"So, you're a drummer and graphics guy...then you know the drill... Can you start tomorrow?" I did, and I actually think mentioning I was a drummer got me hired.
A lot of this job was about knowing the audience and selling them tickets, which in turn made the band and band manager happy. It's the business of filling the place with people and hopefully selling a few thousand beers along the way.
Ads had to look cool, communicate clearly, be ready 10 minutes ago, and the venue and town had to be plastered with posters and flyers.
I wish I was a better live band photographer back then. I saw hundreds of bands and have tons of crappy, grainy prints to prove it.
