Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 943 Location: Terra Firma, Ether Sea
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 6:34 pm Post subject: FLASH PHOTO POLICY!
Nice pictures, yes, but...
What you don't see in these photos is me, down on my knees just out of frame, hecticly adjusting the sweep on the volume pedal I had just rebuilt as they hold doors for Robben and I. This was not a soundcheck. That had finished 15 minutes earlier and we were dashing to try to get Tony (our support act) set up and Robben's broken pedal fixed, as patrons stood outside waiting to enter the theatre.
What you do see is the irritated look on Robben's face as one lone person stands directly in front of us at the foot of the stage firing off one FLASH photo after another right into our faces as we try to work.
If that was you, Gainster, I'm sorry for the tone of voice I used when I asked you to "Please turn off the flash, you're blinding us!"... but you were and, if you were an employee allowed in the venue before doors, then you really should have known better and you really should have been more respectful of the situation. There is a proper time and place for everything. As I said, they were holding doors, so this was NOT a good time to stand 10 feet away flashing photos in our face as you distracted us in our last minute repair.
I don't want to seem like I am raging on you, Gainster, it was an honest and enthsiastic mistake, I am sure. But I would like to use this incident to again broach a very important subject, of which most longtime fans of Robben are, or SHOULD be aware (Those that truly respect and care about Robben's feelings).
I realize that you are fairly new to this board, and this subject has not been addressed for awhile, so maybe it's time I brought it up again for the newcomers (I see we're suddenly up to 700 members, if the new members are all legit!):
Robben HATES flash photography, folks. It is distracting and blinding to the artists trying to perform and, during shows, it is uncourteous to the patrons who are there for the music and the entertainment.
To many folks it is just as annoying as if you took flash photos at the screen in a movie theatre!
Robben HATES, again I repeat HATES, and once in italics HATES(!!!) flash photography and will often during a show step up to the edge of the stage to tell someone with a camera to please turn off the flash.
And, of course, he often gets ignored.
And, of course, everyone suffers because now you've got him PO'd and his thoughts are no longer centered on his playing, leaving the audience with lack luster solos, instead of the steller performances for which they paid and of which they COULD have spoken & remembered for the rest of their lives.
But then, people with cameras are obviously more into visuals & photography and less into the music. (You can't photograph sound, but you CAN lessen the quality of the music by distracting the artist trying to make it!)
And with today's technology, you shouldn't have to use a flash in most cases. If you really want to shoot photos at a concert, put out the bucks for a real camera, so you don't have to distract those around you and annoy those on stage!
He also hates having one person stand in front of him firing off photo, after photo, after photo. He WILL eventually, if he can get close enough to them, ask them "Don't you think you have enough photos yet? How many do you really need?!?!"
....especially when it's not yet showtime, doors are being held, and we are trying to work.
And of course, gang, don't even begin to think that you are going to please and/or make friends with Robben if you have a video camera in your hands.
BTW, Gregg has made it quite clear amongst his organization that HE feels EXACTLY the same way. _________________ B C-ing U!
( }:-Daved
"This boy's diseased with rhythm!" -Bing Crosby (Road To Rio, '49)
2. I ask the security guy in the lobby if it was alright to take a few pictures for this forum and was told "as long as it's not during the show...sure".
3. I have never and would never take shots during the set!
4. Hope you had time to enjoy our beautiful city while you were here.
Peace out! _________________ Click on link to listen to many effects pedal clips.
Joined: 19 Sep 2003 Posts: 646 Location: City of Trees, USA
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 6:05 pm Post subject:
I get the feeling that last-minute challenges from the wah pedal, when combined with a couple of flash photos, led to a bit of stressing out. Gainster is to be complimented for some wonderfully candid shots (Robben in his undershirt?) and Daved is to be complimented for a high degree of restraint.
Even though this wasn't a sound check: Were I a regularly working musican, I probably wouldn't want anyone but stage crew, sound crew and venue crew around for sound check. On the other hand, there are some bands (e.g., the B-Side Players) who have fun making sound check a total audience participation thing.
