195
means that we technically check
every-
thing out before the band comes in to
do
sound check. Then the band comes in
and does sound check, and after that
the
artist comes in and does another
sound
check. Everyone has a certain time
they
arrive at the venue. Once sound check
is
over, I'll shower, change clothes, and
get
ready for the show. The technical
and
production crew doesn't see a hotel at
all.
Most of the venues have a pro
sports
team of some sort and we use their
showers and lockers as dressing
rooms."
"I might get an hour to relax, sit on the bus,
and watch some television before the
show starts. About the time the opening act
goes on, I'm back in the building re-
tweaking the instruments and making sure
everything is fine-tuned. I'll work through
the show, and afterward get everything packed
up and ready to go on the truck. I take
another shower and get back on the bus. That's
normally about midnight or 1
a.m.
I'll relax a bit and then try and get some
sleep while we roll on to the next venue."
POINTERS FOR THE JOB SEARCH
One of the best training grounds for a guitar
and instrument tech is to work for an
instrument manufacturer where you can learn how
to perform basic repairs. Then you
are able to offer a prospective employer more
skills than just being able to tune the
instrument. "Learn the technical aspects of
instruments, inside and out. Instruments
"You have to be self-motivated
to be a tech, because of the long
hours and lack of sleep. It's hard
to get out of bed and face
another 18-hour day when
you've already had three of
them in a row."
CAREER
TIPS
THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS
JOB:
"Probably the long hours, in conjunction with
not being able to rest very
soundly because you're bouncing down the road
at 80 miles an hour in a
bunk that sometimes feels more like a coffin
than a bed. You don't get the
real good sleep that your body needs. At the
end of a three or four-day run,
you come home exhausted."
THE BEST THING ABOUT THIS JOB:
"I really enjoy the camaraderie on the road.
It's wild to see so many indi-
vidualists--the technicians, engineers,
musicians, and others--who put
aside their differences and come together to
make a show happen. When
it's show time, there is electricity, a certain
vibe, like a switch that turns on.
It's really exciting."
VOICES
OF
EXPERIENCE
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