MORC CRUISE 2024 ... Tuff Shows, Tuff Fun, Other sTuff, Spirit Airlines going Home, Brazil, Europe & More!

[MetalSludgeCEO]

So much happened, so much to cover but so little time!

I leave to LAX in exactly 96 hours on Tuesday morning at 8:00AM (PST) to fly to Brazil for several shows over 12 days! Can't wait...

BRAZIL, this is YOUR tour tee > https://www.facebook.com/stevierachelle ... 7ubpFQpDHl

In other Tour News... the Euro run with Shamless & Cherie Currie (The Runaways) just added Czech Republic, to go along with our dates in Germany, Belgium & Netherlands! Also Can't Wait.

UPDATED EURO DATES > https://www.facebook.com/stevierachelle ... uWWwapbksl

A few notes before I share the links...

Tim "Ripper" Owens voice = RE DICK U LUS as F#@K! Jesus Christ... the guy is NOT human, and also the nicest guy, who I am proud to call a friend.

Quiet Riot absolutely SLAYED the Pool Stage... and even threw in "Blackout in the Red Room" in their set. The whole band killed, Rudy is a beast on the bass and he's 74? WTF!

Jizzy's voice... also... not normal for a man well into his 60's to sound that good and look that good too! Bravo Jizzy... and like above, all friends and the nicest guys!

Rhino Bucket.... Georg has been a dear friend for decades... I love this band, and he retired some years ago, but decide to come back. Their pool show went up against several other shows... but... they had a solid crowd... Brian "Damage" (Kix) on lead guitar who has been playing with The Bucket for 22 years according to Georg.

Sean McNaab on bass... solid as F#@k and fit like a glove... their drummer is friends with my GF, and I just met him, he kills... but... let me say, Georg is a BAD MOFO!

That guy's voice sounded GREAT. Matter of fact, from the first note, they sounded amazing... and Georg's stage schtik, is fine tuned, a total pro, all of them! Bucket killed

Black N' Blue... love this band... Pete Holmes is under-rated... that dude can throw sticks like crazy... damn... bad ass. New (Tommy) guitarist is like 25, fit right in... good kid, nice kid, and Patrick and Brandon were solid as ever... I love this band and Patrick and Jaime have been buddies for years... the Saint sounded solid, but the soundman did him NO FAVORS this nite... even the crowd got on him between songs, and everyone was saying "We can't hear you" to Jaime... the soundman final dialed it in around their last 2 songs... #WTF!

Heaven's Edge... met Reggie Wu for the 1st time and we hung a bit, both of us have kids at Berkeley and we've been friends online and chatting about this for a few years... I've met Mark before... but it was cool to hang with them and see them live again... 2 of THE NICEST GUYS on the planet... not in the music business, on the planet.

Totally awesome band... love their debut... and Brian "Damage" got up and they jammed a KIX song too in their set... again... the nicest guys... too bad about their bassist passing away... he was their Heart... that guy was their Rock Star... but how cool is this.. Reggie told me, at every show... they tape photos of him to their amps or drum riser, so he's at EVERY show with them... talk about the real deal... these guys rule and killed it too!

Still blown away by Ripper's voice... dude is beyond insane...

Heard Queensryche from our cabins (Balconies) and they sounded great...

Some bands used tracks, samples, etc... not bagging on them at all... do your thing... but it's kind of funny when the fans walk away saying "OMG! They sounded so good, just like the record!" Ummm, no shit... half the show was the record. Anyway... kudos to anyone who has the balls to strap it up and get on stage... wigs included!

TUFF in the Theater... I ain't gonna lie... I was a bit worried, it would look bad... as that place holds almost 1,500 people! But, to our surprise, our attendance was likely, 50-60% and was a much bigger then expected... so stoked, and grateful for that!

#WTF? Eddie Trunk was at the Tuff show with Grossi and Chad from FPC, and the word is... he was really into it, and I guess we were nothing like he expected. I ran into Eddie later, and he had some very complimentary words and I was thankful to hear them!

Sure, make fun of this, we did all week... my GF broke her foot 5 days before the cruise, so she had an Axl - Grohl scooter on the ship and in the airport too!


