Topic: Problems recording at the House Of blues??

[vansmack]

I've read here on the boards that it's tough to sneak recording gear into the HOB.  I was hoping to tape Pennywise/Nofx at the HOB Hollywood next weekend?  Does anyone know what security measures they use?  Any advice?  Thanks

[Sean Gallemore]

I've read here on the boards that it's tough to sneak recording gear into the HOB.  I was hoping to tape Pennywise/Nofx at the HOB Hollywood next weekend?  Does anyone know what security measures they use?  Any advice?  Thanks

i went last summer and they had wands.  They make you take everything out of your pockets first and THEN wand you.  Good luck

[leegeddy]

I've read here on the boards that it's tough to sneak recording gear into the HOB.  I was hoping to tape Pennywise/Nofx at the HOB Hollywood next weekend?  Does anyone know what security measures they use?  Any advice?  Thanks

here's a trick at the Hollywood HOB.

get there early enough to grab a bite to eat or a drink.  have your wait person to get your wristband from the ushers downstairs.  after your drink/meal, walk through the upper level door to the venue simply showing your wristband.  the single door guy doesn't search you at all and waves you through.

or...

if you're going with in a group, just hang out at the bar and have someone hold your gear and you can walk down stairs to go through the security check. go back up to the bar area with your wristband and proceed through the upper entrance as described above.

bon chance!!

marc
(i've always done one or the other w/no prob.)  

[jpschust]

marc you are a sneaky one mr grinch :-)

[leegeddy]

marc you are a sneaky one mr grinch :-)

hahaha... ya gotta do what ya gotta do..  

marc

[greenone]

At the now-defunct one in Boston you used to have to have the band sign a waiver or something for open taping...it was ridiculous. But at Chicago this past New Year's, I waltzed right in with a full rig, taped the first two bands no problem, then got the ixnay from the house sound guy when I tried to raise my stand above the crowd for the headliner. He told me no taping, so I didn't tape...at that height. Lowered it to head height, closed my bag to cover the flashing lights, rolled tape. Never had anyone say a thing to me.

--Dave

[Sean Gallemore]

I'm assuming this would be a stealth job regardless.  Great advice, marc, +

[RJPass]

I did a stealth once at the HOB Anaheim.

The security there is pretty good.  Nothing in pockets, wand, pat down, the works!

I walked in with all my gear on me and they found nothing  =)

Depends on where you place your equipment.  If you place it behind something that may look like it'd set off the wand, and you cant feel when it's patted down, you're good  =)

[greenone]

I'm assuming this would be a stealth job regardless.  Great advice, marc, +

D'oh! Missed that part...didn't even look at the band. Sorry for the waste of pixels.

[BobW]

No pitchas, leave da camera home.

[vansmack]

Well I'm going to try leegeddy's method.  I'll let you guys know how it works out.
 

[vansmack]

Wow, this has to the toughest venue I've seen to sneak gear in.  I got there early and ate upstairs at the restraunt.  I sat on the balcony and watched the security check.  Wands--full body after pockets emptied.  If the wand picked up anything a full pat down.  I ended up hiding my gear in the restraunt, went through security, and came back up to the restraunt after getting a wristband.  Next stop for me is the Greek Theatre in Hollywood.  Anyone know there security level?  

[leegeddy]

Wow, this has to the toughest venue I've seen to sneak gear in.  I got there early and ate upstairs at the restraunt.  I sat on the balcony and watched the security check.  Wands--full body after pockets emptied.  If the wand picked up anything a full pat down.  I ended up hiding my gear in the restraunt, went through security, and came back up to the restraunt after getting a wristband.  Next stop for me is the Greek Theatre in Hollywood.  Anyone know there security level?  

+t for the cajones.  sounds like you were sucessful.

as far as The Greek, it's a piece of cake. no patdowns, no wands, zero problem.   i taped there before, and it was easy getting in.

marc

[RJPass]

I bet it may be a bitch to tape at the greek theater.  This is a system of a down concert we're talking about here.  =)

Ima be there and ima get my shit in too.... i hope  =)

C-Ya there Vansmack!

[Sugarite]

My fave encounter with a security guard:

*pats pocket with D7 in it* "Is this a camera?"

"No."

"Ok, go ahead."

 

My craftiest recording was once where the band who normally lets me tape advised me not to, since it was a CD release gig and there would be label reps everywhere, and they weren't allowed to let me tape, so if I got caught it would be mine and their asses.  So during soundcheck I discretely mounted my mic up in a lighting rig in at the front of the balcony, and come showtime I just reached over, snagged the cable, and kept the D7 under a hat on the table.  Sure beat wearing the mics!