Topic: I'm Officially Retired...

[blg]

I've been thinking about this thread since it was started yesterday, and for me, the day I retire from stealth taping is the day I retire completely. I suppose maybe if I lived somewhere else, that wouldn't be the case, but i have no loyality to most of the venues I frequent where some just assume charge you for the privilege and I have no desire to try and jump through some of the hoops my fellow open tapers in the area have to deal with.  Everything I tape is stealth, the stuff i've posted on LMA, and the times i've plugged into the board have been with artist consent, but not with venue consent.  I can't say i've ever felt guilty about it.

Although the things other things people have mentioned annoy me, i like doing it and it keeps me focused on the show. I didn't tape 2 of the 3 Pearl Jam shows I saw last year since they release official boards and it felt completely weird not taping and it actually affected my enjoyment of the shows in a negative way.  I also like the challenge of making a good recording under these circumstances.

Anyway, just my .02.

[adrianf74]

Disclaimer: I have been on an emotional roller coaster the last year and a half after being blindsided by a request for divorce. Regret is a negative emotion and it is tough to let go, but sometimes you have to do it for your own sanity. I still spend a lot of days wishing I had done things differently with my marriage. It really puts the recording stuff in perspective.

eta: And Adrian, I know you've been through a lot lately. Sometimes real life puts the whole hobby thing in a different light.

I get it - I've been down the divorce road myself; lucky for me (I guess) is that I never let taping get in the way of family life.  Even with everything STILL going on (and will be until the bitter end), my other half has asked me *NOT* to NOT RECORD because she enjoys listening to the shows later on.  Talk about a keeper....

[acidjack]

I've been thinking about this thread since it was started yesterday, and for me, the day I retire from stealth taping is the day I retire completely. I suppose maybe if I lived somewhere else, that wouldn't be the case, but i have no loyality to most of the venues I frequent where some just assume charge you for the privilege and I have no desire to try and jump through some of the hoops my fellow open tapers in the area have to deal with.  Everything I tape is stealth, the stuff i've posted on LMA, and the times i've plugged into the board have been with artist consent, but not with venue consent.  I can't say i've ever felt guilty about it.

Although the things other things people have mentioned annoy me, i like doing it and it keeps me focused on the show. I didn't tape 2 of the 3 Pearl Jam shows I saw last year since they release official boards and it felt completely weird not taping and it actually affected my enjoyment of the shows in a negative way.  I also like the challenge of making a good recording under these circumstances.

Anyway, just my .02.

This is a good point. Along with musical taste being a factor, the "need" to stealth is determined by venues and general attitudes as well. BLG and I like a lot of the same bands; despite that fact, stuff I can tape open here in New York, he cannot where he lives. There's always that hope that some aspiring taper can "open up" a previously anti-taping environment, but that has its limits. In my completely anecdotal experience, taping has always been better received in New York, the South and certain other places than in places like LA or even DC. A lot of it has to do with whether the venues are controlled by cool people, uncool people, or by massive corporations, among other factors.

[Chuck]

I've convinced myself to buy stealth rigs over the years and have almost never used them. I still have one too and it just sits and gathers dust. I just don't record if the band doesn't allow open taping. For the most part, the music and bands that I like are cool with taping.

[tooldvn]

Disclaimer: I have been on an emotional roller coaster the last year and a half after being blindsided by a request for divorce. Regret is a negative emotion and it is tough to let go, but sometimes you have to do it for your own sanity. I still spend a lot of days wishing I had done things differently with my marriage. It really puts the recording stuff in perspective.

eta: And Adrian, I know you've been through a lot lately. Sometimes real life puts the whole hobby thing in a different light.

I get it - I've been down the divorce road myself; lucky for me (I guess) is that I never let taping get in the way of family life.  Even with everything STILL going on (and will be until the bitter end), my other half has asked me *NOT* to NOT RECORD because she enjoys listening to the shows later on.  Talk about a keeper....

Damn, are we the same person?  Sounds exactly like my quasi-ex.  Still married (for financial reasons), not together though.   I had taken a break for years for life and kids and she's the one really pushing me to get back out there and have a little fun.  Sometimes she'll even still go with me to a show and help with whatever I need (keep talkers away).

Back to the original discussion,  I primarily stealth because 98% of the bands I tape do not allow. I'm so jealous of the comradery some of you have seeing each other at sections & festivals.  I'm just not into that type of music, unfortunately that means that atmosphere isn't there either.   I've had limited success in contacting bands and getting permission and wish I could be better at that.  I don't feel guilty about stealthing at all because for the most part I only record for myself & kickdown to a few close pals.  Like others have said I don't want to miss that special moment in history.  I will post a special song or two if something neat happened that I think fans would dig.  I would take it down if the artist asked, but I fully believe posting live music only helps the artist attract more fans.   I have a feeling a lot of these artists are going to be glad there were tapers like us when they are doing whatever passes for VH1's Behind the Music in 30 years ;-)

That all being said, I too am feeling my age when stealth taping.  It's certainly getting harder to stand still and deal with idiots for 2 hours.  My feet and back ache like they never did before.  I find myself considering seated balcony positions over floor positions more and more.  Sigh.

[nameloc01]

Disclaimer: I have been on an emotional roller coaster the last year and a half after being blindsided by a request for divorce. Regret is a negative emotion and it is tough to let go, but sometimes you have to do it for your own sanity. I still spend a lot of days wishing I had done things differently with my marriage. It really puts the recording stuff in perspective.

eta: And Adrian, I know you've been through a lot lately. Sometimes real life puts the whole hobby thing in a different light.

