ahpook Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 they say they've got an bass amp there, but don't mention what sort. i'm going to be playing there soon and i was curious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerboy Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 It was some dreadful cobbled-together thing when I played there a year and half ago. But then that matched the rest of the Water Rats experience perfectly. I am not a fan of either playing there or going as a fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 When I played there almost a year ago it was a fooking crap 60W Behringer combo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 thanks for the reports guys... what was bad about playing there ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 [quote name='ahpook' post='375668' date='Jan 9 2009, 09:41 PM']what was bad about playing there ?[/quote] It was cold, no-one came, I played thru a sh*t amp, the onstage sound was pony, we didn't get a soundcheck coz the other bands took the piss....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 It's an awful place. We've played there twice. After the second time, as we were walking off stage, two of the band asked me if we could never play there again. They still ring us every few weeks asking us to come down and play there. Why the f*** would we want to do that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBeefChief Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Played it for the second time on Friday night. They've still got the 60watt Behringer, still badly run, and still no sound check. Their usual stunt is to tell you that your playing with 2 other bands. You get there and your 1 of 9! It's just a money making scam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 IS it a McGriff promotion? Sounds like his style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weird War Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 [quote name='Matty' post='397119' date='Feb 1 2009, 07:19 PM']IS it a McGriff promotion? Sounds like his style.[/quote] Club McGrifter? It does indeed. Reminds me of an old Tom Waits song... [i]What's he building in there? What the hell is he building in there? He has subscriptions to those magazines. He never waves when he goes by. He's hiding something from the rest of us. He's all to himself. I think I know why. He took down the tire swing from the pepper tree. He has no children of his own, you see. He has no dog. He has no friends. His lawn is dying. What are all those packages he sends? What's he building in there? That hooklight on the stairs. What's he building in there? I'll tell you one thing. He's not building a playhouse for the children. What's he building in there? And what's that sound from underneath the door? He's pounding nails into a hardwood floor. I swear to god, I heard someone moaning, low. And I keep seeing the blue light of a TV show. He has a router. And a table saw. And you won't believe what Mr. Stitches saw. There's poison underneath the sink, of course. There's also enough formaldehyde to choke a horse. What's he building in there? What the hell is he building in there? I heard he has an ex-wife in someplace called Mayor's Income, Tennessee. And he used to have a consulting business in Indonesia. But what's he building in there? He has no friends. But he gets a lot of mail. I'll bet he spent a little time in jail. I heard he was up on the roof last night, signalling with a flashlight. And what's that tune he's always whistling? What's he building in there? What's he building in there? We have a right to know.[/i] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mod_Machine Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Hello, Wow - thats alot of bad feedback about the place! We played there in December suppoorting The Maybes? on their album support tour. I agree with several things..... 1. ts cold 2.Its toilets resemble THAT scene from Trainspotting 3.Told we were one of four bands - got there and we were one of seven - but we retained out place in the line up. HOWEVER..... The sound onstage (and for the crowd) was fantastic, the crowd were amazing, the photos from the night were brilliant due to the lighting rig and the atmosphere was genius-was one of our best gigs (til we played the redstripe regional final last week)! HOWEVER (part2) we did bring our own amps (a 100w marshall for the guitarist and a 200w ashdown for me) for on stage and it does make all the difference. We promoted it in our local area - thus guarnateeing we had a relatively good sized crowd additional to anything else brought in by the other bands/promoters DONT expect to get paid much!!!! Although only recently signed, as individuals we are not aa bunch of 'newbies' to the giggin scene either so im pretty sure our 'good experience' wasnt down to lack of a good basis for comparison! