Mr. Thomas...

Een van de mensen die optreedt op Crossing Border is David Thomas (al is het in de band van Jackie Leven). Bij zijn bio staat het adres vermeldt van de website van David Thomas die op veel info bevat en zeer de moeite van het lezen waard is. Surft u vooral naar de pagina met protocollen en ga er eens goed voor zitten. Het bevat al datgene dat u moet weten als op een of andere manier met Mr. Thomas te maken krijgt als pers, bandlid, publiek, promotor, zaalhouder en alle varianten daarvan. Wellicht zijn dit soort protocollen normaal in muziekwereld, maar David Thomas is de eerste bij wie ik het op de website zie. Een bloemlezing:

Over het protocol:

The project basis of Ubu Projex is described in The Story of Ubu. Pere Ubu doesn't vote unless the outcome will be unanimous. Opinions are polled and if anyone is likely to dissent a vote is deferred and nothing happens. In practice we operate by consensus. This has had disastrous commercial consequences. It means that we sometimes don't do anything. (When the situation becomes intolerable the only solution is to disband and reformat.) Over time a series of precedents has been established. The protocols embody principles that have been accepted and are the basis for future decisions. In this byzantine world even the simplest equation has unimaginable repercussions. On the Penny/Pound Principle (from the expression, "In for a penny, in for a pound."), for example, hangs everything Ubu.

Over instore appearances

5. Please remember that the first 30 seconds of arrival in-store sets the tone for the entire episode. If Mr Thomas is allowed to slip into an Outcast Lemon Mode you will have an unsatisfactory experience. INTRODUCE HIM. ENCOURAGE CONVERSATION. TAKE UP ANY SLACK. If you know a fan who wants to meet him then by all means introduce them. Mr Thomas prefers ordinary people. He wants to be approached. He wants to talk.

Mr Thomas can be the most charming & exciting personality if very simple steps are taken to avoid awkwardness. Once he gets rolling there are no problems, you can sit back, relax & observe a professional smarming his way into the hearts of all around him. The initial stages, however, are critical.

Hoe laat beginnen we?

All musicians should be in the dressing room 30 minutes before showtime. Road manager announces stage clear at which point Ubus do final instrument checks and then report back to the dressing room. 5 minute marks start at 15 minutes to show. Soundman reports "Good to go" at 3 minutes to show and leaves with an encouraging word. Road manager reports "Good to go" at the 90 second mark and disappears. Musicians gather at stage entry point at 30 seconds to show.

Hoe wil Mr. Thomas dat we hem zien?

Lighting should be theatrical rather than rockist. We are interested in atmosphere, mood, drama, energy, subtlety, imagination-- not rock cliche.

En bij verzekeringskwesties:

Small Town Cop Override: You are driving thru the no man's land between Croatia and Serbia. You are stopped by a Croatian Police road check who insist you passed another vehicle on a bridge which is a very serious offense in Croatia according to the Traffic Code brandished in your face. You look back. There is no bridge. You look ahead. You see the UN checkpoint and the fact that this is the last chance they have to punish you for wanting to go to Serbia. Ruling: Driver is not responsible.

Heerlijke man die Mr. Thomas...