Boadrummer
02/24/09, 02:03 PM
So one of my bands (http://www.myspace.com/bleedbeforetheskies) was approached yesterday over MySpace by a "booker" in the Central Valley, California, to play a show in March. We're from the San Francisco East Bay area, and we've been trying to get out to that area, so this was a great shot for us. He mentioned that us and another band from our area, which is a bit of a drive from the Valley, were going to be headlining the show. Immediately, I questioned as to why we were, as because we're from out of town, we probably wouldn't draw too well. He then mentioned that we were the better bands on the bill, and the two bands, plus another one from more towards that area, would be the best drawing. Since I assumed the third band was somewhat local, I suggested they headline. This is where things started getting ugly.
He responded saying that when the other band from our area who was going to headline asked why they weren't anymore, he would tell them it was because I told him they shouldn't. He also threw in an asshole-ish line saying, "Man, you should be the one booking the shows!"
I was taken aback by this, and simply replied with, "Wait, what?" He proceeded to question how long my band had been playing together, and I responded with, "One year." This is what he responded with. Pardon the atrocious grammar and spelling, but this is a direct copy/paste:
ok well
ur band has been together long enough to make a big fan base wherever u go so u should have no problem playing wherever i put u in the line up. whenever my band plays kids come to see us we have been together for 4 months we have a huge fan base we have no problem playing anywhere in the line up. the only local band playing is band name removed and the have little or no fan base. they just started they have played one show. do not complain bout the line up u bands have had enough time to make a fan base and draw a crowd. if u dont want to play dont i can easily find another band. the reason im being so harsh is im doin u a favir by giving u a show. u should be greatful and say thanks sounds great. and it shouldnt matter weither u play to a crowd of thousands or a crowd of ten its about the music. and if u were about the music u wouldnt care about the line up and let me the booker take care of that.
This response completely blew me off my feet. Who the hell does this guy think he is? If anyone is familiar with how local shows around AT LEAST the Bay Area go, you'll know that a lot of what he's spouting is complete bullshit. Because we've been a band for a long time, we can automatically draw huge crowds? And because I didn't think we should headline means that I'm obviously "only in it for the money?" I feel like now is a good time to point out the passage:
whenever my band plays kids come to see us we have been together for 4 months we have a huge fan base we have no problem playing anywhere in the line up.
This line is a complete lie. His band has been around since about 2005, and they are apparently very close to signing to a pretty prominent indie label (at least, prominent in our scene). Not quite as small as he says they are.
Trying to salvage the situation, I immediately responded calmly, just trying to get on his good side, that we were excited to play and all that jazz. Yet another shocking response:
see thats more like it! sorry man i have a super bad anger problem haha and im in a bad mood if u were here i wouldnt have probably beat the fuck out of you haha. well man i will see u the 20th unless my band has a show. if i dont see u good luck have fun.
Wow, now he's really pissed me off. I don't care how much of an ego you have, that is still NO WAY for a "booker" to treat a band he is trying to secure on a bill.
What are other people's opinions of this situation. I'm very tempted to drop the bill and tell the guy off for how he treated us. Input?
in b4 tl;dr
He responded saying that when the other band from our area who was going to headline asked why they weren't anymore, he would tell them it was because I told him they shouldn't. He also threw in an asshole-ish line saying, "Man, you should be the one booking the shows!"
I was taken aback by this, and simply replied with, "Wait, what?" He proceeded to question how long my band had been playing together, and I responded with, "One year." This is what he responded with. Pardon the atrocious grammar and spelling, but this is a direct copy/paste:
ok well
ur band has been together long enough to make a big fan base wherever u go so u should have no problem playing wherever i put u in the line up. whenever my band plays kids come to see us we have been together for 4 months we have a huge fan base we have no problem playing anywhere in the line up. the only local band playing is band name removed and the have little or no fan base. they just started they have played one show. do not complain bout the line up u bands have had enough time to make a fan base and draw a crowd. if u dont want to play dont i can easily find another band. the reason im being so harsh is im doin u a favir by giving u a show. u should be greatful and say thanks sounds great. and it shouldnt matter weither u play to a crowd of thousands or a crowd of ten its about the music. and if u were about the music u wouldnt care about the line up and let me the booker take care of that.
This response completely blew me off my feet. Who the hell does this guy think he is? If anyone is familiar with how local shows around AT LEAST the Bay Area go, you'll know that a lot of what he's spouting is complete bullshit. Because we've been a band for a long time, we can automatically draw huge crowds? And because I didn't think we should headline means that I'm obviously "only in it for the money?" I feel like now is a good time to point out the passage:
whenever my band plays kids come to see us we have been together for 4 months we have a huge fan base we have no problem playing anywhere in the line up.
This line is a complete lie. His band has been around since about 2005, and they are apparently very close to signing to a pretty prominent indie label (at least, prominent in our scene). Not quite as small as he says they are.
Trying to salvage the situation, I immediately responded calmly, just trying to get on his good side, that we were excited to play and all that jazz. Yet another shocking response:
see thats more like it! sorry man i have a super bad anger problem haha and im in a bad mood if u were here i wouldnt have probably beat the fuck out of you haha. well man i will see u the 20th unless my band has a show. if i dont see u good luck have fun.
Wow, now he's really pissed me off. I don't care how much of an ego you have, that is still NO WAY for a "booker" to treat a band he is trying to secure on a bill.
What are other people's opinions of this situation. I'm very tempted to drop the bill and tell the guy off for how he treated us. Input?
in b4 tl;dr