Kamelot/Halcyon Way/EbS Rollcall!

[Kathy]

Ok, maybe you have more experiences than me and can be a better judge. I've only been to L'Amores four times and the Masq. once. I saw one good show at L'Amores, which was Vanden Plas and that's 'cause it was a third empty. The other shows I saw were overbooked, the worse being Nightwish. I drove directly from the airport after ProgPower IV to see the show, so I was pretty tired too. But, they had to have oversold the show by 200. No lie. You couldn't move in there at all and it was unbearably hot. Never got a drink of any kind and when I finally found the restroom, it was horrible! Two stalls (in ladies' room) for that may people? It also was very run down, imo. The floors outside the main standing room area were a hazard. Anyway, I expect you have a more educated opinion.


BTW, is anyone going to the Edguy/Kamelot show tonight at B.B. Kings in NYC?

Sounds like you have tons more experience than I do at L'amore for sure, so you would be a better judge than I ! We've only been there once for Zakk Wylde a few years ago, wasn't packed out, was ez to get a drink, cool weather, but I do agree about the bathrooms! Awful ! I guess we were too wasted to notice the floors! LOL

Wish we could fly up for the Edguy/Kamelot show, but we're tapped out....
Give us all a review after....

 

[Wandrail]

I was there at the Masquerade with a friend and bandmate from out of town, and we had a good time despite the horrific sound. We used to be in a death metal band back in the 90's/early 2000's (a much less friendly time for any kind of metal) and played some very bottom-of-the-barrel type places that managed to get better sound than that. That they had total amateurs running the sound sheds a lot of light on why that occurred, but damn that's still surprising. You would think they could have found someone competent. I think I could have done better if you would have just told me what channel had what. I've never been assaulted by so much harsh high end in my life. Even Thomas' guitar sound was as harsh as you can imagine, like some cranked POS Crate practice amp through a wall of Peavey Blue Marvels, the damn worst guitar sound I have heard in a long time.

I felt really bad for Halcyon Way especially, as the first song went pretty well but after that I could tell that the vocalist and the guys doing the backing harmonies could not hear themselves or each other. In a band where you do more than just yell or drone the same easy notes like some pop punk band, being able to hear yourself to some degree is so important, not just to hitting the notes but to not straining hard and throwing out your voice. I had to tell my friend to make sure and check out HW on line to hear what they actually sound like. Anyone saying that the bands should just be happy with whatever sound they get because they are opening for a sort of well known band isn't realizing the seriousness of leaving a bad first impression on people - the negative word of mouth, etc. When that is more a result of the help being half-assed and sabotaging you out of incompetence than your own lack of skill or ability that's just a raw deal any way you cut it.

Even with all the shit though, we still had a good time and enjoyed the music.

 

[halcyonwayband@aol.com]

I was there at the Masquerade with a friend and bandmate from out of town, and we had a good time despite the horrific sound. We used to be in a death metal band back in the 90's/early 2000's (a much less friendly time for any kind of metal) and played some very bottom-of-the-barrel type places that managed to get better sound than that. That they had total amateurs running the sound sheds a lot of light on why that occurred, but damn that's still surprising. You would think they could have found someone competent. I think I could have done better if you would have just told me what channel had what. I've never been assaulted by so much harsh high end in my life. Even Thomas' guitar sound was as harsh as you can imagine, like some cranked POS Crate practice amp through a wall of Peavey Blue Marvels, the damn worst guitar sound I have heard in a long time.

I felt really bad for Halcyon Way especially, as the first song went pretty well but after that I could tell that the vocalist and the guys doing the backing harmonies could not hear themselves or each other. In a band where you do more than just yell or drone the same easy notes like some pop punk band, being able to hear yourself to some degree is so important, not just to hitting the notes but to not straining hard and throwing out your voice. I had to tell my friend to make sure and check out HW on line to hear what they actually sound like. Anyone saying that the bands should just be happy with whatever sound they get because they are opening for a sort of well known band isn't realizing the seriousness of leaving a bad first impression on people - the negative word of mouth, etc. When that is more a result of the help being half-assed and sabotaging you out of incompetence than your own lack of skill or ability that's just a raw deal any way you cut it.

Even with all the shit though, we still had a good time and enjoyed the music.

We appreciate it man. Glad we did the show, and I'm glad you could tell it was the sound not us! Thanks bro, be sure to come out on the 8th!

