what to say and not to say to a sound guy...

For those of you who are musicians, here's a list of things that were said to me last night while i was working a show. The first list is a list of very nice compliments that were given to me, and the second list is a list of things that will ruin your show before you even play, and just makes you look like you have no idea what you are doing.

list one.

5.) Dude, your monitors were right on dude! I totally could hear everything, that never happens here! (thanks dude)

4.) We've had nothing but bad shows here, but tonight sounded badass! (thanks Ed)

3.) Can i buy you a beer? The show sounded fucking sweet! (best thing you can ever do for a soundguy, thanks btw)

2.) Will you run sound for us next time? (being asked to do it again means you did something right the first time)

1.) You're not the regular guy that works sound here are you? you should be. (i was speechless since I'm kind of a hack at it).


List two.

5.) yea, uh, that's the kick drum feeding back.
- the sound guy knows dude. he's doing what you tell him to do.
4.) yea, you won't need to mic anything else, just my kick drum.
- know your telling him how to do his job. does he tell you how to play drums? the sound guy doesn't work for you, he works for the club, and has to shine your turd so people don't leave.
3.) we need to start on time cause we have another show at 11 at a different bar.
- still dumbfounded.
2.) why does nothing ever work here!
- do you want me to even try dude? (i didn't by the way)
1.) we have two songs left in our set!
- when a sound guys says you have one left, you have one left. if you bleed two songs together, you're lucky if he doesn't pull the plug on you. i should have, but at that point i was in the bar getting a drink to dull the pain of just having had to sit through 40 minutes of your music.

All but one of these was said by the same guy. i don't mean to be judgmental about anyones music, because creating music is the best thing you can do in the world, but when you get cocky about it, that's when it becomes lame. you, my friend, were quite lame last night. i hope your second show was better than the first!

Sorry, i don't mean to be mean. I've learned a lot about how to treat a sound guy since i started doing it. and believe me, i now know their pain.