TUFF in the Theater, NIte #1, Show #1, the band and crowd sang Happy Bday to me! > https://www.facebook.com/stevierachelle ... AEyKwQPLxl

TUFF in the debut issue of ROCKED Magazine, by Mark Weiss > https://www.facebook.com/stevierachelle ... fQW6vdjNwl

And Mark Weiss' promo for it > https://www.facebook.com/stevierachelle ... 4HfxWPwFzl

TUFF saying good nite, Nite #1, Show #1 in the Theater! > https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=32 ... 6202905574

More TUFF on the Ship, both shows, candid pics and more from Billy's wife > https://www.facebook.com/leah.nyikes/po ... 9pEyXNgGBl

TUFF in the Theater pics > https://www.facebook.com/andrea.donati. ... VwHKwX4zJl

And more Pics > https://www.facebook.com/richard.allbri ... JoCCwHGebl

Me, half nude on my balcony on the TUFF Scooter > https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=320 ... 0483189782

TUFF "Ruck A Pit Bridge" (3rd song on Show #1) > https://www.facebook.com/richard.allbri ... C979DXc45l

TUFF "Summertime Goodbye" in the Theater (from our 1st studio sessions at Sound City 1988) > https://www.facebook.com/kara.uhrlen/vi ... 0861834032

More pics Show #1 > https://www.facebook.com/KendaBrunette/ ... F3RXUSwdql

TUFF in the Star Lounge, Show #2 > https://www.facebook.com/leah.nyikes/vi ... 9407371472

FLYING Home on Spirit Airlines Drama > https://www.facebook.com/stevierachelle ... MvowLNBsrl

Spirit Airlines Update #2 #wtf > https://www.facebook.com/stevierachelle ... Wbms1msrml

More Spirit Airlines Update #3 > https://www.facebook.com/stevierachelle ... dCQyBF7uTl

Enjoy....

$tEvil

[parasite74]

[Black Stuff]

Was a great time for sure! Cant belueve Jizzy didnt pass out at the pool stage, was hot as F in direct sunlight no roof.

Was great to finally catchup with you CEO.

Missed Aces shows, but heard they were a clusterf anyway.

Highlights for me, the guy filling.in for CJ in Firehouse and the Darknes, as well as playing in the 2 cruiser jams (neon knights and Barracuda with Chad from FP).

Great times but tired as heck. Ran into a ton of.folks. Glenn Hughes and Rudy Sarzo seemed to be everywhere. Also chatted with King Jizzo and his wife. Everyone was great!

And who is the happiest guy on the cruise? Ted Poley! Teds a super great guy (but if course, he is from NJ), high energy and always smiling.

Pat Travers band kicked ass and his bassist, David Pastorius, was friggin amazing!

Special thanks to Izzy Presley as well, from this jim.florentine looking mf er. Hahahahah

[MetalSludgeCEO]

TuFF returns to The Whisky A Go Go, on the Sunset Strip, for the first time in over a decade!

On Friday August 23rd 2024, > https://forums.metalsludge.tv/forums/vi ... 1&t=385194

Save the date, mark the calendar!

$tEvil

[MetalSludgeCEO]

Monsters of Rock Cruise nite #1 Tuff in the Theater!

"American Hairband"... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQX03kiQ8XU

$tEvil

[Hellsinkey]

Rhino Bucket.... Georg has been a dear friend for decades... I love this band, and he retired some years ago, but decide to come back. Their pool show went up against several other shows... but... they had a solid crowd... Brian "Damage" (Kix) on lead guitar who has been playing with The Bucket for 22 years according to Georg.

Sean McNaab on bass... solid as F#@k and fit like a glove... their drummer is friends with my GF, and I just met him, he kills... but... let me say, Georg is a BAD MOFO!

That guy's voice sounded GREAT. Matter of fact, from the first note, they sounded amazing... and Georg's stage schtik, is fine tuned, a total pro, all of them! Bucket killed

Georg is Finnish and one of his relatives, who was also called Georg Dolivo was a celebrity in Finland. The relative died recently. When I first heard of Rhino Bucket, I thought Georg must be Finnish and taken this celebrity's name, but it turned out to be his real name too.