 

[DAVETHEMETALGUY]

Maybe the Great Kat had something to do with it! lol

 

[halcyonwayband@aol.com]

Maybe the Great Kat had something to do with it! lol

Absolutely she did. No doubt about it. Thanks Great Kat!!!!

 

[Reverend Su]

Absolutely she did. No doubt about it. Thanks Great Kat!!!!

DAMN THE KAT!!!
she can ruin anything, can't she?

but truly, the talent of both EbS and HW shone through, over the crap that was going on

ok, so i might be a skosh (a wee bit) biased as i really like both the bands in general...but...so?

and the Masquerade...well, it's...the Masq. it is what it is, supposed ghosts and all

 

[dcowboys311]

Eh, I've been to the Masquerade about 50 times over the past 2 years and have never had an experience even close to what you guys are talking about. Anyone calling for it to be shut down because of this one incident is a complete dumbass.

 

[Pellaz]

Ok, maybe you have more experiences than me and can be a better judge. I've only been to L'Amores four times and the Masq. once. I saw one good show at L'Amores, which was Vanden Plas and that's 'cause it was a third empty. The other shows I saw were overbooked, the worse being Nightwish. I drove directly from the airport after ProgPower IV to see the show, so I was pretty tired too. But, they had to have oversold the show by 200. No lie. You couldn't move in there at all and it was unbearably hot.

Sounds bad, but nowhere near as bad as Birch HELL, err, Hill, in NJ. I'm sure some of you NYC metro folks remember it.

I drove or flew up to see Dream Theater twice there, back in the ol' days. While both shows were unbelievably packed, one of them is still the TIGHTEST show I've ever been so.
It was so crowded I had to have my arms down by my chest so I could breathe. At times, waves in the crowd would surge you off your feet and shift you over 3-5 feet, and only the packed bodies kept everyone from falling over and getting trampled. Or so I assume, since there were no reports of deaths at the show.
I'd say whatever the capacity of the room was, they probably doubled it, or at the very least had 2/3 as many in there as it was rated for. There were people being crushed against the rail and DT had to stop the show a couple of times to get people out.
Absolutely incredible, and incredibly dangerous.

 

[Kathy]

Eh, I've been to the Masquerade about 50 times over the past 2 years and have never had an experience even close to what you guys are talking about. Anyone calling for it to be shut down because of this one incident is a complete dumbass.

Dude, that's pretty harsh calling us all dumbasses. I've been going to the Masquerade for at least 25 years, all the way back to when it was Ex. Mill, and believe me, this is not the "only" incident.

 

[lady_space]

Dude, that's pretty harsh calling us all dumbasses. I've been going to the Masquerade for at least 25 years, all the way back to when it was Ex. Mill, and believe me, this is not the "only" incident.

While I don't necessarily agree it should just be shut down, Kathy is right. I've been going since '91, and bad sound and killer heat are certainly more the norm in my experience, though I would say this is probably the worst I've heard in terms of sound. Sometimes we "hear" things better because we're into the show, though, so take it for what it's worth.

Shaye

 

[dcowboys311]

Dude, that's pretty harsh calling us all dumbasses. I've been going to the Masquerade for at least 25 years, all the way back to when it was Ex. Mill, and believe me, this is not the "only" incident.

Well then my original post doesn't apply to you. I said that the people calling for it to be shut down because of this incident and only because of this incident are dumbasses. If you've had your fair share of problems, you definitely have the right to complain. But to say that a venue should not exist because of one bad night is just plain stupid.

 

[Mr. Zane of HW]

I have played at the Masq. seemingly a million times since 1997, and this was a FIRST out of all my trevails as a struggling musician. It was beyond all comprehension what happened to us and EBS and quite shameful. This venue has gone to crap in the past few years, and it's heartbreaking because I loved this veue before. I have been an avid supporter of the Masq. for the past 15 years and seen more show there than I can count, and this experience left me knumb to them. If they don't care then niether do I.......

 

[Sizzlewho]

I think that is where I stand on the issue.....if you want opening acts, then they should be provided for with the basics. Like most people here, I have seen and been privy to lots of show experiences. I am fortunate that I do not live in ATL so I can go to shows in other places, but if given a choice, I would not patronize a venue that does not offer appropriate support for the local/opening bands AND does not hold reign on a band that is obviously too big for their britches. Ridiculous.