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Rob Karloff

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Posts posted by Rob Karloff

  5. Old Roolz for Bands thread, retained for posterity

    in Krakatoa

    Posted

    You've inadvertantly raised another issue. Yes the customer is always (or at least usually right)' date=' but the customer is by implication the one paying. The bands do not pay the bar. The bar pays to host live music (cost of PA, sound engineer, doorstaff, extra bar staff, etc). Two weeks ago we had a very busy Sat night, and it was a great night, the place was rammed out the door. Last Sat we had no live music and the place was quiet. The difference in bar sales was 100. The reduction in operating costs was 300. Thus by not having live music our profits increase 200. So yes the bar DOES pay to host live music. On top of that there's the cost of the PA and that was a sore cheque to sign LOL.

    The punters pay to listen to live music, both at the door, and indirectly at the bar.

    The band are usually paid something by the promoter out of the door money; the band are in effect paid for a service.[/quote']

    Maybe so, but I'm sure you realised that making money out of a live music venue was no mean feat. Especially when you spend a chunk of money on lots of PA gear. But, you wanted to do it, so here you are.

    Think about it like this : If I go work on a Top Fuel dragster for someone, they are paying me to provide a service. However, if I take along my own tools and they then tell me I have to use their tools or someone else's, then I may be incapable of providing the best quality of service due to those tools.

    Same thing applies to bands for me; When Karloff agree to play a show, we're not just going to go along and play some music. We are popular because we provide a performance, and to do that, we really need to use our own tools. Be that a guitar amp, some fake blood and stage props, or our singers mic and FX. If we don't, then we just aren't able to provide the best show we can... And then the customer isn't getting their money's worth! Not only that, but it could mean the difference between some punters loving our show and hating it. I've actually heard from people before who saw us in some tiny wee bar someplace where we couldn't use our stuff to best effect and they went away with a negative view of us, and then they saw us in the Lemon Tree or something and thought we were mega. Bottom line is, we care about the show we put on, and we're trying hard to get out there and establish a wider fan base and following, hence why we drove all the way to Manchester to play a gig and then drove all the way back here again. Just for one show...!

  7. Local Bands CD sales figures

    in Music Discussion

    Posted

    The original run of "Monsters Ruin" was 750. I think we're close to selling the last few of that CD. Not sure what the run numbers for "Self-Made Monsters" was... 1000 maybe? We shift most of ours in spurts as we go play gigs elsewhere, hence why we sit near the bottom of the FHR sales league, then all of a sudden go to the top.

  8. Old Roolz for Bands thread, retained for posterity

    in Krakatoa

    Posted

    PS : I use a 100W JCM800 (although I only run 2 power valves so it's basically running at 50W) and 4x12 because that's what I've found gives me the sound I want. I can't get the *same* sound from my JCM2000 head, although I can get close. I also don't get the same sound from another cab... I use a Fender 4x12 because it's less bassy and has more middle to it. Sid Riffer uses the old Marshall 4x12, and our two sounds are different, but complimentary. Hopefully those of you who have bought "Self-Made Monsters" can hear this in your left/right ears (mine is in the left channel)!

  9. Old Roolz for Bands thread, retained for posterity

    in Krakatoa

    Posted

    When I read this first, I had similar thoughts to others, but I still saw the reasoning behind most of it. I understand it's somewhat impracticle to keep swapping the gear, but as others have said, a touring band will for the most part not let the supports use their stuff, and neither will they use some other gear (house or not) because they just can't rely on getting it to do what they want. Guitar volume is the biggest problem, and I'm often/usually the one guilty of it!! Any musician needs to hear what they are playing in a good balance with every other instrument onstage, and in small venues with poor/broken/non-existant monitors or non-mic'd equipment, then you rely on getting your amp to the level you need. Usually, that's too loud out front! I tend to find I can compromise by placing the cab up on some crates so it's nearer ear level, or putting the rig as far back onstage as possible. My Fender cab also has it's speakers angled up about 5 degrees which helps. All that guff about turning your 4x12 into a 1x12 is tricky sometimes, and potentially damaging to a valve amp. On my Fender cab, you have to take the speakers out the front to get at the wiring (back is glued in and vinyled over)... Even then the wires are soldered to the speaker terminals. If the speakers are not the usual 8-ohm rating then you need to ensure your amp is set correctly to avoid valve/transformer damage. I've never come across a situation where I couldn't make my 4x12 and 100W head suitable for the soundman and suitable for my on-stage sound. Also, I'll happily let someone use my cab, but not my heads. I spent too much money on buying them and having them fixed due to breakage. If I let someone use one of my heads and it goes pop when they're playing, are they gonna let me send them the bill? Did they damage it, or was it one of those things? Valves suffer wear and tear in normal use, and I put enough mileage on them myself! Besides that, it takes about 5 seconds to swap a guitar head between bands. When I used to try and do the sound for the bands in Drakes, my approach was to let them do what they wanted to be doing. The customer is always right and all that. Even with demanding and LOUD bands like the Real McKenzies, it made the job tricky to do without feedback and stuff, but ultimately I managed and they were happy. It may have been a little ragged in places, but that's part of the performance. It's all about middle ground, for me.

