it's a shame... who is cancelling my gigs?

rain wolf · Post by **rain wolf** » Monday Mar 13, 2006

I will not say which one of my bands this is happening to, but it is a pathetic situation, and I'm wondering if any of you have had similar experiences... someone has called up 6 different HUGE venues we are playing and said our band broke up, so we would get cancelled. We caught 5 of the gigs, but one got away. As soon as one of the venues heard about it, they rebooked someone else. None of the venues will say who it is that is doing this to us because it is a 'reputable' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! booking agent that books many bands... I, for one intend to be playing gigs around PA, OH, VA, and WV for MANY years to come, so this reputable guy better hope the rest of us rockpagers do not find out who he is... When that day comes, he may be having some trouble booking his own bands in the future... I have never even heard of someone being that dirty at the local level, and it is appalling. All of the groups I play with are bands that are glad to help other bands out, and we do many things to try to help promote the music of others... It is so frustrating and discouraging that noone will even give us a name. We don't even know what person/band is doing this to us... So, it's kind of hard to be on a level 'fighting ground' with whoever this sorry excuse of a person is... Any advice from some of you would be greatly appreciated... My advice to all of you, is tell people when you book the gig, not to cancel you unless they hear from YOU... but then again, maybe this person is pretending to be me when they call... Who freakin knows... I hope that none of you have ever, or will ever go through this... i am posting this so that you all know that there is somebody out there who does this kind of stuff...

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Tuesday Mar 14, 2006

Last winter, we were in a similar situation when we thought that a band (I won't mentioned that band's name, since I'm trying not to slag people on Rockpage after the rhythmn guitar fiasco, *LOL*) who didn't like our guitarist being at their show called up the club and said that we cancelled. Luckily, it just turned out to be miscommunication between the club owner and the waitress who answered the phone (it was a different band cancelling, for some reason, she thought it was us). But when we thought that someone was being an asshole, we decided that it would be best to take preventative measures and call up the clubs we were booked at and confirm all of our bookings.

The part I don't understand is if you are not signed with this agency, why should they have any power over your bookings? Yes, if you find out who this agent in, I would be very interested in knowing their name, as would probaly everyone else on Rockpage.

Duggie · Post by **Duggie** » Tuesday Mar 14, 2006

we "Flapjack n' Jill" had the same problem last summer. Never got a name though.. someone was calling places we had gigs booked and told them we were either broke up or had to cancel. Like you, we were able to get most of them straightened out ok, but there was one show we showed up for and there were other bands there in our place. Definantly not cool... i would be very interested in finding out who it was. I too feel your pain.. it sux! I hope you find the person responsible for this... thats some really low underhanded shit they are pullin and need to be stopped.

JayBird · Post by **JayBird** » Tuesday Mar 14, 2006

I know of a well know agency that is known for throwing their weight around about other bands opening/on bills with his "more popular" bands. this agency will back the club into a corner in such a way and threaten to pull the headling band out if the club/bar does not cancel the opening bands (that the club may have booked) and opt. to put all of their bands on the bill.

If the club is paying, then the club has final say (in my opinion). If you do find out who is doing this, I say take legal action for impersonating you/your band. That's illeagal to do.

Skate Toad · Post by **Skate Toad** » Tuesday Mar 14, 2006

My advice is....you said one gig got away right? Well see what band just so happened to fill that date and then look into who that band might be represtented by and that very well might be your answer to who is doing this to you. Or at least get you closer to some answers. Just a thought ....

Jacklyn Miauff · Post by **Jacklyn Miauff** » Tuesday Mar 14, 2006

Skate Toad wrote:My advice is....you said one gig got away right? Well see what band just so happened to fill that date and then look into who that band might be represtented by and that very well might be your answer to who is doing this to you. Or at least get you closer to some answers. Just a thought ....

my exact thoughts!!!