Same thing with Jani Lane, I thought he might have had Finnish relatives, but he denied it in an interview. If his name had been spelled Jani Laine, there must be a few men here by that name. Both names are very common.

If Tuff ever came here, I'd check them out.

[Blumpkin King]

Monsters of Rock Cruise nite #1 Tuff in the Theater!

"American Hairband"... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQX03kiQ8XU

$tEvil

Curious if any of the bands brought part of their road crew with them? Do you guys just have house guys set everything up for you and then adjust on the cruise? Just wondering how it works.

[maninblack]

We need some photos.

[vernomatic]

So much happened, so much to cover but so little time!

I leave to LAX in exactly 96 hours on Tuesday morning at 8:00AM (PST) to fly to Brazil for several shows over 12 days! Can't wait...

BRAZIL, this is YOUR tour tee > https://www.facebook.com/stevierachelle ... 7ubpFQpDHl

In other Tour News... the Euro run with Shamless & Cherie Currie (The Runaways) just added Czech Republic, to go along with our dates in Germany, Belgium & Netherlands! Also Can't Wait.

UPDATED EURO DATES > https://www.facebook.com/stevierachelle ... uWWwapbksl

A few notes before I share the links...

Tim "Ripper" Owens voice = RE DICK U LUS as F#@K! Jesus Christ... the guy is NOT human, and also the nicest guy, who I am proud to call a friend.

Quiet Riot absolutely SLAYED the Pool Stage... and even threw in "Blackout in the Red Room" in their set. The whole band killed, Rudy is a beast on the bass and he's 74? WTF!

Jizzy's voice... also... not normal for a man well into his 60's to sound that good and look that good too! Bravo Jizzy... and like above, all friends and the nicest guys!

Rhino Bucket.... Georg has been a dear friend for decades... I love this band, and he retired some years ago, but decide to come back. Their pool show went up against several other shows... but... they had a solid crowd... Brian "Damage" (Kix) on lead guitar who has been playing with The Bucket for 22 years according to Georg.

Sean McNaab on bass... solid as F#@k and fit like a glove... their drummer is friends with my GF, and I just met him, he kills... but... let me say, Georg is a BAD MOFO!

That guy's voice sounded GREAT. Matter of fact, from the first note, they sounded amazing... and Georg's stage schtik, is fine tuned, a total pro, all of them! Bucket killed

Black N' Blue... love this band... Pete Holmes is under-rated... that dude can throw sticks like crazy... damn... bad ass. New (Tommy) guitarist is like 25, fit right in... good kid, nice kid, and Patrick and Brandon were solid as ever... I love this band and Patrick and Jaime have been buddies for years... the Saint sounded solid, but the soundman did him NO FAVORS this nite... even the crowd got on him between songs, and everyone was saying "We can't hear you" to Jaime... the soundman final dialed it in around their last 2 songs... #WTF!

Heaven's Edge... met Reggie Wu for the 1st time and we hung a bit, both of us have kids at Berkeley and we've been friends online and chatting about this for a few years... I've met Mark before... but it was cool to hang with them and see them live again... 2 of THE NICEST GUYS on the planet... not in the music business, on the planet.

Totally awesome band... love their debut... and Brian "Damage" got up and they jammed a KIX song too in their set... again... the nicest guys... too bad about their bassist passing away... he was their Heart... that guy was their Rock Star... but how cool is this.. Reggie told me, at every show... they tape photos of him to their amps or drum riser, so he's at EVERY show with them... talk about the real deal... these guys rule and killed it too!

Still blown away by Ripper's voice... dude is beyond insane...

Heard Queensryche from our cabins (Balconies) and they sounded great...

Some bands used tracks, samples, etc... not bagging on them at all... do your thing... but it's kind of funny when the fans walk away saying "OMG! They sounded so good, just like the record!" Ummm, no shit... half the show was the record. Anyway... kudos to anyone who has the balls to strap it up and get on stage... wigs included!

TUFF in the Theater... I ain't gonna lie... I was a bit worried, it would look bad... as that place holds almost 1,500 people! But, to our surprise, our attendance was likely, 50-60% and was a much bigger then expected... so stoked, and grateful for that!

