Y'know, it's not easy being in a band, let alone several. Let alone several really good ones. It's not made any easier by venue owners/staff that just don't give a shit about anything besides upholding their long-since abolished right to smoke at the bar. Highway Robbers had a gig at a local "club" last night, and I was mortified the second I walked in. We played well and rose above the stankola, but...
The smell. Oh, the smell. Invest in a mop, why dontcha.
No sound guy, although I heard a rumor that he poked his head in and said howdy before attending to the more exciting outside world. Can't say I blame him really. We had to do it ourselves.
No guest list. That REALLY makes me feel like I've been pissed upon from a great height.
Barely someone working the door. She just got up and wandered around whenever she felt like it.
2 drink tix per, which is fairly expected. But when they're good for Bud cans only, I get mighty testy.
Garbage, yes garbage, all over the stage, left over from several previous shows.
Mic stands, all of them, and mic cables, all of them, on their very last legs.
Nady mics. I say again; Nady mics. Nady. The cheapest of the cheapest of the cheapest.
Hands down, the surliest bartender I've ever encountered. You're a tranny? Fine. Enjoy. Good for you for asserting your sexuality as you see fit. Doesn't give you license to be a raging asshole.
This place is an utter disgrace to the club scene around here. They don't even try. What a complete waste of space. When you play at a place like the Red Devil, Slim's, GAMH, even the friggin Utah, etc, they go to truly impressive lengths to take care of the musicians and make them feel welcome as best they can. Why? Because it's the right thing to do. This place makes you feel like you need a shower. Don't play there, don't go there, don't even look at it as you drive by.
This place, for the purposes of this rant, shall remain mostly anonymous. But, if you're ever at a show at the Red Devil and aren't having a good time (not bloody likely...), DO NOT go south about 4 blocks to the place that begins with a K on the same side of the street hoping to find something better. Anybody got any money? I'd love to turn the place into a respectable venue. Hell, a coat of paint, a little vacuuming job, and a some Lysol would go a long way...
Posted by eric at May 6, 2006 06:03 PM