  16. Karloff - Self-Made Monsters

    in Feedback Forum

    Posted

    The silent track was rather irritating though' date=' my friend was determined to find a song in all the silence so i had to listen to him fastforwarding and stopping for ages trying to find it :laughing:[/quote']

    *Adopts Hannibal A-Team voice and supa-sized cigar* : "I love it when a plan comes together..."

  17. Karloff and Black Atom CD launch @ Lemon Tree

    in Music Discussion

    Posted

    It was a really great gig and it was great to see loads of new faces and so many kids in Karloff t - shirts (Don't mean that in a G. Glitter type - way)

    Sid puking on stage beats any prop Ghoulmore has ever used!

    Best 'Fields gig I've ever seen (and i've been at every gig they've ever played in Aberdeen' date=' bar two or three) and the best i've seen the Loff as well.

    Are the CD's selling well, Rob?[/quote']

    We were listening to Glitter in the van at 2:30am on the way back up from Edinburgh last night! We seem to be ranking up there with the Murderdolls in the t-shirt stakes amongst the local alt kids, which is rad. Each time they bring more of their friends along to the next gig as word spreads... Too cool. They queue outside to get in, get right up the front and have fun, and they buy the CDs and merch with their hard-earned cash. Top notch!

    It's yet another chapter in the "Chronicles of Sid. D. Riffer"... I'm sure there will be many, many more.

    I think the Dangerfields were surprised how busy it was when they went on (you expect to play to no-body when you're first on, pretty much), and I think that spurred them onwards. They always do a good show and get the audience going, regardless, but I think that was one of the best times I've seen them.

    The CDs are shifting pretty well after only a few days and gigs. Not sure what the absolute numbers are, but they're pretty healthy given that it isn't even "officially" available yet. Lots of strong comments on the presentation, artwork and packaging. A testament to Ghoulmore's artistic ability. I think people quite like the production, too... ;)

  21. Karloff and Black Atom CD launch @ Lemon Tree

    in Music Discussion

    Posted

    We were amused when we came in and saw no barrier at the front - such pessimism! Greatly enjoyed the entire gig and Karloff got a bit out of hand as one of my trainers got wrecked (well more wrecked I guess) and ended up sitting on the stage for the last few songs. My sock is blacker than black!

    Was Sid okay for Perth and how did that go?

    I think there were comments about the barrier being in place for our next Lemon Tree outing...! It was all good natured stuff, and the security staff were very good in keeping people back so that they didn't knock the monitors or mikes, but not quashing the fun in the process. I did actually wonder who's trainer that was that landed on-stage... Should have guessed it would be one of the Dyce wrecking crew...! ;)

    Sid was A-Ok after his hurling effort, not sure his guitar pedals liked it much tho! Perth gig was a downer unfortunately; Local support had pulled out and no promotion had taken place. There was a guy and his girlfriend who enjoyed the show and bought CDs, but that was pretty much it. Got to take the downs with the ups though; We had a blast in Edinburgh last night and did over 100 in merchandise. Glasgow tonight at the 13th Note Cafe... Been good there the last few times.

  22. Karloff and Black Atom CD launch @ Lemon Tree

    in Music Discussion

    Posted

    BIG, big thanks to all 300-and-something of you that showed up for the gig....! Mega-blown away to see 20 or so waiting patiently in line outside, an hour before doors. It was great to see an already burgeoning crowd inside when the Dangerfields took to the stage. Really solid set from them, just like at the Misfits gig in Belfast. You really want to see them on a big stage with a good PA and monitors! Double Jack put on their usual sterling and polished show... The rock was brought! Good to see them shift a few more of their Fat Hippy debut CD. We were all hyped-up and ready to roll next, and I really had a blast. Everyone going carrrrrrrrrazay at the front, you rule! It was mental to see the two security dudes having to come out front and fend the moshpit off!!! Apologies to anyone who was out front stage-left and got covered in Sid Riffer's vomit... It WAS real and was an unplanned part of the stage-show! Black Atom came on last and pulled off a note-perfect display of MEEEETAAAALLL. Congrats to Dan on his 3-gig marathon, done with aplomb. Great way to end a fantastic night, guys.

    Anyway, thanks again to everyone for making the night so buzzing and fun. Thanks especially to Captain Tom and all the Fat Hippy crew, The Lemon Tree staff for their efforts and ongoing support (especially Marj, FOH extraordienerre!), and the Retro Rebels crew.

    Same time/place next year?!

    :rockon:

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