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 (edited) Are you in Shapes? Good to see another lutonian here! Edit: just saw you are in Kilto Take. I saw you at the Hat Factory once. You hae a cool sound. Edited February 2, 2009 by Matty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 [quote name='Mod_Machine' post='397876' date='Feb 2 2009, 02:18 PM']Wow - thats alot of bad feedback about the place! [...] Although only recently signed, as individuals we are not aa bunch of 'newbies' to the giggin scene either so im pretty sure our 'good experience' wasnt down to lack of a good basis for comparison![/quote] We're not newbies to the gigging scene either. The entire operation is a f***ing mess. We brought our own amps too (both times). The engineer didn't have a f***ing clue (both times) and the onstage and FOH sound was abysmal (both times). The stage manager was a c*** (second time) and hopeless (the first time). The promoter you deal with on the phone doesn't show up to the gig. They charged some people from the guestlist full whack. We were one of 7 bands (both times). Our stage times were f***ed with (both times). We were the only band to get paid (both times). The first time they threw off the headline band as we were about to start our set. Poor guys had to come onto the stage, take their stuff and skulk out of the venue. We were told to play a double set. The second time the place was rammed with our crowd (50+). We walked out with a paltry £20 for the entire band. We've dealt with three sets of bookers there. Noone who works there last more than 12 months. It's a shithole. Don't bother with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mod_Machine Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Ok chill! You had a couple of bad experiences, we didnt! I never meant to imply anyone else who has played there is a 'newbie to the gigging' scene or that their opinion is wrong - purely felt it an important comment to make about us and us alone. Im sorry you have had such a wretched time playing at Water rats, and that your pay was also so poor though im sure you will agree that there are plenty of bands out there who would play the venue for free just for the experience and if it was that bad the first time - why return? or even accept to do an extended slot? The opinion i have given was purely meant to try and balance out the negative reviews the place seems to have got as in my experience us musicians appear to be more than happy to highlight the bad but rarely acknowledge the good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 [quote name='Mod_Machine' post='399161' date='Feb 3 2009, 05:16 PM']Ok chill! You had a couple of bad experiences, we didnt! [...] The opinion i have given was purely meant to try and balance out the negative reviews the place seems to have got as in my experience us musicians appear to be more than happy to highlight the bad but rarely acknowledge the good.[/quote] I'm not criticising you or having a go at you. Just saying how I found it. I'm glad you had a great time there. I'll never go back. There was nothing good about it apart from our crowd and our performance. It is the worst venue I've ever played or watched a gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YouMa Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 20 quid is crap,i would have taken the stage manager hostage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 (edited) [quote name='The Funk' post='399058' date='Feb 3 2009, 03:43 PM']We're not newbies to the gigging scene either. The entire operation is a f***ing mess. We brought our own amps too (both times). The engineer didn't have a f***ing clue (both times) and the onstage and FOH sound was abysmal (both times). The stage manager was a c*** (second time) and hopeless (the first time). The promoter you deal with on the phone doesn't show up to the gig. [b]They charged some people from the guestlist full whack.[/b] We were one of 7 bands (both times). Our stage times were f***ed with (both times). We were the only band to get paid (both times). The first time they threw off the headline band as we were about to start our set. Poor guys had to come onto the stage, take their stuff and skulk out of the venue. We were told to play a double set. The second time the place was rammed with our crowd (50+). We walked out with a paltry £20 for the entire band. We've dealt with three sets of bookers there. Noone who works there last more than 12 months. It's a shithole. Don't bother with it.[/quote] I've read about people on the list getting charged full price on a lot of other forums as well. Another common complaint is about their habit of putting two separate bills on in a night - the first having a habit of over-running and screwing up bands, punters and promoters on the second bill alike. I decided I wouldn't be playing there a long time ago. Edited February 3, 2009 by Musky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBeefChief Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 (edited) [quote name='The Funk' post='399058' date='Feb 3 2009, 03:43 PM']The second time the place was rammed with our crowd (50+). We walked out with a paltry £20 for the entire band.[/quote] You got paid? I think we took about 80 people with us and pretty sure we didn't see a penny. Of course I'm an artist, so I don't do it for the money blah, blah, blah. Edited February 3, 2009 by BigBeefChief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 [quote name='BigBeefChief' post='399261' date='Feb 3 2009, 06:52 PM']You got paid? I think we took about 80 people with us and pretty sure we didn't see a penny. Of course I'm an artist, so I don't do it for the money blah, blah, blah.