Few People Have More Say Over Your Concert Options Than These Five Bookers
By Buzz McClain
Special to The Washington Post
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Talent buyers. They're responsible for the rock-and-roll you see and hear at the area's popular nightclubs, but what do you know about them? Who are these de facto tastemakers? What do they listen to? What qualifies them to tell us what's cool?
We sneaked backstage, past the bouncers and the hand-stampers at the door, to peek into the decidedly unglamorous offices of these dedicated music fans whose job requires them to possess business sense as well as music expertise. In the "everything's negotiable" world of rock, talent buyers need the steel nerves and calm savvy of a champion poker player. They have to know how much to pay the band vs. how many people the act will bring through the door, and whether those spectators will also drink and eat (which is what keeps clubs in business). Pay too much and the profit margin shrinks; do that too often and you'll be the hand-stamper before long.
We noticed that they spend a lot of time reading the trades, playing discs and listening to downloads, exploring artist Web sites, finessing contracts and, most of all, calling and e-mailing artists and their reps. In other words, it sounds like fun, but it's a real job. To learn more about five local buyers (and what songs they sing in the shower), we e-mailed them a few questions. Read on to see what they had to say.
Daniel BrindleyJammin' Java (227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna, 703-255-1566)
How old were you when the Sex Pistols formed (1975)?
Negative 3 years old!
What was the first show you promoted? Did it sell?
I started booking shows when my brothers and I started Jammin' Java about 6 1/2 years ago. I very quickly discovered and developed a true passion for booking and promoting concerts. That said, I most definitely learned the hard way. The early days of Jammin' Java are a blur to me right now. The first show I booked was probably some unknown local band that isn't around anymore. Did people show up? Probably only a handful. It was trial by fire.
What sort of hours do you keep?
I feel like I am always working, but a typical day during the workweek runs from 9 a.m. until at least 7 p.m. Let's say 10 hours a day or 50-ish hours a week.
How many tats do you have?
Zero.
The song you sing in the shower is:
The theme song to "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood."
What job would you have if you didn't do this?
Band manager, but that is already my second job. I have a management company called Go Team! Music, and I manage Rocknoceros, Chelsea Lee and [brother] Luke Brindley -- all incredible talent from the D.C. area.
Most memorable rider clause, and did you fulfill it?
One artist would always request an ironing board and an iron so she could iron her hair! Yes, we fulfilled it. We like to think that artists get the royal treatment here.
When was the last time you were star-struck by an artist?
Tom Morello, from Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, has been to Jammin' Java twice. It was beyond trippy when I was working at my desk, looked out the door and down the hallway, and Tom Morello himself was walking toward me with some very mundane logistical question about his show. It was just Tom and me in my office. It was very exciting but very awkward.
Is it cool to ask for an autograph?
In general? Yes. "Fan" is short for "fanatic," and I think getting autographs is an exciting part of the whole experience for an artist's followers.
Favorite guilty pleasure band that your friends would never suspect?
Kelly Clarkson. Sorry, but her record "Breakaway" has some perfect pop songs on it.
How do you spend your days off?
Hanging with family and/or playing PlayStation 3.
Fantasy production?
How about a Led Zeppelin reunion show at 9:30 club? With Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty opening! I would bill it as "The Impossible Legends of Rock Tour," and I would probably charge like $5,000 a ticket. It would rule.
Michael JaworekBirchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, 703-549-7500)
How old were you when the Sex Pistols formed (1975)?
23
What was the first show you promoted? Did it sell?
I've been promoting concerts since February 1971, when I did Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers with Blind Jim Brewer for support at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. I needed 500 to break even; we drew 1,500. I thought to myself, "This is easy!" Little did I know . . . .
What sort of hours do you keep?
Basically 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Odd nights and weekends. Fifty hours a week.
How many tats do you have?
No tats, no piercings. I am fashion-challenged enough already.
The song you sing in the shower is:
"Ol' Man River" or "Bella Notte."
What has been your most memorable rider clause, and did you fulfill it?
Believe it or not, Elvis Presley's two six-packs of Coke, because that was the entirety of the show's catering rider. The Colonel [manager Tom Parker] thought everybody else could use vending machines, I guess.
When was the last time you were star-struck by an artist?
When I presented Miles Davis at the Warner Theatre on the "Tutu" album tour. I really couldn't think of a thing to say, so I said after the show, "Well, Miles, what did you think?" And his response (in that gravelly voice) was, "Man, these people know what they're listening to."
Is it cool to ask for an autograph?
It's only cool if you are asking for someone else, unless you are a [die-hard] fan and the artist understands that.
Favorite guilty pleasure band your friends would never suspect?
Humble Pie.
How do you spend your days off?
Besides chores? Reading, vintage clothes/books hunting, museum, movie and, yes, seeing someone else's concert.
Fantasy production?
Warner Theatre, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, because they still have the best live show in the land and come from home [born in Newark, raised in Nutley]; B.B. King, because there's never a day when his blues fails me; and a tie with Senegal's Orchestra Baobab and Susan Graham, whose voice always puts its hand on my heart.
Steve LambertRock and Roll Hotel (1353 H St. NE, 202-388-7625), DC 9 (1940 Ninth St. NW, 202-483-5000), the Red and the Black (1212 H St. NE, 202-399-3201)
How old were you when the Sex Pistols formed (1975)?
Nothing more than an ambitious thought. [He was born September 1978.]
What was the first show you promoted? Did it sell?
