Music Gigs Gone Wrong
“Great, powerful, funny, moving, sad, and brings back some truly horrible memories. I guess that’s a good thing, right?” —Rick Moody, author of The Ice Storm and Garden State
Music Gigs Gone Wrong is the ultimate “I’m with the band” backstage pass. Here’s a diverse look at a variety of live music disasters told firsthand. Whether it’s a half-empty biker bar or a packed 3,400-seat auditorium— turn on the house lights—you’ll hear about the people, dates and places from big cities to the middle of nowhere. The musicians will sing in your ear about the ordeals they had to go through. Tell me more, I love reading rattling rants and sneering inner thoughts. This grand and wonderful collection appeals to all, especially band members and admirers. Without reservation, swallow Music Gigs Gone Bad hook line and sinker. Go hang out with an enjoyable read; one that draws you in deeper and deeper, guiding visions that beckon you to ride away.–Michael Gentile: SpliceToday – Contributing Writer
Although playing shows for people is one of the greatest joys a person can experience, this book shows it’s not always everything you could hope for. I thoroughly enjoyed reading these horrendous stories of woe. I just hope they don’t convince anybody to give it all up. It’s not usually as bad as this, but when it’s bad, it’s bad!!! — John S. Hall, Esq. King Missle
This fantastic collection of micro-histories definitively answers the question : Why is rock and roll music played by younger people ? Who else has the resiliency to put up with driving 500 miles to play a one hour gig and then get stiffed by the club owner ? Who but the young have such a reserve of innate optimism that they keep playing even when the entire audience has left the room ? Who but they, when faced with broken gear, terrible sound systems and completely wasted band members still give everything they have, playing as if a small club in a seedy part of town was Madison Square Garden ? This book is a beautiful testament to the joy of playing music, idealism and the pursuit of the ineffable. — Dick Turner, Musician and Author of New Math and Selected Poems from Apathy Press Poets
“I’ve been to more shows than I can count, from clubs to stadiums, and rehearsals in the basement or the garage. I’ve interviewed famous rock stars and small-time local bands; everyone has a tale to tell about a gig gone wrong. It takes hubris and a lot of moxie to just get up on stage to perform for a crowd, large or small. As these stories demonstrate, the fun isn’t overshadowed by the flubs and foibles that are bound to happen. A gig might go wrong, but the beat goes on.”–Linda Pizzi