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The purpose of this page is to have a list of the bands who've not treated me right. By this, I mean those who
were either dishonest in their dealings with me, or were two-faced, showing me the smile and handshake that
would only endure until my attention was elsewhere. Please Note: I will never, ever put a band into this
"Sruffy Hall Of Shame" simply for telling me no, they don't want me sitting in with them. There has to
be more to it; i.e., lying, abusive behavior, equipment damage, theft, or something like that.
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----- BANDS IN THE "SCRUFFY HALL OF SHAME" -----
(In chronologic order of entry. )
"Vic Ferrari"
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NOTE: It's been a couple of years, since this band earned their position in the "Sruffy Hall Of Shame",
and I seem to have failed to write the incident down in any of my diaries. So, I'm no longer sure precisely when it
was that the incident happened. All I can really say, is that it's been at least 3 years. I've considered many
times that I should start up the "Sruffy Hall Of Shame" for the sake of posting material about people like
this, but it seemed like a petty thing to do, with only one band in it. Now, of course, there's a 2nd band - so,
that allows Vic Ferrari to receive their proper mention.
I saw the band performing on Friday night at the LVD Casino, in the large Bingo Hall room. I was reasonably
impressed with their level of musicianship, and talked with the lead singer who seemed(?) to be the band leader.
I told him I did hand-drumming, and asked him if they'd let me sit in with them. He told me, sure(!) - that I
should show up the next night, bringing my bongos setup with me. So, I did. I brought my bongos setup with me,
when I came to their show the next night, Saturday. When I went up and talked with him, I was summarily dismissed.
I was told that no, they wouldn't let me sit in. I'd gone through the effort of bringing my equipment for nothing.
My gut impression, is that the guy was just having a little fun at my expense, and never had any intention at all
of letting me sit in with them. I will never again inquire or make the offer, re. sitting in with this band.
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"Sassy Magoo"
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Saturday, 10/17/09
and
Thursday, 12/31/09 :
On Saturday 10/17/09, I sat in with this band using my Toca 14" djembe. What I didn't realize from my
position on stage, was that Mike (the drummer) had intentionally set the volume level on my drum's mic too low for
the crowd to hear me over the other instruments. (My friends told me afterward, that they couldn't hear me at all.)
Later on, I told Mike about this. He told me it really couldn't be helped. I now feel that it's better defined as
something he wasn't willing to change. Other bands have no problem with it - so, why does he? I've come to think
the answer is that he was willing to let me sit and play my drum on the stage, but not willing to let me be heard by the
audience; i.e., I could be up there, but not contribute musically. The second issue that has earned this band a
place in the "Sruffy Hall Of Shame", is what happened 12/31/09. I feel that I was led to expect sitting in with
them, on their next appearance at the LVD Casino. So, I brought my djembe setup with me despite the severe cold of
the night and the snow. When I talked to Scott, he referred me to Mike, who was going to refer me to Sarah - but,
then instead referred me to their manager who'd shown up with the band for a change. He told me no, the gig was
too important to let me sit in. So, my drum spent the evening sitting in the very cold (approx. 0 degrees F.) car,
instead of being safe at home or being used on the stage. I will never again inquire or make the offer, re.
sitting in with this band. If they request it, I might do it - but, until such time as I've performed at
least one song with their group where the audience can hear me, they'll remain prominently displayed
here in the "Sruffy Hall Of Shame".
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