What happened to Being CLEAN?

Chuck Cusimano · Post by **Chuck Cusimano** » 13 Nov 2008 1:02 pm

I don't know if anyone will read this post, or if they'll even agree with me....BUT,
I'm sick of having to clean the bandstand when I come in to play a gig, in order to set up my equipment.

Usually, When I enter (a certain club) on Sundays to set up my stuff, I have to clean up someone elses mess (Ash trays, Broken strings, candy wrappers, beer bottles, drink cups, cigarette butts...You name it, from the Saturday night band, Whoever they were and I wonder which pig-sty they were raised in.

If you have to clean up after the band before you, are you going to leave a mess for the next band?....
... Not me. I'll gripe, but I'm not going to play on a dirty stage or leave a mess for the next guy.
(However, There are a few instances where I didn't get a chance to clean up the mess first)

If you don't agree with this, I hope I never have to follow you into a club, and clean up your mess.

There have been times when the band from Sat. night didn't leave a mess, like DALE WATSON and Band, and also Jody Nix, and the Texas Cowboys. They left the bandstand clean, and we (the Sunday band) appreciated it very much.
Now I feel a little better getting that off my chest.

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 13 Nov 2008 5:40 pm

You'd think whoever is in charge of closing up for the night or opening for the following day would have some responsibility there.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 14 Nov 2008 1:18 am

this topic reminds me when i'm on construction sites too
i often find myself asking a labourer :
"what time is your wife coming ? "
the fellow replies :
"you know my wife ? "
my reply :
"nope "
his reply :
"what are you asking me this for "
my reply :
" looks like you're used to havin'yer wife clean up behind you
so will she be coming ? "

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 14 Nov 2008 3:52 am

Yeah, and what about personal hygeine?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dzQnN-TbY0

Damn musicians!

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 14 Nov 2008 9:15 am

Chuck, that seems to be the norm these days.I don't know why I do it but I'll walk around and clean up after our band cuz they won't.

Here's something else...NEVER NEVER EVER put your knees down on the stage while setting up your equipment.

I've done it a few times over the years and when I got up,my knees were wet from no telling what.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 14 Nov 2008 9:34 am

clean is overrated

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 14 Nov 2008 10:14 am

Never expect clean in a honky tonk, (and if somebody writes a song with this title, I want half!)

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 14 Nov 2008 10:26 am

Chuck what about the club keeping the place clean?
I know what club you are referring to you play on Sundays. That place is FILTHY!. The dust is thick on every surface. I don't think that's the band responsibility.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 14 Nov 2008 11:05 am

Chuck what about the club keeping the place clean?

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 14 Nov 2008 11:39 am

I agree Chuck, and we always went around picking up every thing before we left. But, whoever cleans the place, if any one does, should vacuum the stage once in a while. One long time sit down I played hired a fiddle player for a weekend, and when he tapped his foot a big cloud of dust came off the carpet.

Johnny Rojas · Post by **Johnny Rojas** » 14 Nov 2008 11:51 pm

Just kick the trash to the side of the stage. It's not your responsibility, it's the venue's.

As long as you don't kick the trash on the dance floor, I think you're cool.

I've played in enough sh-holes to know that if the stage is like that, they don't really care what the rest of the place is like.

As far as wet on the stage, I absolutely agree with Dick. Don't ever kneel on any stage, no matter where you are playing.

It's nasty.

Ronnie Boettcher · Post by **Ronnie Boettcher** » 15 Nov 2008 3:52 pm

Thats not so bad at all. One place, (no elevated bandstand), As we played, the overflow from the ladies restroom, would come flowing from under the door, and under our shoes, and cables. YUCK

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 22 Nov 2008 6:55 pm

So, what about the band--how does all this refuse get to the stage in the first place?--are the players exempt from picking up after themselves?

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 23 Nov 2008 9:52 pm

Some clubs care about their facility, and keep it clean and moderately hygienic - including the stage. Most bands I know who play a nice clean place are much more likely to show the same respect and clean up after themselves.

On the other hand, other clubs seem not to give a damn - everything is filthy and full of dust and other scooge. If bands are expected to play in a pigsty, why should anybody expect them to care about cleanliness?

It works both ways.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 24 Nov 2008 3:54 am

Sometimes you find good stuff. We once followed Willie Nelson at the Trianon in Oklahoma City one weekend and I found Jimmy Day's volume pedal where he left it on the stage.

The club mgr said he would send it to him and I hope he did.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 24 Nov 2008 8:13 am

The club mgr said he would send it to him and I hope he did.

Oh,oh!