OK, no need to go into the concert, because there are enough people to write about that. In a word it was awesome. The energy was completely different from his Hit N Run tour. It was deffinitly there, but a little more sophisticated and music focused than before. And yes, I did love the concert.

Now here is my problem. Houston has a lot of club members. Prince and his crew knows this, because our names are on the list. You would think the more you get the more you give. As Prince likes to say, "Is is better to give or to receive." Well, we gave, he received and we received very little in return. Check this out, this is how it went from my point of view.

1. He arrived late. The first people got let in around 5:45 PM. I was dead in the center of the line and I didn't get in until a little after 6 PM.

2. Yeah he played some stuff we hadn't heard, but there was no passion in his playing. Nothing near like the concert. (I'm still trying to figure out how people are able to give a name to what he played, because he never gave it a name.)

3. The people he got to sing didn't get too close to him nor get any personal interaction. It seemed so preplanned that it lacked any coolness to me. Just something to fill the time. (Now for those three it may have been a wonderful moment, because they were on the stage with him and they did walk by him.)

4. He had a couple of hundred people in the audience and he chose to sit on the edge of the stage and let one person tell him a long story. Then he left. (As far as the other few questions some people say he answered, I couldn't hear any of that and I was in the front row on the far right side.)

I felt very dissed by this. Not because I didn't get to speak to him. It was that he didn't make any atempt to interact with the rest of us. I think he could have used the same 5 minutes to stand on the stage with the mic and take questions from the audience. We were very civilized and would have raised our hands while he picked from the crowd. This way we all could have felt like we had at least a chance to talk and we would have been more envolved. OR if he didn't want to do that, he could have spent the same 5 minutes just talking to us as a whole group. He could have talked to us about anything he chose. His music, the direction of the club or if he wanted to he could have even preached. I don't think we as a group would have gave a SH*T as long as he attempted to envolve the whole group. I know that when you have a place with a few members they will get more of his time, but we paid the same 100 bucks. I just would have liked to feel like he gave a damn.

Now before I get jumped by the protectors of Prince and people who feel he can do no wrong, let me say this. I've been a dedicated fan since 1979. I was a fan when it wasn't cool and there was no internet to link with people who shaired my views. I understand I only paid for the soundcheck and not a personal one on one session, but if you are going to be a professional you need to understand that we didn't wait in line for hours just for the music. People can say what they will. We wanted the personal interaction and got dissed, well at least 98% of us out of the couple of hundred there. We all read what happens in every city and it just sucks when your city is treated poorly.

I read someone's comment that the NPGMC section wasn't rocking out. We were in the soundcheck, but maybe after being cut short and dissed at the end some people probably had the air let out of their sails. I jammed the whole concert, but was still pissed about the soundcheck the whole time.

OK, I'm done. I'm still and always will be a fan. I will always belong to the club as long as there is one. I understand he is human. I'm just pissed and venting.



Thanks for caring. Thanks for sharing. Peace, Luv and Hair Grease.

FAATECH said:

No, no - it just depends on his mood. He did three shows in Dc, and I was there for all of them. Each night the mood was different, and the two soundchecks were a little different too.
He didn't let us really ask questions, just at a moment when there was dead air did someone blurt something out. In some cases he had NO time - being late makes it worse.

So don't worry. Just never expect ANYTHING at the soundchecks or at the Celebration. When you least expect it - something cool happens...trust me.

haven't you read the ORG? ppl are soliciting their crap and acting out like they've just witnessed the messiah.. he cant address the whole group, its a SOUNDCHECK... ie. he is CHECKING the SOUND... and these are , by the way a privledge that can easily be taken away...

if you feel dissed, dont join next year. this is prince, afterall, he may be converted but he hasnt necessarily CHANGED... i.e. we can still fall prey to his ever-changing whims.

STOP EXPECTING from him, then you wont be dissapointed. Not yelling at you FAATECH... nor singling you out, but there has been more than one post on this and it gets to be tiresome.

for god's sake: he's a rock star.

