[The Anklebiters is one column that I came up with the idea for that has never really been what I wanted it to be. I wanted to model it on Click and Clack from “Car Talk“ on NPR, just a couple of guys talking about the live audio biz. But we never got it right. Until now. Welcome back Brian Cassell (owner of Celebration Productions) and say “Hi” to Ken Rengering (owner of Ken’s Events). Both own small companies with aspirations to become something bigger. If you have a question, ask it. If not, they’ll be here until further notice. Hanging out and talking live audio. — Ed.] Brian
Hey Ken, have you ever noticed how you could be pursuing more work if you only had some reliable help? I just find myself avoiding opportunities because I’m afraid I can’t tackle the labor end of things. What are guys like us supposed to do?
Ken
Well, Brian, the mantra we chant in my part of the country is “get the gig!” That is my priority, period. The rest can all be managed because I have already established those relationships for gigs above my head and earned the loyalty of those in larger organizations.
Brian
Yeah, I’ve got some nice arrangements with some of the regional companies around here, too. I get reasonable rates on cross rents, and they get a break on labor when they hire me as an extra engineer. But that doesn’t help me when I’m the one who needs to hire labor.
Ken
Well, on smaller jobs I consult my phone list of people who are willing and able. It is a merit-based list. I do have to be careful on those emergency, short-notice gigs. Being an anklebiter helps in the fact that 90% of my jobs are 4/4 or less — four tops, four subs. The kicker is, most of those gigs require that I mix side-stage and fold back monitors — so no monitor engineer needed.
Brian
OK. But stacking P.A. isn’t a one man deal — at least not with most of the cabinets out there. My large format cabinets are comfortable with three guys around them, but definitely do-able with two. And the smaller cabinets that are available these days are typically packed fairly densely with drivers, making for a bit of a surprise when it comes to picking one up. Motors are a wonderful tool, but I don’t have any in my inventory. And my budgets don’t allow for a call to the union.
Ken
When it comes to humping the gear in and out, I have one back-breaker amp rack, but with my scrotum only gently scraping the driveway, I can manage it. My tops and monitors weigh 125 pounds or less, with my dual 18-inch subs tall enough to pivot into a pickup truck. In other words, I can do it if I have to! I do use other people, some anklebiters themselves, because I am fat, lazy and getting older. I suggest you use your “sphere of influence” to leverage those minions into your employ. Out here we seem to be modeled on some penitentiary system, with everyone kind of being everyone else’s bitch. Reciprocal bitching? And I mean that when it comes to gear also. You have to be the guy willing to run a cable or the roll of gaff tape to somebody else’s gig across town to their 3 a.m. setup and keep your mouth shut until a better time to give them the appropriate ration of crap about it. Then I never feel bad about calling anyone for help.
Brian
Now this idea I like. A little communal, “If you’ll scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. “ It could work as long as you trust all the guys in your community of anklebiters. Then if someone doesn’t pull their weight in the team, you don’t feel obligated to help them the next time they need an extra cube-tap right when you’re sitting down to dinner with the wife…
So you’ve got you’re engineering needs covered, and maybe you can even cover some equipment shortages, but what about when you need just a hand to help stack those cabinets?
Ken
My tops are a dual 15-inch and horn. I grab the side handles with the cabinet facing towards me and using proper lifting techniques and butt clenching to prevent noxious emissions, heave ‘em up. Again, these weigh 125 pounds or less, they’re not so heavy or so awkward. I try to let my guys know when it’s really a push in, push out gig. Have you noticed it seems to take longer on smaller gigs when nothing is mass pinned?
When it comes to recruiting, I try to separate the wheat from the chaff early on by telling said potentials how miserably thankless this job can be. You can usually see that ember in their eyes if there is any interest, and it’s your job to urge it into a respectable fire. I force them to use proper terms and proper techniques and encourage them to find outside work with my aforementioned bitches. If they’re smart, they see the upside, whether it’s free-lancing, IATSE, or starting their own anklebiting company.
Brian
So you’re basically just keeping your eyes out for the occasional person who is crazy enough to try doing this. I guess you can train them up a little and add them to the pool of reciprocal helpers. I had an arrangement one time that reciprocated a lot of help for a lot of teaching and a meal at each show. He quickly became proficient with my rig, and as business grew, I was able to begin paying him and rely on him to mix some of the bands. What an ear-saver that was on those 10-band-a-night marathon shows for the college’s student radio station! We would swap back at the console each time the band changed. I need to find another Andy! Maybe I can just find an intern…
Got a question? You can reach the Anklebiters at anklebiters@fohonline.com.
