Between The Covers-Check Yourself

Jenn Cohen | May 1, 2013 | 0 Comments

by Torch

We may all need to stop and catch our breath as we head into the summer concert season. April was such an intense month with all the events that occurred, including the 4-20 shooting in Civic Center Park. Everyone got a giggle when first time newscaster A.J. Clemente started his on camera career with cussing, and less than 24 hours on the job he was unemployed after saying “shit,” and then dropping the “F-Bomb” live. Oops. On the same weekend, the bassist from 3 Doors Down, Robert Todd Harrell, is facing multiple charges, including vehicular homicide by intoxication, violation of the implied consent law, contraband, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Not funny. In the twisted world of the fallout of the Boston bombings, Amanda Palmer wrote a poem to Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Seeking publicity at any cost may just cost her, her career.

On a lighter local note, I was on a float in the St. Patrick’s Day parade with a band. The parade came to a momentary stop and the lead singer was talking to the streets lined with parents and children, and said the “F” word out of habit. I looked around, and the cheering instantly went silent; everyone was wide-eyed, and once the shock wore off, the parents were angry. It was like that horrible moment waiting for a spanking, while your comrades stand around going “UMMMM”! The band was not asked to return, the lead singer has moved on to politics.

There is a lot of responsibility that comes with stepping out in front of people, a responsibility that extends beyond yourself, and your career. There are a lot of ways to destroy your career in music, with drugs and alcohol at the top of the list. Don’t believe your own hype. Ego is another great way to screw up a good thing; for example, “Diamond” Dave aka David Lee Roth, (I know some of you will ask, “who?” which proves the point). Van Halen was at the top and he got so full of himself that the band voted him off the stage and into obscurity.

Axl Rose is guilty of the same sin. He is known for pitching a fit and walking off stage during a performance, or being hours late. GNR showed up late to a show in Dublin in 2010 had bottles thrown at them, and the crowd booed. They walked off stage and an hour later, after much debate, the promoter made them stick to their contract, get back on stage, and finish the show to an almost empty venue! Guns and Roses have been plagued with riots resulting from Axl Rose not being able to control his temper. GNR fans have been trampled, beaten by police, and hospitalized after trying to attend a concert. Local concert promoter Barry Fey called the limo driver that Axl Rose called after he had a temper tantrum and left in the middle of the concert. Fey reminded the driver of who paid the bill and demanded he bring Axl Back. Upon his return, Fey surrounded the stage with security to keep Axl on stage to finish the show. He said if Axl were to try to leave again, he would have to go through the fans, and they were already pissed off. (Note: a few members of Metallica joined the remaining members of GNR on stage while Axl was gone, showing that you can help out another band, the promoter, and the fans. Metallica surely prevented another riot, which would have ended up with more people getting hurt).

The number one rule in any business is: Don’t be an asshole!

As a musician you have the opportunity to get your art out there, entertain, hopefully make some money doing what you love, and have fun doing it. Summer Concert Season 2013 is almost here! The venues are booked, the vendors are preparing, fans are planning their summer concerts and festivals, tickets are selling, and we all can’t wait to see you!

Party all you want, just take a cab!
Know when it is not about you or your career such as is the case with the Boston Bomber.
Watch your mouth; be conscious of your audience if playing in open public. (Playing G rated)
Remember to be professional, you are on stage to do a job for which you are being paid, and your fans paid for, to see you.
There is a difference between being wild and cool, or destructive, and that difference is when others are getting hurt because of you.
Wear your Helmet, and hang on!