::::: Glad I got to attend the earlier soundchecks on this tour. I can see them being a thing of the past real soon. Some of you guys are draining with the constant complaints about petty things.

Not to bust your balls or anything but, some folks just don't get the meaning of "soundcheck".
It's not play with the fans time, or submit demo tape time, or Q&A time, etc. They are rehearsing for the show.

See this is what was so cool about the DC soundchecks (Divinity outburst aside) we came in and watched him work. We didn't come in expecting to get a chance to play his guitar or sing or, show off some costume or any of that stuff. We were observers, nothing more, nothing less.

OK SalaciousV, I feel you. I guess after reading all the posts on the soundchecks I focused on the good stuff that happened. I don't idolize him, but I do think he should be more aware of his audience. He doesn't leave the entire audience out during the concert. Sure it's a soundcheck, but we are still his audience. I rather he said nothing to anyone, than to cut out the entire audience for a few. I guess it's all relative. If I was the person he spent all the time talking to it would have been cool. So I'm through venting. I just needed an ear for sec.


Thanks for caring. Thanks for sharing. Peace, Luv and Hair Grease.

You got to be fucking kidding!!! It is fans like you that will ruin the soundcheck access. Prince cannot please everyone. Who do you think you are!!! I hope you are not serious. I was at the soundcheck in Houston and Prince was very friendly he sat and listen very patiently and politely to various stories from different club members. THAT IS UNPRECEDENTED FROM A STAR OF HIS MAGNITUDE!!!! UNPRECEDENTED!!! Damn this complaining....

Not to bust your balls or anything but, some folks just don't get the meaning of "soundcheck".
It's not play with the fans time, or submit demo tape time, or Q&A time, etc. They are rehearsing for the show.

The time I'm actually talking about was at the end of the soundcheck. We all did sit and listen during the soundcheck.

gman1966 said:

How can I ruin access to the soundchecks by speaking my mind? I am a fan who has followed and collected his works since 1979. I am asserious about my opions as you are about yours. You were apparently were among the few who got to be part of that moment unlike a lot of us who didn't. And also, there is no need to curse me or attack me. I put it out there for opions, not abuse. No one feels or thinks the exact same thing at the same time. It is through the exchange of ideas that good things evolve, not through personal attacks. I can see your point of view, can you see mine?

okay FAATECH: you are cool by me, i can understand a need to vent... THATS WHAT THIS PLACE IS FOR>>>> unfortunately, there are a select few that will read into Prince and his actions with warped sensibility and blow it out of focus and try to post here to gain sympathy/attention/15 min of fame of seeing their post get the most replies.. bla bla bla

you get it, and for that, i'm thankful

I'm really gettin' worried that the gift of soundcheck access is going to end VERY soon. Far too many bizarre events (see Divinity and Rebecca threads), and far too much complaining. It reaches him, I'm sure.

Remember, members can show up at right at showtime and still get the preferred GA access to the first 15 rows. If you're gonna complain, embarrass the rest of us, or have unrealistic expectations, then skip the soundcheck and allow the rest of us to check it out.

L.A. has got to be better! I'll see the lucky ones on the 19th!

I think that part of the problem is that individuals are taking up too much of the time the club members as a group get for the soundcheck.

These people attending the soundchecks and going on and on with their personal stories are being selfish.

If you happen to be chosen to speak, use some common sense, speak your piece and sit down. Don't keep going on and on like you're having a personal and intimate conversation with Prince when 150 other people there too.

TheMax said:

I can't wait to see what happens in LA when club members from the April 19 show who didn't buy a ticket for the April 20 show up anyway for the April 20 aftershow...

RavedIn2 you hit the nail on the head.

I think that y'all have extrememly high expectations.
It's like no matter what P does, it is never good enough...

