meet “the crew” #2: Wayne Petroskey
It might not take an entire village to make America’s Premier Metal Fest the world-wide success that it is, but it does take the efforts of a team of hard-working, dedicated, and passionate backstage crew members.
I put six questions (via e-mail) to the behind-the-scenes people who make it all happen. What follows are the answers I received from one of those people.
Say hello to another of Glenn’s finest.
BM: What is your name?
WP: Wayne Petroskey
BM: Describe what it is you do at ProgPowerUSA.
WP: I’m the stage coordinator and guitar tech. As a crew, we all load in at the venue at around 9 a.m. the day of the show (drums were set up one night early last year). As the truck is unloaded, I try to call out where stuff will be staged, so that we are handling it the least amount of times, though everyone is pretty self sufficient and knowledgeable at what they are doing. We have a great bunch of guys on the crew, and have pulled a few MacGuyver tricks at times.
After the backline is set up and cases put away, we dial in some basic sounds on the amps, tune back-up guitars, while the rest of the crew does the basses, drums, keys, etc. We also tie in with the bands, make recommendations on amps based on sounds they want (since they are usually not playing through the same rigs they have at home). The bands do a line check. Then we make sure it is ready to go when the next band. Rinse and repeat x 10 ! 
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That goes until 2 a.m. Saturday, then on Saturday we get back to the venue around 10 am, and go until 3 a.m. - 4 a.m. on Sunday.
BM: How many PPUSA festivals have you worked?
WP: All except the first one in Lansing, IL, though I attended it.
BM: How did you get the gig with PPUSA?
WP: I knew Glenn from Powermad and his online days as a DJ, and I saw a posting on (I think) the Perpetual Motion board that they were looking for techs. I had been playing guitar forever, and had teched for a few local bands when I was younger, before having my own band. So I emailed Chris Roy (Manager) with what I thought were my qualifications as the posting said to do. Figured it was a cool way to meet the bands at PP if nothing else…
BM: What is the funniest/strangest/best thing that ever happened to you while working at PPUSA?
WP: Funniest: Besides almost every line out of Chris Roy, Don Capps, or Glenn….? And many of the bands have had one-liners or behind the scenes stuff that are f***in’ hilarious.
But I’d have to say running into the tech from the DVD story (the guy who almost got electrocuted) last year and asking him about it. He was a real good sport about it and told me “The strangest thing happened. I remember they were doing a soundcheck on the drums – then I was above my body, and saw myself falling back from the amp, and I thought “NO DRUMS AT MY FUNERAL.”
And he was kind of laughing about it! How messed up is that!?!?
Strangest: Stepping off the riser at PP 2.0 before the first set (after line-check) and re-tearing ligaments in my ankle. I basically had to walk around on a broken ankle for two days, as I did not want to let Glenn and the rest of the crew down. Ankle brace, ice, elevation, and few beers took care of it.
Best: Besides seeing some amazing performances and meeting a ton of great people (bands AND fans), teching for these guys has gotten me additional jobs as a guitar tech. Involvement with PP has lead to jobs with Chris Caffery (Spring and Fall “2005 Faces US Tour”), Jon Oliva’s Pain (”The Pain of it All Tour Fall 2005″ US/Canada), Tim Ripper Owens Beyond Fear (US/Canada Fall 2005), Cindy Lauper’s Theresa Wilson Benefit, O2’L (Al Pitrelli, Jane Mangini, John O’Reilly), and Tad Morose (Scandinavian Tour 2006). I had also missed out on some potential additional tours due to scheduling conflicts – including an Evergrey US tour, George Lynch tour, and Kreator 2006. We’ll see what 2007 brings…
BM: Why is ProgPowerUSA such a success year after year?
WP: It’s a BIG mixture of things, starting with Glenn’s hard work and passion. That includes his ability to hunt down bands, find new bands, listen to fans, and be an honest promoter. Plus, he runs this the way it should be run. Everything from the venue (he does not skimp on the backline gear) is upfront with the bands and fans. It runs better than some other festivals I have played at, attended, or have teched at. And, of course, you have the rabid fans that come back year after year, and introduce new people to these genres of music — and keep the music alive!
Add to that a great venue, and Glenn’s ability to “run” a crew in the “off season” and you have a hit. Glenn, Chris Roy, and Joel do a TON of work getting stage plots, input lists, and all types of stuff together WELL before the fest is ready. Plus, having guys on the crew that are VERY passionate about music in general, as well as the success of the fest. It’s a lot of work, and you miss out on a lot of – from what I have heard – legendary parties. We are trying to improve every year, from gear selection, to layout, to set-up time, to auxiliary things that the bands might spring on us last second. We also have production books with stage plots and notes. This year we are working on a crew guidebook as well.
On top of all that you have Shane [Dubose]. The Pre-Party is no piece of cake. And then you have the non-music crew: Scott, Mike, and Sean that bust their butts running gear and bands back and forth from hotel, to venue, to CVS, music stores, etc.
Add all that together and…voila!
BM: Just one more example that there’s really nothing that “a few beers” can’t take care of, eh? Thanks for your answers…and for your expertise at PPUSA, Wayne. Keep up the great work!