And I hope Robben doesn't take this the wrong way, but photos of him playing shows are a dime a dozen. What I'd REALLY like to see is a good set of candids of Daved frantically sweating bullets during shows, dealing with broken strings, failing gear, amps that have puffs of smoke coming out the back, ungrounded power cables making sizzling noises, etc. etc. Robben's a great hardworking musician, but from personal experience watching Daved in action, he gives James Brown a real run for the "Hardest Working Man in Show Business" title. _________________ - BlueRunner
Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 534 Location: SF Bay area
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 11:29 pm Post subject: Bluerunner's nomination
I second that emotion! (About Daved, NOT about Robben's "undershirt." Bluerunner, that is a white T-shirt, and he looks very nice in it.)
I must confess I find the idea of smoking amps and sizzling cables intriguing, but it just doesn't fit a Robben show. Sounds more like something one might see with KISS or EFX.
Good night, all. I just got home from celebrating my daughter's 21st birthday (is that possible?) In typical "elizabeth" style, we all went to her favorite hole-in-the-wall-dive Mexican restaurant, but I brought a bottle of Dom P. to celebrate this milestone. You know, Dom Perignon goes quite nicely with Mexican food...who would have known?
Hmmmm, I wonder if it would be good with cereal? JUST KIDDING! I'm still waiting to get the corner on THAT market.
Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 189 Location: Northern California
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 11:35 am Post subject:
I've only seen Robben play at Yoshi's in Oakland. That night, there was a notice posted advising everyone of the "no photos" rule entering the performance area. There was also, if I remember correctly, an announcement over the house PA right before the show.
Robben and band came out and pulled off a smokin' show. Except for not playing "Hand in Hand with the Blues", (my personal favorite) there was nothing about the show I would change. I was lucky enough to be seated at the closest table to the stage, in front of Robben's mike stand. As far as I can tell, everyone in the club respected Robben's wish to limit the flash distractions and he and his band rewarded us with a memorable musical night.
No one could say that he was also not extremely gracious and generous with his time, as he came down and shook hands, signed pretty much anything put in front of him and was totally approachable. As you can see in the photo, Robben signed a white Fender strat pickguard for me along with a black Fender CS tele pickguard that you can barely make out. I framed these, along with my tickets and a card from Yoshi's and have it hanging in my music room. I also stuck in a RF pick that I bought (ahem ) on Ebay. I hope to one day add a signed picture of Robben and a pick from him to this.
Hopefully one day Robben and his management will be able to offer an updated authorized live DVD, signed photos and other swag to his fans but I feel very lucky to have the music and the chance to have met one of my guitar "heroes".
Thanks Robben! (alt=p)
And how could I forget, I also met Elizabeth that night!
Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 534 Location: SF Bay area
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:58 pm Post subject: Ohhhhhhhh okay, all right already.
Ah me, to paraphrase the bard, "Would a rose by any other name, not smell as sweet?"
And Ian, to tag onto your comments about Yoshi's, one reason why it is the favorite Northern California venue for many musicians, is because of the behavior of the audience. (Great sound system, food, and room, too!) To be fair though, I have had to do my most stern, middle school, "Shhhhhhh!" face to people from time to time, but Yoshi's is quite clear about camera and recording policies, stating them just before the show begins.
Anyone want to go to dinner and see Robben at Yoshi's with me? (And I don't care if he is wearing an undershirt, I mean t-shirt.)
_________________ www.elizabethgage.com
Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Posts: 916 Location: Fairhope, AL
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 2:43 pm Post subject: show etiquette
If I may, I'll offer a (slightly)dissenting opinion here. Like many of our members I am a gigging musician. I play a lot of restaurants-that's what the other two guys in the trio prefer. When you play in a restaurant setting, you are basically background. You are there to enhance people's dining experience-not to dominate it. People go to restaurants to enjoy both good food and the company of friends. That means at least some conversation. If you go to see a music show, it is different, but restaurants involve lower volumes and ignoring a certain amount of table talk. People should also respect those around them by keeping their at the lowest level that still be heard-and often don't. I would prefer that all attention be on us when we play-but that's not very realistic. We are there for the customers and not the other way around. It's just something you put up with in restaurants(and bars). We had one gig at a very popular local restaurant with an open bar area, and one of the bar patrons started playing the spoons(!). We just had to try to ignore it. Anyway, that's my opinion. I find faces that are paying attention, play to them, and let the rest go.
Frank
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) on Ebay. I hope to one day add a signed picture of Robben and a pick from him to this.
(alt=p)
