John and Kenny heading to Sloppy Joe's.

facingwest · Post by **facingwest** » Wednesday May 12, 2004

K and I just got booked at Sloppy Joe's in Key West Florida for a week and was wondering if anyone else has ever played there or places similar. We're not sure what to expect, other than the fact you play 4 hours straight without a break. Also, does anyone have any advice on travelling? We'd really appreciate it.

HurricaneBob · Post by **HurricaneBob** » Wednesday May 12, 2004

Get ahold of "vs the earth" (Nevermoure) www.vstheearth.com They have played there and are going there soon. As far as traveling, i would use a car or van, last time i walked to Florida it really sucked!

Have fun there dudes!

esa · Post by **esa** » Wednesday May 12, 2004

Yeah... avoid bikes too, unless they have a deep enough side car with a hood shield. They aren't really set up to carry loads of equipment.. but I'm sure you could get a baby uhaul for the back of it.. Or course, it's hard to suicide massive quantities of groupies on a bike... I agree with them hurricanes... get a bus!

ToonaRockGuy · Post by **ToonaRockGuy** » Wednesday May 12, 2004

Also, you may want to hit up Emily's Toybox, Juiced, and Backstreet Law. They've all played there as well.

Imgrimm01 · Post by **Imgrimm01** » Wednesday May 12, 2004

Well Hurricane I don't know IF he would wear those Gene Simmons slippers the walk might not be SO bad !

Post by **Jim Price** » Wednesday May 12, 2004

DEFINITELY check out Emily's Toybox's website for a little insight on Key West...Read their entry in the "April" section under "Diary;" Mike Wise relates some wild and crazy things that happened when ETB was recently in Key West. http://www.emilystoybox.com/diaryapr2004.htm

mourekick · Post by **mourekick** » Wednesday May 12, 2004

Hey guys, This is Shawn from Vs. The Earth (Nevermoure). If you have any questions mail me at Mourekickd@aol.com. We are down there alot and are in great with the staff. I sent you an email as well!

FatVin · Post by **FatVin** » Wednesday May 12, 2004

I gotta say it, I'm just jade green with envy, we've played Key West twice and I never wanted to leave. Here's some advice

Take some sunscreen to protect your pale PA ass otherwise you will fry like a chicken

The humidity is beastly, Easy on the booze (even beer, . . .sorry) heavy on the gatorade or what ever sports drink you prefer, at least until you are done playing for the night.

Smokes are cheaper in N. Carolina, Gas is a little cheaper in S. Carolina, Florida is longer than you think (AVOID THE FLA TURNPIKE AT ALL COSTS ! ! ! ) I-95 will take you all the way to Key Largo but from there the speed limit grinds down to about 40 so allow extra time

Enjoy the view, have fun and come back safe

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Wednesday May 12, 2004

Methinks we need to do another Backyard Rocker Acoustic Special... this one a remote from Key West! You guys, the Refluxers, me... and JP could call it all in from my cellphone if he wanted. Sound good?...maybe?...please?

Congrats, boys, I'm way jealous. --------->JMS

Hawk · Post by **Hawk** » Wednesday May 12, 2004

If you go to sloppyjoes web site you'll find two or three live web cams. One of them is always on the stage.

esa · Post by **esa** » Wednesday May 12, 2004

I think you need to bring along your favorite groupies. That would make the trip even better! Hee hee! ~hint hint~

SUperstar · Post by **SUperstar** » Thursday May 13, 2004

Be prepared to play copious amounts of Jimmy Buffett

facingwest · Post by **facingwest** » Thursday May 13, 2004

I just found out some requirements for doing the gig and we're going to start adjusting to it now. The show's 4 hours long with no breaks, not even to take a leak or get a drink. No smoking what so ever on stage either. They also want you to exceedingly be able to work a crowd (this one's expected). Last night playing at the Allen Street Grill, we made it not breaking the entire 3 hours and our voices took a beating. I'd rather prepare here than go down there and not be able to cut it. For the money and the opportunity to be able to play somewhere awsome, this is well worth it.

About the BYR acoustic, like Hawk said they do have a live stage cam, which is REALLY cool. Our first show is July 27 and we play till the 31st. I'm working out another deal with one of the other bars there to be able to stay two more weeks, so we'll see what happens. Anyone want me to bring anything back?

dayzichick · Post by **dayzichick** » Thursday May 13, 2004

Well I've never been there but 4 hours without a bathroom break, and my advice is to pack some Depends. And how are you suppose to sing that long without a drink? I hope you can have water at least, geez! Maybe when you work the crowd you can beg them for an ice cube or something. I'm just joking around, I know you will like the challenge. In all seriousness, good luck!

tornandfrayed · Post by **tornandfrayed** » Thursday May 13, 2004

Mybe you guys could wear those cool hats with the cans of beer in them... Ha Ha!

Good Luck and I am sure you will up to the challenge!

facingwest · Post by **facingwest** » Friday May 14, 2004

They usually give you a bucket full of some kind of drink, but I think water will be our choice for playing with the occasional snake bite. I'll know Monday or Tuesday whether we'll be playing an extra 2 weeks at another bar. This bar isn't so corporate. I don't blame the bars for being the way they are though. If you look at it, your job is to entertain the people and keep them in their seats, rather than going to another bar or something. I know at Sloppy Joe's they run their bands different and they get breaks and from what I heard the establishment is great to work for. No complaints from anyone I talked to about it. So far in dealing with the entertainment manager, he's been VERY easy to work with. Because I believe in the bands on this forum, if anyone wants me to drop off some kind of promo kit, please let me know and I'll make sure they get it. As far as acoustic acts, there are a lot more places to play, so just send me a PM and/or email.

