Some Anecdotes
“I once was house sound-man for a club in Toronto.
When I started, all of the wait staff kept asking me if I lived in residence. (I lived at home, quite close to the club). Finally I asked what residence was, it was employee housing (which $300/month was deducted from their wage to live in a craphole where everything you did was monitored). I was invited to a weekly after-hours staff party at another one of their clubs. They were charging $6/beer and more for mixed drinks.
I watched as the other employees lined up to get their wages (in cash) and blow every last cent of it right there and then, some advancing into the next week. This happened every week without fail. I was stunned.
I finally left after finding out their “peeler” clubs were just a front for a major prostitution ring. A few years later law enforcement dropped the hammer on all their clubs and owners.”
When I started, all of the wait staff kept asking me if I lived in residence. (I lived at home, quite close to the club). Finally I asked what residence was, it was employee housing (which $300/month was deducted from their wage to live in a craphole where everything you did was monitored). I was invited to a weekly after-hours staff party at another one of their clubs. They were charging $6/beer and more for mixed drinks.
I watched as the other employees lined up to get their wages (in cash) and blow every last cent of it right there and then, some advancing into the next week. This happened every week without fail. I was stunned.
I finally left after finding out their “peeler” clubs were just a front for a major prostitution ring. A few years later law enforcement dropped the hammer on all their clubs and owners.”
Once playing a club in Tucson, AZ in the 70’s (On Speedway), “Max” the club owner had a red phone, complete with blinking light, installed on stage and would call the band to tell them when to play a slow song (so he could get the disco ball going).
It was the strangest thing ever, but he outdid himself. One night he was shooing out the customers and pulled a chrome plated 9mm from his waistband and ‘urged’ the remaining table to leave the premises.
Who knows what evil lurks in their minds. I know that dealing with them is treacherous and it is a weird symbiotic relationship between the ‘entertainment’ and the club management. Usually the manager is the cool go-between and the owner just wants to minimize his costs and maximize his profits. Another free beer…. I don’t think so.
It was the strangest thing ever, but he outdid himself. One night he was shooing out the customers and pulled a chrome plated 9mm from his waistband and ‘urged’ the remaining table to leave the premises.
Who knows what evil lurks in their minds. I know that dealing with them is treacherous and it is a weird symbiotic relationship between the ‘entertainment’ and the club management. Usually the manager is the cool go-between and the owner just wants to minimize his costs and maximize his profits. Another free beer…. I don’t think so.
Some advice
“The same can’t be said for all club owners.
There are a “few” good ones. Very little in my experience. But the one thing you really need to understand is that they are business men and having you play at their club is a business investment. Sooooo….. Be very professional when you deal with them, make sure to discuss responsibilities in detail (set length, start time, end time, PAYMENT!!), leave them with a card to reach you for a future gig (they won’t look YOU up cause their are a million other bands), don’t be late showing up, have your gear ready and in shape, don’t get drunk, and try your damn best to make a REALLY GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION. That’s means bring as many people as possible.”
There are a “few” good ones. Very little in my experience. But the one thing you really need to understand is that they are business men and having you play at their club is a business investment. Sooooo….. Be very professional when you deal with them, make sure to discuss responsibilities in detail (set length, start time, end time, PAYMENT!!), leave them with a card to reach you for a future gig (they won’t look YOU up cause their are a million other bands), don’t be late showing up, have your gear ready and in shape, don’t get drunk, and try your damn best to make a REALLY GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION. That’s means bring as many people as possible.”
“The “rules” kind of differ depending on the gig. If you’re a cover band you don’t wanna spend half the night playing originals. Just make sure you know what’s expected of you and try to deliver. If they don’t like it, you can’t help it. Look for another club. Just make sure you’re professional. They don’t care about your music or look at it as art. It’s money and business and you should handle it in that manner.
After all that’s said and done. Don’t forget to F###ING ROCK.”
After all that’s said and done. Don’t forget to F###ING ROCK.”
“Club owners for the most part don’t care about you or your band, they are bottom line men. Either you are a known commodity or you invite everyone you know to come out and see you.
I played sessions where the club is not to packed and the owner comes out and tries to beat your price down,well am I there to play music or pack this club, it’s not my fault his club is a failure and most clubs are out of business in 6 months.
We sometimes split the bill with friends who have newly forming bands. They have higher enthusiasm and by using them for openers they bring out all their friends to double the crowd. If you think hard there are many ways to fill a club, just remember club owners are usually desperate because they made a bad investment and are looking to cut costs like bands pay.”
I played sessions where the club is not to packed and the owner comes out and tries to beat your price down,well am I there to play music or pack this club, it’s not my fault his club is a failure and most clubs are out of business in 6 months.
We sometimes split the bill with friends who have newly forming bands. They have higher enthusiasm and by using them for openers they bring out all their friends to double the crowd. If you think hard there are many ways to fill a club, just remember club owners are usually desperate because they made a bad investment and are looking to cut costs like bands pay.”
I do a lot of things for musicians online and such, but dealing with club owners and club managers . . . not my scene!
Luckily I’ve teamed up in two instances with contacts who are very good at straight talking with these guys, and if in this day and age a independent artist still needs a manager who isn’t a geek and master of digital realms through and through, make sure if they can do anything . . . it’s making sure you don’t get ripped off at the end of the night by these guys.
I don’t agree. I’ve met some of the most supportive people in venue owners. This is right across Canada. Some are worried about keeping their venues open. Some pay artists even on an off night, feed them and give them somewhere to stay – even if the show was a loss.
These people are struggling to float, just like some of the indie artists. We all have to work together to make it work.
Yeah, in every business there are creeps. Just like there are some indie artists that will screw you over big time.
Avoid these negative jerks like the plague. Support the good guys.