Started professionally at Mac's Bar and the Temple Club in Lansing, Mich. My very first big show was with Moneen, who was growing at the time and eventually became a pretty decently sized headliner after signing to Vagrant [Records].
What are your working hours?
24/7. I'm usually at my office from around 9 a.m. to whenever. I can easily get phone calls and text messages seven days a week at any time of the night. My work always comes home with me as well, so I'll be at the club all day and then come home and get right back on the computer.
How many tats do you have?
Ha, lots: Full sleeve of left arm, half sleeve of right arm, large chest and stomach piece, calf piece, back piece, all my toes.
The song you sing in the shower is:
No one wants to hear me sing in the shower.
What job would you have if you didn't do this?
That's a scary question to think about, but probably bartending and working at some rock club.
Most memorable rider clause, and did you fulfill it?
Some male-fronted emo band wanted the women's magazine Red. You can tell from that where these kids get their influences and hairstyles. [The request was not fulfilled.]
When was the last time you were star-struck by an artist?
Honestly, I never really am, but meeting Thurston Moore [of Sonic Youth] was pretty incredible. I just have the highest respect for him and his band.
Is it cool to ask for an autograph?
I've only had artists sign cool show posters, but I wasn't really asking for an autograph.
Favorite guilty pleasure band your friends would never suspect?
Tegan and Sara, Tilly and the Wall, Mark Farina.
How do you spend your days off?
A full day off without checking my BlackBerry or promoting a show is a luxury.
Fantasy production?
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Mule, Calexico, Hot Snakes, Bonnie Prince Billy, William Elliott Whitmore.
Lisa White9:30 club (815 V St. NW, 202-393-0930)
How old were you when the Sex Pistols formed (1975)?
14
What was the first show you promoted? Did it sell?
I have no idea what my first show was, or where it was, but it probably didn't sell very well.
What sort of hours do you keep?
Anything can happen at any time that needs to be dealt with immediately, so you never know. Weekly, anywhere from 35 to 55 hours depending on what time of year it is and what's happening, or suddenly is not happening.
How many tats do you have?
Zero.
The song you sing in the shower is:
I sing along to music in the car when I'm driving, not in the shower. Today it was "Electric Worry" by Clutch.
What job would you have if you didn't do this?
I have to do this.
Most memorable rider clause, and did you fulfill it?
I always got a laugh out of Mike Watt's rider. He and his band asked for chips with the hottest salsa available. . . . We always did our best to find 'em something dangerous.
When was the last time you were star-struck by an artist?
I wasn't formally introduced to James Brown, but standing three feet away from him backstage at the WHFS holiday show a few years ago made me weak in the knees.
Is it cool to ask for an autograph?
I don't know if it's cool or not. Sometimes I'll ask an artist to sign a nice screen-printed show poster that I plan to frame, but that's about it.
Favorite guilty pleasure band your friends would never suspect?
My friends probably wouldn't be very surprised by anything I listen to. Sometimes I like to drive around listening to Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, especially on a hot summer day. And I don't feel guilty about it.
How do you spend your days off?
Hanging out with friends, especially if good food is involved, going to shows, watching movies, reading, running errands, trying to keep up with my e-mail. Sometimes I just want to stay home and be quiet.
Fantasy production?
Brian Eno suddenly decides he doesn't hate touring after all and rejoins Roxy Music for a tour where they play a five-night stand at the 9:30 club. Damn, that would be hot.
I'd enjoy borrowing some of my favorite bands from the Continental Club in south Austin and hosting them at Chick Hall's Surf Club. I'd choose Heybale!, featuring Redd Volkaert and Earl Poole Ball, and add special guests Cindy Cashdollar on steel and both Elana James and Erik Hokkanen on violin. Two of my favorite honky-tonk troubadours, James Intveld and James Hand, would round out the bill for a great night of real Texas two-steppin' in one of the D.C. area's last remaining roadhouses.
That show probably wouldn't cost very much, so with the leftover cash I'd hire Flight of the Conchords and Stephen Colbert to do a house concert in my living room.
Peter ZimmermanWolf Trap, Filene Center (1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, 703-255-1868), Barns at Wolf Trap (1635 Trap Rd., Vienna, 703-938-2404)
How old were you when the Sex Pistols formed (1975)?
17
What was the first show you promoted? Did it sell?
I've been in and out of the business all my life, with other careers interspersed such as acting, designing and teaching. I got started in high school promoting my own band and friends' bands. The first show was a high school dance at a Catholic school in Colorado. It sold out.
What sort of hours do you keep?
These vary tremendously, from 40 to 80 hours a week, but if there are sun or clouds or darkness or moonlight in the sky, I am available to confirm a show at any hour of the day or night.
How many tats do you have?
Zero.
The song you sing in the shower is:
If at all, opera, but mostly not at all.
What job would you have if you didn't do this?
Grave digger, or lawn maintenance, or retired.
Most memorable rider clause, and did you fulfill it?
"One bowl assorted pills." We did not. "One case of beer and six women: Please make sure the beer is cold and the women hot." We got them the cold beer.
When was the last time you were star-struck by an artist?
George Harrison.
Is it cool to ask for an autograph?
It's cool to be offered an autograph. Not cool to ask.
Favorite guilty pleasure band your friends would never suspect?
Seu Jorge or Abba.
How do you spend your days off?
Dog, kid, wife, garden, splitting wood, bonsai and honey-do lists.
Fantasy production?
My dream co-bill: Duane Allman and Stevie Ray Vaughan at the Warner Theatre.
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