Mackovyak · Post by **Mackovyak** » Saturday May 15, 2004

What's up guys. Luckily I was browsing around here again. Now that I live in Ft. Lauderdale, I make the trip to the Keys pretty often. Also, the company I work for owns all of the scooter rental places on the island.

About the Island...
Sloppy Joes and Hogs Breath always come up as the place to play in Key West, but honestly they are the hardest on bands/artists, however, the recognition is nice. I've played acoustic sets at both places. Some great places to play down that way you should look into would also be....Irish Kevin's (my favorite down there!) and The Bull in Key West as well as Slimey's and The World Famous Tiki Bar @ Holiday isle both in Islamorada. The Atlantic Shores hotel has a crazy pool bar down there as well. TRY HARD TO GET AN AFTERNOON ACOUSTIC GIG HERE! I'm not going to lie to you, there's A lot of men...if you know what I'm saying, but quickly stating that you have a girlfriend in the mic and you can make A LOT of money at this place. The POOL BAR is PACKED during the day.

As far as music, it's basically a drunken party down there. People want to get up dance and sing along just as anywhere else, however they are a lot drunker! I saw Emily's Toybox show last year on July 4th. They changed their setlist to more 80's stuff than I remember when I was at PSU and the crowd was moving most of the night.

From my own personal experience playing there.....
1. Although tourists like it, the BIG MISCONCEPTION down here is that everyone likes Buffett. NOT SO. Especially in Key West. I played Hog's Breath in the summer of '01. 2 hour show did Margaritaville, Cheeseburger, Son of a Sailor, and Boat Drinks and got not so good of a response. Remember, if you're playing in the summer down here, the tourist season is over, most of your crowd is going to be floridians.
2. If you don't know me, I'm from Portage. Growing up in that town, use of Gay and Fag didn't really mean anything simply because there weren't many around. Watch your manners, ALOT of the people signing your paycheck down there are homosexual. Not good to offend them (from experience.........notice, I'm not playing at the Atlantic Shores down there anymore......OOPS)

I can't remember if you said you were doing an acoustic duo or band thing down there, but breaks are easy to sneak in. For Acoustics.....let one person do a solo song. Bands........lengthy drum solo into guitar solo stuff. Or in dire emergency...."OOOOOPS, Broke a string!"

If you're making this a road trip and you want to add some Ft. Lauderdale shows for some extra $$, let me know. I have a nice little circle of friends down here that we could probably work something out.....Ernie's, Bikini Bob's, The Parrot, Clamsters. Also if you're driving, I can give you the most efficient/scenic/fun route into key west so you miss the stupid everglades section (boring sawgrass) and still get the hit the authentic mojito bar and the original world famous rum runner.

Feel free to contact me.....

Justin Mackovyak
rockinjustin@yahoo.com
www.audacityrecording.com

the herald · Post by **the herald** » Saturday May 15, 2004

Scream for me Key west!!!!!!!!!

ski if you want before you go ill give you and k human beat box lessons thatll help loosen up the crowd

People! keep an eye out for our new project with john and kenny called acoustic fusion four piece acoustic band with matt and i our next gig will be at the johnstown brewing co. june 19th!!! road trip!!!

esa · Post by **esa** » Sunday May 16, 2004

Roof Rack!!!!!!!!!!

Ritchey · Post by **Ritchey** » Sunday May 16, 2004

sloppy joe's bar....... you play 3 sets. each set is one hour long. 10-11, 11:30-12:30, 1-2am. must be exactly on time with the sets. a dj plays dance music on the breaks. you play 7 days in a row (monday-sunday) keep the crowd on the dance floor! lots of party music. the band house is cleaner than most band houses. if you have original material, spider (the entertainment consultant) can set you up with some radio air time. be extremely nice to the staff, they have more pull down there than you can imagine. COME SEE VS. THE EARTH @ 4-DEE'S FRIDAY MAY 21ST.

facingwest · Post by **facingwest** » Sunday May 16, 2004

Unfortunately, acoustic acts are different than bands. I wish we'd be playing the same week as you guys. That'd be really cool. I remember running sound for you guys opening for the Grimm and you just picked up your new drummer. I believe he painted his hair green or something.

It's great to see that you guys are doing very well these days. Good luck with everything.

the herald · Post by **the herald** » Tuesday May 18, 2004

hey vs. the earth is bob still doin sound for you guys?

Ritchey · Post by **Ritchey** » Tuesday May 18, 2004

oh, i'm sorry. i thought it was a full band. i don't know anything about the acoustic contract. man, things have changed since the last time you've seen us. and no, bob is just a really good friend of ours now.

Mo Lester · Post by **Mo Lester** » Tuesday May 18, 2004

yeah, you homos can and better bring back some good KB's

facingwest · Post by **facingwest** » Friday May 21, 2004

Mo Lester wrote:yeah, you homos can and better bring back some good KB's

Ummmm....Ok. Just for you Chester, we're going to bring you back a saltine cracker and a slice of Key Lime pie. Oh, and can't forget a picture of Jimmy Buffet's bare ass.

ROCKPAGE

John and Kenny heading to Sloppy Joe's.

John and Kenny heading to Sloppy Joe's.

Slippers

key west

Key West and the Keys

If your voice can't hold up for 4 hours , learn how to sing

Re: If your voice can't hold up for 4 hours , learn how to s