Why y'all gotta be like that.....
I know that if nothing I ever did was appreciated,
or good enough....
and was constantly whined about and criticized .....
I'd say, "Fuck 'em"!! I mean why bother??

Whomever it was that said,(paraphrased)
"Expect nothing! that way you will never feel slighted or ripped off or cheated."
was right on the mark....
just because you have unreasonable expectations please don't ruin it for the rest of us!!!

Life Sexy u all

TheMax said:

I agree with not having major expectations. We as a whole did not bother him during the soundcheck. It was only after he made himself available at the end of center stage that this become uncool that only one person told some long drawn out story that completely took away all his time from the other couple of hundred people. Also, we where well behaved and no one bumb rushed him, shouted out stupid crap nor cut off the person telling the long drawn out story.

you've got to kidding me...

perhaps you should just send Prince a list of how you'd expect him to act and how you'd like the soundcheck to be.


perhaps you've forgotten that the soundchecks are always a "maybe"...just be glad you got to go in...

in response to FAATECH's: "It was only after he made himself available at the end of center stage that this become uncool that only one person told some long drawn out story that completely took away all his time from the other couple of hundred people"

BLAME THE SELFISH INDIVIDUAL not prince.. sounds like he was merely being courteous.

anyway, we'll see when he comes to LA how the unruly bunch will behave!

How about having someone from the Paisley staff moderate these soundchecks? When the club members enter and take their seats, the moderator can announce some ground rules for everyone.

Some of the rules could be:

*Be courteous to other members and limit your remarks to a reasonable amount of time.

*Anyone seen with camera or recording equipment will be removed from the soundcheck

*If you are invited to show your musicianship by playing with NPG, do your thing, again within a reasonable amount of time, and then gett off the stage so that others will get a chance, too.

*Do not bring any demo tapes or CDs. They will not be accepted. If you insist on presenting them after you are told that you cannot, you will be removed from the soundcheck.

I apologize for the profanity,but I cannot stress how cool it is for somelike Prince to allow us to his soundcheck and take the time to sit and chat with his fans. I think the only other major rock act that does this is the rock group KISS. You do not why it may seem like he dissed you, the crew might have been late with the stage setup, who knows!!!!

salaciousV said:

Hey, that is a good point. It may seem common sense to the masses, but my focus was on him so I also focused the blame on him. I expected to get beat up a little bit when I made the post, but I do appreciate good constructive criticism. And to the masses, don't get it twisted. I didn't expect anything, but having a one on one in front of the entire audience then leaving wasn't cool. MAYBE HE WAS just being courteous. Every individual has a different perspective on how things are and each person's perspective is their reality. That goes for everything in life. So, I'm trying to see you guys perspective, because I don't like mine. This is the point of forums. They are not all to praise the great one. We don't need forums to do that. At least not real fans.

FAATECH said:

If you have time, take a look at thread in the concerts forum "If this club is going to work."
[This message was edited Mon Apr 15 18:48:25 PDT 2002 by Batdance]

gman1966 said:

It's all good G Smilies,

Gman that was supposed to be a smile after G

Ok, I was at the soundcheck as well and let me give my opinion. This is my opinion and if anyone has issues, bring it on.