#WTF? Eddie Trunk was at the Tuff show with Grossi and Chad from FPC, and the word is... he was really into it, and I guess we were nothing like he expected. I ran into Eddie later, and he had some very complimentary words and I was thankful to hear them!

Sure, make fun of this, we did all week... my GF broke her foot 5 days before the cruise, so she had an Axl - Grohl scooter on the ship and in the airport too!


TUFF in the Theater, NIte #1, Show #1, the band and crowd sang Happy Bday to me! > https://www.facebook.com/stevierachelle ... AEyKwQPLxl

TUFF in the debut issue of ROCKED Magazine, by Mark Weiss > https://www.facebook.com/stevierachelle ... fQW6vdjNwl

And Mark Weiss' promo for it > https://www.facebook.com/stevierachelle ... 4HfxWPwFzl

TUFF saying good nite, Nite #1, Show #1 in the Theater! > https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=32 ... 6202905574

More TUFF on the Ship, both shows, candid pics and more from Billy's wife > https://www.facebook.com/leah.nyikes/po ... 9pEyXNgGBl

TUFF in the Theater pics > https://www.facebook.com/andrea.donati. ... VwHKwX4zJl

And more Pics > https://www.facebook.com/richard.allbri ... JoCCwHGebl

Me, half nude on my balcony on the TUFF Scooter > https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=320 ... 0483189782

TUFF "Ruck A Pit Bridge" (3rd song on Show #1) > https://www.facebook.com/richard.allbri ... C979DXc45l

TUFF "Summertime Goodbye" in the Theater (from our 1st studio sessions at Sound City 1988) > https://www.facebook.com/kara.uhrlen/vi ... 0861834032

More pics Show #1 > https://www.facebook.com/KendaBrunette/ ... F3RXUSwdql

TUFF in the Star Lounge, Show #2 > https://www.facebook.com/leah.nyikes/vi ... 9407371472

FLYING Home on Spirit Airlines Drama > https://www.facebook.com/stevierachelle ... MvowLNBsrl

Spirit Airlines Update #2 #wtf > https://www.facebook.com/stevierachelle ... Wbms1msrml

More Spirit Airlines Update #3 > https://www.facebook.com/stevierachelle ... dCQyBF7uTl

Enjoy....

$tEvil

Hello CEO- Just came home fom the Buffalo KK's Priest show. Ripper is indeed AMAZING. Worth the price of admission alone. Congrats on the positive exp. Best of luck inBrazil.

[Bob Sacamano]

#WTF? Eddie Trunk was at the Tuff show with Grossi and Chad from FPC, and the word is... he was really into it, and I guess we were nothing like he expected. I ran into Eddie later, and he had some very complimentary words and I was thankful to hear them!

Eddie did mention on one of his shows that you were very good.

[greengoblinrulz]

Monsters of Rock Cruise nite #1 Tuff in the Theater!

"American Hairband"... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQX03kiQ8XU

$tEvil

Curious if any of the bands brought part of their road crew with them? Do you guys just have house guys set everything up for you and then adjust on the cruise? Just wondering how it works.

Many bands brought their own guys but some travel light

[Bono Nettencourt]

We need some photos.

[MetalSludgeCEO]

Monsters of Rock Cruise nite #1 Tuff in the Theater!

"American Hairband"... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQX03kiQ8XU

$tEvil

Curious if any of the bands brought part of their road crew with them? Do you guys just have house guys set everything up for you and then adjust on the cruise? Just wondering how it works.

"""""""""""Curious if any of the bands brought part of their road crew with them? """"""""""""""

The answer is yes and no. The bigger bands (Keifer, Tesla, Warrant, Skid Row) usually have a few of their guys, and this is written into their contract.

The Cruises obviously operate far different than your average rock club or theater. When for example TESLA gets booked for this, their contract likely states in addition to their Guarantee for the Cruise, it's noted band members, each having their guest (+1) and then crew. Which could be their sound-man, a couple stage techs, tour manager.

Most of the smaller bands, from what I have seen or can tell, do not bring crew. Simply because they can't. Or, if they do, it just might be out of their pocket.

