Simon / Gav - Rugeley Rose Promoters

Suzi and I have interviewed quite a few of the bands on the Moon Ska label, most of which have taken place at The Rugeley Rose, and when we heard that the Moon Ska Launch Pad Tour 2004 was stopping off there, we couldn't wait to go. The live music nights that take place there every so often are run by Simon and Gav, and we asked them some questions about what they do.

SIMON

Hi, who are you and what is your job description?

Hi, my name is Simon. There isn't just a description of my job so I'll tell you what I do. In terms of putting on the gigs here at the Rugeley Rose Theatre, the things that I do include telephoning the booking agents for the bands and seeing which bands are available for the different times, so we book the bands, we arrange the dates with the Theatre, and then when a show is booked, on the night of the show, we arrange all the sound equipment, and co-ordinate the security and co-ordinate the bands to make sure everyone's here on time, make sure that the show runs on time, get the rider for the bands, which is their beer and their water and the things they need, and then when the doors are open we generally make sure that the kids in the venue are safe, make sure that everyone is where they're meant to be and doing what they're meant to be doing.

How did you come to be doing this?

I was in the right place at the right time. The Theatre had been closed for some time, and then when it re-opened there was an event here with some bands on and the guy who was running it wasn't doing that great a job, so I sort of helped out and took over the role of sorting the bands out. After that event I spoke to the new venue management and asked who was doing the promotion for the rock nights and they didn't have anyone yet, so we had a few meetings and we all got on well so we started doing the shows.

What is the best thing about your job?

That it isn't really a job. It's putting on bands, so it's not like a real job where you've got to stack those shelves or do that bit of work, it's fun. It's putting on bands, that's not really work.

And what's the worst thing?

The worst thing is when there is a bit of work, you've got to do it. You can't shirk your responsibility; if you're not here on time then it's your fault and there's no one to get you out of the situation apart from yourself. But it usually all runs ok, and there's never a problem.

Do you secretly want to be a rock star?

Absolutely, definitely, without a shadow of a doubt. Yes, I would love to be a rock star.

GAV

Hi, who are you and what is your job description?

Hi, I'm Gav and I'm a promoter.

How did you come to be a promoter?

We'd always been interested in bands and music and an opportunity came up at the venue, which had closed down and re-opened, it just seemed like an ideal opportunity.

How long ago was that?

About 2 and a half years ago.

What's the best thing about being a promoter?

The best thing about being a promoter is actually seeing bands that you want to see because you get to book them. My part of the job is I get to book the bands, primarily, and deal with all the front of house stuff, so I get to book bands who, on the whole, I like. So I get to see a lot of cool people, like Ginger from the Wildhearts.

And what's the worst thing?

Having to work all day and then having come here and work here all night and then having to leave here and go and DJ. And if we don't have a good night then the money has to come out of our pockets.

Do you secretly want to be a rock star?

There's no secret about it.

Thanks a lot to Simon and Gav for taking the time to talk to us and for letting us film backstage at The Rose for our first ever documentary. (Coming Soon!) You can find out more about the venue at their site, www.rugeleyrose.co.uk.