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Roadhouses
Dear Old Soundman,
After feverishly reviewing the Prosoundweb.com site, I find
your articles & question responses both informative & tactful.
I too am a former road veteran, as well as a current pug owner.
My wife and I were planning a road trip and would like to see
a little music. I am wondering, in your unbiased opinion, what are
your top ten Roadhouses past and present, according to both PA performance
and venue appeal?
Joe Jr.
DEAR FELLOW PUGMAN - WE ARE A SPECIAL BREED ARE WE NOT?
MAY
I LEVEL WITH YOU HERE? A GREAT ROADHOUSE DOES NOT NECESSARILY HAVE
A SUPER PA. THE GREAT ROADHOUSES (WHICH I WILL NOT NAME, I KNOW
YOU ARE TRYING TO TRAP ME THERE, WHAT AGENCY ARE YOU WITH?) HAVE
DECENT PA'S. THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT RUN THEM ARE UNASSUMING AND
WILL NEVER BE THE SUBJECT OF A CELEBRITY CHAT, BUT THEY KNOW THEIR
JOBS, AND HALF THE BANDS AND MIXERS THAT COME THROUGH EVERY YEAR.
THEY DO NOT TOUR EUROPE AND ASIA, THEY DO NOT HAVE BUSINESS MANAGERS,
AND THEY DON'T CARE IF YOU PULL UP OUT BACK IN A BIG NEW BUS OR
A DUNE BUGGY.
THEY TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR SYSTEMS. THE AMPS
HAVE BEEN CLEANED OUT, THE FANS IN THEM DON'T HAVE POUNDS OF DUST
CAKED ON. ALL THE CHANNELS ON THE SUBSNAKE BOXES WORK, EXCEPT THAT
ONE WITH ON THE DRUM BOX WITH TAPE ON IT. THE MONITORS DON'T BUZZ,
AND WHEN YOU WALK IN, THERE ARE THREE MIXES ACROSS THE FRONT, AND
SIDEFILLS THAT ARE LOUD AND CLEAR, AND A DRUM FILL THAT KICKS ASS,
AND IF YOU WANTED MORE YOU SHOULD HAVE CALLED AHEAD!
THE
SETS START AND END PRETTY MUCH ON TIME AND THE CROWD IS TREATED
WITH RESPECT. THE CREW PLAYS COOL PRE-SHOW MUSIC AT A REASONABLE
LEVEL. THERE IS A PRODUCTION ROOM THAT MANAGEMENT DOES NOT INTRUDE
UPON.
THE CREW TREATS THE VENUE LIKE IT IS THEIR HOUSE.
YOU ARE TREATED LIKE AN HONORED GUEST UNTIL YOU PROVE THAT YOU NEED
CORRECTIVE PROCEDURES.
LOOK, I AM VERY LUCKY, TO HAVE A
BUSINESS PARTNER THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO HAVE A REALLY
AMAZING SYSTEM. SURE, WE MAKE MONEY USING IT. BUT I SPENT ENOUGH
TIME IN THE TRADITIONAL ROADHOUSES TO LEARN THE BASIC RULES, AND
I TAKE MY HAT OFF TO THE FOLKS WHO WORK ALL YEAR WITHOUT HEALTH
INSURANCE, WITHOUT FANCY DSP, AND WITH BANDS THAT CAN BE HOLY OR
HELLISH.
IT'S A CRAPSHOOT. ROADHOUSE VETS ARE GAMBLERS THAT
MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.
LUV
- THE OLD SOUNDMAN
