by The Analog Kid on Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:04 am
I found this one the Blog of Jakko M Jakszyk (ao of Level 42) when he discussed why the 21st Century Schizoid band (ex memebers of King Crimson) did not tour the US anymore - makes you think again. btw the other band he mentiones with the American touring memeber is Porcupine Tree
Initially a few agents were keen to represent us in the US. They felt that promoters would jump at the idea. Steve Ozark, the hard working agent that took us on, found that the reality was that promoters were not convinced that there was the same degree of interest that we had found in Japan, Russia, Italy etc. In the end all Steve could do was obtain a week or so of shows. The guarantee's were low (the amount of money paid regardless of turnout) but we figured that we would pack venues and break percentage and impress other promoters and book more shows for later in the year. We managed to play a large show in Mexico City which really helped finance the rest of the US shows and made them possible.
The costs and the poor value of the dollar made this a real 'skin of the teeth' venture.
Here's a cost that I'm sure most people would be unaware of. In order to play in the US, you have to have a work visa. These cost £1000 per member. So with 3 UK based band members and 2 crew, things mount up pretty damn quickly. The process is also dull and lengthy. You have to book an appointment with the US embassy in London. This can take months and often it gets perilously close to the leaving date. No visa and it's all off. This can be speeded up for an extra £200. You have to be there and line up from 7:00 am and wait. Car parks are very costly indeed for this part of town and the congestion charge is £8 each. So before we have even arrive in the US, what with flights, transport and work days pay for the crew, were heading towards costs of £10,000. That’s before we've secured accommodation for all once we're out there, rehearsal facilities, equipment hire, van hire and internal flights for everyone.
Once there we didn't break the percentage. Mexico was fantastic. We had great enthusiastic crowds in the US, but apart from one or two venues, we didn't come close to selling out. The promoters had proved their point. To the many kind and well meaning Americans who have implored us to play in the US, this is why it hasn't happened since. It cost me a few grand to play those shows. Whilst I don't regret this and the experience of playing this wonderful music with players that created it in the first place, it's a costly hobby that I just cannot afford to repeat too often.
Incidentally a close pal’s band who tour the world regularly take an American player with them. He, apparently, just has to turn up at a local consul, fill in a form and pay $70 to work in the UK and Europe. It's that old special relationship of ours.
Noone takes polaroids anymore