My Allans Music/Joe Satriani experience

Right now, Joe is exchanging words with, and signing memorabilia for his fans at the city Allans Music store in Brisbane, Australia. However, I am not among them because I was summarily booted out.

My objective was to document Joe's meet-n-greet session in its two-hour entirety. In anticipation of his arrival, I positioned myself close to the podium which was crowned with an aura of Ibanez JS guitars.

Joe's San Francisco DVD was playing on a widescreen, and the line of fans was long, but not overwhelmingly so. Chatted with a few folks up at front, including the security guard. Happened to mention Dimebag Darrell and what, how and when it happened, and how I still miss him as a guitarist and fellow human.

After a moment, I moved back and out of the way and began to write a list of questions to ask Joe, when one of the guards came up to me and asked me to leave my bag near the entrance. We walked over, where there was another guard standing with a grim face. He was soon joined by a third, who began interrogating me as to why I am there, where I'm from, what do I do, why am I jotting notes and so on. Realising what was going on, I fully co-operated with their requests and allowed them to go through my bag. Then the manager of the store came up and asked them who they thought I was. They said "he seems to be just a fan", to which he told them to kick me out. All eyes were on me as a guard escorted me out of the store and down the escalator.

It has been one of my most humiliating experiences ever. While I can understand why they reacted the way they did, I am disappointed they didn't give me a chance to even stand in line after establishing I wasn't a dangerous lunatic out to harm Satch. I have been waiting over 10 years for a moment like this, only to have it stolen from me so callously. Still, I'd rather give that up than see any harm come to Joe. Losing Dimebag has been horrible enough.

I hope to see you in the future sometime, Joe. Thanks for all the wonderful melodies and inspiration you've given us, and I hope I will get a chance to convey these regards to you in person someday.

Much love,
Jason

Thanks, roo, it's much appreciated. I'm trying not to let it get to me, but that's easier said than done when the last two months had me brimming with joy and anticipation at finally being given a chat to see one of my gods in the flesh.

Regards,

Jason

Namm Man : yes, that sucks big time. However, I get the impression Allans has held this dismissive attitude towards their customers for quite a while. I've visited the store for over eight years now, and have noticed many occasions where the staff are curt, uncaring, couldn't give a damn, etc. not just towards me, but other customers as well.

I cannot really blame them for pulling me over -- I gave them what could be viewed as valid reasons to be concerned. What I am not impressed with is how they kicked me out without a second chance, or allowing me to defend myself.

shred_head_4_life : were you the dude up at front I was chatting to, about your favourite Satch albums and Dimebag? I was wearing a blue shirt, with a bag.

How is Satch? :-)

shred_head_4_life : Glad you got to meet The Man. Hopefully, I will get to see him live in a few hours (unless they ban me there, too) and will post a review once I get back.

BigBunny and aussieRGman : thank you so much for your kind words. I believe the problem wasn't so much security as it was the store management, but I hope no one else is subject to this again.

I'm off to the concert, and will report on the night when I get back -- hopefully after the show ends this time :-)

Regards,