Before I go on my rant, I want to preface that what I'm about to say DOES NOT reflect the Knockout SF as a whole. I am merely talking from a musician's point of view regarding a certain recurring experience I've had. Most of the staff at the Knockout are quite nice and treat you well. The same cannot be said for the story I'm about to tell.
My band, Flood, has played at the Knockout three times in the last two years. This place is known for their DJ nights and strong drinks. What people may not know is that they are in a constant battle with a tenant who lives in the apartment above the bar, which as a result effects the shows the bar puts on. This tenant has repeatedly threatened the club due to it's 'excessive noise'. The Knockout has made several attempts to accommodate the situation: sound proofed parts of the bar and have shows end early, just to name a few things. It should also be noted that the bar itself has been there long before the tenant ever moved in. This tenant should have known that he/she was going to be living above a bar in the Mission. For starters, I don't think of the Mission as a neighborhood, and a bar (any bar) certainly won't be either.
So what this does for the 'sound guy' at the Knockout is make him very, very anxious. He does not want the bar to be shut down, but he also wants the show to go on. So what does he do?
A sound guy at a bar/club is basically there to provide a P.A. and a few mics for the vocals and maybe drums. He/she is to assist the band with whatever audio needs they may have. It is not his job, nor is it any of the staff's job, to make the bands feel uncomfortable. This is exactly what he did. For starters, he places the bass and guitar on the opposite sides from what we're used to (it's a little detail but it makes a huge difference if you're used to hearing things a certain way. And why should the position of instruments matter anyway?) While we're doing our sound check, he tells us to turn down, a lot. If anyone has heard my band you will know that we are loud, really loud. Turning down won't do much. Given the circumstances, I don't mind the request. What he does next is move throughout the crowd during our set, mostly standing front and center, so the band can see him, checking his iPhone's clock to make sure we don't go over our time limit. He then flashes the stage lights during the last song telling us to wrap it up. He later told us that he was adding ambiance (we were using a fog machine as well). Who in the hell flashes lights for a few seconds to add ambiance?
Ladies and gentlemen, I have never felt so anxious during a set. Again, I understand that the bar is under pressure not to upset this pesky tenant, but you know what? DON'T BOOK HEAVY MUSIC AT YOUR BAR! Or start the show early so all the bands can play under no pressure.
I am only mentioning any of this because it happens every time we play at this club. Please. Let this be a warning to bands that play this bar. It's a fun place that usually draws a lot of people just by name recognition alone. Scott Alcoholcaust, who books shows all over the city (not just the Knockout) is a fantastic promoter and I appreciate the shows he's organized and his work in the music scene over the years. It's just that damn sound guy.
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