October 30, 1986 - Oxford, OH

Show Day - Fair

We're up an out at 12:45. Eat and drive to Oxford Ohio. Arrive at 5PM. We wander around town and go to a record store at 6 for an "in-store". We hang out and talk to people and pictures are taken. We then go to Mac and Jim's "club" and eat while the sound crew sets up. We get to check about 8PM - minimal miking. I go across the alley to "Mom's Laundry" and get my washing done. Three bands opening - too many (we find out why later).

Why do clubs put more than two bands on a bill? An opener and a headliner is all I can take. Plus there is usually very little room for all that band gear. "Fair" is probably the most vague weather descriptor ever.

Dave R. shows up about 10:15 while my laundry is drying. He's out for a week to see Paula and has lots of good news about record sales etc. New white sweat shirts look great. We go hang out at the upstairs bar and drink and talk. We finally go on and play a great show but we get cut short - bar closed and the other bands played too long. We pack up and go to the hotel provided as part of the deal. Small room. Crash at 3:30AM.

In hindsight the sweat-shirts would probably have been cooler if they were black with a white cow logo. I don't think we sold many of the white shirt - black logo version.

Posted by Dean at October 30, 1986 10:06 PM
Comments

So why did they book so many opening bands? Was it one of those scams where unknown bands pay to get stage time (like they do in L.A.)?

Posted by: Didi at April 20, 2004 11:04 PM

Actually as a musician without any backing, I prefer a 5 band bill. start at 9 and end at 2:30 with all but the headliner playing a 40 minute set. I've opened and headlined and I prefer headlining, due to longer set time and the whole sound check thing, but I love opening because of the new fans I've gotten at every show I've ever done! Plus it's such great fun to play a show with the bands that influenced you to play, or influenced the way you've grown, musically. As far as gear is concerned, I actually, enjoy the changeover from the band before us to the band after us! Opening for you was actually a dream of mine, but I've never had a band that COULD fit that bill (until the 6 months ago, go figure) and wish I did.

Posted by: Jay at April 27, 2004 02:33 AM