So another UGZ Speed Trials has come and gone, and there were some lessons to be learned. Too many to write about here, but one thing is for sure, and that is if it has "UGZ" on the flyer or poster, then I need to be more involved. Not that I wasn't involved, but when you book 40-50 shows a year at Gilman, you begin to develop a system of trusting others to do stuff you used to do yourself because from a time standpoint it just makes more sense to delegate. I'm pretty careful when it comes to delegating some of my responsibilities, but every once in a while I am reminded that you can get a little too detached. You end up delegating things that you probably shouldn't. That said, the last couple of years of UGZ Speed Trials have turned out great, and so I can't totally dismiss my approach to UGZ Speed Trials booking and planning. We just a hit a Friday night bump this year, and so next year we will correct that mistake and bring a whole new approach to how we plan this event. UGZ Speed Trials is an event that a lot of people still love and look forward to every year, and I definitely appreciate that and hope to continue this for as long as possible, with some twists and turns thrown in to keep it interesting.
So the results from this year's UGZ Speed Trials were:
1. SFN (Wisconsin)
2. THOUANDSWILLDIE (East Bay)
3. IN DISGUST (San Jose)
As many of you who were there know, an altercation occured during IN DISGUST's set when a member of IN DISGUST and one of the Gilman security staff got into it. Aparently these two individuals had a history of not getting along prior to the Speed Trials, which I found out later. One thing I can tell you about Gilman after having dealt with various staff members, and booking over a hundred shows there, is that if you're seen punching anyone (or throwing punches) and no one is punching back, then they will porbably 86 you from the club. NOT the band, just whomever threw punches. The key thing to remember is that at Gilman, 86ing only lasts as long as it takes you to show up to a meeting to say you're sorry (usually). I know it's hard to apologize for some people, but then again it's easy. I'm also pretty prideful, and if I thought I was in the right, then I wouldn't back down or apologize, so I understand when someone decides to just stay 86ed rather than apologize for something they may feel was justified. Whatever, every situation is different. The next meeting at Gilman is April 4th at 5pm is anyone wants to come and express their opinion on this or any other matter at the club.
I have to thank Karen and Alejandra, but especially Karen for the BBQ and food that she came through with at this year's UGZ Speed Trials. Karen has really helped UGZ to take the food idea that we started at local warehouse venues to a whole other level. Contrary to what many people may believe, Gilman hasn't wholeheartedly supported and funded the food, posters, and many of the other details associated with UGZ shows the last couple of years. It took us (myself, Karen, and even Ale) several months of spending our own money to set the example for what could be done, and what needed to be done, and then after several months we began to ask Gilman for little bits of help at a time until in theory we would no longer have to go into our own pockets (for Speed Trials I still do obviously). Posters and promotional propaganda are now completely funded by the club, and have been for a while. Food is almost to the point where none of the volunteers, namely Karen, is losing money. So, that's a little insight into the Gilman universe. We have a list of things we'd like to do or add to the Gilman mix in the coming months, but we'll see how much of that actually gets done, but even if it doesn't, at least we did what we did. Thanks for your support.
-Jay Unidos
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