For a book's acknowledgements to be complete, a writer must thank those who have helped the composition, and accept responsibility for any remaining errors. In this blog post, we'd like to shine the light (as it were) on our top-notch Stage Crew for all that they do to have us look and sound our best, while acknowledging that any wrong notes played during the show are entirely the fault of either attempting too many high kicks while playing guitar, or by being distracted by the Sheethearts in the front row!
Any crew acknowledgments have to start with AC Fader--an integral part of our touring crew since the heady days of our Third Thursday residency at Republic. (In pace requiescat.) For the past four years, AC has not only mastered the art of the roaming, sports jacketed, iPad sound engineer for corporate events and weddings, but has also seamlessly integrated our in-ear monitor system with various front-of-house consoles at theaters and concert venues including The Jefferson, The National, The NorVA, and The Hippodrome (as shown below). Although in most cases, the band travels with a self-contained sound and lighting package, AC's ability (and flexibility) have been proven again and again. His tap tempo skills on vocal delay effects are legendary in certain circles (our van), and he has subbed for Danny Marnier on drums as well. Add to all that, he is finishing up the final mixes on our relatively-soon-to-be-released double live album, cheekily and tentatively titled Sold Out!
Any crew acknowledgments have to start with AC Fader--an integral part of our touring crew since the heady days of our Third Thursday residency at Republic. (In pace requiescat.) For the past four years, AC has not only mastered the art of the roaming, sports jacketed, iPad sound engineer for corporate events and weddings, but has also seamlessly integrated our in-ear monitor system with various front-of-house consoles at theaters and concert venues including The Jefferson, The National, The NorVA, and The Hippodrome (as shown below). Although in most cases, the band travels with a self-contained sound and lighting package, AC's ability (and flexibility) have been proven again and again. His tap tempo skills on vocal delay effects are legendary in certain circles (our van), and he has subbed for Danny Marnier on drums as well. Add to all that, he is finishing up the final mixes on our relatively-soon-to-be-released double live album, cheekily and tentatively titled Sold Out!
An increasingly familiar face to the Crew is our lighting designer, "Hippie" Alex McArthur. A veteran of national tours as the LD for Dr. Dog, Mike Stud, and others, Hippie Alex is responsible for the images above--both for the photography and for the lighting design. Just as we count on AC to integrate our touring sound gear with existing gear at venues, Alex does the same with lighting. In the pictures above--taken during last Thursday's corporate holiday event--you'll notice existing venue-installed fixtures in the ceiling as well as our truss totems, anchor lights, and moving lights which are part of the enhanced lighting package™ we bring with us when budget allows. You'll also notice that the lights on the venue's Christmas tree appear in various stages of brightness in the series of pictures above. "Why wouldn't we plug the Christmas tree into the stage lighting system?", Hippie Alex asked rhetorically while plugging said tree into said lighting system.
To AC, Alex, and to Guy Centennial, Enrique Pickelle, Bobby Bravado, Patrick Klotsofletters, Stan O'verboard, and to all the other unsung touring and local crew members who have rolled cases, engineered sound, and done your best to make us look and sound our best on stage over the years, you know you guys are the champs!
To AC, Alex, and to Guy Centennial, Enrique Pickelle, Bobby Bravado, Patrick Klotsofletters, Stan O'verboard, and to all the other unsung touring and local crew members who have rolled cases, engineered sound, and done your best to make us look and sound our best on stage over the years, you know you guys are the champs!