The gig that never was......
The Revolver 29.4.2011
Neva – Lifer – Slowtorch – Gods of Hellfire
The Revolver formally called “HOTEL CALIFORNIA” then received a lot of good feedback. Although on looking at the venue from the outside it looked a bit tired and nobody would look twice at it from the road, apart from seeing this old car with the words Hotel California printed on the side, nice touch!
Nic and I were really looking forward to the gig at this venue, and had been for quite a few weeks and as it drew nearer were really excited, not only seeing three other bands we had not seen LIVE before but also meeting LIFER.
The ad stated at 7.30pm start but what transpired can only be described as deplorable!
We sat outside and then saw Marti (from Grind Horizon) and his girlfriend Steph coming over to us. Marti said that Dave their singer was doing the vocals for Neva and we sat for a while discussing various music and stuff as you do…. And finally went into the small bar on the left hand side. The venue had various TV screens dotted around portraying bands and the signs on the wall i.e. “Hippies use the back entrance” caused a few smiles!
The venue was already starting to fill up, which was a good point for the bands but not so for the people squashed into the bar like sardines, and brought on my claustrophobia making me feel less than relaxed.
We were then informed that the first band NEVA would be on at 9.30pm which meant another 3 hour wait, which was again so annoying.
We then found out the doors would not be opening until 10pm, which in turn meant that the bands would not start until at least 10.30pm, but nothing anyone could do except wait and wait and wait……. Like waiting on death row for your life to end….
It was rumored (although probably true) that the venue/promoters thought that there were not enough people there to begin the gig, and wait until later to put the bands on…. But the amount of people there were more than enough for the gig to start…. But it was probably a ploy to get more takings at the bar if you ask me!
The wait continued and finally at 10.00pm they opened the door leading to the main stage. On entering the place, I noticed some great lighting and mirror balls and the stage was elevated, two really good points to be noted here, the third point being that Nic commented on was that the layout of the place would be great for the bands as no bass holes, but the music they were playing although great choice of tracks, was played so loud that it did nothing for people to enjoy good conversation or enhance a sociable atmosphere, and so it meant sitting in silence or screaming at the other person to be heard!!
We continued to wait…. And wait….. Still nothing happened! By 10.45pm I was beginning to lose the will to live and it was then decided that if the bands had not started within 30 minutes we would leave. By 11.10pm a couple of guys, not sure who they were, did go on the stage to tune guitars, but nothing seemed likely to start any time soon.
I watched an empty stage with the dry ice swirling about and wished that the Revolver would get their act together literally!!
Finally we left, very disappointed and deflated at going all that way for a burger at McDonalds and a few drinks at a place which clearly is not run well!
It states on the Resistance if futile ad for the bands on Revolvers page 9.00AM start so the VENUE clearly had this wrong from the start! Not a good sign!
I will never set foot in the place again after this fiasco, and would warn bands thinking of playing there that haven’t before to be very wary. But of course in the Revolvers favour this could have been a “one off!” but judging by the comments I have received and feedback this is NOT a good venue to play at.
Again apologies to Neva, Lifer, Slowtorch and Gods of Hellfire, who were great guys to speak with down to earth and a great laugh, just a great shame that this gig had an epic fail stamped all over it! But this was no reflection on the bands playing there that evening.
I think that by changing the name to The Revolver that they mean for us all to shoot ourselves, but after this event I think they just shot themselves in the foot!!!!!
