This is the thread where I will be posting notes from the tour.
When it was announced that Gungi was not going to be making the trek out with us, I took the reigns and started following up on what our big guy had started with the tour. Gathering names, numbers, email addresses and organizing everything wasn't an easy task. All of our vendors were great in helping. Gungi had left a clean path and all vendors spoke nothing but praise for Gungi's previous work.
Our new tour manager is great and the transition has gone smoothly. I am still continuing with pre-tour preparations. It has been difficult doing so while on tour with +LIVE+ but with a laptop and cell phone everything is set.
When we started talking about the summer tour way back in the first part of '09, I offered my services for merchandise. While I may not be the "be-all, know-all" when it comes to what fans want, I feel I have a general sense of what the majority of fans want as far as merchandise. We have items that even the most hardcore of fans will be looking for. Yes, we do have venue specific items that I feel are going to be much sought after for collectors! We are looking at having 2 different t-shirt designs... brand new designs! One will be a logo shirt (men's & women's), the other would be incorporating the design used for this specific tour. Fresh merch! There will be brand new posters, autographed items, new guitar pick sets, new items incorporating retro TFF designs/logos, and much, much more! In the coming days I hope to feature images here of the merch so everyone can see. I will also try to post prices we are looking at for each item so that those wanting to grab some swag know exactly how much they will have to bring.
The technical side is going full-force also. Each performer and tech on stage have a set of what are called ear monitors. These monitors are custom molded to fit your ears. Back in 2004, at rehearsal one day, the band and myself were in session for our ear molds. Having this jelly-like substance injected into our ears while we sit motionless for 3 minutes was a trip! After the 3 minutes the molds are set. We call the monitors "ears". Roland and Curt had to get their ears replaced before the Night Of The Proms run. We just sent Nick's ears to be redone and one set came back looking great! Now you can get custom art on the ear piece so we had them put Nick's happy drummer logo on each ear. Of course, mine has my Studio Gruno logo skull placed on each ear. Mine arrive today and I will take some pics with the new set on. That should be interesting...
Roland will be arriving in California soon and rehearsals are just days away. Then away we go! For me, touring with +LIVE+ has been fascinating with organizing my life. We were doing week long runs: one week out, one week home, one week out, etc. At least with TFF, when we depart for Portland, we aren't coming home until a couple of weeks later. I am glad we are running on a tour bus. I love being on a bus rather than flying to each gig. On a bus, we have our own bunk. It is like a spot that you make your own. Usually a bus is set for 12 people, with 4 columns of bunks consisting of 3 each. For +LIVE+ and for TFF, we are running a slim crew count. When this happens, the bus company transforms the 12 bunk feature into an 8 bunk feature. This allows for what are called "condo-bunks". That means that there are 2 bunks per column allowing for more spacious room. The unused bunks are deemed "junk bunks". Junk bunks are where we put our backpacks, sweatshirts, etc. Buses are limited to room on board so luggage goes in the bays under the living space. Having junk bunks allow us to have a duffle bag/backpack on board with extra clothing, toiletries, computers, etc. Each bus now runs with full DirecTV and hi-speed internet. Power outlets, refrigerators, microwave, etc. It really is home-away-from-home. It has to be.
So that's it for now. Keep checking back and I welcome logical discussion on this tour.
*All photos ©2009 Studio Gruno. A Division of Goblynz Groove Media
--- GRUNO ---
When it was announced that Gungi was not going to be making the trek out with us, I took the reigns and started following up on what our big guy had started with the tour. Gathering names, numbers, email addresses and organizing everything wasn't an easy task. All of our vendors were great in helping. Gungi had left a clean path and all vendors spoke nothing but praise for Gungi's previous work.
Our new tour manager is great and the transition has gone smoothly. I am still continuing with pre-tour preparations. It has been difficult doing so while on tour with +LIVE+ but with a laptop and cell phone everything is set.
When we started talking about the summer tour way back in the first part of '09, I offered my services for merchandise. While I may not be the "be-all, know-all" when it comes to what fans want, I feel I have a general sense of what the majority of fans want as far as merchandise. We have items that even the most hardcore of fans will be looking for. Yes, we do have venue specific items that I feel are going to be much sought after for collectors! We are looking at having 2 different t-shirt designs... brand new designs! One will be a logo shirt (men's & women's), the other would be incorporating the design used for this specific tour. Fresh merch! There will be brand new posters, autographed items, new guitar pick sets, new items incorporating retro TFF designs/logos, and much, much more! In the coming days I hope to feature images here of the merch so everyone can see. I will also try to post prices we are looking at for each item so that those wanting to grab some swag know exactly how much they will have to bring.
The technical side is going full-force also. Each performer and tech on stage have a set of what are called ear monitors. These monitors are custom molded to fit your ears. Back in 2004, at rehearsal one day, the band and myself were in session for our ear molds. Having this jelly-like substance injected into our ears while we sit motionless for 3 minutes was a trip! After the 3 minutes the molds are set. We call the monitors "ears". Roland and Curt had to get their ears replaced before the Night Of The Proms run. We just sent Nick's ears to be redone and one set came back looking great! Now you can get custom art on the ear piece so we had them put Nick's happy drummer logo on each ear. Of course, mine has my Studio Gruno logo skull placed on each ear. Mine arrive today and I will take some pics with the new set on. That should be interesting...
Roland will be arriving in California soon and rehearsals are just days away. Then away we go! For me, touring with +LIVE+ has been fascinating with organizing my life. We were doing week long runs: one week out, one week home, one week out, etc. At least with TFF, when we depart for Portland, we aren't coming home until a couple of weeks later. I am glad we are running on a tour bus. I love being on a bus rather than flying to each gig. On a bus, we have our own bunk. It is like a spot that you make your own. Usually a bus is set for 12 people, with 4 columns of bunks consisting of 3 each. For +LIVE+ and for TFF, we are running a slim crew count. When this happens, the bus company transforms the 12 bunk feature into an 8 bunk feature. This allows for what are called "condo-bunks". That means that there are 2 bunks per column allowing for more spacious room. The unused bunks are deemed "junk bunks". Junk bunks are where we put our backpacks, sweatshirts, etc. Buses are limited to room on board so luggage goes in the bays under the living space. Having junk bunks allow us to have a duffle bag/backpack on board with extra clothing, toiletries, computers, etc. Each bus now runs with full DirecTV and hi-speed internet. Power outlets, refrigerators, microwave, etc. It really is home-away-from-home. It has to be.
So that's it for now. Keep checking back and I welcome logical discussion on this tour.
*All photos ©2009 Studio Gruno. A Division of Goblynz Groove Media
--- GRUNO ---
). Very rare and extremely awesome to be so close to such a
beautiful creature. We were told to not stand too close and to not make sudden moves. She was starting to get a bit uncomfortable but we got all the pictures
and video so we were done. The staff were great!
