|
|
|
Mark Ohlson: (during Spazz & the Electric Circus) I booked a bunch. Later Mark booked a bunch. Carl was the manager and it was his assumed role. He was expected to go out and get us gigs. I brought a bunch in and I know Mark brought a bunch in. They were screened. Do we want to do this? Invariably Carl gave the yea or nay. There again giving him control over the “biz”. “You guys worry about playing. I’ll make sure you have places to play.”
The money was handled. The money was always paid to me. Then I divied to the band. I gave everybody their part. It was a five piece and the four of us decided that Carl was part of it. He didn’t really want us to, but we divied him in. That’s the way it was. He didn’t want us to because: #1-He thought it was cool that we were a bunch of kids doing this band. It was a part for him to take control and be a mentor as it were, but he also wanted to help his brother out. We would not accept that. It was like, “Man, without you where would we be?!” Eventually it would be (accepted with thanks), but it was not enough (from our perspective). We probably should have made 50 and he should have made 50. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Another challenge was getting to the gig, especially for younger bands. Bringing one’s own gear to practice was one thing; transporting everyone’s stuff to the dance was another. Not only was there everyone’s equipment to haul, but the PA and lights had to be accomodated along with all the band members and possible chaperones. Groups with younger members usually had to rely on Mom or Dad to get the band to where they were going to play. This could involve several vehicles if none of the families involved owned a station wagon, pickup truck or van.
Even with older members in a band the family sedan was often relied upon for transportation. Occasionally one of the more devoted, resourceful and/or forward thinking members would acquire a van to haul the gear around to gigs. A Ford Econoline or Chevy van could hold an enormous amount of gear and most–if not all–the members. An old used school bus was a good choice if someone in the band could afford one. U-Haul trailers–or custom built trailers–were used by some bands as a solution. Most times, if a band member owned the vehicle that was used to haul the equipment they would be given a little extra out of the nights earnings to cover the cost of upkeep and fuel for the vehicle. Sometimes this was a prearranged amount, other times it might depend on mileage to the gig. |
|
|
|
Besides the actual musical perfomance playing in a band involved the loading and unloading of equipment which was part of the job. Hopefully everyone carried their own weight here as there was loading up to go to the gig, loading in at the performance location, the set up and tear down and the load out after the gig along with the unloading when the band got home. The unloading after getting home was the more unpleasant part due to the fact that everyone was fairly tired after the long night and possible long ride home–lugging equipment at 3 in the morning was not an attractive prospect. Early on in a bands career this could be pretty simple and easy as the gear would be smaller and light in weight. As a group acquired more and better gear it could be fairly labor intensive. To ensure a fairly distributed work load some groups made it a policy that if members failed to help in this facet of a bands “work” those members would receive a reduced share of the earnings from a job–perhaps $10 or more less. Those that did take part in the loading/unloading work received the forfeited money as a bonus for their work. |
|
|
|
Friends were a big help in this area. Many groups had good friends as constant band companions. These folks were willing to help out with the manual work a band faced when playing out. They were greatly appreciated by the group for their help in this area along with sometimes helping to run lights or help with the PA balancing end of things. They were the local hometown version of “roadies” with one exception–they usually did this for free. Some bands would show their appreciation by paying these friends for their help, but many times it took the form of buying them a meal on the way home after a job. Not real glamorous, but they were “with the band”. |
|
|
|
Some bands would stop on the way home from a gig to get something to eat. At the time of night these folks would be traveling the only places open quite often were truck stop cafes or an occasional 24 hour restaurant such as Country Kitchen, Perkins or Denny’s. The treatment a band would receive in these establishments would vary depending on location and clientele present. During this time period covered in Garage musicians looked “different” from most of the adult population. It was not uncommon for a band to be hassled for their looks by other customers in an eating establishment. Many times this could be blown off since those doing the hassling were in an inebriated state having left their favorite bar that closed for the evening. Although, this could spell bigger trouble if the hasslers were intent on provoking a confrontation. Usually cool heads prevailed, but there were times... The other negative that occurred on occasion was the group would be ignored by the waiting staff. This was especially uncomfortable if hasslers were present too. Most times the band would move on with empty stomachs, perhaps finding another place to eat or going home without eating at all. Often the more rural the area, the more chance of a problem, but one could never be sure. |
|
|
|
The folks that a band encountered were always an interesting thing. At school dances the group might meet a cool teacher who was an encouragement. Playing a club or bar might bring them into contact with a nice employee that would look out for the band and their gear while there at the club. The crowds that were in attendance could be a real positive experience. There were some nights when everything would just click. The groups playing would be at its best and the crowd would show its approval in their response to the music. It was a very much a two way street. An enthusiastic crowd could and would push the band over the top performance wise. It was a unique give and take where everyone benefitted it seemed. One of those kind of nights would make up for many less than stellar ones and was one of the main reasons those who were in a band chose to do what they did. To be able to entertain a crowd and see them enjoying themselves was the biggest high and motivation to keep on doing this thing called music. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|