First of all, FAATECH, I definitely feel ya. There is no need to feel ashamed or to back track on anything you initially stated. I felt very greatful to be in the soundcheck and would pay $125.00 again. However, I will be honest and say I had some expectations when I went into it because of all of the previous posts I read from when he was in other cities. Yes, I am the "donkey" for thinking we were going to get at least an hour's worth of soundcheck. I got my first glimpse of Prince at around 5:50, by 6:30, it was over. Soundcheck and Q&A. Yes, I was the "donkey" for expecting him to answer more than 3 questions. Yes, I was the "donkey" for expecting to at least hear the questions and the answers Prince gave. Yes, I was the "donkey" for expecting Prince to go to the mic and answer the questions. The first 4 rows of all 3 floor sections were PACKED with club members and their guests. The left and right sections were off to the side and a black curtain was directly in front of both sections. I know there were at least 200 people in there (THERE WERE SO MANY CLUB MEMBERS,THEY RAN OUT OF SEATS. I KNOW I SAW 3 COUPLES THAT DIDN'T HAVE SEATS ALL NIGHT BECAUSE THEY WERE LATE TO THE SOUNDCHECK AND ALL OF THE CLUB SEATS HAD BEEN FILLED. I FELT SO BAD FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY PAID THE $100 MEMBERSHIP PLUS THE 125.00 FOR THE TICKET AND HAD TO STAND OFF TO THE SIDE FOR THE ENTIRE SHOW.). After soundcheck was over, with that many people in there, Prince walked over to the left front of the middle section, sat down on the edge of the stage (WITHOUT A MICROPHONE), supposedly answered 3 questions, got up and left. I was very excited to be there but I also was dissappointed he didn't stand on stage at a mic and answer questions since there were so many people.

Call me bitter, call me whatever, but as much as I enjoyed last night, many things happened that did not have to happen. If Prince decides to abolish the soundchecks because people have complaints, ok. But he can't forget, that although he is giving us something with the soundchecks, we are giving him something as well....and we all know what that is. I love Prince just like everyone else on this board but he has to be willing to listen to his fams whether it is compliments or complaints. We didn't join the club for nothing.

*note* - To the girl that told that 5 minute story.....Shame on you!!!!!

to be honest FAAT prince can be a jerk, not unlike all of us at one time or another... but in a "fandom" world... i would guess only about 80 percent of us are sane.. the rest want to have his baby, have a personal gripe against him etc.

it happens with ALL celebrities ... that's why they are skittish with the "common" folk. and the fact that he doesnt have steel plated armor trucks blocking the fans from the soundcheck, is enough for me to be grateful for.

i promise.. there's nothing i want to ask prince about in a room full of ppl nor is there anything he could do to me to dissapoint me

however i will be keeping a keen eye and ear out for the idiots who think this is "THEIR CHANCE TO MEET PRINCE" and "BE DISCOVERED" and out their asses online..

uh oh...there were club members left with no seats?

I'm only guessing, but it could be that if the couples who ended up without seats arrived late, it might be because some non club members might have moved up into the empty club seats...if there were 3 couples without seats..that means there must have been 6 empty club seats that somebody took...

And, before anybody says anything, NO I am not blaming Prince for these club members not getting seats..
[This message was edited Mon Apr 15 19:06:22 PDT 2002 by Batdance]

Batdance said:

Actually, Batdance, I'm glad you mentioned that. Members getting up and "loosing" their seat was not the case here. I don't blame Prince for this either, but he should be made aware that the first 5 rows were suppose to be for the Members but only 4 were available. That was the "monster".

The fact that we can actually ATTEND the soundcheck is a gift in itself. Appreciate that!

Maybe, he just wasn't in a very talkative mood. Or, maybe he was in a bad mood and he wanted to get outta there and pep himself up so that it didn't reflect in the actual concert, which is what you payed for, in the first place. To say he "dissed" you is REALLY selfish, immature and unfair to Prince! He doesn't have to let people in to watch the soundcheck. We certainly don't PAY to get into the soundcheck. He doesn't even owe us that. He owes us a concert and that's it. Soundchecks and aftershows are just special extras.

Now, I can see if he invited everybody in and was being a complete asshole to people. That's uncalled for. But he wasn't. Don't blame him because the soundcheck didn't live up to your potentially unrealistic expectations. You were lucky to be there. Period. I understand your disappointment but don't say Prince dissed you. That's not true.

The way other fans from other cities was hypin' it up on the prince.org, I thought the sound check was going to be alot better. More interaction and crowd partication. On the other hand, I was just happy to be there. Yeah, I'm the one one the 3rd row on the left that was jammin my symbol tamborine and symbol tamboracca.