If TUFF plays 2nd or 3rd slot on a festival, or at a club with >insert headliner here<, we'll get a Guest List, and in addition to the band, we'll get to bring our crew, etc... But we can't pull up to the ship and expect to have them allow us to drag on a bunch of people when we're this low on the food chain. Most of the bands do not get that luxury, as the ship has to comp all of us bands our rooms, and if every band brought a full crew, well, the ship would lose out on all of those extra cabin income.

I will use TUFF as an example, our contract is for the band (4 members), and our guest. We also get 4 cabins, and of course our 8 admissions onto the ship. I can't tell them, "Hey, we're bringing a bass tech, a guitar tech, a drum tech, stage manager and security guy. Oh, and we need 5 more cabins for them and their girlfriends."

It won't fly like that on these cruises. But of course, Tom Keifer, Tesla, etc.. have the power to ask for demand, band + 5 crew, etc..



""""""""""""""""""" Do you guys just have house guys set everything up for you and then adjust on the cruise?"""""""""""""""""

Correct.

Also, these cruises are very staffed for all related, in other words, each venue (stage) has a full crew running each show, all day and night. All of these guys are pros who have worked on tours, and pretty much anything we need or want is there, including a full set of Pro back-line gear from drums to amps, to cabinets, drum risers, etc...

Also, there are always a few (tech/crew) guys, who are on these cruises who are tied in with bands, that often end up floating around and working for this guy or that guy. We used a guy the last time who was with his wife and kids on the cruise, and he's from Cleveland, knows Billy so he was hands on. We threw him a few bones, but we were not responsible for him and his families travel, cabin or anything else related, it was all on him.

Pretty much 9/10 bands, only carry on their Guitars, Basses, Sticks, Pedals and Strings. There is too much red-tape with customs for guys to show up with a Ryder truck at the dock and say "Here are our drum cases and amps", that won't happen.

Even with our merchandise, we have to ship it a month in advance to Florida. If the cruise is March 1st, our merch would have to be received in Florida by mid February. The MORC merch team, then has to inventory all, every band, every box, and counted and submitted with forms to customs for all of which is being loaded onto the ship.


$tEvil

[MetalSludgeCEO]

Something else that is unique to these cruises.

There are usually at least, 4-5 venues, or stages. Sometimes a few others, smaller jam type or kareoke situations.

But what makes this different than a standard club, theater, arena or festival gig, is that the crowd is constantly coming and going.

Take the Pool Stage as an example, the schedule for the day is something like FAN HALEN at 11:30am. Rhino Bucket at 2:00pm. BulletBoys at 4:15pm. Lynch Mob at 6:30pm. Extreme at 9:00pm and then Faster Pussycat at 11:30pm.

Before each show, the band have at least an hour, to tweak the gear, do a little line or sound check, set up props, move stuff around, etc.. Once the shows end, pretty much 75-80% of the crowd leave almost immediately. Unless, it's the Pool stage, but even then. everyone turns away, goes back to drinking and shooting the breeze. Meanwhile one band is tearing their stuff down, and bailing while the other band who goes on in 90 minutes, is now rearranging the stage to their liking.

Same happens in the smaller clubs, the big theater and the various other rooms (Ice Rink, Lounges). A band shows up at 2:00pm, and their set isn't until 3:30pm, but they got an hour to sort and set up, mini sound check, all being done as the room has been emptied, and then a group of people start to line up outside that venues doors waiting for the next band.

Obviously in a club, or any other setting the crowd is there, for each band, set up, tear down, etc.. On the ships, the rooms are mainly closed, or very limited people get in while the change over is happening. And one would think, the fans are out doing 10 things a day, like hanging at the pool, going to eat, etc... and nobody wants to sit around for an hour long sound-check, they'd rather say "Hey, let's go get lunch now, before EZN hit the stage in the Golden Lounge".

I know some of you on here have attended, while others have not, and we're aware some love these things, and others want to ridicule them. I personally, am not a water or boar person, and not even a beach person. Never have been either. But, I was pleasantly surprised how great all of these events have been, enjoyed all of them, and one thing is very evident... everyone always seems to get along. I have never even seen a raised voice argument in all of the cruises I have attended.

$tEvil

[Black Stuff]

Been on several MORC's, always a great time and no issues at all. With the smaller venues, Izzy sets up cruiser jams for off times later at night. Always fun and happy to say I got to jam several times.