johnnyshape wrote:I am going to add a 'nice' anecdote to this list, about the time my band were lucky enough to open for Fugazi. I know stories are legion about their conduct and geniality; this one's mine.
It's 11pm, and we are in the wings with our jaws on the floor watching Fugazi finish their hurricane-force set. Guy Picciotto is on the deck, bathed in sweat, wrapped in mic cable doing his electroshock therapy thing.
They finish and walk off into the wings. About ten seconds later, Guy comes up to me and our singer standing by our gear, and says: "Hey. Thanks so much for playing. Do you need a hand with your gear? Where's your van? I'll give you a hand." We barely get the chance to reply when he says "Oh sorry, we're doing an encore." He dives back on stage for two songs with the crazy freak dance setting on full. 2000 people go ape. They finish for good, and fifteen seconds later Ian and Guy, calm and pleasant as you like, are helping us load out. I also remember each one of them making sure they shook hands and introduced themselves individually to everyone in our band.
This incident caused me to re-think my behaviour at shows and on tour. Extraordinary band, extraordinary people.
This story should be obligatory reading for every band before they play every show.
I've had the pleasure to sit around talking with Ian and he is totally as nice a fellow you are likely to meet.