I get it - I've been down the divorce road myself; lucky for me (I guess) is that I never let taping get in the way of family life.  Even with everything STILL going on (and will be until the bitter end), my other half has asked me *NOT* to NOT RECORD because she enjoys listening to the shows later on.  Talk about a keeper....

Thats pretty cool. My ex-wife of 10 years, is (still) convinced (and we've been divorced for 4 years now) that when I was out taping shows (some involving traveling) that I was in fact - not out taping/seeing shows- I was running around with "other women", never mind I was lugging around audio gear, posters, had recordings,tickets and a lot of times photos of me with other guys (tapers). She blurted that out once after I had gotten back from a weekend trip and my jaw about hit the floor..she simply could not wrap her head around the idea that a grown man would actually do what I was doing (taping) .  I'm kind of laughing as I'm writing this.. I still can't believe she thinks that. ( and no, I actually never, ever cheated on her..and yes, I'm still taping shows)

[adrianf74]

Disclaimer: I have been on an emotional roller coaster the last year and a half after being blindsided by a request for divorce. Regret is a negative emotion and it is tough to let go, but sometimes you have to do it for your own sanity. I still spend a lot of days wishing I had done things differently with my marriage. It really puts the recording stuff in perspective.

eta: And Adrian, I know you've been through a lot lately. Sometimes real life puts the whole hobby thing in a different light.

I get it - I've been down the divorce road myself; lucky for me (I guess) is that I never let taping get in the way of family life.  Even with everything STILL going on (and will be until the bitter end), my other half has asked me *NOT* to NOT RECORD because she enjoys listening to the shows later on.  Talk about a keeper....

Thats pretty cool. My ex-wife of 10 years, is (still) convinced (and we've been divorced for 4 years now) that when I was out taping shows (some involving traveling) that I was in fact - not out taping/seeing shows- I was running around with "other women", never mind I was lugging around audio gear, posters, had recordings,tickets and a lot of times photos of me with other guys (tapers). She blurted that out once after I had gotten back from a weekend trip and my jaw about hit the floor..she simply could not wrap her head around the idea that a grown man would actually do what I was doing (taping) .  I'm kind of laughing as I'm writing this.. I still can't believe she thinks that. ( and no, I actually never, ever cheated on her..and yes, I'm still taping shows)

I know we're getting OT here but I'm really fortunate to have somebody who, even in declining health that will eventually claim her life, still wants me to record regardless.  She's also 100% _ALWAYS_ trusted me which is a welcome change from my previous marriage where I was always guilty before innocent (much like the situation you mentioned above).  Trust me, I can fully relate to what you're saying.  I just wished I didn't have to go through the other crap right now. 

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

I think I've managed to maintain my sanity while stealthing by following a few rules.

1. Don't let idiots/assholes ruin having a good time at a show. Yep, they might have ruined the recording, but once that starts happening I write it off. Sometimes it turns out you can't even hear them.
2. Occasionally I'll be on the fence if I want to record a stealth show. I have shirt with mics in the collar and run a super minimal rig. I put little to no effort in and hope for the best. At the very least I have the recording "for my records."
3. For shows I skip recording and then wish I did, I try to put behind me as well. Remember the vast majority of people at the show will never get to listen to it again, and they live. There is always next time and you can't have it all.

Yep there are times when I take recording undercover very seriously. I've learned what bands are worthy of this and prepare myself in advance.

I think it's important to accept that it's okay to take a break from both stealthing shows and open shows.

[hoppedup]

I think it's important to accept that it's okay to take a break from both stealthing shows and open shows.

x2

I don't believe I will ever retire from stealthing completely. I will be a festival in September. Probably nothing before then.

[perks]

I'm officially retiring from the rat race on April 15, 2028. Save the date. I'm working on getting Van Halen to play my retirement party and allow open taping. All tapers are invited. Then me and Mick are going to wing on over to London and jam with the Stones.

Hopefully that will free up my schedule so I can attempt to hit as many shows as Z-man does.

[robeti]

Here in Europe the kind of music I like is non-open 99% of the time. There is no other choice than to stealth.

[Scooter123]

Pul-eeze.  Stealth taping wore you out?  I mean how hard is it? You shove a couple mikes into a hat and press the "record button." 

You STFU, but I STFU when I'm not taping. 

I guess you can't turn your head and check out the babes, but other than that how difficult is it?

I've been stealth taping since 1970--my first rig was a cassette with a Sony stereo mike duct taped to a Popeil Pocket Fisherman Pole.  Its actually gotten easier.  As Ron Popeil would say, I just set it and forget it. 

Maybe I'm a little tongue in  cheek but I urge you to reconsider.  Open Taping is on the decline and we need more experienced tapers. 

[obaaron]

It seems to me that open taping is NOT on the decline per se.....more smaller, regional bands (non-jambands) seem open to it now than in the 90's I think and see value in allowing their fans to record

[nameloc01]

I've been stealth taping since 1970--my first rig was a cassette with a Sony stereo mike duct taped to a Popeil Pocket Fisherman Pole. 

awesome.. happen to have any kind of old photos of yourself in "fishing mode"..?? 

[ccage]

I haven't gone 007 since 2007.
I had declared myself retired until I purchased Tonedeaf's mk4s and some nbob actives last year.

Now I'm thinking I may try again.