[/quote] You guys didn't get paid? That's a disgrace! Even by the terms of their exploitative contract you should have received about £50. I know you're not expecting a Learjet and all the coked-up hookers you can handle but it'd be nice to at least get your petrol money back to Kent, right? Seriously, if you guys are based in Kent and getting 80 people in London you should be playing better venues for better organisers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBeefChief Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 [quote name='The Funk' post='399452' date='Feb 3 2009, 09:49 PM']You guys didn't get paid? That's a disgrace! Even by the terms of their exploitative contract you should have received about £50. I know you're not expecting a Learjet and all the coked-up hookers you can handle but it'd be nice to at least get your petrol money back to Kent, right? Seriously, if you guys are based in Kent and getting 80 people in London you should be playing better venues for better organisers.[/quote] We're based South East Sondon/Kent but only gig in London. We don't usually bring that many, but I remember it being a particularly popular gig. We may have been paid, but I'm pretty sure we didn't. Lets be honest though, £50 5 ways ain't covering much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Just a quick update to this thread. It would seems Water Rats have changed their policy on booking bands - they now require the bands to pay upfront for 60 tickets at £3 each. Sod that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 [quote name='Musky' post='411362' date='Feb 16 2009, 07:06 PM']Just a quick update to this thread. It would seems Water Rats have changed their policy on booking bands - they now require the bands to pay upfront for 60 tickets at £3 each. Sod that...[/quote] Hahaha! f*** that sh*t. Last week I asked two of their staff - yes, two - to stop calling me. It's verging on ASBO territory. They keep sacking the bookers but if the band contracts don't come from them then how the f*** are they supposed to convince anyone who's played a gig anywhere before to play there? For just over £180 you can hire venues like Dirty South or one of the rooms at Jamm, put on your own night and take ALL the gate money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 [quote name='The Funk' post='417115' date='Feb 23 2009, 03:31 AM']Hahaha! f*** that sh*t. Last week I asked two of their staff - yes, two - to stop calling me. It's verging on ASBO territory. They keep sacking the bookers but if the band contracts don't come from them then how the f*** are they supposed to convince anyone who's played a gig anywhere before to play there? For just over £180 you can hire venues like Dirty South or one of the rooms at Jamm, put on your own night and take ALL the gate money.[/quote] Yeah, they now seem to be firmly in taking the p1ss territory. I read recently on another forum that somebody applied for a job with them as a 'promoter'. Apparently they asked him in for a one day trial (unpaid) and had him phoning bands all day. At the end of it they asked him if he'd like to come back for another day of unpaid work doing the same thing. He concluded that there was no job. It might seem their activities aren't restricted to just taking the mick out of bands... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Just to add a different take, we played an early (6.30-7pm) set at the Water Rats last night and TBH it was way better than others on this thread have suggested - perhaps the venue/promoters have learned from past mistakes? We were asked to sell 25 tickets in advance at £3 apiece (we managed about 30, not bad for a Sunday evening) so we made a small amount extra on top that will go towards our next rehearsal. There were six bands on, although the promotional stuff (flyers etc) said four, but this made no difference to our set timing. Regarding the gear, no Behringer combo. The supplied bass rig was actually a loud Hartke HA2000 head (which has a tube preamp, so a decent range of sounds) and an Ampeg 1x15 cab, all together perfectly good for my needs. The gear for the drummer and guitarist was similarly solid and functional. The soundman was helpful and professional (we had a proper soundcheck). In truth, I really enjoyed the gig and the venue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PURPOLARIS Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Are you guys all talking about the same pub here ? It's strange how the comments can go from extremely negative to extremely positive, I think they should rename the pub ....................... The Jeckyl and Hyde lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PURPOLARIS Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Are you guys all talking about the same pub here ? It's strange how the comments can go from extremely negative to extremely positive, I think they should rename the pub ....................... The Jeckyl and Hyde lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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