Cynics Anonymous

I go to as many gigs as is financially possible and thought it would be sensible to keep a journal of gigs I go to, cds I buy, new and old bands I come across and anything else I fancy going on about.

Thursday, June 10, 2004

June 8 - SmytherJones @ Rockers

As I said in my last blog, I have recently began managing a new young indie band, SmytherJones. I've been a critic of music for 16 years since I started becoming passionate about music but now the shoe is on the other foot and its my band that will be under the spotlight!

This was my first official outing with the band at a new pub that is concentrating on showcasing bands. If you know Glasgow its beside the old entrance of The Arches and has been opening and closing regularly under many guises and after my first visit, I can't see it lasting much longer!

Poor sound, poor bands, and a crazy man running the place that knows hee haw about sound, made for an interesting night that none of us will forget!

I haven't a clue who the other two bands were. The first were a young Nu Metal band with what can only be described as the worst drummer I have ever witnessed. I can't add much more to that especially as I really can't think of anything laudable to say.

We were to be on last but at the last minute we were told the order had been changed as the 3rd band had sold more tickets than us. We were pissed off but accepted it but went on hardly ready and it has to be said did a very poor set. Towards the end the bass amp started playing up and sent our bass player Boycie into a rage on more than one occasion.

At the end of the gig our front man John decided to tell the crowd exactly what he thought of the venue and the sound man took acception and decided that he would go for him! The entire situation was caused by this idiots inefficient sound control (or lack of it) but he decided to threaten the band and show what a complete arse he is. I got John out before we got a doing and we decided that we would not return!

Obviously we were unable to hang around for the last band but based on their sound check they were a joke and had obviously be trying too hard for too long and were never going to make any kind of music that would be commercial or enjoyed by anyone with any knowledge or taste. It was funny to watch their arrogance disapear when they went onstage as they are obviously not too musically talented!

The moral of the story? Don't let the guys in the band organise another gig if this is the best they can do.

Peace.

Al