Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Introduction
Some years ago we were touring with a popular young group.
They were friends. One day I was talking to the leader about this
& that, passing the time, and we got around to the internal
workings of our respective bands.
Sure, Mr F said.
Me: So the only way you get out-voted is if all three of the others
stand together?
So, yes, Pere Ubu operates by Rule. And, no, Pere Ubu is NOT a
democracy. We are, if anything, a Republic. In Pere Ubu you are
responsible for yourself. We are a collection of moderately
responsible adults who choose to work together as independent
agents, pooling our talents and sharing in the rewards of
whatever our talents are worth in the marketplace. We are all
independent contractors. No one is an employee. This goes for
crew & band & management.
1. Pere Ubu won't have its picture taken for press or promotional
purposes anywhere in public, i.e. anywhere that civilians can see
us getting our picture taken. We prefer studios or out of the way
locations. It is a shameful thing for a man to pose for a picture
and we seek to hide our shame from the public. Photographers,
note: we will not run or jump or do anything. Don't ask. Don't
think you can wear us down. Many have tried. We do NOT relax.
http://www.ubuprojex.net
1. For private, archival, radio, etc. recordings you need to get our
written approval. Check with Ubu Projex concerning the
procedure.
I recently had posted the Rocket from the Tombs Jack Slack Lp, on
Ebay and was threatened with legal action by your agent for
doing so. I purchased this record legally in Canada over 10 years
ago and believe I had every right to post and sell this record. I will
attach below the emails from your agent . I removed the record
for sale to prevent any possible infringement on your rights.
Please let me know your position on this matter.
The fans of Pere Ubu do not own us. Their money does not buy
us. It buys our productivity - we determine our productivity.
Without control of our productivity we abdicate our uniqueness.
We owe nothing to our fans but the determination to maintain the
quality, vision and uniqueness of our productivity. (But, to be truly
accurate, we do not owe our fans even that - we owe ourselves.)
Otherwise then why don't you just send us a monthly check
because we are who we are? Of course not. It's a one way street.
The bus runs one way. You can get on the bus or not. But if you
get on the bus you can't then tell the driver to go by the mini-
mart on Payne.
If you don't like Ronald McDonald and Happy Meals and Special
Sauce then you don't have to buy a Big Mac. The McDonalds
Corporation, however, is under no obligation to run their affairs
so as to please you or your sensibilities. And frankly they'd be
nuts to even worry about it.
PUBLISHING PERMISSIONS
Most of our catalog is published by Bug Music. Most of the
historical period songs (approx 1975-1980) are published by EMI
Music or Bug Music, depending on the territory. Bug has a FAQ
page that answers most questions. Bug also provides a licensing
page.
Please note the following guidelines for in-stores. These are not
meant to discourage in-stores, simply to ensure that they're
successful as well as being enjoyable for all concerned.
Definitions:
4. The record store MUST NOT play any Pere Ubu recordings for
the duration of Mr Thomas' visit. It is simply too embarrassing,
draws undue attention to his presence & most importantly forces
him to withdraw into a protective shell of weird
uncommunicativeness. This is not desirable.
MEET & GREETs are not a problem because of the informal nature
of the event.
2. Per diems should not be less than £20 in Europe and $30 in
the US with all meals provided on top. PDs must be paid in full for
all days or part days away from home.
4. If any other band member goes on the road as well then they
must be treated identically.
Photographs
David must be warned if a photograph session is on the cards.
See the separate set of Photo protocols. Very important.
Radio Appearances/Interviews
The local record rep must provide a compact disk copy of the
album for radio play, NOT a cassette, and must inform the dj of
any local appearances that David Thomas or Pere Ubu will be
making. David is embarrassed by self-promotion and will not do it
so it is the local rep's responsibility to ask the dj to plug any
concert appearances and to provide details of such appearances
to the dj ahead of time. David will become irritated if he has to do
this himself.
Hearpen
PO Box 4
Utica PA 16362
USA
If you "leave the tour" you are responsible for all costs incurred
from the point that you leave the tour til the point that you return
to the tour. This includes costs incurred that would normally and
reasonably be paid by the tour account.
Example A: There are 3 off days and the tour is in Chicago. You
decide to visit your mom in St Louis. You are responsible for your
own accommodation and travel expenses. Furthermore, if you are
late getting back, through no fault of your own, and we miss a
show, you are responsible, in theory, for lost revenue and/or
penalties.
If you plan ahead with the tour manager and it can be arranged
without adding cost to the tour budget then you can be
reimbursed for any actual, receipted hotel costs you incurred up
to the amount the tour account allocated had you stayed with the
tour.
Small Town Cop Override: You are driving thru the no man's land
between Croatia and Serbia. You are stopped by a Croatian Police
road check who insist you passed another vehicle on a bridge
which is a very serious offense in Croatia according to the Traffic
Code brandished in your face. You look back. There is nothing
that a reasonable person would define as a "bridge." You look
ahead. You see the UN checkpoint and the fact that this is the last
chance they have to punish you for wanting to go to Serbia.
Ruling: Driver is not responsible.
PAYMENTS
DEPARTURES
2. If the bus departure time from the hotel is set for 9 am this
means that all musicians & road personnel should on the bus for
that time. Paying extras, eating breakfast, all things must be
accomplished before that time.
3. When flying with the entire band & equipment, check-in
times at the airport are as follows: no later than two hours for
international flights, and 90 minutes for domestic flights.
REIMBURSEMENTS
ON TOUR
If you are instructed to take a cab for the purposes of the tour,
then, yes. Personal use for convenience, no.
A PD protocol question:
If he's combining the trip with other work then he should be paid
ONE travel day per diem and NOT TWO and the cost of his work
permit should be split between the two works (though if he
wouldn't have got a work permit for his other work then I don't
think we should charge him a share of the work permit costs).
* We are always happy when the lights are simply set, focused,
turned on and left alone during the show.
* Overhead lights should be focused on the center mic and
bass player positions. We need to read notes.
* Mr Thomas does not like flashing lights. Light scenes can shift
but avoid flashing.
* No smoke-machines are to be used during our performance.
* Lighting should be theatrical rather than rockist. We are
interested in atmosphere, mood, drama, energy, subtlety,
imagination-- not rock cliche. Please do not use patterned gobos.
Mr Thomas finds patterned light routines to be particularly
offensive.
* Lights should be carefully focused on Mr Thomas and the
band & not directed at the audience. Please try to avoid
EXCESSIVE backlighting.
* Lights must never fade to black between songs.
* Light comes mostly from above not from below. A handy tip
to keep in mind is that the sun is up.