ben_1903

I hold my hands up to having done that a couple of times with the first couple of gigs I put on. Thinking it would be far easier to get enough people through the door to make it work for everyone.

From a band point of view I can totally see why that would piss you off. I did always offer to pay the bands out of my own pocket (having already used my own money to pay the headline band, having not cleared enough on the door to even cover that!!), but luckily it was guys I knew, and they understood and didn't take cash off me.

I lost a shitload of cash promoting last year.

I didn't quite grasp how much effort is required to promote gigs and make them a success until I actually jumped in head first.

Promoters get a shit load of stick from people in bands all the time (I used to do that too), but it's pretty unfair most of the time. That goes back to the point about criticising places like Tunnels and Drummonds too much. Bands in Aberdeen should appreciate places like this, and there are a fair few promoters in Aberdeen who always have the best intentions of the bands in mind (i.e. I felt totally shit not paying those bands, and would have paid them out of my own money - some of the gigs I put on and lost money on, there was a fee agreed in advance, and I always paid it regardless of losing my own money).

Nice ballanced post there. I agree, as someone who both plays in a band and puts on gigs occasionally.

I've been paid nothing on a few occasions.

And, without wishing to sound like some big head ego type person...it did annoy me. As a band its nice to get a few quid, for example to put towards recordings.

If we had been told in the first place that we wouldn't be paid and given the reasons why I'd have been cool with it. But when you don't get paid blatantly because the promotor did a shit job of promoting, got fuck all through the door and then had to give all the money to the headline act - its just not on. Either do a good enough job of promoting; or be explicit when you book the bands - "guys, this one isn't going to be a paying gig because of such and such a reason, hope you still want to play"

There's not been too much harsh criticism of Drummonds on here which I'm pleased to see, but I have noticed over the past couple of years that Drummonds and Tunnels has came in for a fair bit of criticism from folks in bands in Aberdeen.

And to be fair, I have dished out some criticism in the past too. But, on reflection, I think Drummonds and Tunnels should be fucking applauded and cherished by local bands.

It can't be an easy job for them keeping up with the sheer volume of bands they go through, and they are willing to give almost anyone a gig.

How many gigs have you played in Aberdeen? How many have not been at Drummonds or Tunnels? I reckon out of all the gigs we've played in Aberdeen we've played about 10 at the most that haven't been at either of those two. I'll count it out - 1 @ Kef, 2 @ Lemon Tree, 2 @ Snafu, 5 (that I can remember) @ Moshulu. Yup, 10. I don't know how many gigs we've played in Aberdeen but it's certainly a LOT more than that.

Hen is always keen to give local bands a gig, and there are plenty of touring bands come through the doors at both venues as well.

Yes, the places will have their flaws, but they're a million times better than Kef used to be for example (in terms of never being able to get hold of Paul, the disorganisation etc - the actual venue itself was brilliant), and well, they are the only 2 venues of that size that put bands on every night of the week.

Snafu is a magic venue, but local bands really need to either hire the venue, or get on a Black Tooth or DHC night. I've not been to Moorings yet, but I hear it's ace - but you only get live bands on a Saturday night, and they're booked up to fuck!!

Just thought I'd pitch in and stick up for the buggers.

Yes. I agree.

The only problem with the Drummonds kit is that, understandably, it could do with some TLC. The bass drum needs re-headed and the whole kit needs tuned. The hardware is pretty rickety too.

yes. and in addition its pretty much falling to pieces.

therefore it is shite.

Well he hasn't got me yet.

Can we have a role call please and check that everyone is accounted for?

Callum is def one of my fav soundmen in Aberdeen. laid back, gets things adjusted during the gig, and when we didnt have a bassist, I explained to him beforehand and we managed to get a full on sound easy enough with him suggesting ways to make it even fuller.

The local drunks thing I've only ever seen one or 2 problems with, so don't really want to comment.

Hen's always been easy enough to get in touch with, which is always handy.

Guess what I'm saying is I like Drummonds. It's not super-fantastic-awesome, but it's one of the better places in Aberdeen.

yas.

but i would say some equipment could be updated

my 2 cents:

callum is a very good soundman. Soundcheck timing can be bad.

the drum kit IS SHITE.

yas min!!!

I have a certain even numbered series of patterns I do with my fingers, which runs something like this. The numbers represent my middle three fingers, with 1 being the forefinger. Give it a whirl!

1 2 3 (ascend)

3 2 1 (descend)

2 3 1 (start from the middle)

2 1 3 (start from the middle)

1 3 2 (start from the outside)

3 1 2 (start from the outside)

I've done it since I was a kid and it's hard to portray how important these patterns are in maintaining my daily equillibrium and stable mental health. It's not just with fingers either; also relates to footsteps and the way I walk along the street, feelings in my body, muscle tenses and things like that. Oddly enough it's come in pretty handy for playing guitar. The annoying thing is, if I start it, I have to finish it!

you are wierd!

tomorrow!!!!

album is immense. yas min.

its probably goping to kick off a bit earlier than that folks. 9:15, and iname will be on around 11

x

and another shameless bump.

I nod my head on the snare when everyone else does it on the kick. Is this normal or are I a danger to society?

thats fairly normal i think, I do that anyway

volumes HAVE to be even, or else the space-time continuem will rip at the seams and we will all die

When I'm playing football manager I have to have my hand on a specific place on the desk during matches. I have no idea why.

If I am walking along and the ball of my foot presses onto the crack between two paving slabs, I try to make the ball of my other foot do the same on the next step. This repeats until both feet are equal.

More to follow when I do it subconsiously and make a mental note to post it on here...

This thread is fucked up, but it has a point that needs to be raised:

Microblogging is the worst thing to ever happen to the internet.

true dat

bump 8 letters

The christmas message is comedy gold! Why do people put this shit on the internet!!??

Aye it is. It's Autumn. In Disguise.

..............boom boom?

Hmm...not sure I think its cool to post the pictures on here. But it has all been punlished online by him I guess.

oh well, his twitter updates today were gold.

Okay...actually tracking down photos of him and sticking them on here is a bit wierd!!!

....well put a bloody dress on!

It is quite mean though. But saying that, if he was a celeb, this'd be all kosher. And he is a celeb. He's the lead member of AADS for fuck sake.

hahaha had a good chuckle. got to spread reputation around.

I kinda disapprove of this thread if I'm being honest. Poor guy. Poor Collette. Poor my eyes for reading that twitter stream. He'll be crushed if he ever sees these 4 pages of personality deconstruction. I'm out.

(you lot carry on by all means though)

Fair point, it is pretty mean.

Dead Chuffed They Got Raz Riot To Guest Vocal. He's My Fav!!!