DRUMMER CAFE

Had an amusing gig last night (monday night for those reading after today) with the new band (redchapterjubilee on drums).   Sunday night we got the call that a band had cancelled and we could have the spot.   We hadnt gigged as a band, and figured it was as good a time as any.   We were opening for Acroma and the headliner Ra.  We knew nothing of either.

This was an all ages gig which meant early.  So Monday afternoon rolls around and we get to the club at the assigned time of 4:30 for load in.  Theres a big ol' bus with a trailer out front.  Apparently this headliner has some cash behind them.  

Inside the club (a relatively small venue, 200 capacity maybe) we saw said headliner had a tech station setup for guitars and drums and onstage a nice little Starclassic (18x16 bass I think) kit, two Mesa Dual Rectifier half stacks and a big bass rig.  A long soundcheck later said headliner finished sound checking.   We got on and were done in about 20 minutes.  Then we had about 30 minutes to go eat and get back.  Because they had moved our time slot from 8 to 7:30.

We played well.  3 songs, 30 minutes.  Sounded good on stage too.  Redchapter can tell you how the recording from the sound booth came out.   the 15 kids in the audience (and the folks from Acroma) all seemed into it and appreciative.   When you play such repetitive drawn out songs, you dont know how the audience will handle 'em.  so it was a good show for us.    

Acroma played well for the same audience.   Not my bag, but it sounded alright from the other room, and they got cheers.

Ra took the stage and were serious about thier rockstarness.  It was kinda funny.  I appreciate the fact that they still to put on a good show for those 20 kids that showed up.   I saw one kid singing along.  The guitarists hair was in full swing and everything.  They were pro's.  Kudos to the guitarist and drummer who were plenty nice and friendly when we met them.  Sorry I cant remember names.  

Apparently what happened was they only sold 2 advance tickets.   That aint much.  So the club cancelled.   But the bands (Ra and Acroma) volunteered to play for free.   Man Made God was the band we replaced.  They opted for a night off.  Cant blame 'em.  So the club took a pretty big hit, just being open and operational.   And noone got paid, but we all got a little exposure.

So ... like I said, good gig for us, bad for the major label metal band.

(this was in reply to a now delete message ... but since the post made some valid points to which I tried to respond, I thought id leave my reply up)

Sorry ... details:

city - Seattle
venue - Graceland
my band - The Luna Moth
about Ra - modern (dare I say "nu") alterna-metal-kinda stuff.   Ive seen mention of Tool in things written about them.

I totally understand the ons and offs of the gigging life (having lived it to some extent), and I was in no way celebrating their failure.   I was commending them on their willingness to give those few fans that turned out as much of a show as they would a packed house.  Thought I made that clear.   As for the LA'ness of them, it was just a point of reference as to the kinda gigging they were probably used to.

The point of this thread wasnt about Ra, or Acroma, or my band specifically.  It was about a gig.  About big bands and little bands and living the "high" life.    



side note ... I took the "LA" out of the subject as it seemed to be a bone of contention.