Switzerland to Spain (25 hour drive)
I have been remiss in explaining exactly what I do: I am the bass technician for Brian Wheat and the guitar technician for Dave Rude. A tech’s day usually begins around 11:00 a.m., although I’m usually up anywhere from 8:00 to 9:00. Load-in is the first thing, and if we are lucky the venue will provide the required four to six loaders. However, usually there are only two guys, so we end up doing a lot of it ourselves. After load-in we spend about an hour setting up the gear, pluging in amplifiers, pedal effects, and running the necessary cables. I, also, set up what is referred to in the industry as, "Guitar World," which is basically my station for working on guitars.
Next, I spend another hour or more of restringing and tuning two to five guitars and basses. (Some instruments have strings changed everynight, others are every other night.) Restringing requires one to install new strings, then repeatedly tune them to pitch and then stretch the strings with my already blistering fingers. The constant tugging and stretching of the nickel wound steel strings with bare thumbs and fingers was torture when I first started, but my supple lawyer’s hands have toughened while on the road.
The guitars have to be ready for the band’s sound check, which is usually at 4:00 p.m. Before and during soundcheck, we have to, further, troubleshoot any problems, and be present to handle guitars for the musicians. Afterwards, we usually break for a quick dinner, then back to stretching strings and breaking in the new strings by playing the guitars. Also, during this time, we polish the guitars, apply tape for the picks, and begin taping down every cord and piece of gear with gaffers tape (which is also murder on the fingers, because of the adhesive.)
Prior to show time, I get an updated set list (song list) for the night which, by the way, changes every night. This is Tesla’s way of keeping the set fresh and a way of satisfying the fans who travel from show to show. (Now is a good time to give props to Cristina, a Spanish native who has been front row at every show in Europe. She purchased a European bus pass to get from city to city. Thanks, Cristina, for being one of the band’s biggest fans.) This list is usually not available until a ½ hour before the show. After I get it, I must make notes about all the songs and which instruments Brian and Dave will use. There is usually 7 to 8 bass changes and 4 to 5 guitar changes every night. In between changes, I must retune the guitars that just came off stage and check the tuning on the ones ready to go out. The stage lights and the hard playing by the guys wreak havoc on tuning. I usually have a guitar or bass in my hand all night long checking the tuning with an eye on the Peterson strobe tuner and the other eye on Brian and Dave.
At the end of the night, I have to deconstruct the rigs, pack up the gear and assist loading the trailer that rides behind the bus. Usually I’m done by 1:30, and hopefully have enough time for a shower before the bus departs for the next city. This is not always possible, and so sometimes the crew settles for a couple of beers instead.
By the way, on the way to Madrid we almost "oilspotted" Dave (left him at the truck stop.) I had to go find him, but first I took a few shots of him searching for the bus. I know, I know, how evil!!
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