Whacked out booking agent

[NWBasser]

I had one of the worst and strangest gigs recently.

The drummer contacts the booking agent for a gig at the World of Beer and sets us up to play there on a Thursday night.

We then receive a poorly-written e-mail from the agent, Todd, that outlines the venue rules such as everyone going through the PA and a setup time.

We arrive at the designated time and begin setting up our gear. Next is a sound check. During the soundcheck, I'm told to turn my amp down to a whisper where I can't hear myself over the drums.

Guitarist couldn't hear himself either. Believe me, neither one of us plays loud at all. Todd told us that we could turn ourselves up later on. Once we started playing, things went off-the-wall weird:

As I was playing the first song, Todd came up and told me to turn up the bass on my passive jazz.

During the first set break, Todd tells me that he can play alto sax better than I can play bass. I replied that I can play much better when I can hear myself...

Without any discussion or permission, Todd comes up on stage with his alto sax and starts playing with us.

Later on, Todd told me that I play too many notes. That I should stick to quarter root notes...for jazz/fusion...

After the gig as we were packing up to go, Todd tells me that I'm deaf because I couldn't hear myself and was being unprofessional.

Also, after the gig he told the drummer/band leader that I should be fired. Drummer told him to stuff it in so many words.

Later on Todd leaves a voicemail with the drummer telling him how great we were and that I sounded like Jaco

In hindsight, we should have packed up and left when we realized what a control freak he was. We won't work with him in the future and he better look out if I ever catch him in a dark alley.

[piebaldpython***]

lol.....Sounds like his head's a bit soggy from all the rain you get out in the PNW.

[Spudman***]

Man, having an agent that thinks he's a musician too...that's a disaster if there ever was one. Next time have the bouncers escort him out.

[marnold***]

I hope that you at least got some good beer out of it.

[R_of_G]

During the first set break, Todd tells me that he can play alto sax better than I can play bass. I replied that I can play much better when I can hear myself...

Even ignoring the mitigating factor of you not being able to hear yourself, does Todd realize what an incredibly stupid statement that is? He may as well say "I drive golf balls better than you shoot three pointers."

[Eric***]

Wow. Was he just really inexperienced? Or young? Or both? That's right up there on the list of weird gig stories.

[NWBasser]

I hope that you at least got some good beer out of it.

I did get a couple of tasty chocolate stouts!

[NWBasser]

Wow. Was he just really inexperienced? Or young? Or both? That's right up there on the list of weird gig stories.

Not young. Late 50s I'd guess. Don't have any idea of his experience, or lack thereof.

The World of Beer pub just opened and is part of a larger chain. I'd hazard a guess that Todd couldn't work with established local clubs due to his extreme unprofessionalism.

I'll further guess that he has failed as musician and decided to go into booking bands. His personality would be poison in a band.

[sunvalleylaw]

Whoa! I am just glad for you that it is over.

[FrankenFretter***]

Just how many bass solos did you play?

[NWBasser]

Just how many bass solos did you play?

None actually. He was blowing his sax during the time I was supposed to solo.

[FrankenFretter***]

They say there's no such thing as bad sax...

[davewrites]

Almost named my first born Todd. Relieved I didn't.