I borrow your guitar then" he say's to guitarist, eyeing his vintage telecaster. Guess what, that's a no too. "OK" says grubby guy, "I've got a tambourine at home so I'll go and get it later". Said grubby guy turns up later with, yes you guessed it, a manky tambourine. He then stands in front of me shaking it to some irregular beat that's clearly only present in his universe for song after song. I'm clinging on to the correct rhythms for dear life whilst concentrating on the drummer who's concentrating on me. Eventually we start a song (La Grange, actually) which starts with sparse guitar, rim shot's and bare vocal. He won't stop. It's really putting the guitarist/singer off. "Sshhhh" says I. Nope. Again, louder. Nope. "Shut Up" Nope. "Shut the f*** up" that's better, he stops but he looks like I've kicked his puppy. I motion him to start again when we get to the loud part as I know I can drown him out, then tell him that's enough. Woman fro the bar pay's us after we've finished, says the takings were great, and we were "A first class band" and to get in touch with booking guy about next (now this) year. Fast forward to this week. Harmonica player get's in touch with booking guy to sort out dates, discovers that grubby guy is his mate, and he's not happy about us not letting him play. Harmonica guy tries to explain that we don't lend out gear, certainly won't share harmonicas, only do guests by arrangement etc. but he's having none of it., and refuses to book us. I have offered to call him myself to see if I can straighten it out, but harmonica player tells me "I might not have been very diplomatic by the end of the conversation......" and I think I know what that means. Don't you just love the music business. Happy New Year. Edited January 8, 2016 by phil.c60 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 (edited) Sounds like you may well have all dodged a bullet there: imagine Stig Of The Dump turning up to every gig... Edited January 8, 2016 by Muzz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 PITA. I always gently explain to anybody who wants to use y gear, that they aren't insured to use it. If they persist, they are told they can use it if they sign my form and make a refundable deposit of £500 cash. Get a bit of abuse, but they only pester me once. Give the gig up, just looking for grief going back imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 I'd just write it off - I know it's a ball ache when you've done groundwork and finally got in somewhere you wanted to play - but what would happen if you went back there? Same guy wanting to play with you again.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 It must get pretty wearing for the punters if that same bloke with his harmonica/tambourine insists on playing with every band that perform there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzodog Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 I am surprised you are still persevering playing there as he will no doubt be there again. I'd run a mile. We used to do a local pub where one of the regulars used to drunkenly dance in front of us knocking over mic stands and falling into one of us. Once was okay but he would do it all night. Gaffer and other locals found it hilarious but we didn't. We don't play there anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Yes. We played a pub (twice) with an odd local. All the regulars thought he was hilarious. We didn't. Drummer told us 'we' wouldn't be playing there again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cameltoe Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 We've had to leave behind the odd good gig because of crazy landlords and landladies. It's just not worth it in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1452261381' post='2948188'] Sounds like you may well have all dodged a bullet there: imagine Stig Of The Dump Turning up to every gig... [/quote] This. We sound bad enough with me playing ... Edited January 8, 2016 by alyctes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subbeh Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 I think this is how it works on Jools Holland's show. Shame the LL is letting this busker get in the way of having good entertainment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 So how did he get to "[size=4][color=#323232][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]You'll Never work In This Town Again...." has it escalated since or is he 'Colin Corleone'?[/font][/color][/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Let's play Name That Pub! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntLockyer Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 "Can I have a go on your bass?" "Can I have a go on your Mrs?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 No, no, no, no! Run a mile, and spread the word! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 One gig or one town blown out..? If that is the sort of person you have to deal with..I'd be quite happy to blow out all his gigs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 (edited) And as for playing a free gig there as a sort of audition..?? Edited January 8, 2016 by JTUK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LayDownThaFunk Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Name and shame the pub so none of us ever have to play there. Don't be British, please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 You have to name and shame the venue just so we all know to avoid it like the plague! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taunton-hobbit Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 From years of experience with pubs....some good, most not.....idiot landlords usually land up in the street proclaiming 'I've got the Brewery right where I want them' - usually about a month before they get evicted - it's just a matter of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.c60 Posted January 8, 2016 Author Share Posted January 8, 2016 (edited) [quote name='No lust in Jazz' timestamp='1452268318' post='2948323'] So how did he get to "[color=#323232][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]You'll Never work In This Town Again...." has it escalated since or is he 'Colin Corleone'?[/font][/color] [/quote] It was my vague attempt at humour, based on the fact that he clearly thinks that if he doesn't book us we'll be sorry. I think he thinks he's the only gig in town. [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1452274775' post='2948443'] And as for playing a free gig there as a sort of audition..?? [/quote] No, I never said the Sunday afternoon was a freebie - it paid OK. It's just their try-out slot.[quote name='No lust in Jazz' timestamp='1452268318' post='2948323'] So how did he get to "[color=#323232][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]You'll Never work In This Town Again...." has it escalated since or is he 'Colin Corleone'?[/font][/color] [/quote] If you want to know the venue: All pm's answered! Edited January 8, 2016 by phil.c60 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.c60 Posted January 8, 2016 Author Share Posted January 8, 2016 The quote thingy has got buggered up somewhow by my fat fingers, and i can't seem to edit it. Sorry for the multiquote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harryboylad Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 On a similar vein - we had a problem a little while back in a decent venue we wanted to play in regularly - we also headline a big festival they do each Summer so we were trying to build a decent relationship with the landlord. The sound has always been no better than average (understatement) and it is a small venue with about a 6 inch high stage and no barrier. Middle of last year we set up there and it was a cracking night - mid Summer, nice and warm and rammed as a result. Unfortunately some of the crowd had clearly been drinking all afternoon and were rocking and rolling. Midway through beer started to get thrown around and then bodies starting falling onto the front of the stage - I worked it out afterwards and we had about £5k of pedals on the floor in front of us (we have 3 guitars and bass) most of which was now liberally coated in alcohol and our mates in the support band had no choice but to try and "bounce" the front of the stage! We managed to calm it down eventually (our lead singer is great at connecting with the audience) and finished the gig. We felt we had no choice but to have a word with the landlord and told him he needed to sort the sound (as it had been a constant niggle every time we played there) and erect a barrier otherwise we would not be booking any gigs there in the future - it had got so bad I don't think we had a choice so we were prepared to walk away unless he did something. To his credit - that is exactly what he has done - he upgraded the sound system, lighting and erected a scaffolding barrier across the front of the stage - I am not sure if it was all down to us (others may have also complained) but everyone benefited including him as he managed to get "Big Country" on there shortly afterwards!!! We will be playing there three times this year - happy days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Try to book a gig as local to that pub as possible then leaflet outside his boozer. I won't swear by trying to mask the letters with symbols resembling the letters so i'll just use fullstops. .... em! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 [quote name='phil.c60' timestamp='1452276708' post='2948478'] The quote thingy has got buggered up somewhow by my fat fingers, and i can't seem to edit it. Sorry for the multiquote. [/quote] No worries - book and promote your own gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.c60 Posted January 8, 2016 Author Share Posted January 8, 2016 There's no real stage, so the audience can get as close as they like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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